A view from Black Bear Golf Club.
GolfPass Icon
Rating Index Rating
Tooltip Information Icon
4.3
430 Reviews (430)
5 Stars
132
4 Stars
163
3 Stars
62
2 Stars
36
1 Stars
37
Conditions
4.0
Value
4.0
Layout
4.5
Friendliness
4.6
Pace
4.1
Amenities
4.4
91.3%
Recommend this course
345 out of 430 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.2
11 Reviews (11)
5 Stars
5
4 Stars
3
3 Stars
3
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
3.6
Value
3.9
Layout
4.7
Pace
4.1
Amenities
4.7
StaffFriendliness
4.6
90.9%
Recommend this course
10 out of 11 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.5
52 Reviews (52)
5 Stars
30
4 Stars
16
3 Stars
6
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.1
Value
4.0
Layout
4.6
Pace
4.3
Amenities
4.6
StaffFriendliness
4.8
96.2%
Recommend this course
50 out of 52 reviews
Read Reviews

About

Holes 18
Type Public/Resort
Par 72
Length 6673 yards
Slope 129
Rating 72.4

Black Bear Golf Club is part of the Crystal Springs Resort, which offers six other courses, though, it's hard to remember they're connected since they each offer a distinct character and look. Unlike Ballyowen and Crystal springs, two of the resort's most well known courses, Black Bear has more of a parkland layout. The course tumbles across rolling hills covered with trees, which come into play along the undulating fairways and greens. Water only comes into play on three holes but there are a whopping 65 bunkers coming into play. It's challenging but not frustrating. Both low and high handicappers will enjoy not only the golf course but also the beautiful scenery. Black Bear is one of the best values in the area and has garnered a strong local following.

Book a Tee Time at
Black Bear Golf Club
Powered by GolfNow.com

Course Details

Year Built 1996
Fairways Ryegrass
Greens Bentgrass
Golf Season Open: 3/15 Closed: 12/31
Architect Jack Kurlander (1996) David Glenz (1996)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes - included in green fees
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Golf School Academy Yes - "David Leadbetter Golf Academy"
Golf Simulator Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Indoor Practice Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard, Amex Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No

Food & Beverage

Bar, Snacks, Restaurant, Beverage Carts

Available Facilities

Showers, Lockers

Accolades

Reviews

4.3
430 Reviews (430)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 24
Dinner 11
Patio Dining 11
Course Challenges Include:
Elevation Changes 35
Bunkers 30
Narrow Fairways 22
This course/club is great for:
Wildlife/ Scenic Views 33
Advanced Golfers 21
Locals 20
This Course's Location is:
Worth the Drive 26
In the 'Burbs 21
At a Resort 10

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 51
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Nice course, super friendly staff

Played 4 different courses last weekend in the Crystal springs area and thought Black Bear was second best behind Ballyowen. I'll be honest, price is steep compared to courses that I pay about $80-$100 in the tri-state area with similar layouts and amenities. I will say that the rangers were seen often, but we had no issue with pace of play.

Conditions Good
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 11
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

BEAR

One of the most beautiful public courses available. Except for some unkept sandtraps,s a perfect golf experience!

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 38
Handicap Don't know
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Always a treat

Good condition, considering the amount of rain we’ve had, and a fun and challenging layout, with each hole having a distinctive character.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Wet weather
Used cart
Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 48
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Fair
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap Don't know
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

Great first experience

Just a shoutout to black bear the staff was very friendly and the course was in great condition. Thanks for a great afternoon

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 3
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Excellent
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 20
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 12
Handicap Don't know
Skill Beginner
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

SLOW PLAY NO RANGER HELP

LOVED the COURSE . . . During play the RANGER reached us the group in front of us was ONE shot in front of us he needed to keep going to find the issue but he turned around. The back up started on the 5th or 6th hole and continued until the 17th . . . . This made for the round to be VERY flawed. We will try at a later date to reassess the course and facilitiy.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Friendly crowd good pace

Enjoyed my Friday round as a twosome. Beautiful setting. Friendly staff and guests.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

On Par

This was my 3rd time around playing the course over the span of two years and this is one of my favorite courses to play in NJ. Course was in great shape and staff was really friendly. The part I love the most is the BBQ Pit at the turn! What a beast. Great outing here and the greens were in great condition too!

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great course

Great change of terrain. Excellent scenery and just enough challenges for all levels

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 201
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 1000 Contributor
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 11
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Beautiful, challenging and very enjoyable

Very well maintained and picturesque course. We really enjoyed every hole. This is a great course and well worth the price.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 7
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Nearby Courses
Franklin, New Jersey
Private
4.0
1
Hamburg, New Jersey
Semi-Private/Resort
4.5309823529
331
Hamburg, New Jersey
Public/Resort
4.0406823529
254
Hamburg, New Jersey
Semi-Private/Resort
4.1875764706
323
Hamburg, New Jersey
Resort
4.3466941176
159
Sparta, New Jersey
Semi-Private
4.2364529412
589
McAfee, New Jersey
Public/Resort
4.1991705882
837
Vernon, New Jersey
Public/Resort
3.9296235294
118
McAfee, New Jersey
Public/Resort
4.1991705882
837
McAfee, New Jersey
Public/Resort
4.1991705882
837
Oak Ridge, New Jersey
Semi-Private
4.2807058824
595
Golf Packages

Shadowbrook Stay & Play Package

FROM $87 (USD)
TUNKHANNOCK, PA | Enjoy 3 nights' accommodations at Shadowbrook Resort and 2 rounds of golf at Shadowbrook Golf Course.

Seaview Stay & Play Golf Package

FROM $197 (USD)
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ | Enjoy 2 nights' accommodations at Seaview, A Dolce Hotel and 2 rounds of golf at Seaview Golf Club - Bay & Pines Courses.

Bear Trap Dunes Stay & Play Package

FROM $147 (USD)
BETHANY BEACH, DE | Enjoy 2 nights’ accommodations in a private residence within the Bear Trap Dunes community managed by 1st Choice Properties and 2 rounds of golf at Bear Trap Dunes Golf Club.

Lansdowne Resort Stay & Play Golf Package

FROM $247 (USD)
LEESBURG, VA | Enjoy 2 nights' accommodations at Lansdowne Resort and 2 rounds of golf at The Golf Club at Lansdowne - Greg Norman & Robert Trent Jones Jr. courses.

Richmond Golf Getaway Package

FROM $147 (USD)
RICHMOND, VA | Enjoy 3 nights’ accommodations at Fairfield Inn & Suites – Richmond Airport and 2 rounds of golf at Royal New Kent Golf Club and The Club at Viniterra.
Now Reading