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 1
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
1.0
Previously Played
Wet weather
Used cart

The course and the price is horrible

the condition is horrible. there is dirt and weeds in the rough and there are horrible spots that are unplayable. the staff and club pro treat me like dirt, but the cart guys are nice. The new owner has ruined this golf course I will never play again. The only reason i'm not giving 0 stars is because i can't.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Average
Friendliness Fair
Pace Poor
Amenities Poor
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Default User Avatar
Commented on 06/04/2023

If you meet the owner ("Roger the dodger they call this guy", You will understand... :)

He and his cronies ruined Black bear, AND the neighborhood. The funny part is watching this 'pro" play golf. its a joke! LOL

His wife thinks she's LPGA material with a 100 HC... LOL

Seriously, go anywhere, but this place. Look at the reviews. they are going downhill FAST!!!

Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
3.0
Previously Played

Save your money

Love the layout, but course is definitely not in good shape right now

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Default User Avatar
Commented on 05/15/2023

Agree 100%

This place is as awful as ever, with members likely writing fake reviews. The rates are nonsense.

The member population here is the worst, Aging hackers with seriously bad attitudes toward outsiders of any kind.

They seem to literally be at the course 24/7, cant golf for S, constantly cutting across the course, jumping holes in every direction and rude as F if they are confronted.

The only thing thats changed since the previous owner is a new one who cant run a lawnmower, but thinks hes somehow 'special" as he teaches 'Kids"

Another dying golf course that needs to go to golf course burial in Florida.

Never play here, its just another member muni type course.

Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great Course in Bad Conditions

I’m a longtime fan of Black Bear, but this was my worst experience in almost 20 years of playing out there. First and foremost was the lack of warning that the greens were being aerated. This is definitely something you should be told prior to booking. This may be a Golf Now problem and not a Black Bear one. The bunkers were very inconsistent and the green side rough had large growths of weeds on a lot of the holes. As much as I like this course, it’s overpriced given the current conditions. If you can get on for high 20’s or low 30’s, that would be fair. Over 40 for a course in this shape seems a bit too high. That said, I’m sure I’ll be back once the greens are sorted.

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 8
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart

Enjoyable

Played Black Bear a number of times when over from the UK. A great layout in better condition than other courses I recently played in the area.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 10
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
1.0
Previously Played

Course not in good shape for the money

Our golf group plays this course several times per year. This is the worst shape it has ever been and price is too high for this area. Greens were aerated but we were not told and charged the full price. The starter said we should have been charged less due to the aeration.

In addition, our tee times were reserved using Golf Now. The third tee time was canceled 48 hours in advance yet Black Bear did not acknowledge and is now charging my card for a no-show fee when I have an email from GolfNow that shows the submission of the cancellation.

Won’t be back.

Conditions Fair
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Fair
Pace Average
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 7
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Windy weather
Used cart

friendly layout

Very hilly, most everything slopes back to the fairway. Very few trees, very windy. Fairways nice, greens recently aerated (and advised so prior to reservation) but still rolled well. Look forward to playing again.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
1.0
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Worst customer service - lost a customer for life

I received a charge from Black Bear for $96 a few days after playing there and being charged $48 on the day of the round. I called to have it reversed and the pro shop guy said they probably wouldn't but then got the owner on the line. The owner proceeded to yell at me and accuse me of trying to put them out of business. I said I was sorry that my friends bailed but that shouldn't be my responsibility as I only played one round of golf. He seemed giddy to be stealing $100 from me. I will never play here again and will discourage all of my friends from supporting this place. Red Tail and Eagle Dunes are awesome nearby courses with great customer service and fun layouts, so I will be playing there instead.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Average
Friendliness Poor
Pace Average
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Moderate
Default User Avatar
Commented on 05/15/2023

Agree as ive experienced it several times.

The owner is the worst i have ever seen at BB. Hes beyond awful with his attitude.

The previous owner was not great, but miles head of this self absorbed "pro"

there is literally nothing 'pro" about him, or BB anymore,.

He needs to adjust his arrogant attitude.

Played On
Reviews 13
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played

Love this course

Great layout good condition will play again here

for sure 4 stars love it 😍

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Previously Played

Use to be better

They had just aerated the greens a week before I played so I understand them being in the condition they are now. But they could have at least tried to blow the sand off the greens and there are millions of the dirt balls laying around the green. The bunkers and sand traps are probably the worst condition I’ve ever seen for a course that charges as much as They do. Fairways are in decent shape. Still a fun course because of the unique layout. Black Bear could be a whole lot better for what you pay.

Conditions Fair
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
Commented on 06/04/2023

Everything was better before "Roger" ruined it with him being so clueless and all...

Played On
Reviews 63
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Greens were aerated.

Neither golf now or their own website told you that the greens were aerated. I always like this course it's a fun course to play but the grwens are absolutely horrible not worth going for weeks until the greens come back

Conditions Fair
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Fun course, nice people.

Interesting course. Lots of moguls and elevated greens. Sometimes you need to drive ahead and look before you tee off.

Friendly staff. Good snack bar.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 193
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Top 100 Contributor
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
1.0
Perfect weather
Used cart

Look elsewhere

I've been playing this particular course on/off for the past several years. Being a Pete Dye course, I've always enjoyed the unique, and challenging layout. The course does reward you for making great shots. Anything less , and you're left in a precarious situation. The course aside for a moment, this course needs massive improvement in guest relations, and how they welcome and treat the golfers when the arrive in pro shop. Other than the volunteer starters; the pro shop staff would highly benefit from an extensive course(no pun intended) in customer service. I can say with the utmost confidence; that today will be the last day I'll book a time here. The way they treated both me, and my 7 year old daughter(to whom I'm introducing the game) was unforgivable. In fact, we didn't even play today. We left the facility, and headed over to Red Tail, which I must say had come a long way with the issues they experienced a couple years ago with their greens. Course was in good shape, so was the customer service. Black Bear has lost a long time customer, and a future customer given my daughter is showing a keen interest in the game. For those of you taking the time to read this review; if you're simply willing to fork over 80 bucks to play decent course(at best); then this is the course for you. If your money means more to you, and you want an experience; I'd highly recommend looking elsewhere.

Friendliness Poor
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
1.0
Previously Played

Missing the mark on welcoming golf experience

I've been playing this particular course on/off for the past several years. Being a Pete Dye course, I've always enjoyed the unique, and challenging layout. The course does reward you for making great shots. Anything less , and you're left in a precarious situation. The course aside for a moment, this course needs massive improvement in guest relations, and how they welcome and treat the golfers when the arrive in pro shop. Other than the volunteer starters; the pro shop staff would highly benefit from an extensive course(no pun intended) in customer service. I can say with the utmost confidence; that today will be the last day I'll book a time here. The way the treated both me, and my 7 year old daughter(to whom I'm introducing the game) was unforgivable. In fact, we didn't even play today. We left the facility, and headed over to Red Tail, which I must say had come a long way with the issues they experienced a couple years ago with their greens. Course was in good shape, so was the customer service. Black Bear has lost a long time customer, and a future customer given my daughter is showing a keen interest in the game. For those of you taking the time to read this review; if you're simply willing to fork over 80 bucks to play decent course(at best); then this is the course for you. If your money means more to you, and you want an experience; I'd highly recommend looking elsewhere.

Friendliness Poor
Default User Avatar
Commented on 06/04/2023

Roger has literallyZERO customer service skills, or any personality for atah matter. This wanabee is literally the worst owner to ever come through BB.

I heard he has a huge mortgage from his Buddy in Boston, so nuff said..

Default User Avatar
Commented on 05/15/2023

100% correct review.

The owner and staff are just awful. The owner is particularly bad and is arrogant, but yet cant play golf worth a toss from what ive seen and been told by many of them members who really dislike this guy and his attitude. It seems like a family thing.

Played On
Reviews 46
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Fairways are rewarding

We've played this course several times now and it's become one of our favorites. In good shape, challenging, course, great pro shop and all around bar/restaurant. With all this course has going for it, it really needs to flatten the woman's tees and fix several greens which really ruin a chance for eagle/birdie putts. What makes this course so challenging are the unforgiving hills, a multitude of sand traps and the long and narrow greens.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 25
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Outstanding design, great challenge

5 stars all around. Beautiful condition. Two greens had funky patches and somecteaps had weeds, but the design and condition of fairways and greens more than made up for it. Very good challenge at 6400 yds.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 55
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played

Fun track would go back!

I haven’t played blackbear in a long time, so it was nice to go back and see how it is. Course was in decent shape. No concerns a little bit of bare spots here and there but nothing like some places you see. Pace of play was good, had one large slow group in front of us and the Ranger made sure to talk to them and allow us to pass. Price is a little high in my mind for what you get but not crazy out of line enjoyed it a lot and would definitely go back

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