Black Diamond

The east and southeast of Ohio is much hillier and less populated than the rest of the state...although Bandon-style “destination golf” may not be in the cards, there is plenty of opportunity for courses like Black Diamond, which takes advantage of its terrain to offer golf that’s bordering on “mountain style” (but not quite).

The lay of the land will be the prime opponent at Black Diamond, as very few lies will be even. On the positive side of things, many of the tee shots will be thrill rides, which begins at No. 3, with its long descent to a wider patch of fairway, and the roller coaster continues from there. Perhaps the most photographed hole is No. 14, a par five that shoots between trees and over a ravine on its way to a green that angles steeply to the right.

Ohioan Barry Serafin could only do so much when fighting the geography at this venue...staying out of the wooded valleys that line holes will fall upon the accuracy of your approach game.