Belgrade Lakes Golf Club – Played July 2020
- Rankings: None of my four lists
- Location: 46 Clubhouse Drive, Belgrade Lakes, Maine
- Year: 1998
- Architect: Clive Clark
- Course Access: Public
- Walking Rules: Carts Available
Score Card Information:
- Black: 6,723 yards, Par 71, 72.5 Rating/137 Slope
- Gold: 6,249 yards, Par 71, 70.0 Rating/133 Slope
- White: 5,804 yards, Par 71, 67.4 Rating/126 Slope (Men’s), 72.0 Rating/131 Slope (Women’s)
- Red: 5,168 yards, Par 71, 68.8 Rating/122 Slope
Belgrade Lakes Golf Club is the crown jewel of Clive Clark’s course architecture portfolio. Sitting on top of a mountain in the Belgrade Lakes region of Maine, the property features stunning views. Even though it is on top of the mountain, most of the elevation change is confined to a few holes, making this one of the rare easier mountain walks.
The vision for the course came from Harold Alfond, the founder of Dexter Shoe Company. He wanted a “country club for the average guy”. Due to Belgrade Lakes remote location, the course delivers on that promise as it is not overly busy.
As you park and trek up the last bit of hill to the clubhouse you can hit a few putts and look out over the incredible view from the putting green (below).
The clubhouse sits adjacent to the putting green. It features incredible views of 9 and 18 as well as the lakes below. I didn’t spend too much time there so I didn’t get any photos.
The course logo features the loon, a bird that I’ve marveled at since my youth. I recommend you check them out to learn more.
Many golf courses have a golf course dog. Belgrade Lakes Golf Club is no different. Guthrie was out patrolling the course while I was playing.
Hole 1 – 435 yards – Par 4
The yardage is long for this one on the card but it plays much shorter since it is downhill the entire way. The fairway is pretty severe so getting a flat lie will be tough.
I don’t always share tee markers but these loon ones caught my eye.
Hole 2 – 168 yards – Par 3
The downhill trend continues on the second hole. The green is really big and contoured as you’ll see in the photos below.
Hole 3 – 475 yards – Par 5
With hazards galore, this hole will make you think. The second shot features a big decision between a precise layup or going for it. There isn’t a ton of room to miss if you go for the green.
Hole 4 – 443 yards – Par 4
No debate here, you just need to hit a good drive. The fescue-lined bunkers on the left are waiting to snatch wayward shots. With a longer second shot, the green is large to help you out a bit.
Hole 5 – 174 yards – Par 3
The use of rocks and railroad ties continues on this hole. The railroad ties outline the bunkers behind the green. The putting surface is pretty tame so hitting it is the main concern.
Hole 6 – 510 yards – Par 5
This hole was a bit awkward upon my first viewing. I was thankful to have the yardage book. It’s not clear what you have to do on the second shot as you can’t see everything in the landing area.
Hole 7 – 409 yards – Par 4
This dogleg right is tough from start to finish. The trees come quickly on the left and the green features plenty of slope. Wayward shots can face difficult pitches. Consider par a great score here.
Hole 8 – 207 yards – Par 3
The front side features three short holes. I always enjoy it when a course changes it up from the standard two per side. I played through this friendly group so I only got one photo.
Hole 9 – 439 yards – Par 4
The ninth is part of the scenic twofer with the eighteenth. A massive rock structure separates the holes and they share an enormous double green. I was quite impressed with the scale and visuals on this portion of the property.
Hole 10 – 377 yards – Par 4
Much like the first hole, the tenth plays downhill. Most of the elevation change on the property is contained in these two holes. For a mountaintop course, the walkability is pretty good.
Hole 11 – 433 yards – Par 4
There’s not much slope on this hole. Let driver rip here!
The open green encourages running shots if you cannot fly your second shot on the putting surface.
Hole 12 – 585 yards – Par 5
Most will take three shots to get to the green on this mammoth hole. Keep your drive to the left of the rocks and you’ll be on your way.
The second shot can be blind, so I suggest taking a look before you hit.
Hole 13 – 229 yards – Par 3
This is the longest of the par threes and it is quite a brute. Most won’t be able to hit an iron into this green from the tips, so pars will be tough to come by.
Hole 14 – 358 yards – Par 4
This one is straightforward. A slight dogleg right gives way to a large green protected by a single bunker.
The internal contouring of the green is the main defense of the hole.
Hole 15 – 334 yards – Par 4
I played through a lively group of older guys on this hole and subsequently only got one photo. You can see the entire hole though. The short par four plays uphill and bends slightly right.
Hole 16 – 558 yards – Par 5
This par five continues the trend of longer versions (aside from the first one). I like the continued use of railroad ties on the fairway bunkers.
The green is guarded by plenty of bunkers on the right side.
Hole 17 – 189 yards – Par 3
You have a secluded spot here to attempt to hit this green. You’ll want to avoid the bunkers on the right.
Hole 18 – 400 yards – Par 4
On the final hole, we get connected back to the highlight of the property. The tall tree on the right alerts you to the boundary of the fairway, so stay left of that.
As you get to the top of the hill, the green comes into view. It’s a big target but you don’t want to get hung up on the big hill behind it.
This is the opposite view of the double green shared with the ninth hole.
Belgrade Lakes Golf Club features incredible scenery but what makes it really good is the variety of holes and interesting shots. As I mentioned, for a mountaintop course the walk is pretty manageable.
The course is definitely remote and probably doesn’t get as much play as it should. If you find yourself in New England, I recommend making the trek up to Belgrade Lakes to check out this fun course.