Grand Traverse Resort & Spa - The Bear Course
Rating Snapshot
About
| Tee | Par | Length | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black | 72 | 7078 yards | 76.1 | 150 |
| Blue | 72 | 6601 yards | 73.3 | 147 |
| Blue/White | 72 | 6347 yards | 72.0 | 144 |
| White | 72 | 6122 yards | 71.1 | 139 |
| White (W) | 72 | 6122 yards | 77.8 | 150 |
| White/Yellow | 72 | 5688 yards | 69.2 | 134 |
| White/Yellow (W) | 72 | 5688 yards | 74.9 | 145 |
| Yellow | 72 | 5281 yards | 67.0 | 128 |
| Yellow (W) | 72 | 5281 yards | 73.1 | 139 |
| Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black M: 76.1/150 | 393 | 451 | 528 | 194 | 413 | 532 | 423 | 386 | 181 | 3501 | 505 | 421 | 413 | 167 | 390 | 543 | 451 | 220 | 467 | 3577 | 7078 |
| Blue M: 73.3/147 | 364 | 407 | 528 | 151 | 376 | 532 | 364 | 386 | 168 | 3276 | 505 | 364 | 367 | 150 | 390 | 543 | 391 | 188 | 427 | 3325 | 6601 |
| Blue/White M: 72.0/144 | 364 | 390 | 472 | 151 | 376 | 471 | 364 | 386 | 168 | 3142 | 505 | 364 | 355 | 150 | 347 | 543 | 367 | 188 | 386 | 3205 | 6347 |
| White M: 71.1/139 W: 77.8/150 | 340 | 390 | 472 | 135 | 376 | 471 | 364 | 351 | 142 | 3041 | 446 | 364 | 355 | 134 | 347 | 494 | 367 | 188 | 386 | 3081 | 6122 |
| White/Red M: 69.2/134 W: 74.9/145 | 340 | 346 | 472 | 135 | 336 | 435 | 364 | 351 | 117 | 2896 | 446 | 304 | 301 | 134 | 347 | 427 | 324 | 155 | 354 | 2792 | 5688 |
| Red M: 67.0/128 W: 73.1/139 | 301 | 346 | 425 | 98 | 336 | 435 | 328 | 271 | 117 | 2657 | 375 | 304 | 301 | 93 | 291 | 427 | 324 | 155 | 354 | 2624 | 5281 |
| Handicap | 11 | 3 | 15 | 13 | 1 | 17 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 18 | 4 | 6 | 12 | 16 | 14 | 2 | 8 | 10 | |||
| Par | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 36 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 36 | 72 |
| Handicap (W) | 13 | 3 | 5 | 17 | 7 | 1 | 9 | 15 | 11 | 6 | 12 | 10 | 18 | 16 | 2 | 8 | 14 | 4 |
Course Details
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Reviewer Photos
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The Bear's third hole. Photo submitted by JasonDeeganGA on 09/07/2021
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Number 18 from the tee box. Photo submitted by Trent7888405 on 07/09/2021
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Number 15 with a treacherous pin. Photo submitted by Trent7888405 on 07/09/2021
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Photo submitted by Jonathon4403245 on 07/28/2020
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Photo submitted by jastwhit on 06/26/2020
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Photo submitted by cjohnbrown on 10/07/2019
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Photo submitted by cjohnbrown on 10/07/2019
More target golf holes than links golf holes
Difficult but fair course. Must hit fairways to score well here. The rough is basically half-stroke penalty. Lots of water hazards, especially on par 3s. No easy up & downs if you miss the greens, very severe bunkering. Greens were not nearly as difficult as I was expecting, but still pretty soft and not firm and fast. Will play again in Fall when The Bear fully awakened from hibernation.
Pace of play
Slow play made it unlovable. 5and a half hours on a Wednesday, ridiculous
The Bear is awesome!
I live near the Bear course, but had never played it before. I always thought it was too expensive. Then I got a deal on tee off .com and went to play with a friend. It’s a great course. Very fun to play. Challenging but not intimidating.
Great course if you get a deal on golfnow
It's not worth the $150 they charge during peak times, but $75 in the fall on golfnow is great. Definitely a course you should try to play when you're in the area.
Great Course… But Don’t Pay Full Boat
This is a challenging course. Every hole has a layout that makes you think. With a few exceptions, water, bunkers, or mounds come into play. The layout is really wonderful and during twilight or early morning hours the course almost glows with color. During spring, apple and cherry blossoms are visible on some holes. If you play during peak summer, this course can cost over $150 for 18. In my opinion, it’s not a $150 course, especially given the many other great courses in the area. But if you can play it for between $60-$100, it’s well worth it if you enjoy a challenge.
Fun Day
A really great course will not have gas carts. They have gas carts here. The course is quite difficult, but fair. Some of the greens would not hold a shot, while a couple others stopped short. All in all, a really fun track with lots of challenges and in good condition,.
Over priced
Pace of play very slow . Course overall conditions fair. Greens and bunkers need work
The Bear 2022
First time playing the Bear in 20+ years. Not as formidable as I remember, but still a challenge. Fast greens and a normal number of unprepared divots that you'd expect for a heavily trafficked resort course. Marshalls did a good job moving folks along.
Golf Now special price was phenomenal!
Overall, a fun time. Only complaint was the lack of any drinking water jugs throughout the course. In peak summer, this is inexcusable.
Most beautiful course I’ve played in Michigan
OMG. First time playing THE BEAR. I WILL BE BACK.. This is my 2nd favorite course that I’ve ever played…..I had an epic time. The greens were lightning, the approach shot views were unparalleled, the staff go the extra mile, the course layout incredible. Course conditions were perfect. The Bear lives up to its reputation as a very difficult course but it is an amazing experience. Requires Very tactical approach to each hole.
Blue Angles over the bay & Fast Greens oh my!
Great course, take a few lessons on putting first!
