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Black Bear Golf Club

138 Route 23 North, Franklin, New Jersey 07416, Sussex County
(855) 977-6473
Course Website
4.2
558 Reviews
Black Bear Golf Club - Book a Tee Time
Black Bear GC
A view from Black Bear Golf Club. Black Bear Golf Club
Black Bear GC
A sunny day view from Black Bear Golf Club. Black Bear GC
Black Bear GC
A view of a fairway at Black Bear Golf Club. Black Bear GC
Black Bear GC
A fall day view of a fairway at Black Bear Golf Club. Black Bear GC
Black Bear GC: #7
A view of hole #7 at Black Bear Golf Club. Black Bear GC
Black Bear GC
A sunset view from Black Bear Golf Club. Black Bear GC

About

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.

Holes 18
Par 72
Length 6673 yds
Rating 72.4
Slope 129
Type Public/Resort
Course Layout
Tees
Track Rounds
Scorecard
Course scorecard and layout
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Sun 9/20
$10899
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Course Details

Rentals & Services

Golf Carts Yes - included in green fees
Golf Clubs

Practice & Instruction

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

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard, Amex Welcomed
Metal Spikes

Food & Beverage

Bar
Snacks
Restaurant
Beverage Carts

Available Facilities

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

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Rating Index
Tooltip Information Icon

4.2
4.2 out of 5 stars, based on 558 reviews
88.1%
Recommend
558
Reviews
  • 5 Stars
  • 4 Stars
  • 3 Stars
  • 2 Stars
  • 1 Stars
  • Conditions
    4.2
  • Value
    4.0
  • Layout
    4.4
  • Friendliness
    4.5
  • Pace
    3.8
  • Amenities
    4.2
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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.

Rating Index

Golfers Often Mention

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

Golfer Photos

Golfer Reviews

Default User Avatar
u5286673
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
Recommended
Played

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

Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
5.0
5.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 5.0
Value 4.0
Layout 5.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 3.0
Default User Avatar
scottthode
Reviews 39
Handicap Don't know
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
Recommended
Played
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart
5.0
5.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 5.0
Value 5.0
Layout 5.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 5.0
Amenities 5.0
Difficulty 4.0
Default User Avatar
smendozajr
Reviews 21
Recommended
Played

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.

Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
5.0
5.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 4.0
Value 5.0
Layout 5.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 5.0
Amenities 5.0
Difficulty 4.0
Default User Avatar
egetto109
T O P 1000
Reviews 73
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
Recommended
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.

Verified Purchaser
Top 1000 Contributor
Previously Played
5.0
5.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 5.0
Value 5.0
Layout 5.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 4.0
Amenities 5.0
Default User Avatar
u000005159028
Review 1
Played
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
3.0
3.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 4.0
Value 2.0
Layout 4.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 2.0
Amenities 3.0
Difficulty 3.0
Default User Avatar
Norzman14
Reviews 13
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
Recommended
Played

Beautiful course, excellent condition, great staff and amenities!

Beautiful course, excellent condition, great staff and amenities!

Previously Played
5.0
5.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 5.0
Value 4.0
Layout 5.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 4.0
Amenities 5.0
Default User Avatar
jul04
Review 1
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
Recommended
Played

Nice course

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

First Time Playing
5.0
5.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 5.0
Value 5.0
Layout 5.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 5.0
Amenities 5.0
Featured
Find out more
Default User Avatar
richardyim
Reviews 6
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
Recommended
Played
First Time Playing
5.0
5.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 5.0
Value 5.0
Layout 5.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 5.0
Amenities 5.0
Default User Avatar
u314162655618
Reviews 13
Recommended
Played
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
4.0
4.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 4.0
Value 4.0
Layout 4.0
Friendliness 4.0
Pace 4.0
Default User Avatar
sloves
Reviews 7
Recommended
Played
Verified Purchaser
4.0
4.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 4.0
Value 5.0
Layout 4.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 5.0
Amenities 5.0
Default User Avatar
u733104832
Reviews 3
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
Recommended
Played
Previously Played
4.0
4.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 4.0
Value 4.0
Layout 5.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 5.0
Amenities 4.0
Default User Avatar
u788217231
Reviews 15
Recommended
Played

Stay out of the sand!

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

Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
3.0
3.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 3.0
Value 4.0
Layout 4.0
Friendliness 4.0
Pace 3.0
Amenities 5.0
Difficulty 4.0
Default User Avatar
BCritzman12
Reviews 40
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
Recommended
Played

Overall Good Course

The course us in good shape. The bunkers need some attention and the layout is a bit wierd at times.

First Time Playing
4.0
4.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 4.0
Value 4.0
Layout 3.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 4.0
Amenities 4.0
Default User Avatar
egetto109
T O P 1000
Reviews 73
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
Recommended
Played
Verified Purchaser
Top 1000 Contributor
Previously Played
5.0
5.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 4.0
Value 4.0
Layout 4.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 4.0
Amenities 5.0
Featured
Find out more
Default User Avatar
u000005404233
Reviews 2
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
Recommended
Played

Nice course, super friendly staff

Played 4 different courses last weekend in the Crystal springs area and thought Black Bear was second best behind Ballyowen. I'll be honest, price is steep compared to courses that I pay about $80-$100 in the tri-state area with similar layouts and amenities. I will say that the rangers were seen often, but we had no issue with pace of play.

Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart
4.0
4.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 4.0
Value 2.0
Layout 4.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 5.0
Amenities 5.0
Difficulty 3.0
Default User Avatar
mac2599
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
Recommended
Played
First Time Playing
5.0
5.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 4.0
Value 4.0
Layout 5.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 5.0
Amenities 5.0
Default User Avatar
egetto109
T O P 1000
Reviews 73
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
Recommended
Played

Great round every time.

Black Bear is a great course. It is well maintained wirh friendly greens. The sand traps are beginning to be upgraded to be real sand, which improve the course to a top level.

Top 1000 Contributor
Previously Played
5.0
5.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 4.0
Value 4.0
Layout 5.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 5.0
Amenities 5.0
Default User Avatar
Norzman14
Reviews 13
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
Recommended
Played

BEAR

One of the most beautiful public courses available. Except for some unkept sandtraps,s a perfect golf experience!

Previously Played
5.0
5.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 5.0
Value 4.0
Layout 5.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 5.0
Amenities 5.0
Default User Avatar
u000002508228
Reviews 65
Handicap Don't know
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
Recommended
Played
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
5.0
5.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 5.0
Value 4.0
Layout 5.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 5.0
Amenities 5.0
Difficulty 4.0
Default User Avatar
u000007949945
Reviews 16
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
Recommended
Played

Always a treat

Good condition, considering the amount of rain we’ve had, and a fun and challenging layout, with each hole having a distinctive character.

Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
4.0
4.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 3.0
Value 4.0
Layout 5.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 3.0
Amenities 3.0
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