Black Bear GC
A view from Black Bear Golf Club.
GolfPass Icon
Rating Index Rating
Tooltip Information Icon
4.2
526 Reviews (526)
5 Stars
183
4 Stars
191
3 Stars
72
2 Stars
38
1 Stars
42
Conditions
4.0
Value
3.9
Layout
4.4
Friendliness
4.5
Pace
3.8
Amenities
4.2
88.7%
Recommend this course
430 out of 526 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.2
36 Reviews (36)
5 Stars
19
4 Stars
11
3 Stars
2
2 Stars
2
1 Stars
2
Conditions
4.1
Value
3.8
Layout
4.2
Pace
3.6
Amenities
4.0
StaffFriendliness
4.3
88.9%
Recommend this course
32 out of 36 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.2
46 Reviews (46)
5 Stars
24
4 Stars
15
3 Stars
3
2 Stars
2
1 Stars
2
Conditions
4.2
Value
4.0
Layout
4.3
Pace
3.8
Amenities
4.0
StaffFriendliness
4.4
91.3%
Recommend this course
42 out of 46 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.

Book a Tee Time at
Black Bear Golf Club
Powered by GolfNow.com

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+
waivedfees
10 rounds of waived fees
golf ball.svg
$120 in tee time credits
teetime protection.svg
Tee Time Protection
redeemtrophy
Redeem GolfPass points

Reviews

4.2
526 Reviews (526)
Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 17
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 22
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 22
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
Played On
Reviews 34
Handicap Don't know
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 21
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Sand Bunkers

The bunkers are disgraceful for a good course like Black Bear. It has been in this condition for several years. Some bunkers are filled in with new sand, but there are too many bunkers with dirt and rocks.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 73
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 1000 Contributor
Previously Played

Great course

Black Bear is one of my favorite courses. It is well maintained and provides both a challenging and friendly mix of difficulty. I recommend it to everyone.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 13
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Beautiful course, excellent condition, great staff and amenities!

Beautiful course, excellent condition, great staff and amenities!

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Nice course

Nice course in good conditions. We enjoyed our round. Will likely to go play again.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
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 13
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Played On
Reviews 7
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 15
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Stay out of the sand!

Nice layout and friendly staff. The bunkers need a lot of work. I enjoyed it!

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Nearby Courses
Franklin, New Jersey
Private
4.0
1
Hamburg, New Jersey
Semi-Private/Resort
4.4879073581
399
Hamburg, New Jersey
Public/Resort
4.1437971192
328
Hamburg, New Jersey
Semi-Private/Resort
4.2191096121
438
Hamburg, New Jersey
Resort
4.1688747571
181
Sparta, New Jersey
Semi-Private
4.3410249247
673
McAfee, New Jersey
Public/Resort
4.1658236347
1051
Vernon, New Jersey
Public/Resort
3.8013706134
145
McAfee, New Jersey
Public/Resort
4.1658236347
1051
McAfee, New Jersey
Public/Resort
4.1658236347
1051
Oak Ridge, New Jersey
Semi-Private
4.3212708812
682
Golf Packages

Resorts World Catskills Stay & Play Package

CLICK BELOW
MONTICELLO, NY | Enjoy 3 nights’ accommodations at Resorts World Catskills and 2 rounds of golf at The Monster Golf Club.

Seaview Stay & Play Golf Package

CLICK BELOW
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ | Enjoy lodging accommodations at Seaview, A Dolce Hotel and golf at Seaview Golf Club - Bay & Pines Courses.
Seaview Golf Club - Bay Course

Seaview Stay & Play Golf Package

CLICK BELOW
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ | Enjoy lodging accommodations at Seaview, A Dolce Hotel and golf at Seaview Golf Club - Bay & Pines Courses.

Heritage Hills Golf Experience Package

FROM $117 (USD)
YORK, PA | Enjoy 2 nights’ accommodations and 2 rounds of golf at Heritage Hills Golf Resort.

Bear Trap Dunes Stay & Play Package

FROM $147 (USD)
BETHANY BEACH, DE | Enjoy 2 nights’ accommodations in a private residence within the Bear Trap Dunes community managed by 1st Choice Properties and 2 rounds of golf at Bear Trap Dunes Golf Club.
Now Reading
  • Home

  • Memberships

  • Library

  • Account