Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club, Ocala, Florida ? Considered the Finest ``Replica Course'' in the Country

The Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club is a private golf course community with an "open-to-the-public'' guest policy. The course features some beautiful scenery, with rolling hills, scenic valleys and quiet brooks located in northern Florida.

The 18-hole, par-72 course, which opened in 1986, is a Ron Garl design. The course plays to a length of 6,735 yards, with a USGA rating of 72.2 and a slope rating of 132 on Bermuda grass. Overall, the course is said to be difficult from the back tees, with trouble surrounding many of its holes.

There are 60 soft sand bunkers that vary greatly in terms of shape and size, strategically placed near landing zones and greenside. Only two holes have water hazards that come into play, but both demand forced carries. The green complexes also feature a variety of shapes and sizes and are said to be "true rolling'' and a "joy to putt on.''

Some of the most noteworthy features of the course are its eight replica holes from some of the best courses in the world. The No. 4 hole is a replica of No. 8 at Royal Troon; No. 5 is a replica of Muirfield's No. 9; No. 6 is No. 16 from Augusta; No. 11 is Augusta National's No. 12 hole; No. 12 is Augusta's No. 13 hole; No. 13 is the famous No. 17 Road Hole at St. Andrews (dubbed by many golfers as the "hardest golf hole in the world''), including its famous fieldstone wall; No. 14 is St. Andrews' first hole; and No. 15 at Golden Ocala is the No. 4 hole at Baltusrol. The remainder of the holes at the Golden Ocala course are original designs.

It's been written that the locals consider the Golden Ocala layout to be one of the top ten courses in the state. It was also named the #1 Replica Course by Travel & Leisure Golf magazine.

Practice facilities at Ocala Golf club include a 10-acre short-game practice area and driving range. The club also features a 77,000-square-foot clubhouse built in traditional Southern style.

Other amenities include championship tennis courts, a state-of-the-art spa and fitness center, and an equestrian compound. The club also offers dining choices at three signature restaurants.