Black Bear GC
A view from Black Bear Golf Club.
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Rating Index Rating
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4.2
537 Reviews (537)
5 Stars
189
4 Stars
195
3 Stars
73
2 Stars
38
1 Stars
42
Conditions
4.0
Value
3.9
Layout
4.4
Friendliness
4.5
Pace
3.8
Amenities
4.2
89.8%
Recommend this course
441 out of 537 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
4.7
Pace
3.9
Amenities
4.4
StaffFriendliness
4.6
100.0%
Recommend this course
12 out of 12 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.3
50 Reviews (50)
5 Stars
26
4 Stars
17
3 Stars
3
2 Stars
2
1 Stars
2
Conditions
4.1
Value
3.9
Layout
4.3
Pace
3.8
Amenities
4.1
StaffFriendliness
4.4
92.0%
Recommend this course
46 out of 50 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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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
537 Reviews (537)

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 6
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 73
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 1000 Contributor
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 73
Handicap 25+
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Top 1000 Contributor
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 94
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

The condition of the most recent place I played at is excellent.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 73
Handicap 25+
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Top 1000 Contributor
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 73
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 1000 Contributor
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
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 10
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Very good course

Overall rating is very very good. Hadn’t played there for several years. Challenging course layout but manageable.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 230
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 250 Contributor

Good conditions for April, with tee boxes, fairways and rough in great shape. Bunkers need work. Greens had aeration dimples and putts were bouncing, but that’s part of necessary maintenance. Friendly staff.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

No Aeration Warning, Terrible Bunkers

Black Bear has a stellar layout and the potential to be something great. However, charging $130 to play on aerated greens with NO warning at all and having bunkers with rocks the size of softballs in them is highway robery. Our group was stuck behind two couples playing at 9:30 am on a Sunday, with only one of their foursome advancing the ball more than 20 yards at a time. They were 4-6 holes behind the group in front of them and the ranger did nothing to improve the pace of play or allow us to pass. I'll stick with Crystal Springs, Wild Turkey or Ballyowen in the comings weekends for a better experience.

Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Poor
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played

Held 2 days of rain, tee to green great condition.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 18
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Cold weather
Used cart

Nice Track

Excellent, friendly staff.

Seeing that the greens were aerated on 3/18, figured they would have been not 100%, but at least filled in. Bumpy greens led to a lot of missed putts, and extreme speed deviation among all holes.

Conditions of tees and fairways was exceptional for early season, and played true.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 24
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Previously Played

Bunkers need attention

This is my second time back at this course. Challenging but fun is the best way to describe it. Fairways were in great shape, the greens were rough but they had just been aerated so I won’t hold that against them. Last time I was there the greens were lightning fast. My only real gripe is the bunkers. They are borderline concrete and have rock all over the place in them. We were taking our balls out of them all day because they are literally unplayable. When you pay $90 for a tee time you expect playable bunkers and fast greens. It doesn’t need to be perfect but I can go to Great Gorge right down the road and play for $65 for a course that is in about the same shape.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
3.0
First Time Playing

Good course, poor conditions

It was a good course to play. Probably has better conditions in the summer. Awesome to get complementary range balls. Staff is great and friendly. Only bad side was the current conditions of the course. I get it, early in the season but charging full price for punched sanded greens and concrete bunkers should be a crime. Solid 3 star course!

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 48
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 24
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Outstanding Course

Absolutely loved this course, I’ve played Cascades and now this one at Crystal Springs. This is easily the nicest 18 hole course I have played to date(I’m a new golfer). Greens are good and fast(really fast) with fairways in great condition. The front 9 starts out pretty wide open with long straight fairways and gets narrow with many holes including a dog leg or two in the back 9. On top of all of this the scenery is absolutely beautiful. This is going to be my new home course starting next year.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great Course, country club service and amenities on a public course.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap Don't know
Skill Beginner
Plays Once every three months
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Wet weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Good track great greens

Nice layout and certainly flatter fairways than Crystal Springs. Probably the truest greens I have played in a while snd fast too. Overall great experience except for some slow play ahead. Going to be awfully pretty as the leaves turn as well

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
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