Amazing Golf Course

I flew over from Houston TX for NASCAR. Cider Ridge was a random choice. It was an outstanding experience. I rate it overall, one of the best golf courses I've played in my 45 years of golfing. Very scenic. Highly recommend!

Mountain golf may not be what you think of when you think about golf in Alabama, but then again, Cider Ridge isnt your typical Alabama golf course. For the most part, its mountain golf; the course borders the Talladega National Forest and the Talladega Mountains and is situated at the base of Alabamas tallest mountain - Mt. Cheaha. The course is managed by Honours Golf, a division of Troon Golf. Cider Ridge features two distinctively different nines. The first six holes are more like a traditional parkland style course with tree-lined fairways, 100-year-old majestic oaks, and streams including the Choccolocco Creek. In fact, you really dont see much elevation change until the 6th hole and from then on, it becomes more mountain golf. The back nine has a lot more elevation change, with rolling hills, mountain vistas, dense hardwood forests, and a natural waterfall on #12, the signature hole.Many of the greens are well elevated meaning if you dont take enough club or in some cases hit it hard enough, it can roll back down to your feet. Because this is a mountain course theres a lot of roll and undulation in the fairways, leaving many uneven lies. Mature trees guard many of the fairways and may be hard to hit under, over or around.Citrus Ridge has several memorable holes. Number 2 is a long dogleg left par 4 that plays 396 yards. Playing down the right side will take the fairway bunker and large oak tree out of play and give you a good angle into the green. As you turn the dogleg, youll find a large lake guarding the left side of the fairway and green. A good drive will leave a mid to long iron into a long narrow green that is slightly elevated and slopes back to front. Theres a bunker between the water and the green and nothing good to the right. Par is a good score here.Before or after your round, stop by the Cider Ridge Grill which offers casual dining in a comfortable atmosphere. They serve up American staples like mouth-watering burgers, freshly-made salads and sandwiches and their legendary chicken fingers and wings in a variety of sauces. They also make tailgating easy with several party platter options, allowing you to sit back, relax and watch the game. Cider Ridges professional staff is involved in a number of activities with golfers, from junior golf, to group and private lessons to helping you set up the perfect golf tournament. If you are looking to take up the game or are looking for help fine tuning it, Cider Ridge Golf Club can meet your all your instructional needs. Cider Ridge Golf Club and Troon Golf are big believers in growing the game of golf and it all starts at the junior level. The Junior Golf Academy at Cider Ridge exposes junior golfers to all facets of the game including etiquette, sportsmanship, and integrity. Cider Ridge can help arrange a golf tournament golf that will be remembered by you and your guests. Whether its a small group of guys getting away for the weekend or a large charity fundraising tournament for up to 108 players, the PGA-certified professionals will work with you every step of the way to see to it that everything goes off as planned. Cider Ridge offers several annual golf memberships that will give golfers the opportunity to play as much golf as they can. Benefits Include unlimited green fees, preferred rates at other participating Honours Golf facilities, 50% off range balls, ability to participate in Club Tournaments including the Club Championship, Oxford City Championship and Match Play. Youll also receive a 15% discount on pro shop merchandise (shirts, hats, golf balls, accessories, gloves & more) and cost plus 15% on all special orders. Senior, junior and family memberships are also available as is a range membership that will get you 50% off range balls.

Would rate 3.5, but I'll round up with some nuance.The good: The course is in great condition, the layout is fair for the most part but there were some pin placements that were a little over done. The price represents good value. The clubhouse is nice and clean. The food is well above average for a public course and also comes at a value price. Cart attendants were prompt and around a lot. The not so good: No Marshall. They sent off a group of 5 on a Saturday morning and, of course, with no Marshall, the pace of play was -30 and we had stacking from the 2nd hole on (3-4 groups by mid back nine.) The carts malfunctioned several times (disabling on the cart path with a message of 'cart path only') requiring a complete stop and turning off then back on. While the cart attendants were around a lot, the selection was limited. All in all, the course is fun and in great shape. Here comes the nuance, if I were local, I would play here again; however, allowing groups larger than 4 off on the weekend with no Marshall will keep me from returning from Birmingham.

Beautiful Course and friendly staff