Black Bear GC
A view from Black Bear Golf Club.
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Rating Index Rating
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4.2
550 Reviews (550)
5 Stars
194
4 Stars
203
3 Stars
73
2 Stars
38
1 Stars
42
Conditions
4.1
Value
4.0
Layout
4.4
Friendliness
4.5
Pace
3.8
Amenities
4.2
89.3%
Recommend this course
453 out of 550 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.4
23 Reviews (23)
5 Stars
10
4 Stars
12
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.3
Value
4.2
Layout
4.5
Pace
4.0
Amenities
4.3
StaffFriendliness
4.6
95.7%
Recommend this course
22 out of 23 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.4
40 Reviews (40)
5 Stars
20
4 Stars
18
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.3
Value
4.1
Layout
4.5
Pace
3.8
Amenities
4.3
StaffFriendliness
4.5
97.5%
Recommend this course
39 out of 40 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

The Best Way To Book Is With GolfPass+ Annual
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$120 in monthly tee time promo codes
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12 rounds of waived fees
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Reviews

4.2
550 Reviews (550)

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 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
Played On
Reviews 40
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

Overall Good Course

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

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 73
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 1000 Contributor
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

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.

Conditions Good
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 73
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Top 1000 Contributor
Previously 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.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 13
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

BEAR

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

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 62
Handicap Don't know
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 16
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously 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.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Wet weather
Used cart
Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 53
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Fair
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap Don't know
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

Great first experience

Just a shoutout to black bear the staff was very friendly and the course was in great condition. Thanks for a great afternoon

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 4
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Excellent
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 4
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 18
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 27
Handicap Don't know
Skill Beginner
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

SLOW PLAY NO RANGER HELP

LOVED the COURSE . . . During play the RANGER reached us the group in front of us was ONE shot in front of us he needed to keep going to find the issue but he turned around. The back up started on the 5th or 6th hole and continued until the 17th . . . . This made for the round to be VERY flawed. We will try at a later date to reassess the course and facilitiy.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 22
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
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