A Second Life for a Classic Site
Maridoe’s bones are modern, but the land has hosted competitive golf since the 1950s. Steve Smyers took the site’s existing strengths and built a grown-up test for contemporary championship play.
Golf Course Review & Scouting Report
Maridoe Golf Club
Carrollton, Texas
Established
2017
Architect
Steve Smyers (principal, 2017 redesign), Ralph Plummer (original 1952), Patrick Andrews (associate, 2017)
Access
Private
Par
Par 72
Length
5,200 – 7,854 yds
The verdict
A Modern Texan Goliath
Maridoe’s rebirth as a championship-caliber, players’ course is Texas at its toughest. If you crave tournament challenge and strategic ambition, this is where you bring your best. It’s an elite private test with a tournament pedigree and a man-versus-par aura.
Course DNA
Difficulty
99
Scenery68
Conditioning89
Shot Variety86
Walkability64
Green Complexity87
Wow Factor78
Design Quality86
Don't miss
After your round, take a moment behind the 18th green to appreciate the sweeping view—one of the most dramatic championship finishes in Texas.
At a glance
Quick facts
USGA Slope/Rating
155/87.8 (Plates tees)
Course Record
69 (tournament, Plates set)
Water Hazards
Prominent on 9 holes
Spectator Events
2021 USGA Four-Ball, 2024 LIV Championship
Number of Tee Sets
5 tees from 5,200 to 7,854 yards
Grass Types
Bermuda turf with native surrounds
Club Atmosphere
Private, championship-focused
The design
The architecture
Maridoe’s modern transformation takes full advantage of its open North Texas site, weaving broad fairways, massive bunkering, and water hazards into a relentless test of championship golf. Steve Smyers and Patrick Andrews didn’t just toughen the course—they created a layout that prizes strategic savvy, risk/reward calculation, and the ability to handle a variety of wind and weather conditions. Conditioning is kept at tournament standard, with Bermuda grass and native surrounds supporting firm, fast play and precise shotmaking.
Steve Smyers is known for courses that reward both creativity and discipline—a hallmark that defines Maridoe from opening drive to final putt.
Defining features
- Multiple forced carries over water and native areas
- Expansive, sculpted bunkers shape nearly every tee shot
- Large, dynamic green complexes with runoffs
- Wide landing zones that narrow on approach
- Severe back tees pushing USGA limits
- Strategic angles for every shot, not just power
Hole by hole
Signature holes
Hole 2
The Gauntlet
PAR
5
YARDAGE
655
At 655 yards from the Plates tee, this intimidating par 5 demands both brawn and brains from the opening sequence. The tee shot tempts a big drive, but success hinges on placement and sequencing rather than raw power.
Play it smart
Position your layup decisively to the proper angle—forcing play over or around bunkers sets up the only fair approach for a possible birdie look.
Where it bites
Water and deep bunkers line the right, and aggressive play brings a three-shot disaster into play for the overconfident.
Course management
Shots to think about
Par 5 second shot out of position on No. 2
Resist the urge to go for the green; a smart layup leaves the angle and brings par—or better—into play.
The wind is up on short par 4 No. 3
Club down and play to the fat of the fairway; over-aggression can turn birdie into bogey in seconds.
Approaching the 18th green under pressure
Always favor the fat side even if it leaves a longer putt—misses are punished.
Greenside bunkers on No. 13
Go for safe sand, not heroics; the elevated green will repel all but the most controlled shots.
Wet weather conditions add challenge
Take one more club and favor run-ups—firm, fast turf can be unpredictable during Texas weather surges.
Approach to tucked pin on No. 8
Don’t flirt with the short side—middle of the green is always in play.
First tee nerves with the wind up
Play a reliable shot shape, as the opener rewards confidence more than length.
On the day
What to expect
Conditions
Tournament-standard firm Bermuda turf with pristine greens, maintained throughout the year for elite playability.
Pace
Expect a focused private-club experience, with attentive but deliberate pace, especially during tournaments.
Vibe
Serious, championship-driven atmosphere with an emphasis on etiquette and competitive golf.
Dress code
Traditional golf attire required; contact the club for specific policies.
Before you tee off
Your game plan
01
Bring Your Full Game
Every club will be tested and the opening stretch can humble even low handicaps.
02
Hydrate and Plan for Heat
Texas sun and long walks between holes make preparation vital.
03
Study the Scorecard Ahead
Yardages can be intimidating—smart play starts with knowing where to lay up and when to attack.
The lore
How it came to be
- 1952
Columbian Country Club opens original course in Carrollton, designed by Ralph Plummer
- 2008
Course closes as Honors Golf Club
- 2015
Steve Smyers and Patrick Andrews begin full redesign/construction on site
- 2017
Maridoe Golf Club officially opens after complete rebuild
- 2019
Hosts Trans-Mississippi Amateur and Texas Mid-Amateur
- 2021
Hosts USGA Women’s Amateur Four-Ball Championship
- 2024
Hosts LIV Golf Team Championship
Stories & legends
What makes it special
The Monster Back Tee Experience
With Plates tees stretching to nearly 7,900 yards, Maridoe’s championship course rating maxes out the USGA scale. For strong players, it’s a rare chance to confront a test built to push your limits.
Crowning the Four-Ball Champions
Maridoe hosted the USGA Women’s Amateur Four-Ball in 2021, confirming its standing among elite national-caliber venues. The setup revealed how risk and patience decide a championship fate.
The Owner’s Vision: Build It Brave
Owner Albert Huddlestone didn’t want another pretty walk—he hired Steve Smyers to build a gritty, exacting, championship-level course that demands a player’s full game on every hole.
For the group chat
Fun facts
1
The Plates tee set stretches to nearly 7,900 yards—among the longest USGA-rated in the country.
2
Maridoe’s 155 slope rating on back tees is the USGA maximum allowed.
3
The club’s name was inspired by owner Albert Huddlestone’s daughter's middle name.
4
Maridoe has hosted both USGA and LIV Golf events within five years of opening.
Build the trip
Planning a Dallas-Fort Worth golf adventure
CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
TPC Craig Ranch
Private - Resort Guest Access
A regular Tour-venue experience with open tee times for select guests.
PGA Frisco – Fields Ranch East
Public
World-class public-access championship course; ideal contrast to Maridoe.
PGA Frisco – Fields Ranch West
Public
Premier twin to the East course, offering a different test and trip vibe.
Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas
Resort
Easier access, resort luxury, and tour-level conditioning.
Las Colinas/Irving or North Dallas/Plano for best access to all top courses and the airport.
Course DNA
If You Like Maridoe Golf Club
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Strong DNA Match8.4
Butler National Golf Club
Oak Brook, IllinoisDifficulty
Why it matches: If Maridoe Golf Club is your kind of course, Butler National Golf Club is worth a look because it brings a comparable level of challenge.
Strong DNA Match8.5
Omni PGA Frisco — Fields Ranch East
Frisco, TexasDifficulty
Why it matches: There is real overlap here. Omni PGA Frisco — Fields Ranch East asks for the same disciplined decision-making, making it a compelling counterpart to Maridoe Golf Club.
Strong DNA Match8.1
PGA National Resort – Champion Course
Palm Beach Gardens, FloridaDifficulty
Why it matches: What links these two? Brings a comparable level of challenge — a familiar feeling, expressed in PGA National Resort – Champion Course's own setting.
The architect's other work
More from Steve Smyers
The Pfau Course at Indiana University
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The Everglades Club
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Koasati Pines Golf Club
Kinder, LouisianaLouisiana’s Boldest Resort Championship Test
The Club at Cheval
Lutz, FloridaStrategic challenge in Tampa’s wooded heartland
Old Memorial Golf Club
Tampa, FloridaFlorida’s elite sandy parkland with strategic challenge
Butterfield Country Club
Oak Brook, IllinoisA classic Chicago-area private club reborn
Community Sentiment
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