Black Bear GC
View of a green at Black Bear Golf Club.
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Rating Index Rating
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3.8
1735 Reviews (1735)
5 Stars
601
4 Stars
721
3 Stars
246
2 Stars
84
1 Stars
83
Conditions
3.5
Value
3.8
Layout
4.3
Friendliness
4.2
Pace
4.2
Amenities
4.0
78.2%
Recommend this course
1443 out of 1735 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.4
51 Reviews (51)
5 Stars
10
4 Stars
13
3 Stars
17
2 Stars
8
1 Stars
3
Conditions
2.9
Value
3.3
Layout
4.1
Pace
4.3
Amenities
3.9
StaffFriendliness
4.2
62.7%
Recommend this course
32 out of 51 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.7
117 Reviews (117)
5 Stars
33
4 Stars
44
3 Stars
23
2 Stars
8
1 Stars
9
Conditions
3.4
Value
3.8
Layout
4.2
Pace
4.2
Amenities
3.9
StaffFriendliness
4.1
76.1%
Recommend this course
89 out of 117 reviews
Read Reviews
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AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
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Course Highlights
Black Bear's hilly, non-traditional Florida layout consistently earns high marks for its challenging elevation changes and well-regarded course design. Friendly staff, smooth pace of play, and strong overall value make this a rewarding round worth revisiting.

About

Holes 18
Type Semi-Private
Style Links
Par 72
Length 7041 yards
Slope 139
Rating 74.1

P.B. Dye-designed Black Bear Golf Club offers good value and a challenging day. Six sets of tees give you plenty of options. This 18-hole championship facility course, located within 45 minutes of the Orlando attractions boasts of a complete practice facility that includes a double ended driving range, as well as a 40,000 sq. ft. short game area.

Golfers at Black Bear can count on the Dye trademark touches which include sandy waste bunkers, undulating greens and dramatic elevation changes-in short, Black Bear Golf Club is most definitely a "do or Dye" golf course.

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Black Bear Golf Club - Orlando
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Course Details

Year Built 1995
Fairways Bermuda Grass
Greens Bermuda Grass
Golf Season Year round
Architect P. B. Dye (1995)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes - included in green fees
GPS No
Pull-carts No
Caddies No
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Bunker Yes
Golf Simulator No
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes
Practice Hole No

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard, Amex Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Walking Allowed No
Dress code Proper golf attire required

Food & Beverage

Bar, Restaurant

Available Facilities

Clubhouse
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Reviews

3.8
1735 Reviews (1735)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 32
Patio Dining 17
Brunch 13
Course Challenges Include:
Bunkers 62
Elevation Changes 55
Undulating Greens 49
This course/club is great for:
Locals 40
Advanced Golfers 34
Seniors 18
This Course's Location is:
Worth the Drive 49
In the 'Burbs 29
Convenient to the City 7

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Reviewer Photos

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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 10
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

As advertised

They tell you before you golf that there are issues with the greens which are half of them.

Issues will take a few months to correct.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 61
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 1000 Contributor
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

GREAT COURSE GONE BAD

WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO PLAYING THIS COURSE AFTER PLAYING MANY TIMES ,I WAS COMPLETELY SHOCKED HOW BAD OF SHAPE IT WAS FAIRWAYS ALL WEEDS. GREENS VER BAD SHAPE LATGE PATCHES OF SAND DONT WASTE YOUR MONEY GOING HERE

Conditions Good
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 118
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

So sad

One of my favorites for years , but I won’t be back for a long while ! The greens are in horrible shape the rough is now just uncut weeds tee boxes rough and they still want 55.00 truly a shame

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 11
Handicap 25+
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Great course, good people, good food

I’ve played the courses in this area many times. Black Bear is hands down the best

The layout is fun and challenging. You will be punished for a bad shot. Greens are narrow and course is links style

I’ve always been treated like a king and enjoy the food or beer after a round No snobs the people are down to earth

The ownership cares about your experience you can tell. Therefore they monitor pace of play and politely help out

At this moment, yes some of the greens experiencing water related trouble. But go anywhere else nearby and you’ll find they are better

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 34
Handicap Don't know
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Walked
Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap Don't know
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Fair
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
1.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart
Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Poor
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

Course in very bad shape.

I have played this course many times; it has a great layout and friendly staff. However, it has become a mess in recent weeks. My friends and I drive 40 minutes to play here, and today, we paid full price (around $60) to play a course that should not have charged us more than $20. When we got to the starter, my partner asked how the greens were today, and he answered, "Terrible," and then proceeded to tell us all the problems. Literally, every green has issues. Hole 6 has had a temporary green for at least three months and isn't even mowed like most course fairways. I love this track, but won't be back until it is confirmed that they have addressed the problems, which, by the looks of things, is going to take a while, sadly. For $60, a ton of other places to play in and around Orlando.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Previously Played

Greens need help

One of my favorite courses in the Orlando area love the layout never seen it in such poor condition every green had multiple dead patches all over sad to see hopefully they get it back under control.

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
1.0
First Time Playing

great bar and staff…awful course

tee boxes and greens were awful….dirt patches and weeds….leave your putter at home. tiny greens…unmaintained bunkers full of weeds. burned up fairways…in florida where it rains a lot, there is no reason for this…other than lack of course maintenance/management.

they have a nice clubhouse and pro shop…great bar….past that is a waste of money.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Poor
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Been in better shape

Love this course and layout. Needs some TLC but still good for the value

Conditions Fair
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 55
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
3.0
Previously Played

Greens having some issues

Played on a busy Saturday morning. They didn’t cut the greens so they were very slow. Looks like the greens have a fungus because they are very patchy in many spots.

I was shocked at the price but the conditions warranted it.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 28
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Well worth it

They have discounted rates right now primarily due to the course not being in top condition. It’s nice to see course management recognizing this. That being said, my playing partner and I only really encountered these conditions on the greens and even then, they were very puttable. Tee and fairways were just fine for this really nice layout. Take advantage now because fees here are normally double the current rate.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 51
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Course conditions

Greens were very slow and in poor condition! Fairways were ok; weeds in numerous spots.

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 21
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

Bad or no grass!

We love this course! But it's an hour away from us so we don't play as much as we would like. Yesterday was very disappointing because of the condition of the Fairways in the greens. Apparently the hot weather is taking its toll! We will not be back till next year hopefully they will do some repairs.

Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 23
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Safe bet

I have played black Bear many times and the new ownership has done well to keep this course consistently in pretty good condition. They have a temporary green setup on hole #6, and the greens were a little slow but aside from that I was very happy with the course. This is a staple for my weekly foursome. In regards to the slow greens, I excpwct this time of year, many courses will hesitate to trim real close due to the extreme heat.

I’ll play this course regularly!

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 21
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Previously Played

Tee times

Booked two tee times, three of our players backed out. 1 hr before tee time Illness. They charged my credit card for the 3 no show’s.

$172.

They told me I should have read the fine print.

The 8 of us normally play there 10 times per year. $4,500

Never again. Good management decision?

Conditions Good
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Poor
Amenities Poor
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