Diamond Creek

Banner Elk, NC • Private

4.6

Panelists

122 Reviews

1 / 4

2017-90-Diamond-Creek-GC-Clubhouse-and-hole-9-fairway.jpg

Courtesy of Diamond Creek GC

2 / 4

2017-90-Diamond-Creek-GC-hole-7-green-and-Hanging-Rock-Mountain-in-background.jpg

Courtesy of Diamond Creek GC

3 / 4

Courtesy of Diamond Creek GC

4 / 4

Courtesy of Diamond Creek GC

Overview

While architecture purists scoff at the notion of waterfalls on golf courses, there is something magnificent about a cascading water feature done right. Few are as effective as the one behind the par-3 17th green at Diamond Creek. Tom Fazio positioned the green nearly at the base of a sheer granite quarry wall, down which a slender stream of water drops more than 100 feet. Amazingly, the club entrance’s drive is also at the base of the quarry wall, hidden from view on the 17th as effectively as Fazio hides his cart paths.

About

Holes 18

Length 7175

Slope 149

Facility Type Private

Year Opened 2003

Designer Thomas Fazio, ASGCA

Awards

Ranking history:

100 Greatest: Ranked since 2013.
2023-'24 ranking: 77th (highest).
Previous ranking: 86th.

Best in State: Ranked Top 5 in North Carolina from 2005-2007 & since 2013; Top 10 from 2009-2012.
Current ranking: Fourth.

Panelists

Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists

4.6

100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES

Shot Options

7.4811

Character

7.7373

Challenge

7.5501

Layout Variety

7.4381

Fun

7.392

Aesthetics

7.9639

Conditioning

8.1101

Reviews

1 / 5

Review

“Beautiful Tom Fazio design in the North Carolina mountains. Conditions were superb."

2021

2 / 5

Review

“Really cool club with outstanding finishing holes."

2018

3 / 5

Review

“I love this place. The golf course is routed in the mountains, yet is walkable. Fazio's routing is nothing short of excellent. There is plenty of room off the tee but the shots into the green demand accuracy if you want to get close to the pin because the greens have interesting undulations. The clubhouse is elegant and the food exquisite. If you can, make a reservation and Artisinals outside the clubhouse gate. It is the best restaurant in the state."

2018

4 / 5

Review

“Excellent course in a fantastic setting. Supreme conditions. The golf balls moves on the ground like you are in the British Isles"

2018

5 / 5

Review

“The greens were the fastest i've ever played and, even with the help of a caddie, there were multiple times when I couldn't fully appreciate their speed. The aesthetics were off the chart as well due to the course's location on the side of a mountain yielding valley views, elevated tees, and the overall picturesque backdrop of the course. Each hole stands on it's own. The overall feel of the course, grounds and clubhouse is very special. It's one of those courses you probably have to play multiple times to fully appreciate and score well."

2018