Staff WriterMaridoe Golf Club, set against the backdrop of the Texas Blackland prairie, isn’t some manicured retreat for weekend warriors; it’s a full-throttle test of golf’s enduring demands.
In an era of launch monitors and swing speed obsessions, this Dallas-area brute is a rare find: a course that tells the truth, no illusions or shortcuts.
Owner Albert Huddleston had a vision in the early 2000s—to resurrect a piece of ground with roots stretching back to the 1950s and make it a temple to the sport’s past and future. Enlisting architect Steve Smyers, he refused to pander to the trends that water down too many modern courses.
At Maridoe, you see what you get, and you’ll earn every inch of the 7,800 yards laid before you.
An Honest Challenge for the Brave
This is no place for the faint of heart. Maridoe Golf Club demands respect and a game plan.
The fairways roll and pitch like the Texas landscape itself—broad in places, pinched in others, and always asking you the same question: can you execute?
There are no hidden bunkers to trick you into second-guessing, no optical illusions—just straightforward tests of strength, precision, and nerve.
From the first tee to the final green, it’s clear that this course doesn’t hand out pars. It expects them to be earned.
The second hole, a 655-yard par-5, would make most amateurs weep before they’ve even cleared the first landing zone.
The meandering creek doesn’t care how many majors you’ve watched—it’ll gobble up a careless lay-up without a second thought.
No Gimmicks, No Excuses
The 10th hole, known as the “Valley of Death,” is a par-4 that laughs at your excuses. No bunkers here—just a deep hollow near the green and a lake that knows how to collect golf balls struck with doubt.
It’s a hole that proves length alone isn’t enough—placement and conviction decide your fate.
And then there’s the 18th: a par-4 stretching to nearly 500 yards, water hugging the left side like a loyal but menacing companion, bunkers standing guard at the green.
It’s a hole that demands everything in the bag—driver, long iron, short game, and a steady hand on the putter.
No sugar-coating it: this is as honest a finishing hole as you’ll find anywhere.
Tradition With Teeth
Maridoe Golf Club doesn’t care if you’ve seen the highlights of Bryson DeChambeau bombing it 400 yards.
Here, brute strength is just the start. Miss a fairway and you’ll pay. Short-side yourself on the wrong tier of the green and you’ll walk off shaking your head.
It’s a reminder that the old-school values of accuracy and course management still matter, even in an age of titanium drivers and data-driven swings.
That’s why the pros keep coming back—and why weekend warriors keep booking tee times despite knowing they’ll leave with a few bruises to their egos.
Every round at Maridoe is a gut check: are you here to play the game or just to play at it?
A Nod to the Past, Eyes on the Future
For all its old-school toughness, Maridoe Golf Club is no museum piece. It hosts top tournaments and stands as a modern-day crucible for the best in the game.
Yet through all the innovations and advances, its soul remains true: fairways that demand shape, greens that demand nerve, and a course that doesn’t budge an inch for technology or trend.
Golf’s future might be shiny and data-heavy, but Maridoe proves there’s still room for a place where the past and present collide—where the shot, not the algorithm, decides your fate.
The Final Word
Maridoe Golf Club isn’t built for the timid or the talkers—it’s built for those who understand that golf is still, at its core, a game of inches earned by sweat and nerve. It’s the rare place where you’re forced to confront your game, shot by shot, without flinching.
So pack your best stuff, leave your excuses in the parking lot, and bring your sense of humour. Maridoe Golf Club will be there, waiting to see if you’re up to the task.
Getting to Maridoe Golf Club
Whether you’re visiting casually or heading to the 2025 LIV Golf Dallas event:
📍 Address & Location
- Maridoe Golf Club
2020 Kelly Blvd, Carrollton, TX 75006 (Dallas County) - Nestled on the Blackland prairie, just north of Dallas proper
✈️ Nearest Airports
- Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW) – the main airport for most travellers
- Dallas Love Field (DAL) – closer, but fewer flight options
🚗 Getting There by Car
- From DFW (approx. 25 mins, 20 miles):
Fast and flexible. Rental cars are plentiful; rideshares (Uber/Lyft) cost (estimate) ~$50–70. Shuttles, limos, and black car services are also available. - From DAL (approx. 30 mins, 18 miles):
Similar options: rental, rideshare, shuttle, limo.
🚕 Shuttle & Rideshare Tips
- Pre-book with services like Jayride, SuperShuttle, Galaxy FBO for hassle-free rides.
- Rideshare pick-up/drop-off takes place at Ted Polk Middle School, not on club grounds.
🚉 Public Transport
- DFW has rail to Dallas, but Maridoe is outside standard transit zones—heavy use of DART rail and buses would be required with multiple transfers.
- Not recommended unless you’re up for a complicated commute—rental car or rideshare is much simpler.
🏟️ Parking & Event-Day Info (LIV Golf Events)
- General Admission: Park at Tommy Standridge Stadium (1330 Valwood Pkwy) for free; shuttle to Maridoe (20 mins each way).
- Hospitality Guests (Suites/Birdie Shack): Park at Ted Polk Middle School, a 1-minute walk from the entrance—digital pass required.
- No parking on golf club grounds or neighbourhood streets—strict enforcement.
- Rideshare/taxi drop-off is also at Ted Polk, with signage and staff to guide guests .
✅ Final Tips
- Car or rideshare is by far your best bet for convenience.
- Shuttle services are a good mid-ground—pre-book for peace of mind.
- Public transport? Technically possible but not practical—expect long connections.
- Parking rules at events are straightforward but strict: follow signage and shuttle times.
TL;DR
Fly into DFW or DAL, rent a car or use a pre-booked ride to Maridoe Golf Club (2020 Kelly Blvd).
At LIV Golf events, park remote and shuttle in, or ride-share to the middle school drop-off.
No sugar-coating it—this is Texas—so plan ahead, arrive early, and let the course and crowds do the rest.
