Mariners Landing Golf Course

When Robert Trent Jones Sr. accepted the commission to design the golf course at Mariners Landing, he was already one of the most celebrated golf course architects in the world. This course, one of his final Virginia projects, carries his signature: meticulous conditioning, strategic bunkering, thoughtful green complexes, and a routing that makes the most of the natural landscape. For golfers who appreciate course architecture, playing Mariners Landing is a chance to walk a genuine RTJ Sr. design in one of the most beautiful settings in the Blue Ridge.

What Makes Mariners Landing Golf Special

Robert Trent Jones Sr. was known for courses that looked beautiful and played tough, and this layout delivers both. The bunkering is artistic and strategic, placed to catch wayward shots while framing fairways and greens in a way that guides your eye to the correct line. The greens are large, with subtle contours that reward players who take time to read their putts carefully.

What elevates Mariners Landing above many resort courses is the conditioning. The maintenance team keeps the course in tournament-ready shape throughout the playing season, with fairways mowed tight, bunkers raked cleanly, and greens rolling smoothly. This attention to detail reflects the community's commitment to quality across all its amenities.

The resort atmosphere adds another dimension. After your round, you can walk to one of three restaurants, book a treatment at the spa, or simply relax at the clubhouse with a view that stretches across the lake. Few golf experiences in Virginia offer this combination of course quality and surrounding amenities.

What to Expect When You Visit

The first tee sets the tone: a well-framed opening hole that asks you to commit to your target from the start. The front nine plays through rolling terrain with mountain views, while the back nine features tighter corridors and more demanding approach shots. By the time you reach the finishing holes, you will have used every club in your bag.

The pro shop is well-stocked with premium equipment and apparel, and the staff can arrange lessons, club fittings, and group events. The practice facilities include a range and short-game area that give you time to warm up properly before your round.

Insider Tips

The greens are the heart of this course. Spend extra time on the practice putting green before your round, paying attention to speed and break. RTJ Sr. greens tend to have more slope than they appear from the fairway, and a few practice putts will save you strokes once you are on the course.

Plan your day around the full Mariners Landing experience. Play in the morning, have lunch at The Landing Restaurant, and spend the afternoon at the pool or on the water. This is one of the few places at SML where you can do everything without getting in your car.

If you are considering a home in the community, a round of golf here is the best way to understand the lifestyle. You will meet residents on the course, hear their stories, and get an honest sense of what living at Mariners Landing is actually like.

Nearby Communities

The course is the anchor of Mariners Landing, one of the lake's largest and most amenity-rich communities. Bernard's Landing and Vista Pointe are also nearby, giving golfers in those communities easy access to the course.

Practical Information

The course welcomes outside play, and tee times can be booked through the pro shop or online. Greens fees include cart rental and vary by season and day of the week. Stay-and-play packages are sometimes available through the Mariners Landing resort. The course is open seasonally, typically April through October, with the best conditions from May through September. Contact the pro shop for current rates, availability, and information about membership options.