Ocala, Florida
The Club at Iron Lake delivers a private, shotmaker’s test set in a one-of-a-kind Ocala limestone quarry. Its blend of elevation, water, and risk-reward long holes challenges every club in the bag. Not your typical Florida track—bring your best ball-striking.
Take a moment behind the 14th green for one of Ocala’s wildest quarry-and-lake photo ops.
Iron Lake is a masterclass in maximizing dramatic terrain, with a layout carved through the scars and ledges of a former limestone quarry. The result is bold elevation, sudden water carries, and fairways that snake beside and above natural spring-fed lakes. Frank Stronach’s vision wasn’t to hide the stone and water but to feature them, making both hazards and vistas the course's defining character. Open corners, strategic angles, and a diverse run of short and long holes keep strategy paramount—this is not Florida golf on autopilot; it’s an adventure in shotmaking.
Stronach’s singular vision for this layout was to work with—not against—the quarry, making the natural drama integral to every round.
This engaging par 5 weaves between quarry scars, demanding both placement and nerve. Length grants a reachable look, but straying off line tempts disaster along limestone and water features.
Smart play off the tee to position, cautious aggression for big hitters going for two, patient layup sets up birdie—choices abound.
Stray too far right or left and you face treacherous lies or water-laced penalty areas long before you reach the green.
Championship-level conditioning with pure greens and tightly mown fairways.
Efficient member club pace; rarely crowded, but long holes can slow busy periods.
Energetic, ambitious private club fusing modern Florida polish with raw, natural drama.
Wind and sudden rain squalls can roll through—pack accordingly, especially for exposed back-nine holes.
Several par 3s and par 5 approaches will demand more than just wedge play—come ready to swing long clubs from all sorts of lies.
Quarry routing means elevation change and some long green-to-tee transitions; your legs will notice by the loop’s end.
Confirm invitation and guest policy before your trip; this is a strictly private experience.
Course opens as Adena Golf & Country Club
Recognized by Golf Digest as a Best New Course in America
Original private club closes after three seasons
Reopens as Club Adena under new management
Rebrands to The Club at Iron Lake after major sale
Announces partnership with NXXT Women’s Pro Tour for year-end championship
The layout of Iron Lake was sculpted into abandoned limestone quarries, with fairways plunging and climbing across dramatic old mining cuts. This sense of reclaimed wilderness, set against the backdrop of spring-fed water, shapes both the strategy and the visual drama.
Several holes force golfers to confront intimidating shots over limestone walls and lakes born of the quarry’s industrial past. It’s a pulse-raising blend of risk, reward, and jaw-dropping aesthetics that few Florida courses can match.
Hole 15 cranks the volume with a par 3 stretching to a mammoth 276 yards from the tips—one of the true gladiator tests in the Southeast. Power isn’t enough; only the precise survive.
After opening as Adena Golf & Country Club, then Club Adena, this Ocala standout became The Club at Iron Lake in 2024, embracing the Iron Lake focal point and breathing new identity into a Florida original.
Built atop former limestone quarries mined for road construction.
Iron Lake is spring-fed and crystal clear, anchoring both play and the community name.
Once recognized as one of Golf Digest’s Best New Courses in America.
The 15th hole may be Florida’s longest par 3 in regular play.
Dramatic elevation change sets it apart from most Florida courses.
A classic test flush with mature trees and lively greens, minutes from Iron Lake.
Accessible and highly playable, with broad fairways and a relaxed vibe—perfect for groups.
Good routing, rolling land, and a storied Ocala layout—mix in history with your trip.
Affordable, easy-add value round just across town.
Link together a round with luxury amenities, dining, and an equestrian experience.
Stay in West or North Ocala for short drives to all top options.
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Why it matches: What links these two? Brings a comparable level of challenge and puts the same premium on presentation — a familiar feeling, expressed in Driftwood Golf & Ranch Club's own setting.
Why it matches: Real Club Valderrama is a natural next stop after The Club at Iron Lake: it asks for the same disciplined decision-making and offers similarly polished playing surfaces.
Why it matches: There is real overlap here. The Club at Cheval offers similarly polished playing surfaces, making it a compelling counterpart to The Club at Iron Lake.
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