Black Bear Golf Club

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.

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

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.

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…

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!!

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

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.

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.

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.

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!!

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

Course is quickly improving. New owners are great. A lot of fun. Great food

The new owners are making it very clear that they are working hard to make this course great again. Obviously the neglect from previous years isn’t going to improve overnight but they are working hard putting in the work, dedication, effort and man hours to change the course for the better. Huge respect to the staff and new owners for attempting to achieve the impossible in such a short time. I guarantee by mid summer the changes will be drastic, and golfers will be impressed by what some TLC can do to a course. Not only is the course looking so much better but the clubhouse has got a facelift and the restaurant has amazing food and drinks. They have specials that are so affordable and it’s a place even non golfers will want to dine at. If you haven’t been there in the last month or so you should consider making a trip to experience a huge world of change, all the staff are amazing and our experience was incredible. The greens are a little slow and the fairways are a little rough but in due time the benefits of the their hard work will be paying off highly. Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither is a golf course that was highly neglected for years. You wouldn’t be able to tell how bad of shape the course actually was in when they purchased it compared to where it is now. My husband and I were blown away by how much work they have put into making the course so nice in such a small amount of time. We are so excited to witness the process of improvement over the next several months. Please consider visiting the property, making a tee time and golfing a round, and help them out by being a customer for the first time or a returning one that’s willing to support a husband and wife that have a beautiful vision and the passion to achieve what seemed like an impossible goal. I’m looking forward to be a part of this process and seeing this course come alive and become a desired destination for all levels of golfers.

Great course layout with several quirky holes. I have always liked blind tee shots and this course has them. The greens are modern and undulating and the holes play over some rolling terrain.

Horrendous layout. Signage is a joke, literally got lost going to the first hole, and the round didn’t get any better. Nearly every hole features a blind tee shot. What’s the point?! There’s no redeeming qualities to this course, I paid $16 for 18 with a cart and wouldn’t come back. They must have changed layouts or something because it’s a jumbled mess. What a joke!