Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club

Only two stars. Why only two stars. Lets start with the positive. Golf course in amazing, beautiful 27 holes broken down to three nines. But it ends there. Let me start by saying our foursome are NOT members of this club. We were invited to play since we are members of another golf club in Florida. We decided to take up the offer and visit Golden Ocala to play. We were told it would cost $300 a player, which we were all okay with paying. 1: Today, Friday November 28th was 39 degrees (30 with the windchill) , tee time was 8:30. We called at 8:00 to ask the pro shop if there might be a frost delay. Response from the golf shop "Why would I know that" hhmmm??? Wouldn't the pro shop, who is responsible of tee times, know that? Yes, they don't make the decision, but they could alert golfers upon arriving at the golf course that there might be a delay. 2: Our first twosome got to the golf course and were charged $200. The second twosome arrived 10 minutes later and were charged $300. The pro shop informed the latter twosome, that the first twosome had to come in and pay the extra $100. No problem, we paid it. We were told by the pro shop, " You will be playing holes 1 thru 9 and 10 thru 18 (the original course). Our golf cart had a sign, and it stated holes 1 thru 9 and 10 thru 18. 3: We commenced our round and there was no starter, no direction on how to get to the first hole, is it 90 degree rule or cart path only, remind golfers to replace divots and fix ball marks on the green. As a member of a golf club, us members like to help keep the course in great shape. 4: We finished hole 9. Going to hole 10, we were stopped by individuals who work at the bag dropped. We were told to go play holes 19 thru 27. We asked why, they stated " You didn't pay enough money" WHAT????? We informed him that we were told we would play holes 9 thru 18. The individual went into the pro shop, came back out and said, "NO, got to hole 19". Our golfers are a 7hcp, 11hcp. We don't spray the ball and play quick up to pace golf. We felt like outcasts and felt if you are not a member you don't matter. Is a shame because the course is Beautiful, but lack of communication is obviously present. Not a well managed and run place.

Golden Ocala Country Club is an absolute masterpiece that deserves every bit of its 5-star rating! Nestled in the rolling hills of Ocala, Florida, this place is a paradise for anyone who loves luxury, golf, and an unforgettable experience. The 18-hole championship golf course, designed by Ron Garl, is a dream—immaculately maintained with eight tribute holes inspired by legends like Augusta National and St. Andrews. Every swing feels like a journey through golf history, and the fairways are so pristine you’d think they were painted on. The greens? Fast, true, and a joy to putt. Beyond the course, the 77,000-square-foot clubhouse is a stunner—elegant yet welcoming, with top-tier dining that’s a treat for the senses. We savored a meal at The Griffin, where every bite was perfection, crafted by their award-winning chef. The staff here are next-level—attentive, warm, and genuinely invested in making your day special. Whether it’s a round of golf, a spa day, or just soaking in the breathtaking views, they’ve got it all dialed in. The equestrian vibe ties it all together, with the nearby World Equestrian Center adding to the charm. This isn’t just a country club; it’s a lifestyle. From the cobblestone cart paths to the luxurious villas, Golden Ocala delivers an unmatched blend of sophistication and relaxation. It’s a must-visit slice of heaven—5 stars don’t even feel like enough!

Above and beyond doesn't even begin to describe our wedding experience at Golden Ocala. I knew this would be the perfect place for our dream wedding from the pictures alone, but the relationships we formed with the staff and the royalty treatment we received was incredible. Georgie Rarick was our wedding coordinator and she made sure everything went perfectly. We were always in contact before the wedding, she tweaked and changed the final wedding contract for us so many times, and she made sure we were always relaxed and taken care of. She recommended a different salad dressing for us at the tasting that was superb and we went with her suggestions on everything since. She bustled our wedding dresses, she made sure we always had food and drinks, and she pulled us aside to have a heart to heart after the ceremony. Georgie was the absolute best and even though we live far away, I find myself wishing to get a club membership just to come back to the venue. When Georgie had to go, we were also very well taken care of by Ryan. Not only did they set everything up perfectly, they also helped tear down afterwards. They packed up extra food for us because they knew how much we loved the cooking, and as we left the gorgeous place, it was bittersweet. We were happy to finally be married after over 2 years of planning, but we found ourselves missing the venue and the wonderful people who worked tirelessly to give us the best experience we could receive. Thank you Golden Ocala. Thank you staff. We love you so much. Thank you for everything. Love, Laurie & Devon Colin