Golf in Oxford Alabama: Cider Ridge Golf Club

Mountain Course Ranked Among Alabama’s Best

Cider Ridge Golf Club is Just 14 Minutes from Downtown Oxford Alabama

Mountain golf may not be what you think of when it comes to Alabama, but Cider Ridge Golf Club isn’t your typical Alabama golf course.

For the most part, it’s mountain golf. The course borders the Talladega National Forest and the Talladega mountains, and is situated at the base of the state’s tallest mountain – 2,413-foot Mt. Cheaha. The course is managed by Honours Golf, a division of Troon Golf.

Cider Ridge Golf Club was designed by Bergin Design, which incorporated the central Alabama terrain into the 6,946-yard layout. From the back tees, the course boasts a course rating of 74.0 and a slope of 140. Five sets of tees allow you pick a yardage between 4,507 and 6,946 yards.

Cider Ridge is located midway between Birmingham and Atlanta; minutes off Interstate 20, and not far from the renowned Talladega Superspeedway.

Over the past 10 years, Cider Ridge has become widely known as one of Alabama’s top golf courses and it’s received multiple awards from GolfAdvisor.com including a spot among the Top 10 Courses in Alabama 2015-19.

Cider Ridge Golf Club features two distinct nines. The first six holes are similar to a traditional parkland-style course with tree-lined fairways, majestic 100-year-old oaks, and streams, including the Choccolocco Creek. There’s not much elevation change until the sixth hole; from then on, it becomes more mountain golf. The back nine features rolling hills, mountain vistas, dense hardwood forests, and a natural waterfall on No. 12, the course’s the signature hole.

Many greens are elevated and require an extra club on approaches. Due to the hilly terrain, there’s a lot of roll and undulation, which makes for uneven lies.

Cider Ridge has several memorable holes. No. 2 is a long, dogleg left par 4 that plays 396 yards. It features a fairway bunker and oak tree that must be avoided off the tee. The green is guarded by a lake along the left side.

The finishing hole is a par 5 that measures 540 yards with water running down the left side and behind the green. The right side has trees and a penalty area and bunkers are in play off the tee and by the green.

Amenities at Cider Ridge include a grill for casual dining, a practice area with a large practice green, chipping area and a 20-space range. The course offers professional instruction in a private or group setting. It offers junior instruction through its Junior Golf Academy.

The course also offers several annual golf membership packages. Benefits include unlimited green fees, preferred rates at other participating Honours Golf facilities, 50 percent off range balls and eligibility to enter club tournaments. Senior, junior and family and range-only memberships are also available.

David Theoret an Alabama Golf News contributor

Featured image credit: Cider Ridge Golf Club