Belvedere Golf Club
Charlevoix, MI • Public
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Overview
William Watson, whose career began in Minnesota building courses such as Minikahda and Interlachen before moving on to work in California, designed Belvedere in the mid 1920s. Recently it’s been under the stewardship of architect Bruce Hepner who has kept the layout sharp and pure. It’s a graceful example of a design that reacts to the land with fairways that flow over links-like ripples and greens sited on natural landforms and benched into slopes. The putting contours are from another era, full of dimples, knobs, swales and bubbles that enliven short game intrigue—chips and putts demand as much attention and creativity as full shots, the sign of great architecture. Belvedere is a private course that welcomes outside play, and it can be walked in the early season for as little as $62.
About
Awards
Ranking history:
100 Greatest Public: First ranked 2019-'20.
Previous ranking: Not ranked 2021-'22.
Current ranking: 98th.
Best in State: Ranked 18th, 2019-'20. Ranked 19th, 2017-'18. Ranked 24th, 2015-'16, 2021-'22.
Current ranking: 20th.
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“Old school architecture here. Plenty of rolls and unexpected bounces. A must play if in the area."
Read More2024
Review
“If I lived in the area I would be a member in a heartbeat. Fun classic style course that uses the terrain to create a variety of holes and shots. I hope someday they can afford a bunker restoration as seeing pictures from the 1920s made me long for what once was."
Read More2023
Review
“Belvedere is a charming Willie Watson design that is elegantly draped over glacial features in the far reaches of Northern Michigan. It's almost difficult to pick a favorite hole here, as the course plays like a frolic through the meadows, up, down, and around several long ridges. My favorite holes were the ridge-infused first hole, the downhill 10th and 12th, and the fun stretch from 15 to 17, with the first two especially being worth the visit by themeselves."
Read More2023
Review
“Older course, first 5 holes not much, last 13 good holes. Good conditioning."
Read More2023
Review
“There should be more golf courses like this in the United States. Period end of sentence. No frills, no gimmicks, playable fairways that still make a player think while being wide enough to allow for some error, and really strong holes from 1 to 18 with incredibly green complexes and surrounds. A 20 handicap and a scratch will each enjoy the course equally albeit for different reasons. No forced carries or things that courses often employ to try to challenge a player rather than making him or her think. Makes one long a bit for the Scottish model of golf where a public guest can come and play at a private course. Would love to see more no frills courses like this pop up in the United States where the ethos is truly about the golf and the overall enjoyment of the experience."
Read More2022
Review
“Belvedere has flowing fairways, strategically placed bunkers, and subtle sloping greens. The course is draped over several ridges along Marion Center Rd, which splits the course into two 9s. The front 9 features a stream that meanders along and bisects numerous holes. There is expert use of the natural topography, especially along the back 9. Belvedere is a second shot golf course, and the player will enjoy playing to 18 different and distinct greens. Fairways are generous with a handful of bunkers, but in perfect position to affect line of play. Generally, there is risk reward to most tee shots. Quite a few holes have fairways with left to right or right to left tilt and the golfer finds themselves on a variety of lies. The greens themselves are moderately contoured, however along the green periphery there is heavy contouring with fairway aprons that give a golfer plenty of shot options. To get the ball close, oftentimes the player will need to use the slopes on the sides of the green. This is a fair course for the amateur but challenging enough for the well accomplished player. The par 4 16th, with the green set in the hillside and a bunker left protecting a better angle is an excellent example of the challenges laid forth at Belvedere."
Read More2022
Review
“One of the very best courses in Northern Michigan, along with Crystal Downs."
Read More2018
Review
“Classic, old school Willie Watson design with some fascinating green complexes and excellent variety of golf holes makes this course well worth the drive to Northern Michigan. Tom Watson spent his summers playing there and is still a member."
Read More2018
Review
“wonderful classic course . T, Doak has added distance, new tees. Good test."
Read More2018
Review
“Delightful old school golf with a variety of interesting holes and easily playable by all levels while still challenging enough for good players."
Read More2018
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