Cumberland Lake Golf Course

Cumberland Lake Golf Course sits in Pinson, a small community northeast of Birmingham in the rolling terrain of central Alabama. Designed by Bill Amick and opened in the mid-1990s, the course occupies land that transitions between wooded hillsides and open valleys, with Cumberland Lake itself serving as both a visual centerpiece and a strategic element on several holes. Amick, a regional architect active across the Southeast during this period, typically worked with existing topography rather than extensive earthmoving, and Cumberland Lake reflects that approach with fairways that follow natural contours and greens positioned to take advantage of elevation changes. The routing incorporates water on roughly half the holes, with the lake coming into play most prominently on the back nine. Tree-lined corridors define many playing areas, and the course requires accuracy off the tee more than pure distance. Elevation shifts create variety in approach shots, and several greens feature modest undulation that rewards local knowledge. The layout serves a public facility that caters to recreational golfers from the greater Birmingham area, offering a straightforward test without severe penalty for moderate misses. Cumberland Lake operates as a daily-fee course with a relaxed atmosphere typical of municipal and public facilities in smaller Alabama communities. The clubhouse provides basic amenities, and the course sees regular play from leagues and casual groups throughout the year, taking advantage of the region's relatively mild climate that permits near year-round golf.