From the White Tees - A Regular Guy's Guide to Golf Courses

Criteria

The plan is to give my thoughts on some key aspects of each course as it relates to the average golfer and then follow up with an overall score at the end. The grading scale will go from Eagle to Double Bogey in each of the following criteria:

Course Quality

Course Layout

Nature

Beer Cart/Halfway House

Clubhouse/Amenities/Staff 

Bang for Your Buck

Overall

Golf Course Guide - Black Diamond Ranch - Lecanto, FL

March 24, 2022|Golf Course Guide      

My last few years in Seattle I had a golf group that was really a great group.  The bulk of the group had been friends for many years, some since high school, but they were kind enough to let me join and we had a few years where we had a ton of fun probably playing at least 40 Saturdays a year together.  I have certainly had golf buddies since then but I really missed having that core group with weekly games and the blossoming familiarity and friendships that come with spending 6 hours a week with a group of people.  It had been more than a decade since I have had a group like this and I am very grateful to be a part of one again.  It was with this group (12 of us in all) I had a chance to do a weekend golf trip to Lecanto, FL. And visit Black Diamond Ranch.  

Course Quality (Par) – There are several courses as part of the overall complex with the two main courses being the ones we played, The Quarry and The Ranch.  We played these courses in early spring which isn’t always the easiest time for a course to be in its best shape, even in Florida.  The overall shape of the courses was a little bit inconsistent.  There were stretches on both courses where the quality was absolutely excellent but other areas that were patchy and lacked quality grass in key areas.  It was a little strange to have such dichotomy on the same courses but in many ways it was almost as if they had the wrong 9’s attached to one another (more on that in a minute).  The greens on both courses were challenging but categorically in great shape.  They were a little slow and took some getting used to but the quality was very high.  The par rating here is really an average of some extreme highs and some lower lows.  

Course Layout (Birdie) – As I mentioned above, this was really a tale of two 9’s on each course and I wonder if they have ever considered attaching the front 9 of The Ranch with the back 9 of The Quarry.  That combination would be an absolute world class course but, needless to say, it would leave a much lesser course for the other 18 holes.  Holes 13-17 on The Quarry are the most picturesque holes anywhere I have seen in Florida.  #’s 13-17 weave through an abandoned rock quarry that really felt that we were playing in Texas Hill Country vs. Central Florida.  The 13th and 17th holes are both dramatic Par 3’s hitting over a large gorge.  Regardless of what tees you are playing make sure and go up and play the back tees on #13, it doesn’t add much in terms of yardage but the view is breathtaking.  Don’t be embarrassed to be hitting Driver or 3 Wood on #17, most of us did too.  Lush fairways, large oak trees, rolling hills and seemingly no straight holes were the hallmarks of the front 9 of The Ranch Course.  9 excellent holes carved into a very natural setting.  The Par 3 7th hole, which calls for a full carry over a picturesque pond, is absolutely gorgeous.  Overall, there are some ho-hum holes on both courses but some amazing ones to make up for them.  

Nature (Birdie) – If you blindfolded me and dropped me in the middle of Black Diamond Ranch I would have thought you dropped me in Central Texas instead of Central Florida…and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that.  That didn’t stop us from seeing a couple of alligators, a veritable herd of turtles scattered throughout the various ponds and the signature Herons, Cormorants, Ospreys that are the mainstays of the Florida bird population.  Tons of Southern Fox Squirrels too (which I love).  

Beer Cart/Halfway House (Double Bogey) – I don’t give out many double bogeys (though I certainly put my fair share on the card) but there was no other way to go with this one.  One beverage cart visit in three days, not one per day, once over three days.  One group in our crew stopped at the halfway house and paid $45 for a six pack of Bud Light.  They really need to re-think their setup in this area.  I am sure it is frowned upon, but try and bring your own beverages if you can.  

Clubhouse/Amenities (Par) – The bar was pretty cool (again, felt more like Texas) and they had a wraparound deck overlooking the 9th green of The Quarry that was really nice.  The food quality was excellent (believe it or not the dumplings were a huge winner in our group).  The challenges here were in staffing where they seemed to be really light which I’m guessing was also the issue with the beverage cart.  They seemed to have one person for the entire room and it wasn’t enough.  The other missed opportunity was in their hours.  The complex is 15 minutes from downtown Lecanto (which was really nice) and we would have happily stayed and spent our money at the bar on Friday night vs. driving 15 minutes away but they closed at 7p.  I have to believe they are losing business by closing so early.  

Bang For The Buck (Par) – Pretty standard stay and play packages for comparable opportunities in Florida.  Not cheap by any means but not outlandish.  The Quarry in particular was worth the money for the views alone.  

Overall (Par) – The highs were really high at Black Diamond Ranch.  The Quarry Back 9 was spectacular and that alone was worth the trip.  The Ranch front 9 was wonderful and a very enjoyable 9 holes of golf.  Too many lows, though, to earn the birdie.  The beverage situation was basically ridiculous and the place just didn’t seem that interested in making our group (of 12!) feel welcomed.  Good news is that the challenges they have can all be addressed and I hope they do because the golf overall was really excellent.  I’m glad I went, enjoyed my time and would recommend The Quarry to anybody.

April 5, 2020|Golf Course Guide

Fantastic golf course attached to the Riverside Casino in Riverside, IA.  Maybe a 20 minute drive to Iowa City so it would make for a perfect Golf/Football weekend in September (which I'm planning!)

Course Quality (Birdie) - Played in in early July and it was in magnificent shape.  Played the first day when it was hot and dry conditions and it was ideal.  It rained that evening so had a chance to play it the next day and there were no drainage issues at all.  they had to re-route and actually take a couple of the holes out of play permanently after the 2008 floods but now the place was in outstanding shape.

Course Layout (Birdie) - Almost every hole featured rolling hills creating some elevation change which made it spectacular.  The par 5 12th, for example, played straight up hill.  The perception of Iowa being flat gets called into pretty significant question here.

Nature (Par) - The elevation changes make for some really nice views, basically forest and cornfields (which looked amazingly green from high above).  Some water holes allow for birds and some wildlife.  The whole course is just extremely pleasant visually.

Beer Cart/Halfway House (Par) - I wasn't greeted by a beer cart throughout the round but I was playing during the week and that might be an amenity for the weekends.  The halfway house was conveniently situated and well stocked.  Beer and food were all reasonably priced and you didn't feel as though you were getting stuck on price.

Clubhouse/Staff (Par) - Kind of an odd setup.  The pro shop is in the main casino building where you get loaded onto a cart.  You then drive about a quarter mile to get to the first tee area.  The pro shop has a small bar right in it with maybe 6-8 seats and it also serves the pool guests from the window behind it.  It isn't fancy but it very serviceable and the beer is cold and prices are very reasonable.  My guess is that with a casino attached there wasn't a huge push to make this a big active sports bar but it suits the purpose just fine.  Every person I came in contact with was extremely friendly and helpful.

Bang for Your Buck (Birdie) - This one is a little bit a matter of perspective.  By the surrounding Iowa course standard this is likely the most expensive course around.  However at $85 for the weekend rate (with stay and play deals available) the course that you get for the investment is very well in line.  I have paid much more at resort courses that I have enjoyed considerably less.  If this exact course were in a true resort area they'd be asking twice this amount.

Overall (Birdie) - This is a super golf course and a great three day weekend experience.  It's a little remote, but Iowa City is only 20 minutes away and the restaurant/nightlife scene there is fantastic so as long as you are taking an Uber you'll have a ball.  You will be extremely please with the quality of the golf experience here and the whole facility is really well done.  Plus, there is a drive through corn silo...how can you go wrong with that?  Big thumbs up on this place!

April 5, 2020|Golf Course Guide

Full disclosure, while this is a public course, I am part of their annual membership program.

As mentioned, this is my home course now and it wouldn't be were I not a huge fan of it.  The The Valley course is the "other" course at TPC Sawgrass but don't let that fool you.  This is a fantastic golf course that comes with the benefit of all of the amenities of the world renowned Stadium Course.

Course Quality (Birdie) - This course is maintained by the same people managing the Stadium Course so you know it is getting excellent treatment.  The green speed has varied a little bit year to year but the quality is excellent and they roll extremely true.  This course sees a good amount of play and there are a couple of landing areas that take a bit of a beating but overall the course is kept in wonderful shape.

Course Layout (Birdie) - If you like Pete Dye courses you won't be disappointed.  With water in play on almost every hole, this course does what most of Pete's courses challenge you to do...what you're supposed to do.  If you keep it straight and mind your short game you can score here.  If you get wayward, however, you're going to start giving away balls in a hurry.  The par 3 11th is the star of the show with many other greats as part of the ensemble.  Back to back par 5's on 16 and 17 (both of which look very similar though play differently) make you wish those two had been broken up a little bit but that doesn't detract form the overall great layout.

Nature (Birdie) - There are houses along many fairways which takes away from the natural beauty.  With all that water, though, the Florida birds all come out in style.  You'll see a dozen different types of birds, tons of turtles, usually at least one alligator and fairly regularly you'll catch some otters at play.  Watch for the ospreys dive bombing in the ponds too!

Beer Cart/Halfway House (Par) - This is a tough par because the cart service is fantastic.  Extremely attentive and you'll likely get at least 3 visits during the round on top of a very well stacked halfway house (with good hot dogs!).  You do pay resort prices here, though, and they're a little steep.  $6 beers ($30 for a six pack) feels a little excessive when you're paying a pretty decent greens fee.  One huge plus, however, is complimentary and basically unlimited bottled water.  It's not outrageous, I just feel like they could knock a buck or two off the beer prices.

Clubhouse/Staff (Eagle) - Make sure to spend some time in the clubhouse before or after your round.  Tons of nostalgia throughout the clubhouse and a huge and wonderfully stocked pro shop.  Super bar with a solid menu.  They have one of the best happy hours in town as well.  The patio is fantastic and a great place for dinner after the round or anytime.  World class service and the bartenders are creative and clever with their concoctions.  you ask for it, they can make it.  You'll not be disappointed here.

Bang for Your Buck (Par) - It isn't an inexpensive round as you're generally in the $125-$150 range but the course is excellent, the amenities are outstanding and the experience is worth it.

Overall (Birdie) - My acknowledged built in bias aside, this is one of my favorite courses ever.  I think it compares extremely favorably with its sister course and if you do a weekend playing The Stadium one day and the Valley the other and think you're setting up for a let down you absolutely won't be.  This is a fantastic course by itself and the amenities that go along with it make it all the better of an experience.