View of the 18th hole and clubhouse at The Grand Bear Golf Course
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Rating Index Rating
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4.8
495 Reviews (495)
5 Stars
396
4 Stars
82
3 Stars
10
2 Stars
3
1 Stars
4
Conditions
4.7
Value
4.7
Layout
4.9
Friendliness
4.9
Pace
4.5
Amenities
4.7
97.5%
Recommend this course
481 out of 495 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.8
51 Reviews (51)
5 Stars
43
4 Stars
8
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.7
Value
4.6
Layout
4.9
Pace
4.6
Amenities
4.7
StaffFriendliness
4.8
98.0%
Recommend this course
50 out of 51 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.9
111 Reviews (111)
5 Stars
97
4 Stars
13
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.7
Value
4.7
Layout
4.9
Pace
4.6
Amenities
4.7
StaffFriendliness
4.9
97.3%
Recommend this course
108 out of 111 reviews
Read Reviews

About

Holes 18
Type Resort
Par 72
Length 7204 yards
Slope 143
Rating 75.5

Unlike some Jack Nicklaus golf courses that have earned a reputation for being among the world's most difficult, mid- and high-handicappers stand a fighting chance at the Grand Bear Golf Course. Nicklaus offers wide fairways before the sprawling woods take over on either side, most bunkers aren't horribly steep, and greens generally have room in front to run a shot up. The winding Biloxi River helps build Grand Bear to a dramatic finish. The par-3 14th hole plays through a chute of woods to a green guarded by the river below that runs along diagonally, punishing hooked shots left short. After another par 3 on the 16th that plays with the river to the left, the 17th once again plays over the river on the drive, then parallel to the hole. The 18th hole plays long and uphill back toward the clubhouse.

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Grand Bear Golf Club
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Course Details

Year Built 1999
Greens Bermuda Grass
Golf Season Year round
Architect Jack Nicklaus (1999)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted Yes
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Dress code Proper Golf Attire Required: Collared Shirt (No Denim)

Available Facilities

Clubhouse

Accolades

Reviews

4.8
495 Reviews (495)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 21
19th Hole Scenic Views 10
Brunch 8
Course Challenges Include:
Bunkers 46
Undulating Greens 36
Elevation Changes 25
This course/club is great for:
Wildlife/ Scenic Views 38
Advanced Golfers 33
A Weekend Splurge 31
This Course's Location is:
Worth the Drive 50
In the 'Burbs 7
Near Local Attractions 7

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Challenge Golf Course

Got to play to know, challenge and beautiful golf course

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Allow more 2-somes to play!

We looked forward to playing Grand Bear and drove in from Louisiana to play. Got paired up with a couple of very very inexperienced golfers who didn’t know how to pick up. Side note… my husband and I usually shoot in high 80’s low 90’s so we are nowhere near scratch golfers but we do know how to keep the pace of play moving. Our group was 40 minutes behind when we made the turn and we were forced to skip hole 10 because the course was backed up. We were a little upset as we paid $400 to play and we didn’t ask to get paired up with such slow inexperienced players. The course is magnificent and the staff was great. They gave us a 9 hole rain check to return and play another day. I would highly recommend Grand Bear as it is a fantastic course, but they should monitor the pairings better or let twosomes play.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Windy weather
Used cart

Enjoyed the Grand Bear

Our twosome played the Grand Bear while passing through the area. The course is well laid out and certainly well maintained for a public course. 5 sets of tees make the length and difficulty perfect for any player. There were no "signature" holes but the fairways and greens were definitely on par with many courses we've played. We played after 2pm for the lower rate and I'm glad we did.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 25
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 49
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 183
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Top 100 Contributor
First Time Playing
Wet weather
Walked

Played this course as part of a spring break getaway the Biloxi, MS area.

This course is rated #1 on GolfPass’ Top 10 Golf Courses in Mississippi - Golfers' Choice 2024. This rating seems fair. However, with the rain that they received days prior to my round the course was cart path only, the range was closed, and I saw no starter/ranger out on the course (Saturday, Noon-ish tee time). This course boasts on its website about “Dynamic Pricing,” but that must only work when they want to charge more and not adjust rates for a subpar experience.

CONDITIONS: It rained pretty good the day before, and the course was cart path only. As such, I decided to walk instead of ride. This course is very walkable and should offer a walking rate (I did not see one available). There were plenty of plugged lies, and the chipping areas around the greens were particularly soaked.

VALUE: Again, Dynamic Pricing should work both ways. It didn’t on this day.

LAYOUT: Excellent. A great variety of holes… you will use every club in your bag. There are a lot of strategic and heroic shots to be played on this course.

FRIENDLINESS: The cart girl was amazing! After telling me there should have been a starter, she gave me the “green light” to tee off and start. She helped with refreshments AND served as a therapist when a slow 4some slid in front of me to start the back 9. Thank you!

PACE: 1 hour 40 minute front… 2 hour 30 minute back. A 4some several groups ahead decided to take a break in the clubhouse after 9, and then pulled in front of me to start the back 9. With no starter/range there really wasn’t any recourse. Very disappointing.

DIFFICULTY: Though it is a challenge, I found this course to be much for fun than difficult. You have more room off the tee than it appears, and there’s more room around the greens that it looks like as well. The bunkers are a tough test (and were in reasonable condition this day).

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 25
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart

Always worth it.

A little wet and windy, but always a great course to play.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 11
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Fair
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 8
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Wet weather
Used cart

Great Course

A buddy and I played Grand Bear on a day where the rain percentage was 70%. Very few people were there, but the weather held up and we thoroughly enjoyed the course. The staff were very friendly and helpful, and the course layout was top notch. Par threes were a little longer than I was used to , which added to the challenge, but the course was demanding and rewarding. I plan to play this course again in the future.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Beautiful

Course is fantastic! A little hard with a lot of traps, and lots of fun. I’d love to see it in the spring when everything is green. I would love to play it again.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Due to heavy rain the day before the course was cart path only and the driving range was closed. Besides that its well worth the money!

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Wet weather
Used cart

Great track

I love this course. It was a little wet, cart paths only and range was closed. No gimmicky holes here all straightforward and fair. Love this course even with the wet conditions.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
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