Official Website: belgradelakesgolf.com
Course Architect: Clive Clark
First Teed Off: 1999
Rating: 72.2
Slope: 135
Yardage: 6723
Par: 71
Rates of Passage: $135 - $160 with cart
View from the 19th Hole
A very well designed course that's easy on the eyes. You won't see any houses throughout your round, as the course is tucked within the confines of trees. Get a sneak peek of what lies ahead (or behind) from atop "the hill" at the clubhouse.
Our Round
A beautiful course that rolls along the mountainside, Belgrade Lakes is brimming with expansive granite outcroppings and towering trees. Many of the bunkers are lined with timbers, and the greens are littered with breaks.
The road to the clubhouse is unsuspecting, with just a rock bearing its name at the base of the hill. Climb up to be greeted by Tonka and Cedar, two dogs that have only known the course as their home. While rolling a few putts, you'll quickly realize the breeze cutting along the top of the hill. If present, wind will undoubtedly change your strategy, as it has a tendency to tunnel through the woods. The holes take great advantage of the changes in elevation with most featuring some form of elevated tee. Only hole number fourteen forces you to hit up to the fairway– making for some playable tee shots. With that said, there are a surprising number of blind shots throughout your round, leaving a first timer unsure of the best approach to each hole.
The first hole is indicative of this blind adventure, as you hit from above the fairway but still have an obstructed view of what lies between the last 100 yards of the fairway and the green. Even though it may look as though a target to the left will help you on this one, it's best to keep it down the middle.
Five is a fun par-3 over water, lined at the back and front right side with bunkers. Nearing the end of the first nine, you'll get a glimpse of the shared green for nine and 18. The higher elevation of the part shared by eighteen will cause you more consternation later in your round.
The staff aren't shy about advertising their award-winning lobster BLT on a ciabatta roll. These delicacies were long gone by the time we made our turn, so plan ahead. There's still plenty of other great grub and beverage options as well, if you're craving a mixed drink and salt fix at the turn.
Sixteen is a 558 yard par-5 with a small pond at its start. Aim near the tree to the left of the fairway for your best approach.
Eighteen is a test for sure, as it works slightly uphill before diving back down beneath the clubhouse. Nine shares its green with 18, in a tiered layout with 18 rising above nine. If anything, you'll want to aim left on this green to avoid it rolling all the way down to nine. This may have happened with what appeared to be a beautifully laid putt near the pin. Super frustrating.
Overall, this was a beautiful course that is well-maintained with top notch service. It's no surprise it's the recipient of so much praise from the golf community, and it should absolutely be a contender for any golfer's New England trip.
Scoreboard
2016, Best Public in State (no. 1), Golfweek
2015, 100 Greatest Public Courses in the US (no. 87), Golf Digest
2015, Best in State (no. 1), Golf Digest
2014, Best Public in State (no. 2), GOLF Magazine
Scorecard
