Black Bear GC
A view from Black Bear Golf Club.
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Rating Index Rating
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4.2
538 Reviews (538)
5 Stars
189
4 Stars
196
3 Stars
73
2 Stars
38
1 Stars
42
Conditions
4.1
Value
3.9
Layout
4.4
Friendliness
4.4
Pace
3.8
Amenities
4.1
89.2%
Recommend this course
442 out of 538 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.4
12 Reviews (12)
5 Stars
6
4 Stars
5
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.2
Value
4.2
Layout
4.6
Pace
4.2
Amenities
4.4
StaffFriendliness
4.6
100.0%
Recommend this course
12 out of 12 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.3
48 Reviews (48)
5 Stars
25
4 Stars
16
3 Stars
3
2 Stars
2
1 Stars
2
Conditions
4.1
Value
3.9
Layout
4.3
Pace
3.7
Amenities
4.1
StaffFriendliness
4.4
91.7%
Recommend this course
44 out of 48 reviews
Read Reviews
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AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
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Course Highlights
Black Bear delivers a fun, challenging layout with consistently well-maintained conditions and greens that rank among the best in the area. Exceptionally welcoming staff, from the starter to the ranger, create a standout experience that keeps golfers coming back.

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
538 Reviews (538)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 24
Dinner 11
Patio Dining 11
Course Challenges Include:
Elevation Changes 35
Bunkers 30
Narrow Fairways 22
This course/club is great for:
Wildlife/ Scenic Views 33
Advanced Golfers 21
Locals 20
This Course's Location is:
Worth the Drive 26
In the 'Burbs 21
At a Resort 10

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 31
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Awesome day at Black Bear

Great course... great layout.. manicured fairways and greens... sand traps are like concrete, so avoid the sand... pace of play was great in our three some playing a 2pm start... finished 18 in 4 hrs exactly...got on a hot deal so price was under $50 w cart...

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a month
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Course needs work

The course has not taken care of the bunkers in years, the golf carts have to be 10 years old and barely work, and I don’t believe they have Rangers to keep the slow golfers moving along

Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 73
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 1000 Contributor
Previously Played

Very interesting course to play

It has it's challenging holes with some moderate holes too. I think they should allow more time for their scheduled outings to end before reserving regular golfers. There was quite a large backup for the regular golfers to start their rounds.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Fair
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Poor
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 18
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Not great value, good course usually.

Ton of other courses in the area for better value. I can’t get nuts about the aeration of the greens considering it’s the beginning of September but the traps weren’t maintained, the tee boxes needed a bit more love than the sand dump that they were. I don’t mind the slow play on a weekend, especially the holiday weekend but round took 5 hours. Waiting on every shot - with 3 rangers out. Not great management. Only saving grace was it was a beautiful day to be outside and the beverage carts were appropriately attentive.

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Fair
Pace Poor
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Horrible

A beautiful course I have played before . However the management team decided to aerated the course all greens and T boxes on the last week of the summer season in August . The sand traps mostly ran from underwater to hard pack to just plain gravel . I will not return .

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Plays A few times a week
3.0

Played course Thursday sand traps where unplayable full of rocks greens where just aerated so not great lots of pitch marks tee boxes rough and a little pricey for what’s offered don’t think I’m hurrying back anytime soon

Conditions Poor
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Awful

I have only played Black Bear a couple times . We decided to treat ourselves,, this last week of summer (August ) and HOLIDAY week and make the ride to play Black Bear .The course recently punched holes in all the greens and T boxes ,,, all were aerated . I am not sure why that needed to be done , Now being the last week of peak season . The bunkers were in poor condition . Most were not playable . The conditions were .. water , very hard pack to what could only be described as gravel . The possibility of damaging a club . What a shame ! This WAS a beautiful play to play golf . I will not return .

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 16
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Very solid

Only complaint is the quality of the bunkers (hard dirt and rocks vs. soft sand) and the tee boxes were really beat up. Otherwise, very well maintained course and nice facilities. Fun layout, would definitely play again

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great shape and layout.

Iv played this course a few times a year for last 5 years. Course was in great shape. Only complaint i could say are the carts. Need to upgrade.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 9
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 94
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

When I came here 3~4 years ago, it wasn't well-maintained, but now it has improved a lot.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 57
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
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