Belvedere or Greywalls?

[Steve Salmen]

I'm taking a non golf trip to Sault Ste Marie.  On the way up or back I will have time for one round at either Belvedere or Greywalls.  I'm starting from either downtown Chicago or Northern IN.  I'd like to know if there is tremendously more love for Greywalls because it is quite a bit out of my way.  Otherwise I will play Belvedere.

I would try to play the Loop but fear that I cannot stay over, thus disqualifying myself. 

Thank you in advance for your advice.

[Tom_Doak]

Steve:


Belvedere and Greywalls are about as different as two courses can get.


If you want to see a huge-scale course with some severe features, that's Greywalls.


If you want to have a pleasant walk and be tested around the greens, that's Belvedere.


* Greywalls is walkable -- I walked and played with the superintendent -- but it's a workout and you have to have someone drop you off at the start and be ready to pick you up at the finish.


FWIW, I gave Greywalls a 7 in the soon-to-be-released Confidential Guide, and Belvedere a 6.  But I'd rather go play Belvedere again, even without the difference in drive times.

[Pete_Pittock]

It depends on your non golf destination. I have played both. once each. The drive from Greywalls to Belvedere is a very boring four hours, unless you have bridge panic.  I wouldn't disagree with TD comments. Knowing nothing else, I'd play Belvedere as I prefer classic courses over moderns. 

Do you like tired?  I started a road trip in Chicago, played Lawsonia and Erin Hills, met the Daleys, proceeded to Greywalls. all enroute to the Midwest Mashie at Kingsley. If you really like tired, that's the way to go.

[Jon Heise]

Well, I'm a little biased here...  Go play Greywalls.


You're in Chicago right?  Me too.  You'll never see anything like GW near home.  We've got a lot of great walks and classics in Chicago, so dare to go to the extremes.  I LOVE Belvedere, and it'll always be an enjoyable round, but you'll get to play shots and have challenges at GW that I've not seen anywhere else.  You'll want to forget your score probably, but you won't forget the course.

[Tim Gavrich]

Greywalls is mesmerizing. I haven't played Belvedere, but would love to at some point, but Jon Heise is right - Greywalls is pretty much a one-off course, and a great one at that. Plus, you can check out the other Marquette GC course, which has 9 really cool Langford/Moreau holes.

[JC Jones]

I've got dozens of rounds on Belvedere and love it, dearly.  I've only got a few on Greywalls.  If I'm in the Soo and looking for a day trip, its worth going to Greywalls because of its scale, uniquness and absolute joy to play.  If you're talking about driving from the Soo to Chicago, Belvedere is a short jaunt off of the road so its a logistical no brainer.  While I love Belvedere, it isnt something that you wont see anywhere else.  Greywalls is.

[Bill Seitz]

There are a lot of great courses, especially along the coasts, that I haven't played yet, so take this with that in mind, but Greywalls is one of, if not the most visually stunning golf course I've ever played.  I've never played another course like it.  And it doesn't just get by on looks.  It's a really good golf course.  Have not played Belvedere, so I can't compare, but it seems to be a really good version of a standard parkland course. 


Steve, remind of what it was about Kingsley you didn't like?  There are some similarities, especially around the greens, so if that was a turn off when you played Kingsley you may not like it.  There's nothing really as polarizing as numbers 2 or 9 at Kingsley, though. 

[Steve Lang]

   Steve,


from chicago why not drive up west side of lake mich and play greywalls, do your soo thing, and drive down east side and quick detour to the Bel  or reverse it...


Good fish eating at Marquette or Charlevoix...

I'd concur with JC (though I've only played the Bel a half dozen times and Greywalls a couple).  You just won't get this at Belvedere


loop it, a topic quite popular this year


ps
JC are you still in mich or back in NC yet?

[George Freeman]

Similar to a lot of the responses here, I would go with Greywalls.  I really enjoyed Belvedere, however the uniqueness of the land and the way the course is routed on it is really interesting and cool.  It is a really fun golf course - and pretty visually impressive as well.

My two cents.

http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,40452.0.html

[Ian Mackenzie]

Steve,


Greywalls is the hot chick in the Camarro you have a one night stand with.
BElvedere is the woman you marry.


So, what are you in the mood for...?...


Cheers,
Ian

[Jon Cavalier]

For a one time only play, it's gotta be Greywalls. It's terrific and unique, and a whole lot of fun.

As Steve said, you won't get this ar Belvedere (or anywhere else):