Watson’s Blueprint Resurfaces
In 2016, the original William Watson course drawings were discovered behind a wall, directly enabling a meticulous restoration. The result is as close as possible to Watson’s original Golden Age routing.
The verdict
A Midwest Classic, Restored
Belvedere delivers one of the most authentic Golden Age experiences in the Midwest, deftly routing over natural Michigan terrain. It’s a must for classic architecture fans and absolutely worth the detour for any serious regional golf trip.
Course DNA
Difficulty
78
Scenery71
Conditioning85
Shot Variety83
Walkability79
Green Complexity88
Wow Factor81
Design Quality92
At a glance
Quick facts
Restoration architect
Bruce Hepner (2017–18, using Watson’s original plans)
Signature championship
Michigan Amateur – hosted 41 times
Historic opening
Walter Hagen’s 1929 victory cemented early prestige
Greens
All original Watson green complexes preserved
Annual tradition
Hosts Belvedere Hickory Open, a top hickory golf event
Famed hole claim
Walter Hagen called the 16th 'best par 4 in America'
Course record
Ben Hogan played here in the club’s golden era
The design
The architecture
Belvedere’s spirit is classic Golden Age — routing that honors the original land, with fairways cresting natural ridges and converging on subtly perched greens. It’s a course built for variety and craft, not overpowering length, rewarding thoughtful tactics and a creative short game. The 2017–18 restoration, guided by Bruce Hepner and anchored on Watson’s rediscovered plans, brought back lost bunker shapes and restored the original green edges with care, preserving an authentic historic character almost unmatched in the U.S.
William Watson was a leading Scottish-born Golden Age architect known for letting landforms dictate design; at Belvedere, his untouched greens and routing are among the purest surviving examples of his work.
Defining features
- Retains all 18 original Watson green complexes
- Routing maximizes natural movement of high Michigan farmland
- Deeply strategic angles and layups, especially on par-4s
- Mix of reachable and stout par-5s demand thoughtful scoring
- Characteristic classic bunkering and subtle green contours
- Firm, running fairways promote both air and ground game
Hole by hole
Signature holes
Hole 4
Long Iron Pillar
PAR
3
YARDAGE
230
A formidable, 230-yard par 3 that plays toward a well-defended green tucked against natural slopes. The distance, paired with wind, demands precise execution with a long iron or hybrid and little margin for error.
Play it smart
Favor the heart of the green; par is an excellent score. Best to avoid left, as recovery is difficult.
Where it bites
Anything short or left risks brutal up-and-downs; bunkers and natural runoffs punish misses severely.
Course management
Shots to think about
Long par-3 tee shots, especially 4 and 14
Play for the heart of the green, steer clear of hazards, and favor a safe two-putt on these brute one-shotters.
Short par-4s like 16
Resist pulling driver — shape your tee shot for position and give yourself the best angle.
Reachable par-5s (5, 10, 15)
Gauge risk before attacking in two; a well-considered layup can set up a realistic birdie.
Approaching contoured greens
Aim for the correct tier and avoid short-siding yourself — these original surfaces demand caution and a deft touch.
Wind off the open farmland
Club up or down confidently, especially on exposed holes where gusts change the equation quickly.
Playing from Watson bunkers
Escape is paramount — take your medicine to avoid compounding errors.
On the day
What to expect
Conditions
Consistently excellent, with restored fairways and original greens presented in top shape — especially during championship season.
Vibe
Traditional, architecture-focused, and reverent; club culture celebrates its history and pedigree.
Before you tee off
Your game plan
01
Practice Approach Wedges
Sharp wedge play is vital for scoring on the shorter par 4s and approaches into Watson’s small greens.
02
Bring Contingency for Wind
Wind can sweep in off the high farmland; pack for changing conditions and be ready to club up or down quickly.
03
Read Up on Watson
Understanding Watson’s design threads makes the architecture leap out — every angle and contour is intentional.
04
Walk the Course
To truly soak in the routing’s genius, lace up your walking shoes — Belvedere was made to be walked.
The lore
How it came to be
- 1925
Charlevoix group forms club, hires William Watson
- 1927
Course opens to acclaim, crafted across local farmland
- 1929
Walter Hagen wins Great Lakes Open, dubs 16th America’s finest par 4
- 1930
Hosts first Michigan Amateur Championship
- 2016
Original Watson blueprints rediscovered, revealing lost design details
Stories & legends
What makes it special
The Legend of the 16th
Walter Hagen’s praise for the short par-4 16th was no idle flattery. He won the 1929 Great Lakes Open here and called the hole 'the finest par four in America,' a reputation that still echoes.
The Michigan Amateur’s Cathedral
Belvedere is synonymous with the Michigan Amateur, hosting the event more than forty times. Its fairways have tested generations of the state’s best, with champions including both celebrated locals and national legends.
Hickory Golf Returns
Each summer, Belvedere channels its roots at the Belvedere Hickory Open. Golfers don plus fours and peg it with pre-1935 clubs, playing the game as Watson and Hagen saw it.
For the group chat
Fun facts
1
Belvedere has hosted the Michigan Amateur more than any course in history.
2
Walter Hagen called its 16th hole the finest par 4 in America after winning the 1929 Great Lakes Open.
3
The 2016 rediscovery of Watson’s blueprints was a historic architectural find.
4
Belvedere is the only U.S. William Watson course to fully preserve its original routing and greens.
5
Each year, traditionalists compete here with authentic hickory-shafted clubs.
Build the trip
Planning a Northern Michigan Classic Golf Loop
CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
Bay Harbor Golf Club
Resort/Public
Breathtaking lakeside views and 27 top-ranked resort holes
The Highlands at Harbor Springs
Resort/Public
Four diverse courses and top-notch amenities
Boyne Mountain – Monument
Resort/Public
Dramatic elevation and a fun, player-friendly test
Hidden River Golf & Casting Club
Public
Secluded fairways and a relaxed pace
Chestnut Valley Golf Course
Public
Walkable, affordable, and enjoyed by locals
Charlevoix for proximity to Belvedere; Petoskey or Harbor Springs for maximum course and resort options.
Course DNA
If You Like Belvedere Golf Club
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Strong DNA Match9.0
The Camargo Club
Indian Hill, OhioWhy it matches: If Belvedere Golf Club is your kind of course, The Camargo Club is worth a look because it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
Strong DNA Match7.9
Capital City Club, Brookhaven Course
Brookhaven, GeorgiaWhy it matches: If Belvedere Golf Club is your kind of course, Capital City Club, Brookhaven Course is worth a look because it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
Strong DNA Match7.5
Country Club of Maryland
Bethesda, MarylandWhy it matches: What links these two? A comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character — a familiar feeling, expressed in Country Club of Maryland's own setting.
Community Sentiment
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