7 Clubhouse Road, Ocean View, Delaware 19970, US
(302) 537-5600
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About Bear Trap Dunes

Located only 3 miles west of the beach town of Bethany Beach, Delaware, Bear Trap Dunes is a 700-home community that boasts serene open spaces, 27 holes of championship golf, and a variety of home types to fit any lifestyle, including single family homes, townhomes and golf villa condominiums. With amenities such as indoor/outdoor pools, a fitness facility, tennis courts, outdoor amphitheater, a clubhouse with restaurant and banquet facilities and a complimentary beach shuttle service, Bear Trap Dunes, owned by Carl M. Freeman Golf, a division of Carl M. Freeman Companies, not only offers vacation homes but a complete resort lifestyle. The course, designed by Rick Jacobson, features the Grizzly, Kodiak and Black Bear nines, all lined with native wetland grasses and natural sand dunes.

Facts

Price Range$$$
Property Class★★★★
Year Opened2001
Number of UnitsLess than 100

Amenities & Services

RestaurantsCasual
PoolIndoor
TennisYes
Fitness CenterYes
Practice FacilityYes
Banquet SpaceYes

Rules

Is the resort pet friendly?Yes
Is resort stay required for a tee time?No

Golf courses at Bear Trap Dunes

Reviews

4.7
610 Reviews (610)
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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Good change of terrain. Interesting layout. Challenging but not too difficult

Decent shape. Could be better but early. Nice challenge for high 80 golfer but not too frustrating.

Conditions Poor
Value Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 14
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great course, a must play if you are staying near the Delaware beaches

I have played Bear Trap Dunes twice. The second time was more enjoyable than the first. Practice facilities are first rate. The course has five tee boxes to ensure that golfers of every level can enjoy the course.

The entire course was "path only" after a night of heavy rain, an understandable precaution. The fairways were in very good shape and mostly dry despite the rain. The green were dry and average speed, likely much quicker in dryer weather. There was water in many of the sand traps, but staff was busily pumping the water out of the traps.

Overall, an excellent experience, highly recommended.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 8
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Featured
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

The staff was super friendly and very helpful.

This was my first time playing this course. They have separate areas for putting, chipping, and hitting a bucket of balls. The staff was friendly and helpful even providing a free yardage book that was quite handy especially since there are numerous hazards and some blind shots. There is a lot to do around Bethany Beach but it is really nice to know that this gem is located here too. Pack your clubs and take a break from the beach!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 36
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Great fun

Played the Grizzly/Kodiak segments and had tons of fun. It's got a terrific layout, a variety of holes, and a fantastic mixture of sand, dunes, water, fescue, trees, and grass where nothing looks out of place. Long drivers will certainly enjoy playing this course, as I hardly recall a hole where you need to hold back. Greens are fast, fairways are well maintained, and the rough isn't too long to the point of being overly penalizing. Overall, a really fun place to play golf.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 26
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Challenging and Fun Course

One can't argue playing a 4-star course for $30. It was first day of aeration and we got lucky that "Black Bear" hadn't been done yet although "Grizzly" had. The aerated greens were in great shape and still held putts true. Overall great experience and the only flaw I could mention is that we went in circles trying to find the starter. Also, since there are allot of traps along the course, it would be nice to have a chart or something to determine the distance of bunkers/hazards off the tee box.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great options with 27 holes.

Only played 9 holes on Black Bear. The course is challenging with water and lots of sand. It can be pricey so it was great to have this option. I know that the times can be limited but it worked for us. Beautiful course, staff was pleasant, golf shop well stocked with great looking items and so nice to have the indoor and outdoor pub and restaurant.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great clubhouse, friendly staff, fast greens, beautiful course

We played Kodiak and Grizzly courses which were definitely up to my standards in every category. I Will definitely come back for more golf. We played a twilight round the day before Memorial Day which is why the pace of golf is so slow.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Cart lost electricity

On the 16 th hole, Kodak, cart lost power; approx 7:30 pm and no one available in the pro shop. No player assistance or ranger ( he left at 7pm). Had to be pushed by another cart. There were still players on the course at 8:30 pm. Not happy!

Conditions Average
Value Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Fair
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 63
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Top 1000 Contributor
First Time Playing

Lots of Water

How much water? If you are not a straight driver, I would bring a ball retriever. Due to an injury my son could not play but he collected 52 golf balls. Don't worry it wasn't crowded and he didn't slow up play.

Bear Trap has a great layout. Although it doesn't cover a lot of acreage the dunes separate the holes nicely. You never feel like you are top of each other on the course. I played all 3 nines over Spring Break and was very impressed. As with all of the beach courses the best deals are in the afternoon. If you are in the area this is a top 5 place to play.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once every three months
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

great course

Has three different 9 holes courses. Great time. Always in great shape.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser

Course in good conditions with wide rolling fairways.

Played front nine on the Kodiak and the back nine on Black Bear. Even if the weather was not cooperative we enjoyed the run. The fairways are permissive and we didn't find the course too hard. Lot of waste bunker but not in play. The bagdrop area is different than other places, but its Ok. Nice course in general. Played my best round of the week.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Difficulty Extremely Easy
Played On
Reviews 11
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

Well maintained 27 holes with excellent restaurant .

Course is well maintained. You can score well if you keep it in the short grass.(duh) Lots of waste areas that are difficult to get out of because of blind shots.I have played a few times and pace of play has been good every time. Be sure to have lunch or dinner after golf because the restaurant is excellent .

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0

Great Course

Excellent venue with a staff that is there to please the players

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 32
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

Great course in wonderful condition

Early season golf in the area can be "iffy", but Bear Trap Dunes was in wonderful condition for early April. Fairways, tees, greens, and bunkers were well-maintained. The staff was friendly, and, with three nines and three possible starting points, slow play is minimized. With the promotional rates, especially, the course is a good value overall. Of the eight rounds I played in the Ocean City, MD, area this week, I enjoyed my round here the most.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0

Another nice nicklaus course

This golf course is always in very good condition. The tee boxes are level, fairways are forgiving, rough is not to difficult, approach area or false front is better then some greens i've played on, greens are slightly faster than average. Would play it more often if the rates were lower.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Fair
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 15
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

Beautiful, Challenging, Very Playable

Great course. The course is beautiful and in wonderful shape! The layout is challenging with well bunkered fairways and greens, the stiff wind requires shaped shots on every hole, and the elevation changes are something special for a shore course! Also, the greens are tricky with subtle breaks, but role very well. Despite the challenge, the course is very player friendly (I only lost two balls) and a fun track to get around!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

Great course at the beach

This course was in pretty good shape for an early spring round. The greens are almost all healed from aeration. About 50% of the bunkers look like they could use a little TLC. Pace of play was comfortable. If you're in the area play this course you won't regret it.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 44
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0

Great Course

Great amenities and warm-up facility to this 27 hole facility. Many forced carries over water and elevation changes make this couse very tough but fun. Brng your A game and this course is definitely worthy of a rond while in The Ocean City rea. Beware of the wind in early spring.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser

First time playing there. Liked the layout. Not extremely challenging

Staff was nice and friendly. That particualr day, play was very slow. Alot of seniors playing which is understandable, so I
just chilled and enjoyed the weather and beauty of the course.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Fair
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser

Good Course, Great Staff

I played the course on a Saturday afternoon in October, and it was in really good shape. It's a challenging course, especially when there is wind in play. It is pretty wide open, so you can get away with spraying balls for the most part, but there are a number of water hazards that can and will punish you for a misplaced shot. Definitely worth the money. Looking forward to playing again.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Difficulty Moderate
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