The Major Test
Bellerive made history in 1965 when it became the youngest course ever to host a U.S. Open. The demanding parkland layout has since seen legends like Gary Player, Nick Price, and Brooks Koepka hoist major trophies here.
The verdict
Missouri’s Tournament Titan
Bellerive is the Midwest’s archetypal championship stage—long, demanding, and brimming with tournament lore. Conditioning and pedigree are top shelf, and the stern Jones-Rees Jones test still defines elite golf in the region.
Course DNA
Difficulty
92
Scenery66
Conditioning95
Shot Variety79
Walkability64
Green Complexity85
Wow Factor78
Design Quality84
At a glance
Quick facts
Nickname
The Green Monster of Ladue Road
Longest hole
No. 8 — 613-yard par 5
Championship architect
Robert Trent Jones
Host of U.S. Open
1965 — won by Gary Player
Major renovation
Rees Jones, 2006
Championship rotation
2018 PGA, 2026 BMW Championship
Course record (official)
63 (Brooks Koepka, 2018 PGA Championship)
The design
The architecture
Bellerive's layout is a masterclass in classic championship parkland strategy: wide corridors bookended by mature trees, subtle elevation swings, dangerous water features, and firm, undulating greens. Robert Trent Jones’s fingerprint is everywhere—rewarding strategic placement over raw power, especially on the relentless sequence of long par 4s and dramatic par 3s. Renovated by Rees Jones for modern events, the course blends punishing length with a demand for precision, offering no easy refuge and a stirring finale that tests every club and nerve.
Robert Trent Jones’s vision for tournament drama still defines the course; Rees Jones’s restoration reinforced these championship themes for modern play.
Defining features
- Stretched par-4s across both nines
- Challenging water hazards influencing approach shots
- Imposing bunkering shaping landing zones
- Firm, fast greens with championship pace
- Grand, tree-lined corridors
- Dramatic closing stretch (holes 15–18)
Hole by hole
Signature holes
Hole 8
The Three-Shot Gauntlet
PAR
5
YARDAGE
613
A true par 5 brute, hole 8 stretches over 600 yards with bunkers and water shaping every decision. The uphill approach to a well-defended, elevated green makes laying up a question of nerve and execution.
Play it smart
Keep your drive in the fairway to avoid the thick rough; second shot placement is crucial, setting up a manageable wedge into a tough, contoured green.
Where it bites
Stray from the fairway and you're battling trees and cross-bunkers—miss your layup short or wide and a big number lurks.
Course management
Shots to think about
Tee shot on the 8th
Favor accuracy—hug the left to open the angle but avoid the trees.
Long approach to the 12th
Take enough club for the uphill; center green is your best friend.
Second shot on 17
Trust your layup number—don’t gamble unless you’re flush with confidence.
Challenging par putts on championship greens
Play for less break than you see—Bellerive’s subtle contours deceive.
Long-iron tee shots on the 16th
Pick commitment over distance—getting on the green is everything.
Recovery from thick rough
Hack it back to fairway—don’t be a hero with trees in play.
Watch
See it before you play it
On the day
What to expect
Conditions
Tour-level, immaculate from tee to green, with fast putting surfaces.
Pace
Steady private-club flow, but tough greens and tournament setups can slow rounds.
Vibe
Historic, elite, and tournament-focused—big event energy, not casual resort golf.
Dress code
Traditional private-club attire; collared shirts and golf slacks/shorts required.
Before you tee off
Your game plan
01
Dial Long-Iron Play
Between monster par 3s and narcotic par 4s, you’ll need confidence with hybrids and mid/long irons to survive.
02
Emphasize Course Management
Check layup zones and double-check yardages—there’s no room for greed or guesswork on Bellerive’s long holes.
03
Practice Fast Greens
Simulate championship pace; putting and lag speed will separate contenders from survivors.
04
Pack Tournament Attire
Don’t get caught underdressed—private-club standards are strictly enforced.
The lore
How it came to be
- 1897
Club founded as St. Louis Field Club
- 1959
Relocated and began new Robert Trent Jones design
- 1960
Current course opened for play
- 1965
Hosted U.S. Open (youngest course to do so)
- 1992
Nick Price wins the PGA Championship
- 2006
Rees Jones-led renovation modernizes course
- 2018
Hosts PGA Championship (Koepka wins; Tiger's late charge)
Stories & legends
What makes it special
From Field Club Origins
The club's journey began as the St. Louis Field Club before adopting its distinctive Bellerive identity and settling into its championship home. Its evolution mirrors a century-plus of American golf history.
Tiger’s 2018 Roar
The 2018 PGA Championship was the site of Tiger Woods’ famous Sunday charge—his electrifying run nearly stole the trophy from Brooks Koepka and put Bellerive in the global sports spotlight.
A Family Affair
Robert Trent Jones designed the modern Bellerive, and decades later his son, Rees Jones, restored it for the next generation of championship drama. The Jones name is etched into every yard.
For the group chat
Fun facts
1
Bellerive was the youngest course to host the U.S. Open in 1965.
2
It is nicknamed “The Green Monster of Ladue Road” for its unrelenting test.
3
The club has hosted every major rotating men’s championship in the U.S., a rare feat.
4
Tiger Woods' 2018 PGA Sunday charge at Bellerive became instant lore.
5
Robert Trent Jones’s son, Rees, oversaw the 2006 modernization.
Build the trip
If you’re crafting a St. Louis golf pilgrimage
CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
St. Louis Country Club
Private
Historic and architectural masterpiece by CB Macdonald
Old Warson Country Club
Private
Classic course with championship pedigree
Tapawingo National Golf Club
Public
Best public championship challenge near St. Louis
The Landings at Spirit Golf Club
Public
Fun, playable option for all abilities
Norwood Hills Country Club
Private
Host of USGA events and a strong regional rep
Clayton, Ladue, or Brentwood/Frontenac—quickest to Bellerive and top private and public clubs
Course DNA
If You Like Bellerive Country Club
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Strong DNA Match8.3
Shoal Creek
Shoal Creek, AlabamaDifficultyConditioning
Why it matches: If Bellerive Country Club is your kind of course, Shoal Creek is worth a look because it brings a comparable level of challenge and puts the same premium on presentation.
Strong DNA Match8.3
Hazeltine National Golf Club
Chaska, MinnesotaDifficultyConditioning
Why it matches: There is real overlap here. Hazeltine National Golf Club asks for the same disciplined decision-making and offers similarly polished playing surfaces, making it a compelling counterpart to Bellerive Country Club.
Strong DNA Match7.8
TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm
Potomac, MarylandDifficultyConditioning
Why it matches: There is real overlap here. TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm asks for the same disciplined decision-making and offers similarly polished playing surfaces, making it a compelling counterpart to Bellerive Country Club.
Community Sentiment
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