You’re driving through the historic streets of Marietta, passing the Square, and suddenly, the terrain shifts. The flat Georgia concrete gives way to these rolling, emerald-green hills that look like they belong in a painting. That’s City Club Marietta. It’s a bit of a local legend, honestly. If you've lived in Cobb County for more than a week, someone has probably told you about the "old hospital course."
But let’s get one thing straight right away: this isn’t just some muni where you can spray the ball wherever you want and expect a decent score.
The City Club Marietta golf course is built on the site of the old Kennestone Hospital. Because of that history, the land is... well, it's vertical. You aren't just playing golf here; you're playing a game of spatial geometry. Most people show up thinking it’s a short course—and at roughly 5,700 yards from the tips, it technically is—but those yardages are deceptive. The elevation changes make some 350-yard par 4s play like they’re 420, while others require a delicate touch just to keep the ball on the planet.
The Layout: Why Yardage Books Lie to You
Most golfers are obsessed with the driver. They see a sub-6,000-yard course and think they can just overpower it. Big mistake.
City Club Marietta isn't about power; it's about placement. Mike Nixon designed this layout back in 1991, and he clearly had a specific type of challenge in mind. He took what was once the Marietta Golf Center—a site with roots going back to 1915—and transformed it into a par-71 shot-maker's paradise.
The first few holes are a rude awakening if you haven't warmed up. You're dealing with side-hill lies almost immediately. On the second hole, a par 5, the fairway tilts significantly. If you aim for the center, you might end up in the rough or worse. You have to learn to play the slopes. It’s basically mountain golf in the suburbs.
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The Greens Are the Real Defense
If you ask any regular at the clubhouse what makes this place tough, they won't talk about the fairways. They’ll talk about the TifEagle Bermuda greens.
They are fast. Like, "don't leave it above the hole" fast.
Because the course is built on such hilly terrain, the greens often have subtle breaks that are nearly impossible to see if you're just glancing at them. You’ll see a putt that looks dead straight, but because the entire hillside is leaning toward the Kennesaw Mountain, your ball will inexplicably peel off to the right. It’s frustrating. It’s also brilliant.
What Sets City Club Marietta Apart From Nearby Courses
Look, North Atlanta is packed with golf. You’ve got the high-end private clubs like Atlanta Country Club, and you’ve got the massive public complexes. So, why do people keep coming back here?
- The Pace of Play (Usually): While any public course can get backed up on a Saturday morning, the staff here actually tries to keep things moving. It’s a walkable course if you’re in decent shape, though most people opt for a cart because of those hills.
- The Conditions: For a municipal-owned course, the maintenance is surprisingly consistent. They put a lot of work into the bunkers and the turf quality. It feels more like a private club than a city-run facility.
- The Location: You are minutes from the Marietta Square. You can finish your round and be sitting at a brewery or a high-end restaurant in five minutes. That’s a rare perk.
There is also the "Historic Marietta" vibe. You’re playing adjacent to the Hilton Atlanta Marietta Hotel & Conference Center, which gives the whole property a more upscale, resort-like feel than your average neighborhood course.
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A Quick Word on the Practice Facility
If you're looking to work on your game, the range here is decent, but it's not infinite. It's a great place to get loose, but the real value is in the short-game area. Since the course demands so much precision with your wedges, spending twenty minutes on the chipping green before you head to the first tee is the smartest thing you can do.
Navigating the Signature Holes
The back nine is where things get truly interesting.
The 15th hole is often cited as one of the most scenic, but also one of the most nerve-wracking. You’re hitting from an elevated tee, looking down at a fairway that feels way narrower than it actually is. To your left, you have the hotel and some pretty thick trouble. To your right, more trouble. It’s a hole that demands a straight ball, or at the very least, a very controlled miss.
And then there's the finishing stretch.
The 18th hole is a par 4 that requires you to navigate a pond on the approach. It’s a classic "hero shot" scenario. Do you lay up and try to scramble for par, or do you go for the green and risk a watery grave right in front of the clubhouse gallery? Honestly, most people go for it. And most people regret it. But that’s golf.
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Common Misconceptions About Playing Here
Some people hear "City Club" and assume it's private. It isn't. It’s 100% public, though they do offer memberships that give you better rates and booking windows.
Another myth is that it’s an "easy" course because it’s short. I’ve seen low handicappers come out here and get absolutely humbled because they couldn't handle the uneven lies. If you can't hit a ball when it's three inches above your feet, you're going to have a long day at City Club Marietta.
It’s also surprisingly quiet. Even though you’re in the heart of Marietta, the way the course is tucked into the topography keeps the city noise at bay. It feels secluded, which is impressive given the zip code.
Actionable Tips for Your First Round
If you’re planning to book a tee time, here is how you actually survive the round with your ego intact:
- Forget the Driver on Several Holes: There are at least four or five par 4s where a 200-yard club will leave you in a much better position than a 260-yard drive that runs through the fairway into a creek or down a hill.
- Always Aim for the "High Side": If you’re hitting into a green that’s built into a slope, aim for the side that’s uphill. If you miss on the low side, you’ll have an impossible flop shot back up to a green that’s sloping away from you.
- Check the Wind: Because of the elevation, the wind at the tee box is rarely what the wind is doing 100 feet down in the fairway. Look at the treetops, not the grass.
- Watch the Grain: On the Bermuda greens, the grain usually grows toward the lowest point of the property or toward the nearest water source. This will affect your speed more than the actual slope sometimes.
- Book Early: Since it’s a popular spot for locals and hotel guests, morning tee times on weekends disappear fast. Use their online portal or call the pro shop at least a week out if you want a prime slot.
City Club Marietta is one of those courses that grows on you. The first time you play it, you might hate the "unfair" bounces. The second time, you start to understand the angles. By the third time, you’re hooked on the challenge of trying to master a layout that refuses to sit still. It's a quirky, beautiful, and demanding piece of Georgia golf history that deserves a spot on your regular rotation. Just leave the "grip it and rip it" mentality in the parking lot. You won't need it here.