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Rating Index Rating
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4.0
229 Reviews (229)
5 Stars
72
4 Stars
76
3 Stars
22
2 Stars
20
1 Stars
39
Conditions
3.8
Value
4.3
Layout
4.4
Friendliness
4.5
Pace
4.0
Amenities
4.1
83.9%
Recommend this course
168 out of 229 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.9
10 Reviews (10)
5 Stars
3
4 Stars
5
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
2
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.1
Value
3.9
Layout
4.2
Pace
3.8
Amenities
3.9
StaffFriendliness
3.9
80.0%
Recommend this course
8 out of 10 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.1
44 Reviews (44)
5 Stars
19
4 Stars
19
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
3
1 Stars
2
Conditions
4.0
Value
4.3
Layout
4.4
Pace
3.8
Amenities
4.3
StaffFriendliness
4.4
86.4%
Recommend this course
38 out of 44 reviews
Read Reviews

About

Holes 18
Type Resort
Par 72
Length 6425 yards
Slope 144
Rating 71.8
Book a Tee Time at
Black Bear Golf Club
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Course Details

Year Built 1996
Golf Season Open: 4/01 Closed: 10/15
Architect Mark Sauger

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes - included in green fees
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Golf School/Academy No
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

Food & Beverage

Restaurant

Accolades

  • Golf Advisor: Top 25 Most Improved U.S. Golf Courses (2024 #1)
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10 rounds of waived fees
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$120 in tee time credits
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Reviews

4.0
229 Reviews (229)
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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great Value

Up here for the summer and came across this place. Amazing value for the cost of a round. The layout of the course was great and it was in very good shape. Tee boxes and some of the fairways need some love but overall I was pleased and had a good time. I heard from a member in the clubhouse that there is new ownership and they are making a lot of improvements to the course and clubhouse. It shows. I’ll definitely be back a few more times this summer. If you want a fun course with some elevation at a fraction of the price of the Gaylord and Petoskey courses, give Black Bear a try.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Give this course a try

We been playing this course for years. After last year we said, we are never coming back. But I seen they have new owners and thought why not give them a chance. Soon as you pulled in to the parking lot, you could tell good things going on here. Full of life, they have employees getting your bags for you. Walk in clubhouse and get a whole new felling for the place. Nice and clean and remodeling going on. Owner Olivia very nice and greets you. When you get to the course it is unbelievable what they done already. Great shape for sure. Also after golf the food is outstanding too. Us 4 had a great day there. Thanks

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Fun Experience

Course conditions still need improvement. Top of the list needs to be fertilizing and filling out grass and eliminating weeds and clover. The bunkers need to be screened to remove the millions of rocks. The greens are in decent shape with a few exceptions that look like maintaining proper irrigation has been a major problem. The layout is challenging and fun. The potential upside at this course remains high, but conditions need to continue to improve. I would gladly play again and appreciate the great value.

Conditions Fair
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Wet weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

New owners are committed to revitalizing this course.

After reading reviews from the past my expectations were low. The new owners have clearly invested in the pro shop and restaurant updates, on to the course. Long story short, I was very pleasantly surprised, the course was in overall good to very good shape and the greens were as good or better than some other courses I've played this year. The course is a mix of Scottish links along with the N Mich resort style elevation changes, The tee boxes were ok and I'm sure they'll get better as the season goes on. Fairways were decent with some rough areas though if they keep up on the water those will come around. The bunkers are very rocky and need screened badly and I'm confident they will get to them but first things first, get and keep the greens and fairways in top shape. Being a family run operation, I'm confident they're invested in making this a can't miss course and I'll be playing regularly to see they journey.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 27
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Course is in so much better condition.

Fairways and greens were in very good condition and new golf carts.

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

Course has made tremendous improvements!

New management has made huge improvements and the course is looking way better. Greens rolled great, fairways are getting better. Would definitely recommend playing it if you like fast play and good service.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser

New Owners

New Owners are updating things nicely—but it’s going to be awhile before the course is in nice shape. I don’t really care for the layout….lots of little randommounds, etc all over the place blocking the view of most holes…

Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Poor
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 26
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Serious New Owners!!

Black Bear has a great track and has been in decline for many seasons. However, the new owners have already made their mark on the course. From the parking lot, to the remodeled club house, you feel a sense of commitment. The course too displays remarkable dedication and enthusiasm for making things right. The greens are back, the tee boxes vastly improved, the traps have real sand and rakes, and the fairways are coming back! There is still a lot to do, but definitely go and play the course! You will enjoy the changes!!

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Fun course

This is a fun course the course has done a complete 360 since the new owners took over it seems it’s only going to keep improving definitely check it out for the price you can’t beat it

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played

Impressive turnaround

This course was unplayable several years ago. Old owners just let it go and it was really bad. Played here for the first time in a long time. The new owners are definitely on track to make this a beautiful golf course again. Awesome layout.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 7
I Recommend This Course
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Fair
Value Excellent
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser

Interesting course

Great course especially for the price. Enjoyed it enough that we played it twice during the week while staying in Boyne Falls. There are other courses in the area that may be higher quality as for the fairways and rough but are much higher in cost..Very scenic with some elevation changes.and large greens.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Way better than reviews

Glad I looked past the reviews and gave this course a try. Was it perfect? No. Fairways were in decent shape. The undulating fairways and challenging cup placement were manageable. The greens were great. People were even better. And the views were all I hoped for.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 26
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Expect a new experience!!

Black Bear under the new owners has changed dramatically! The greens are good, the tee boxes better every week, the sand traps have sand and rakes, and the fairway grass is filling in. The clubhouse and pro shop are totally changed with a great menu in the offing. What has been accomplished in their first season as owners is remarkable. Don’t expect champion conditions, yet! But, expect good things now, and for years to come. It’s always been a great track, look forward to its future. Play it!!

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Course is looking good

New ownership is really stepping up and making improvements. Course is on its way back if they keep it up.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
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Golf Packages

Destination Kohler - Champions' Trail Golf Package

FROM $617 (USD)
KOHLER, WI | Enjoy 2 nights’ accommodations at The American Club or the Inn at Woodlake and 3 rounds of golf at Blackwolf Run (River or Meadow Valleys Course) and Whistling Straits (Straits or Irish Course)

Destination Kohler - To Dye Four Golf Package

FROM $557 (USD)
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