Bear Trace at Harrison Bay State Park
Rating Snapshot
About
| Tee | Par | Length | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | 72 | 7111 yards | 74.9 | 136 |
| Blue | 72 | 6545 yards | 71.6 | 128 |
| White | 72 | 5972 yards | 68.5 | 125 |
| Red (W) | 72 | 5292 yards | 70.3 | 118 |
| Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tournament M: 75.2/140 | 420 | 579 | 437 | 189 | 451 | 536 | 439 | 202 | 459 | 3712 | 443 | 173 | 559 | 416 | 202 | 374 | 425 | 534 | 475 | 3601 | 7313 |
| Gold M: 73.9/138 | 420 | 579 | 437 | 189 | 414 | 536 | 439 | 202 | 434 | 3650 | 401 | 173 | 559 | 416 | 176 | 374 | 420 | 534 | 408 | 3461 | 7111 |
| Blue M: 71.3/132 | 393 | 557 | 373 | 151 | 362 | 506 | 408 | 181 | 411 | 3342 | 379 | 159 | 535 | 387 | 156 | 333 | 387 | 503 | 364 | 3203 | 6545 |
| White M: 68.7/128 | 355 | 531 | 337 | 131 | 312 | 469 | 379 | 171 | 348 | 3033 | 348 | 123 | 509 | 358 | 140 | 293 | 347 | 470 | 351 | 2939 | 5972 |
| Red W: 70.4/120 | 301 | 472 | 311 | 112 | 248 | 437 | 333 | 133 | 306 | 2653 | 319 | 90 | 475 | 321 | 114 | 257 | 317 | 419 | 327 | 2639 | 5292 |
| Handicap | 9 | 11 | 7 | 15 | 17 | 13 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 12 | 18 | 6 | 4 | 10 | 16 | 2 | 14 | 8 | |||
| Par | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 36 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 36 | 72 |
| Handicap (W) | 11 | 1 | 5 | 17 | 13 | 7 | 3 | 15 | 9 | 8 | 18 | 2 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 6 | 10 | 4 |
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Reviewer Photos
Great course, slow play
This is a Jack Nicklaus course, and it shows. Was incredibly challenging and beautifully constructed. Overall in great shape, though a number of the greens had recently been accidentally killed and were under significant repair. The other issue was the pace of play was particularly slow - took us about 5 hours to get around.
Very scenic!
This course has some incredible views, especially on the front nine. Being a Nicholas course you would expect a great layout and design and it doesn’t disappoint. They only downside was the conditions of the greens. They are experiencing issues and I hope they get this turned around soon. Will definitely play again!
Good, but....
The greens need work and I believe were not well prepared during the winter months. Over the past 13 years I have seen staff changes. Not a big fan of some of the newer folks, especially for the new pricing.
The golf course design however is pleasant. It offers an enjoyable experience for all skill levels.
Great Nicklaus State Park Course
Loved this course: extremely scenic, course has numerous signature holes and is routed over bold hilly land. Course conditions could have been better, but greens were in great shape.
Great Day
Course is in good shape.. Wonderful greens and very fair fairways..
Beautiful views
Excellent course layout with great views of Harrison Bay Park. Due to COVID few amenities which is to be expected.
Bear Trace
Greens and Fairways great shape.. Greens very fast, but true..
Nice Course
Overall great experience at this course. Signed up as a single and was paired with 3 other local players and they were very friendly and I enjoyed playing with them. Fairways were wide but if you are not careful you could get in trouble off the tee. All shots from the fairway had a nice lie and the greens were medium speed which really helped my game. I would gladly recommend you play this course .
Definitely Worth the Money
Got the chance to play here with my son on a Saturday afternoon.
Pros:
-Great greens and overall excellent conditions
-Several good views of Lake Chickamauga
-Friendly staff/starter
-nice/convenient range and putting green
-well worth the $60 for riding 18 on a Saturday
Cons:
-parking lot too small and adjacent to 18th fairway. Nearly got hit by an errant shot in parking lot after the round.
-was hoping for just a little more in the design. played the blue tees (about 6600 yards) and there were some interesting holes (2, 6, 9, 10, 17, 18), but overall all they seemed to run together. I think the par 5s were definitely the most interesting. the par 4s felt like the same hole over and over to me. Good mix of doglegs, but it seemed like I hit the same clubs all day long.
Overall, great conditions on a pretty day with good company at a good price. Can't complain about that. Would certainly play again when in the area.
Great Course But Check It Out Firsr
Beautiful course... call and make sure what they have going on... had juniors tourney right behind our 3 groups tee times. Rangers pushed and “starter” cart man was not nice and made comment the “we are not a private club and you have to play fast”. .We teed off 10:40 and finished at car 3:18 with a weather delay of 25 to 30 minutes. Also the parents of junior event were allowed carts and drive up to our group while we were on the green putting.... $60 and just not cool how this is being managed presently... BUT otherwise and wonderful COURSE to experience.
Somewhat Overpriced
Let me start out by saying this is the best public course in Chattanooga by a pretty wide margin (not including Sweetens Cove). Course design is challenging and the fairways are pretty wide but trees line virtually every hole so it’s possible to hit OB here. I’ve played several times but most recently played a couple of months ago and the fairways and greens were in great shape. Rough needs work as there are still bare spots but overall it’s hard to ask for much better conditions for a 100% public golf course in TN. Very nice and big club house and the driving range is better than some private courses. Overall, I think this is a $40-$50 course and not a $60-$70 course. Take advantage of the off-season rates as those are much better priced and the course stays in good shape in the Fall.
Covid sucks.. porta potties!! Course was fantastic.
Unbelievable view!! Do your self a favor and book here.
Cheers to the greens keeper
The course was in great shape for mid August. Challenging and fun. Beautiful lake surroundings. Definitely a return trip. Be sure and grab a bite at Fresh Burger Grill after the round. Great burgers, fries and staff
Driver friendly
My only complaint is with the layout that you end up playing driver off the tee all the par 5’s and all but one par 4. I hit driver 6 or 7 iron at least 7 times.
Pace of play is great with the course marshals out keeping everyone moving.
Driving range is good with excellent turf to hit off of.
Staff is friendly and helpful.
Favorite so far
Recently moved to area, comparing to five courses at this time. It would recommend, great Value, beautiful public course with plenty of wild life.
Good Course, Awful Pace of Play Management
This course is always in really good shape. The greens were running very fast and true. However, we were backed up all day and the back 9 we had 2 wait for 2 groups to tee off on each hole. The round took 5 hrs and 15 mins. This makes for a long round where you cannot get into any kind of rhythm.
