Watson also designed Olympia Fields in Chicago and Interlachen in Minneapolis, both among the most famous courses in America. He ranks it among his favorite courses, alongside Pebble Beach, the Old Course at St. Andrews, and Augusta National. Belvedere shares many of the same instincts, including the philosophy that par-5 holes should be difficult birdie opportunities but relatively easy pars. Two of the par-5 holes are the ninth, at 463 yards, and the dogleg right 16th, downhill, at 459 yards. The next is 156 yards, but demands an accurate tee shot.
Belvedere features small, fast greens that demand shotmaking and score-saving skills.
After all, the essence of golf is the result, not the methodology. That's why Belvedere was such an outstanding venue for the Michigan Amateur, a match play event. It leveled the playing field. Short hitters with shotmaking skills are not at a disadvantage. The strength of Belvedere is in its outstanding par 4s, both short and long.