Northern Bear Golf Club

My brother and I are again participating in this year's World Amateur Match Race. The team we were scheduled to play, picked Northern Bear to host our match. Past reviews of Northern Bear have been mixed so expectations this early in the Alberta golf season were reserved.

The very large clubhouse enjoys a well-stocked pro shop and a spacious restaurant. Check in for the days round was made effortless by the pair of friendly staff members manning the counter. Inclusive of the green fees is access to the onsite practice facilities which includes a large, flat teeing areas, practice bunkers and an exceptionally large practice putting green. I would recommend golfers show up early for your round and get in some practice prior to your game.

The starter was friendly and was doing a great job of getting the groups out efficiently and on time. Standing on the large, flat tee boxes, golfers are given great views of the particular hole they are playing. The fairways are more than generous and are nicely routed through large stands of mature poplar and aspen trees. The early season rough played predictably and you weren't severely punished for missing the fairway. In true Nicklaus fashion, Northern Bear has been peppered with no fewer than 58 of his signature bunkers. Water is present but should only come into play on six holes.

The greens complexes provide large targets for all participants. They were in good shape for today's round and were receptive to well struck approach shots. They were rolling consistently and it took no time at all to adjust to the pace. The green on Hole 10 was undergoing some repair work, but it didn't affect play.

Overall conditioning of the course was better than expected for mid-May and made for a very close match. All things considered the course is in very good early season condition. A little water, a little warmer weather and the course should come around nicely. The lead went back and forth a few times and the match went the distance before being decided on Hole 18.

Northern Bear Golf Club gets two thumbs up from this golfer.

Although I played the course earlier this year it has gone downhill and is extremely bad condition. Many fairways are very hard and the rough is rock hard. Some greens have been partially re-sodded giving unfair bounces.

They really would be best to shut the course down immediately and give it a rest in the hopes of it returning next year or completely shut it down for a year.

Our group found that the course was in poor condition. Not the same course without watering. Many many yellow and brown spots. Greens were fast but not well kept compared to other local public courses. Forward tee boxes are horrible and the white tee box has been over used. Would not recommend playing there this season. Surprised that the Bear name is still associated with the course under it's current conditions.

I've wanted to play this course for years. The course is in terrible shape. Tee boxes and greens are horrendous, and the cart paths have huge pot holes. The cost to play does not reflect the conditions. Definitely poor value for the money.

Decent course but the clubhouse is essentially the only great part. The grass was dead on most of the course and the greens were horrendous with many holes having giants chunks of dirt out. WAY overpriced for what you are getting. I thought it could be due to dry weather but we played Coal Creek the next day and it was in fantastic shape and $40 cheaper.

Being from the area, I've long had a love-hate relationship with this course. I like the layout and challenges it presents but course conditions always seem to be sub-par. At time of this review,it was "ok" but if it will be in desperate need of moisture in the next week or two. Greens are visibly dry, fairways are patchy in spots. I feel like I overpaid just a little today. Great course for a first timer but approach with caution in a dry year.

I try to play this course at least once a year. It is well groomed and maintained. The course depending on tee box is challenging but fair. The clubhouse is very rich with great food beverages and friendly staff. I recommend this course to anyone in the area..

Best condition by a large margin of the 4 premium public courses I have played. Only 2 greens that need a couple of weeks to grow. Tuesday morning played in 3 hr 10 min. Great beer and food. Who could ask for more b

One of the best golf courses in Alberta. A good test of golf for all levels of player. The course condition is above average with a very friendly and professional staff. Would suggest this course is a must play when you are in the area.

I had heard about Northern Bear, but hadn't had a chance to try it. I went on the Friday before the long weekend and it was perfect. I got in on the spring rate for $99 with cart. Course conditions were great although the bunkers were a bit firm. Some quite challenging holes, but none that were frustrating. Pace of play was great, but it was a Friday afternoon, so not a true test. Recommended.

I have played the Northern Bear numerous times and always left with a smile. The course is in excellent shape (probably top 3 in Edmonton area). Staff have always treated me exceptional. The price is a little steep but for the course conditioning, challenge, pace of play and friendly staff, to me it is worth it. I will definitely be back in 2017.

A very well designed, well maintained course. Lots of water hazards and sand traps. The greens were very large with a fair amount of break. Putts rolled smoothly. The course was in great shape. The starter/marshal was very friendly. The 19th hole had an upscale sports bar feel to it. Breakfast was delicious at a reasonable price.

I couldn't find any friends to go golfing with this morning, so I decided to go out by myself, and try a new course. First off they offered at $79 fee (cart included) because the weather was windy and rainy so I suppose they were trying to get people to come out, as their regular Friday-Sunday fee is $129 (which is steep for the course but $79 was a good deal). There was only two other people on the course when I arrived so naturally I had an excellent pace of play. Every hole has a high risk, high reward play - which I went high risk and that definitely cost me a couple strokes on some holes. The bunker placement was challenging, and the water placement was nice. The greens and fairways were in good shape, everything played slow due to the rain, but I would imagine the greens are fast when the weather is good. Staff were extremely professional and friendly. I had to use all my will power to not go back inside when I was done to pay for another round.

This is a good Nicklaus design winding through the woods south east of Edmonton. Like all Nicklaus courses it is blessed with exceptional bunkering, huge rolling greens that are a pleasure to putt on. Three strong Par 3's, great risk/reward Par 5's. and challenging Par 4's. There is little reason for golfers not to enjoy this Nicklaus course.

So many people complain about the cart path only. Its not their fault. The weather has been bad,hardly any rain. If you don't like the cart path only,then just walk. Get some exercise. The course is very beautiful. Great fairways. Driving Range is great! The staff is very friendly. The food is amazing. Recommended it to anyone!

Cart path only because of a lack of water for fairways, again. Greens over watered, damage easily, almost un-puttable. Fairways terrible, too long...lower the mower, Bunkers a joke, more gravel than sand. Ran out of balls on the range, apparently the picker was out of fuel! Cart paths falling apart. They are so hungry for revenue that they over book, 5 hour round would be minimum. They group behind us were just as angry and kept hitting into us, so we quit after 9 holes.

This can be all yours for $130 on the weekend,

Highlight of the day, the staff were smiling as they gave my money back.

I do not play this course well but always enjoy it. It is in great condition, a tee box for all levels of golfers, just wish people would play from the proper tees. Our foursome played in under 4 hours. One of these times I will drive straight and really enjoy the game. Will play again in a month or so.

You cannot complain too much about the course. 2014 conditions were the best in years as a annual member, however value from restraint staff and food as well as on course were well below a course of this caliber. Food was poor, service below expected value and cart service was very poor for a hot day. But the golf was awesome! You will never see someone cutting grass around you. It's well recommended