The Grand Bear Golf Course
About
Unlike some Jack Nicklaus golf courses that have earned a reputation for being among the world's most difficult, mid- and high-handicappers stand a fighting chance at the Grand Bear Golf Course. Nicklaus offers wide fairways before the sprawling woods take over on either side, most bunkers aren't horribly steep, and greens generally have room in front to run a shot up. The winding Biloxi River helps build Grand Bear to a dramatic finish. The par-3 14th hole plays through a chute of woods to a green guarded by the river below that runs along diagonally, punishing hooked shots left short. After another par 3 on the 16th that plays with the river to the left, the 17th once again plays over the river on the drive, then parallel to the hole. The 18th hole plays long and uphill back toward the clubhouse.
| Tee | Par | Length | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grizzly Bear | 72 | 7204 yards | 75.5 | 143 |
| Golden Bear | 72 | 6733 yards | 73.0 | 139 |
| Brown Bear | 72 | 6221 yards | 70.5 | 134 |
| Black Bear | 72 | 5638 yards | 67.9 | 130 |
| Teddy Bear | 72 | 4802 yards | 68.4 | 120 |
| Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grizzly Bear M: 75.0/142 | 419 | 540 | 211 | 371 | 603 | 473 | 179 | 470 | 404 | 3670 | 418 | 520 | 458 | 349 | 195 | 548 | 165 | 433 | 448 | 3534 | 7204 |
| Golden Bear M: 73.0/137 | 392 | 515 | 192 | 353 | 565 | 428 | 159 | 441 | 368 | 3413 | 368 | 489 | 429 | 336 | 185 | 520 | 154 | 414 | 425 | 3320 | 6733 |
| Brown Bear M: 70.9/134 | 344 | 489 | 176 | 334 | 508 | 381 | 145 | 401 | 328 | 3106 | 354 | 475 | 402 | 308 | 163 | 500 | 142 | 370 | 401 | 3115 | 6221 |
| Black Bear M: 67.6/128 W: 72.3/129 | 299 | 455 | 163 | 286 | 476 | 356 | 102 | 325 | 308 | 2770 | 316 | 460 | 348 | 296 | 159 | 450 | 133 | 354 | 352 | 2868 | 5638 |
| Teddy Bear M: 62.5/97 W: 67.5/118 | 243 | 391 | 97 | 268 | 421 | 313 | 90 | 287 | 253 | 2363 | 284 | 373 | 297 | 257 | 132 | 364 | 123 | 325 | 284 | 2439 | 4802 |
| Handicap | 17 | 9 | 7 | 15 | 1 | 5 | 13 | 3 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 4 | 16 | 8 | 10 | 18 | 6 | 2 | |||
| Par | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 36 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 36 | 72 |
Course Details
Rentals/Services
Practice/Instruction
Policies
Available Facilities
ClubhouseAccolades
Reviews
Reviewer Photos
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Photo submitted by adh4md on 07/18/2023
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Photo submitted by adh4md on 07/18/2023
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Photo submitted by ezpar722 on 04/07/2023
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Photo submitted by BrandonWebb on 12/31/2022
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Photo submitted by BrandonWebb on 12/31/2022
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Photo submitted by BrandonWebb on 12/31/2022
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Photo submitted by BrandonWebb on 12/31/2022
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Photo submitted by coop1911 on 07/09/2022
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Photo submitted by paulharley on 05/22/2021
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Photo submitted by evgyan on 07/08/2019
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Photo submitted by evgyan on 07/08/2019
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Photo submitted by evgyan on 07/08/2019
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View from the 17th tee Photo submitted by Bwest90 on 06/28/2019
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Photo submitted by scottlsu on 05/28/2017
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Photo submitted by scottlsu on 05/28/2017
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Perfect fairways and bunkers. Photo submitted by scottlsu on 05/28/2017
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12 foot gator....huge! Photo submitted by scottlsu on 05/28/2017
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Photo submitted by Target00 on 03/19/2016
Grand Bear
The course was not in the premium shape I am used to seeing. I was stationed at Keesler AFB for several years. But it has been at least 3 years since I have played there. The course is amazing, but looks like they had some winter issues with all the snow and freezing weather this past winter. Do not pass up the opportunity to play this course. The staff is also outstanding.
Glad I found this course
I had found the course on golf now. Course layout was vast and challenging. Staff friendly. Pace of play was great. Couldn’t finish our 18 but got a rain check to complete the back 9. Staff and amenities at facility up there with a private course. Highly recommend.
Simply amazing
Simply amazing course! Awesome layout, great greens.
Great Course in Mississippi
We played the course when it started out a bit chilly at 12:30PM, but once on the course all of us warmed up. The course was in pristine condition and staff quite helpful with directions and comments. Each hole is it's own hole meandering through the forest with no homes or businesses bordering the fairways. The tee boxes, fairways, rough and the greens were immaculate. Putting was a challenge with the speed of the greens, but rolled true with no bumps or spike marks. It was one of the most enjoyable rounds in the Fall. Even though it's drive to the course, it is well worth the trip to enjoy one of the nicest courses played in 2024.
Top 5 Mississippi Course
Great course, great layout, greens were fast and challenging. Managed to find a few bunkers, both fairway and next to green, all were in good condition.
Well spaced tee boxes for me as an older golfer.
Stays on my play list for another year.
Clubhouse food and beverage was great service, as was beverage cart service.
No longer on Golfnow
Fantastic course but I don't play there anymore since they backed out of Golfnow. Now too expensive. But I recommend to anyone who has the bucks.
G.B.
Very beautiful and open course . All holes are secluded and peaceful throughout woods.
However, greens were freshly punched and very fast. Fairways could stand be a little better. Some hard pan areas. Staff very helpful and friendly.
Great tract, but a little expensive for course.
Great course with fun layout
I enjoyed the course and club house. The lay out was awesome. The greens were super from and quick. We saw the cart girl about every 4 holes. Staff was friendly.
Allow more 2-somes to play!
We looked forward to playing Grand Bear and drove in from Louisiana to play. Got paired up with a couple of very very inexperienced golfers who didn’t know how to pick up. Side note… my husband and I usually shoot in high 80’s low 90’s so we are nowhere near scratch golfers but we do know how to keep the pace of play moving. Our group was 40 minutes behind when we made the turn and we were forced to skip hole 10 because the course was backed up. We were a little upset as we paid $400 to play and we didn’t ask to get paired up with such slow inexperienced players. The course is magnificent and the staff was great. They gave us a 9 hole rain check to return and play another day. I would highly recommend Grand Bear as it is a fantastic course, but they should monitor the pairings better or let twosomes play.
Enjoyed the Grand Bear
Our twosome played the Grand Bear while passing through the area. The course is well laid out and certainly well maintained for a public course. 5 sets of tees make the length and difficulty perfect for any player. There were no "signature" holes but the fairways and greens were definitely on par with many courses we've played. We played after 2pm for the lower rate and I'm glad we did.
Played Grand Bear this week for the first time. As a visitor from the Northeast, and unfamiliar with the course, I would like to have known a few facts prior to booking this tee time. I was not aware that fivesomes are common in MS. Also the course had fivesomes holding up groups and no Rangers were anywhere to be found. . Ended up skipping a hole to achieve a half decent pace of play. The restaurant had one poor girl trying to hold down the fort and appeared overwhelmed. And rightfully so. I would not rush back although its a shame as the layout is nice but poorly managed in my opinion.