There are some courses where the vibe just clicks from the start, and Mountain Ridge was definitely one of those for me. Even with my pretty limited experience on the “classic” scene, you could tell right away this place is the real deal. The land moves a lot, but the holes flow so naturally; fairways bend with the hills, and the greens just fit the landscape like they’ve always belonged there.
I’ll be honest, I probably pulled driver more than I should have. Mountain Ridge gives you a few spots where you can really let it fly, but there are plenty of short par 4s and doglegs where going full send doesn’t always pay off. A couple times, I found myself behind trees or staring at an angle that wasn’t ideal, which is part of the fun but definitely made me think twice on the back nine. This course rewards playing smart as much as playing bold.
The par 3s are legit and demanding, but what really stood out were the tight lies and shaved areas around the par 4s and 5s. If you miss a green, you’re not getting any favors—anything offline usually means a tricky chip or a nervy pitch from tight turf. You can get away with a miss here and there, but there are stretches where the only way to make par is to get up and down from some tough spots.
Seventeen was a favorite, this big, winding par five that reminded me of the fifth at Peachtree in Atlanta. It’s one of those holes where you have choices: lay back and play it safe or try to bite off more for a shot at birdie. There’s nothing tricky, just a solid hole that lets you decide how aggressive you want to be. I also loved how some of the short par 4s kept you honest. Sometimes the best play wasn’t to hit it as far as you can, but to think about where you wanted your next shot.
Eighteen is a great finisher, rising up toward the clubhouse and demanding one last bit of focus. There’s nothing showy, just a straightforward, challenging close that makes you want another crack at the place.
Mountain Ridge is the kind of course that gets more interesting the more you play it. Even with a few misadventures off the tee, I walked off wanting another round, already thinking about where I’d take a different line or try something new next time. It’s just good, honest golf—and it left me with plenty to think about.