Black Bear GC
A view from Black Bear Golf Club.
GolfPass Icon
Rating Index Rating
Tooltip Information Icon
4.2
547 Reviews (547)
5 Stars
192
4 Stars
202
3 Stars
73
2 Stars
38
1 Stars
42
Conditions
4.1
Value
4.0
Layout
4.4
Friendliness
4.4
Pace
3.8
Amenities
4.2
89.1%
Recommend this course
450 out of 547 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.4
20 Reviews (20)
5 Stars
8
4 Stars
11
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.3
Value
4.2
Layout
4.5
Pace
4.1
Amenities
4.3
StaffFriendliness
4.5
95.0%
Recommend this course
19 out of 20 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.4
37 Reviews (37)
5 Stars
18
4 Stars
17
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.3
Value
4.1
Layout
4.4
Pace
3.8
Amenities
4.2
StaffFriendliness
4.5
97.3%
Recommend this course
36 out of 37 reviews
Read Reviews
frame.svg
AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
circle-star.svg
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.

Book a Tee Time at
Black Bear Golf Club
Powered by GolfNow.com
Hot Deals at Black Bear Golf Club
View more Hot Deals on

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

The Best Way To Book Is With GolfPass+ Annual
golf ball.svg
$120 in monthly tee time promo codes
waivedfees
12 rounds of waived fees
redeemtrophy
GolfPass Member Pricing
teetime protection.svg
Tee Time Protection

Reviews

4.2
547 Reviews (547)

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 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 7
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
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 27
Handicap Don't know
Skill Beginner
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Carts . . . .BIG ISSUE

If you want to ensure a almost 5;hour round this is your place . . .. the carts are now going 5mph tops . . . Total total mess . . . So bad check the teenaheetntoday almost ALL PM tee times were available . . . Maybe they will catch on when the profits go down . . . WAY DOWN . . . Truths the truth

Conditions Average
Value Poor
Layout Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

Pretty good

The sand bunkers are a big problem - tons of rocks in them, and I had to clean behind the ball so as to avoid dinging my clubs. Pace of play was generally ok, but there was a major backup on the par 5 #13 with 3 groups playing the hole when we got to the tee.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 8
Handicap 20-24
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

A great round

Had a great round with 3 friends, just a perfect day and course was in excellent shape. Staff was friendly and can't wait to get another round.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 205
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
3.0
Previously Played

Invest in the course

The majority of sand traps at this course are filled with mostly pebbles or boulders. Some have been addressed with fresh white sand added, but most are a joke. Should all be marked under repair, and deemed unplayable. Golf carts are old/slow gas powered with no gps. Most tee boxes in below avg shape, with crowns and slopes as well. No mix to fix divots at tee or on carts either. Not what you’d expect when paying $115 a round.

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
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 205
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 205
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Windy weather
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Nearby Courses
Franklin, New Jersey
Private
4.0
1
Hamburg, New Jersey
Semi-Private/Resort
4.4589489983
412
Hamburg, New Jersey
Public/Resort
4.0708588779
341
Hamburg, New Jersey
Semi-Private/Resort
4.1625984898
460
Hamburg, New Jersey
Resort
4.079351065
185
Sparta, New Jersey
Semi-Private
4.4756232677
691
McAfee, New Jersey
Public/Resort
4.2340038279
1109
Vernon, New Jersey
Public/Resort
3.462090277
154
McAfee, New Jersey
Public/Resort
4.2340038279
1109
McAfee, New Jersey
Public/Resort
4.2340038279
1109
Oak Ridge, New Jersey
Semi-Private
4.357140006
697
Now Reading
  • Home

  • Memberships

  • Library

  • Account