Black Bear GC
A view from Black Bear Golf Club.
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Rating Index Rating
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4.2
527 Reviews (527)
5 Stars
184
4 Stars
191
3 Stars
72
2 Stars
38
1 Stars
42
Conditions
4.0
Value
3.9
Layout
4.4
Friendliness
4.4
Pace
3.8
Amenities
4.1
88.5%
Recommend this course
431 out of 527 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.6
15 Reviews (15)
5 Stars
9
4 Stars
6
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.4
Value
3.9
Layout
4.5
Pace
3.6
Amenities
4.4
StaffFriendliness
4.6
100.0%
Recommend this course
15 out of 15 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.2
43 Reviews (43)
5 Stars
22
4 Stars
14
3 Stars
3
2 Stars
2
1 Stars
2
Conditions
4.1
Value
3.9
Layout
4.2
Pace
3.7
Amenities
4.0
StaffFriendliness
4.4
90.7%
Recommend this course
39 out of 43 reviews
Read Reviews

About

Holes 18
Type Public/Resort
Par 72
Length 6673 yards
Slope 129
Rating 72.4

Black Bear Golf Club is part of the Crystal Springs Resort, which offers six other courses, though, it's hard to remember they're connected since they each offer a distinct character and look. Unlike Ballyowen and Crystal springs, two of the resort's most well known courses, Black Bear has more of a parkland layout. The course tumbles across rolling hills covered with trees, which come into play along the undulating fairways and greens. Water only comes into play on three holes but there are a whopping 65 bunkers coming into play. It's challenging but not frustrating. Both low and high handicappers will enjoy not only the golf course but also the beautiful scenery. Black Bear is one of the best values in the area and has garnered a strong local following.

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Black Bear Golf Club
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Course Details

Year Built 1996
Fairways Ryegrass
Greens Bentgrass
Golf Season Open: 3/15 Closed: 12/31
Architect Jack Kurlander (1996) David Glenz (1996)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes - included in green fees
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Golf School/Academy Yes - "David Leadbetter Golf Academy"
Golf Simulator Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Indoor Practice Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard, Amex Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No

Food & Beverage

Bar, Snacks, Restaurant, Beverage Carts

Available Facilities

Showers, Lockers

Accolades

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Reviews

4.2
527 Reviews (527)
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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Greens in terrible shape

The greens here were in terrible shape. Countless bald spots, divots, etc. Otherwise, the rest of the course was fine.

Conditions Poor
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
1.0
First Time Playing

not worth the trip

price on golfnow is good. The starter joked about temporary greens, but he said he was just kidding. They didn't mention 3/4 of the greens were unplayable, damaged, under repair. No sense in keeping score. Disappointing that this is part of Crystal Springs group, and such a waste of time even for the price.

Conditions Poor
Value Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 25+
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Nobody told us that the greens were in very bad shape,otherwise a nice course

We were never told that the greens were in very bad shape.It looked like they airrated but the said no.We asked for a discount on our next round they said no.The play was very slow and no ranger in sight.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

AWFUL GREENS!!

AWFUL GREENS!! THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A DISCLAIMER OF SOME SORTS!! CALL THE COURSE BEFORE MAKING A TEE TIME TO FIND OUT IF THEY'VE FIXED THE GREENS!! UGH!!!

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 21
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Previously Played

WHAT HAPPENED

the course was in great shape. I dont know if it was all the hot weather. but i would stay away now. Greens were blighted, bare and bumpy. Fairways were not in great shape. I would not recommend. Such a shame

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Friendliness Average
Pace Fair
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

What happened here?

Years ago this was one of my favorite places to play. In recent years it has slowly and steadily gone downhill. I thought I'd give it another shot here yesterday to see if things were on the up. Boy, it can't get any worse, can it? Burnt out fairways, un-maintained rough, rough growing in the fairway, and I'd imagine putting on the moon would have been a smoother surface than the greens here. It's a shame, because it has the potential to be a good track.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

not maintained

the course was in terrible shape. although the weather has been extremely hot, we have played on other courses that have been far better maintained over the past few weeks. the greens were pitted and rutted, and the fairways were in horrible shape as well.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Friendliness Average
Pace Fair
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Well maintained. Clearly marked holes.

Black Bear is one of the nicer courses in the area. It has the feel of a private club. I played it after a week of scorching hot weather, and the fairways and greens were pretty dried out and fast.

The holes were clearly marked. Ball washers and cold water every several holes.

It was a good golfing experience.

one pet peeve was the snack bar and cart were charging about double the regular price expected.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

Solid 4 Star Course

The course is exactly what it says it is: a recreational golfer's heaven. The course is in a beautiful location and was in awesome shape when I played. The only thing that I thought could've used some work were the greens. A couple of them were a little choppy. The fairways and rough were immaculate. Definitely worth the money and the drive.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 11
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

the course is challenging with some interesting holes. Tight fairways makes your tee shot to be accurate

The coourse layout was good. It is a shot maker's course with driving accuracy a must. I was somewhat disappointed in the conditionof the greens. They were very slow and marked up.

Conditions Poor
Value Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Course was not in good shape

I was disappointed in Black Bear because the bunkers were inconsistent, yardages were inaccurate when compared to my GPS (GPS turned out to be right every time), and the greens were extremely slow and damaged. The greens were so slow that my playing partners and I found it comical and annoying at the same time. I paid a discounted rate and wouldn't play there again for that same amount.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Difficulty Extremely Easy
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great for Weekday Round

Went on a Tuesday for $45. Great value for the course.
Yardage from Blue Tees are relatively short but fun to play. Black Tee yardage is not too different, just harder angles into fairways/greens.
The greens are in good condition. Better than any county course for sure!

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 25+
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Starter was rude and let people behind us go ahead of us.

Course was challenging and well kept. However, we were
disappointed with the starter. .

Conditions Average
Value Average
Friendliness Poor
Pace Fair
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 25+
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

great value for the money

Course was in great shape - many challenging holes and overall good round. Will definitely come back again this summer.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

scenic, with lots of elevation changes, little water. Love this course!

Never disappoints, fairways and traps in excellent shape. love the elevation changes and hole diversity. Can be challenging if you play from the tips!

Conditions Average
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Love it.

Just a fun track. Not really that challenging, but it has it's moments.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

A challenging course the first time

I really enjoyed this course. I have played a lot of different places and this course has a lot of great features. Its very oddly laid out but they have good signage directing you where to go. Everything was great about the course except for the fact that our foursome had a very quick threesome behind us and as they were right behind us the staff kept telling us top pick up the pace which a) was rediculous when it was a smaller group behind us and b) there was a slow foursome in front of us holding us back as well that we never saw get spoken too. Outside of those requests everyone was friendly and helpful and the course was beautiful but wet given the several days of consistent rain we had had.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 7
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Featured
First Time Playing

Excellent all-around golf course

The thing that struck me most about this golf course was its vistas. It places you in a frame of mind where you dont feel cramped by man made structures. Not a condo to be seen. The course itself plays nicely.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Course conditions were great

Played there on 6/6. Fairways and greens in excellent condition. Great bargin during the week. I paid $50. I would play there again in a heartbeat

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

The course was well maintained.

Overall the courses was good. Greens were well kept and the staff was very helpful with tips on the course.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Difficulty Moderate
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