St. Marlo-Duluth, GA
What a juxtaposition and a bag of mixed signals. First and foremost, the stacked stone of the clubhouse, the
neighborhood, and the general feeling as you drive up to the course is one of opulent luxury. But then you have to
pay for range balls (small bucket, large bucket, etc)…very low end driving range feel. Most likely you will have to hit
off low-end mats that have those stupid rubber tees on them. Ugh!
But then you get to the first tee box and see a very nice hole with a nice lake off to the side and think…well this
could be great. But the more you play the course you notice the fairways are a little torn up, the greens are pock
marked, and you have that low end feeling again. (Note, I believe Affiniti Golf has taken over St. Marlo and the
conditioning is MUCH better 4/28/2012).
So, in short this course has the potential to be great…but it just doesn't take the next step to get there. Very
unfulfilling.
To discuss the course itself in more detail, the following are of note...undulating fairways, small greens, lots of water,
and very narrow.
Fairways...it is almost irrelevant where you place your drive, 230 yards or 350 yards and in the fairway, you will have
an uneven lie. Perhaps uphill, maybe downhill, or maybe sidehill. Whatever the case, you won't have a flat lie.
Small Greens...The majority of these greens are teeny-weeny. Make sure you have your chipping game on high
before you venture onto the links at St. Marlo.
Water...there are water hazards right in front of tee boxes, water protecting greens, and water in the fairways. Be
careful!!
Narrowness...You've got to hit it straight and precise to avoid penalty strokes on this course.
In short, this course is one of the most challenging and frustrating courses I have ever played.
The course was designed by Dennis Griffiths and measures 6,630 yards from the blue tees with a rating of
71.7/131.
What a juxtaposition and a bag of mixed signals. First and foremost, the stacked stone of the clubhouse, the
neighborhood, and the general feeling as you drive up to the course is one of opulent luxury. But then you have to
pay for range balls (small bucket, large bucket, etc)…very low end driving range feel. Most likely you will have to hit
off low-end mats that have those stupid rubber tees on them. Ugh!
But then you get to the first tee box and see a very nice hole with a nice lake off to the side and think…well this
could be great. But the more you play the course you notice the fairways are a little torn up, the greens are pock
marked, and you have that low end feeling again. (Note, I believe Affiniti Golf has taken over St. Marlo and the
conditioning is MUCH better 4/28/2012).
So, in short this course has the potential to be great…but it just doesn't take the next step to get there. Very
unfulfilling.
To discuss the course itself in more detail, the following are of note...undulating fairways, small greens, lots of water,
and very narrow.
Fairways...it is almost irrelevant where you place your drive, 230 yards or 350 yards and in the fairway, you will have
an uneven lie. Perhaps uphill, maybe downhill, or maybe sidehill. Whatever the case, you won't have a flat lie.
Small Greens...The majority of these greens are teeny-weeny. Make sure you have your chipping game on high
before you venture onto the links at St. Marlo.
Water...there are water hazards right in front of tee boxes, water protecting greens, and water in the fairways. Be
careful!!
Narrowness...You've got to hit it straight and precise to avoid penalty strokes on this course.
In short, this course is one of the most challenging and frustrating courses I have ever played.
The course was designed by Dennis Griffiths and measures 6,630 yards from the blue tees with a rating of
71.7/131.
