Built on the former site of the Georgia Military Institute, City Club Marietta (http://www.cityclubmarietta.com/home.htm) offers players a variety of challenges in a pleasant setting. The course offers rolling hills, elevated tee boxes, a few water holes and fine landscaping, nestled beneath the Marietta Resort and Conference Center, which towers above, and Kennesaw Mountain, which rises in distance.
Look above and you might just see a few fighter jets or B-52 bomber taking off from the adjacent Dobbins Air Force Base.
At just 5,721 yards from the back tees, City Club doesn't burden you with length. Instead, it's a shot maker's course that plays uphill, then downhill, with a number of blind shots off the tee. Many fairways here are forgiving and wide, giving the less experienced player a better chance at success. But undulated fairways and a number of uphill holes that play far longer than their actual distance present a stern test, particularly with your mid-to-low irons.
One thing that's interesting about the course is from many vantage points, one can see a number of holes as much of the course is designed around a massive lake, which serves more for aesthetic purposes and as a geese habitat than anything else. The lake, which figures to be the centerpiece of the facility, actually comes into play on just two holes.
Marietta features just 24 sand traps with some holes having none and others having multiple traps. Hole No. 15 offers three fairway traps by itself.
From the view of the hotel and conference center, pictured above, one can watch hole Nos. 1, 9, 10 and 18 -- a series of down-and-back tee to greens. They're relatively shaped the same with Nos. 1 and 10 downhill off the tee and front and back finishing holes 9 and 18 uphill. Sure, 346 yards doesn't seem like much for a par 4, but that uphill climb makes it difficult, forcing you to hit a good mid- to-low iron shot to even come close to the green on No. 18.
There are a number of opportunistic holes. the par 4 hole No. 2 teases the longball hitter as it rests just 252 yards -- uphill -- from the second tee. Chances of reaching in two are good, giving the player an excellent chance at par. However, the hole veers to the right. A straight shot off the tee will go into the woods. A slice to the right is in order.
The 11th hole, a 285-yard par 4, offers a similar opportunity. The hitch, however, is the player must carry roughly 150 yards of the centerpiece lake. A long bridge, decorated with roses, separates the tee box from the fairway.
One interesting hole is the 472-yard, par 5 fourth. The fairway rises above the tee box, crests at about 200 yards, then sharply drops another 250 yards down to an inviting green. It's difficult in the tee box when you cannot see your desired target. Best bet here is simply hit to the center of the fairway, then hope your ball bounces over the crest of the hill down for extra distance. The second shot, which should be all downhill, gives players a decent shot at reaching the green in two, but the slope doesn't make striking the ball easy.
Another blind shot awaits on the sixth hole, a 370-yard par 4. Beyond the sightline of players on the tee box, below the crest of the fairway, is a bell. Groups are asked to ring the bell, alerting those behind them that they have cleared the area and it is safe to hit.
The par 3, 180-yard 12th hole offers a taste of Augusta National. The green is bordered by tall pine trees and well-manicured shrubs to the left and rear, while water lurks to the front of the green. Just add a few azaleas and dogwoods and we're in business. Also, this green ever so slightly slopes back toward the pond.
The 15th hole, a 320-yard par 4, doesn't appear difficult on paper, but the fairway bunkers to the right, a slight dogleg to the left, and a rock-laden creek in front of the green provide plenty of obstacles.
City Club Marietta is a pretty course that offers a number of different challenges. It's one worth trying, then trying again once you learn what's over the fairway hills.
Rating (1 to 10)
Fun: Great variety, views make this course a must-play. Score: 8
Value: Standard rates vary from $48 to $58 depending on the day. This may venture on to the pricy side, particularly the $7.75 for 70 range balls. City Club could do better here. Score: 5
Amenities: Carts offered not just GPS, but an incredible map of each hole with yardage and detail of where each cart was -- warning players of groups ahead. Nice driving range, putting green nearby. Pro shop well-stocked with mini-restaurant next door. Heavier food can be found just yards away at the hotel and conference center. Score: 8
Conditions: Fairways were decent, greens had no flaws and the few sandtraps were white and fluffy. Some areas in the rough could use more work with very hard ground. This place likes to use mulch in the rough. A lot of it. Score: 7
Difficulty: Not long, but hilly terrain and a few wild doglegs can keep you guessing. Greens were not elevated, nor strongly undulated. Score: 7
Overall: This facility is one that golfers across the South should check out when visiting the Atlanta metro area. If offers dynamic views and a strong variety of hole types. Score: 7.0
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