Cinder Ridge Golf Links is a Public 18 hole golf course located in Wilmington, Illinois.
The Cinder Ridge golf course first opened in 1995. The course was designed by George Kappos.
Cinder Ridge spreads through 350 acres which winds over and through diving ravines, flat areas and coal refuse, created 70 years ago by the mining operations.
Their 10,000 sq. foot clubhouse is built on the same steel frame structure where the main offices of Peabody Coal were held from 1927 to 1953. Pictures are displayed in the lobby.
Water comes into play on 14 holes strategically located to add a picturesque charm and a challenge for every golfer. Only three bodies of water require a carry shot -- most run laterally along the fairways to heighten the challenge and the beauty of the course without unfairly testing the average golfer.
Par for the course is 72. From the back tees the course plays to 6,968 yards. From the forward tees the course measures 4,840 yards. The longest hole on the course is # 8, a par-5 that plays to 628 yards. The shortest hole on the course is #12, a par-3 that plays to 165 yards from the back tees.
Watch out for # 8, the 628 yard par-5 challenge is the #1 handicap hole on the course. The easiest hole at Cinder Ridge Golf Links is # 6, a 182 yard par-3.
Black tees: par-72, 6,938 yards, 74.1 / 139
Blue tees: par-72, 72 6,613 yards, 73.6 / 134
White tees: par-72, 72 6,206 yards, 72.4 / 131
Gold tees: par-72, 72 5,750 yards, 72.1 / 128
Red tees: par-72, 72 4,810 yards, 72.9 / 126
$31 (cart included), played on Thursday, May 2015 at 8:45 AM
Fairways and greens were comparable to a high end country club I played earlier this year in California. Staff members are very friendly, accommodating, and appreciated our business. It's amazing what the owner did to a former strip mine. I wish it were closer to the Chicago Metro area.
$51 (cart included), played on Sunday, September 2014 at 6am
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$26 (cart included), played on Wednesday, May 2014 at 8am
I travel with senior group of good golfers. We travel and have played 20 plus courses already this season in Indiana, Illinois and Michigan. Our entire group likes Cinder Ridge. It is far away for us but is challenging, manicured fairways, great greens and holes are all different. In addition, they welcome us and offer better rates. We make the trek just to play this course at least a couple of times. Then over to Nellies in Wilmington for food. In Illinois, we normally play Odyssey, Coyote Run, Heritage Bluffs, Green Garden Gold and Cinder Ridge. this might be our favorite course. In fact, we like all of them in Illinois.
$46 (cart included), played on Wednesday, May 2013 at 8am
Course always taken well care of. Only issue is Tee boxes a little chewed up.. Rough was up, added to challenge. I like this track.
$21 (cart included), played on Friday, December 2012 at noon
My best December golf in Illinois experience (and only, so far!). Grabbed an afternoon off on one of the bonus December days this year. Have played there before and like the secluded and varied layout. Course was in pretty good shape considering being December. Greens were pretty heavily sanded, which seemed to affect chips more than putts, but otherwise turf was OK. Not bad for the 25 buck winter rate....
$26 (cart included), played on Wednesday, July 2012 at 8am
I reviewed this course in June after taking a group over from Crown Point, Indiana. My earlier review is again on the site. I ditto all earlier info and can tell you that all players I took really thought this course was one of the finest we have played. Top 5 in the area of Illinois we have liked are: Coyote Run, Odyssey, Green Garden Gold, Heritage Bluffs and Cinder Ridge. All who played all of the above like Cinder Ridge the best of all. Top coursesin our area that we travel from Crown Point are: Lost Marsh, Sandy Pines, Swan Lake, Mystic Hills, Coyote Crossing and the Purdue Kampen along with Whitaker Woods in Michigan. Cinder Ridge is up there with the best and with only $28 green fee for seniors-maybe the best!
$26 (cart included), played on Wednesday, May 2012 at 2pm
What a Track !! First played this course in the mid 1990's and I've ALWAYS schedule my sales trips for a 3hr afternoon round here during the weekdays since then. Every hole gives you a different type of look to a landing area making you view your ball flight and club slection alot closer. If its a windy day you'll leard quickly how to shape your shots accordling. I found that playing from the tips, the hazards didn't come into play as much for my tee shot. For the money you won't find a more affordable, challanging track this close to Chicago. Put this on your "Highway Golf Stops" and you'll be back here soon also.
$26 (cart included), played on Thursday, June 2012 at 8am
I normally schedule a group of senior golfers from Crown Point, Indiana to play some course they have not seen almost every single week. They are all decent golfers and we normally play scramble and nromally shoot close to par. We have played a multitude of courses in Illinois, Indiana and also Michigan and all top quality. This course was referred to us by a ranger at Coyote Run. And, he was right on the mark. A great course with great conditions, outstanding greens and challenges at every single hole. The course is just very pretty and yet very challenging with all bunkered greens, manicured fairways, elevations and dips and plenty of water but only if you don't have control of your tee shot. Have played in Indiana: Aberdeen,Coyote Crossing, White Hawk, Sandy Pines, Brassie, Swan Lake, Plymouth Country Club, River Pointe:: Illinois: Coyote Run, Odyssey, Green Garden, Balmoral, Longwood, Tuckaway, Minne Monesse, Heritage Bluffs::Michigan--Whitaker Woods. This course might just be the finest we have played and only $28. We played the course today, the 14th of June. Gentleman behind the counter welcomed us and we felt important the entire round. Each hole is alone and way from all others. You will love the holes 16 and 18. They might also kick your rear. Recommend highly. We will be going back. To top it off-we stooped at the famous Rt 66 diner in Bradwood, The Polka Dot to top the day off with malts and sandwiches--go there. Going to Mystic Hills next week, a Pete Dye soure in Culver, Indiana.
$36 (cart included), played on Saturday, March 2006 at 10am
PLAYED IT IN THE "OFF-SEASONED". NOT SURE WHAT IS PRICED DURING THE SEASON. NO DOUBT WOULD PLAY IT AGAIN FOR $36 OR BALL PARK PRICE.
$41 (cart included), played on Sunday, July 2011 at 6am
these where the best greens i have played on this year. very recetive and sneaky fast and true.
$31 (cart included), played on Wednesday, June 2011 at 4pm
just a nice golf course
$26 (cart included), played on Tuesday, August 2007 at 8am
Every hole is different. Many times, you can leave the driver in the bag. Carved out of an old "strip mine", every hole is an adventure.
Latest Golf Course Reviews
$26 (cart included), played on Wednesday, July 2015 at 9:40 AM
Just played this course yesterday with a number of my golfing buddies who I always take over to this course to experience the quality of enjoyable but challenging golf. All of us are from NW Indiana except a few and all greatly liked this course.
Even though serious storms had just hit the area, the course was in outstanding condition. Lush fairways, large and undulating greens, many different and challenging holes, and the price was right at $28 each for our smaller group.
The gentleman at the course was extremely friendly and the starter was like we had known him for years.
The course is very challenging and the tees are aimed for all levels. The tee areas and fairways were in tremendous condition. Greens we're in great shape except for the fact that some long before us had beat up the middle areas by not fixing divots,etc. Maybe some raising hell to some not showing care of the course while playing would be in order.
We drove from Crown Point about an hour and 15 minutes to reach this course but is is always one of the finest courses we play each season in our traveling group. We will probably even be back this season. Would recommend it highly to all.
Other courses in the area which we frequent are Coyote Run, Green Garden Gold and Heritage Hills. This might be the most enjoyable of all.