Mariners Landing Golf & Country Club

Mariner’s Landing Golf is an 18-hole golf course situated in picturesque Smith Mountain Lake, VA. The location is idyllic, to say the least. Whether you’re playing golf or sitting on the outside desk at the clubhouse, there are gorgeous, mountainous views as far as the eye can see.

This golf course is unique because it’s partially a private course and partially a public course. Simply put, public guests can enjoy the course, the club house and the outdoor grill and patio. Private club members can avail themselves of all those amenities, but they also get access to a comfortable and private lounge for themselves and their guests. Private members of the Mariner's Landing Golf and Country Club also get preferential tee times.

The entirety of Mariner’s Landing is comprised of over 1,000 acres of rolling terrain. The golf course on this property was designed by world-famous architect, Robert Trent Jones, Sr., who designed over 500 golf courses during his lifetime, in the U.S. and abroad.

If you are a fan of golf, this is a must-visit destination for you and your golf-loving friends and family members.

Getting There

The exact location of Mariner's Landing Golf Course is 2052 Lake Retreat Road, Huddleston, VA. However, it’s really considered part of the beautiful Smith Mountain Lake region. I you happen to be staying at a vacation rental in Smith Mountain Lake, getting to Mariner's Landing Golf Course is simple. You’ll be there in under an hour if you take SR 834 to VA-122 and then SR608. Your GPS will provide detailed directions, but essentially,

Mariner's Landing Golf Course is on the East side of Smith Mountain Lake, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Once there, you’ll drive onto the grounds from Lake Retreat Road. There is abundant free parking. There are two large lots farther away from the clubhouse, and one smaller lot just in front of the clubhouse. Either way, it’s a short walk to check in and get teed up.

The Clubhouse

The clubhouse offers dining and drinks with table side service. There’s a generous-sized full bar, fully stocked with both house and top shelf liquors. They also serve wines and beers. You can enjoy your meal and drinks inside or sit outside on the patio. The patio has several tables with umbrellas and overlooks the golf course.

The Course

The architect of the Mariner's Landing Golf Course, Robert Trent Jones, Sr., had some very prestigious clients in his day, including none other than Dwight D. Eisenhower, for whom Mr. Jones designed a White House putting green, plus a single-hole course at the President’s recreational address, Camp David. He also designed private courses for the Rockefeller family and the Aga Khan. I’m telling you all this so you can better appreciate how well this golf course is designed. It’s considered to be one of the best course layouts in all of Southwest Virginia.

You can navigate the course on foot or by using one of 60 available modern golf carts. There’s a relatively new irrigation system and new golf cart path pavement. During a recent renovation, they also got rid of more than 1,000 dead or diseased trees and majorly upgraded the fairways, tees and greens.

The course itself is an 18-holer. There are water features on holes 2, 5 and 13. There are four par 5’s and the rest are par 3’s and par 4’s. Several of the holes are tree-lined, including holes 1, 6, 15, 16, 17, which are all heavily tree-lined.

Tee Times & Pricing Info

Rates change according to season, but generally:

Green fees for members are included with dues. Cart fees are $22 each for an 18-hole round and $13 per person for a 9-hole round, for members and owners.

Members of the public can get 18 holes at a rate of $52 or 9 holes for $31 on the weekends. During the week, the price drops to $44 for 18 holes and $27 for 9 holes. Latecomers can take advantage of reduced rates at 3PM of $38 for 18 holes and $23 for 9 holes. Cart rates are the same for the public as for members. Seniors over 59, first responders and members of the military enjoy discounted rates.

If you just want to use the driving range, you’ll pay between $4 and $6 for a range ball basket.

Tee times can be booked online or in person. Tee times start at 7AM and the course closes at 7PM, seven days a week.

Finally, note that there is an enforced dress code here. Golf attire is required, blue jeans are prohibited and a collared shirt is required, as well as shoes.