One of the first things you notice as you pull in the driveway at Diamondback Golf Course in Haines City is that there are no houses around. That means no sounds of breaking glass or children screaming from their swimming pool during your backswing. Just a nice peaceful day on the golf course; a day communing with nature, becoming one with the course. And then you step up to the first tee and realize: this isn’t going to be that easy.
In 1995 the Joe Lee designed golf course that is the Diamondback Golf Club in Haines City, Florida opened for play. The course plays 6,893 yards from the gold tees for a par of 72. The course rating is 73.1 and the slope rating is 131 on Bermuda grass. In the past, it has been rated 4½ stars by Golf Digest “Places to Play.” There are five sets of tees so the course can be enjoyed by players of all skill levels.
Golf Club was carved from 240 acres of virgin forest. During your round you will find rolling fairways bordered by dense woods (too thick for most ball hawkers), pristine wetlands and strategically placed bunkers and water hazards. Diamondback Golf Club offers a setting where you can challenge yourself to one of Florida's most preserved 18-holes of golf.
As for amenities, Diamondback offers a full-service pro shop including top brand merchandise and PGA professional instruction, a clubhouse with a full-service restaurant and a patio featuring a panoramic view overlooking the golf course. Practice facilities include a driving range, a putting green, and a chipping green.
Memorable Holes:
Number 1: Par 5, 580 yards. No matter which set of tees you play from, this is a tough starting hole. The average golfer will likely be forced to leave driver in the bag – not the way I like to start a round. The best line off the tee is to hit your tee shot about 220 – 240 yards out to the right of the fairway bunker on the left. Your second shot will need to carry a marshland on the right side. The best approach angle to the green is from the right side, but you will need to avoid the fairway bunker. The green is fairly large and well protected on the left side by bunkers. Be sure to get the pin position from the starter as this could determine your club selection on approach. Par is a good start to any round, especially here.
Number 3: Par 4, 395 yards. There is a premium on accuracy here, both off the tee and on approach. Play your drive to the left center of the fairway to maximize your angle in to the green. Your approach shot is to an elevated green flanked on both sides by sand.
Number 9: Par 4, 440 yards. Nothing like a long par 4 to lead you back to the clubhouse. For many this hole will determine soda or beer at the turn. This long dogleg right features sand both left and right off the tee. If you can somehow manage to hit your tee shot down the middle between the bunkers, you will be left with about 150 yards to a large green that is protected by bunkers on all sides. There is also a large tree on the back right side of the green that you will want to avoid. If you’re going to miss long, miss left.
Number 10: Par 5, 541 yards. Number 10 is probably the most challenging par five on the course. Control of your tee shot is critical; it’s like playing up a bowling alley off the tee. Trees line both sides of the fairway. Beware of the water on the left side on your layup shot as the fairway narrows considerably. The approach shot is to a slightly elevated green well protected by bunkers. Birdie is possible if you can hit a long tee shot over the wetlands on the right side.
Number 16: Par 5, 524 yards. Far and away the prettiest hole on the course especially if you are into aesthetics. White sand stretches 365 yards down the left side of the fairway and leads to a waterfall. The landing area is wide open off the tee so go ahead and bomb it; put a little draw on it if it is in your repertoire. The fairway slopes right to left towards the water but should not be a factor. The green is large and very receptive to long irons and hybrids.
Number 17: Par 3, 207 yards. I realize that for the average player this is a long par three but the bright side is that the hole opens up by the green. There is sand short of the green on the right as well as long left. The green is large and fairly flat.
Last Word: Diamondback is a thinking man’s golf course. There is more emphasis on accuracy, both off the tee and with irons. Landing areas can sometimes be small. For the most part, the greens are large and roll very well; there was only one green with some rough spots but that is to be expected this time of year. If you are in the Disney area you are less than 30 minutes away. I would consider it a good use of time to play Diamondback and see for yourself how challenging it is. The downside is that there is a huge drop off in yardage between the white and gray (senior) tees. Something around 5500 yards would be nice. For more information, give them a call at (800) 222-5629. You can book tee times online through their website http://www.diamondbackgc.net.
