highsierra67

I have come to the conclusion that Bear Dance is a premier course and quite challenging with opportunities to shape your drives around both left and right hand dog legs. Two par 5's are difficult to reach with a weekend warrior type drives (270 average off tee), like me. The signature hole (Bear claw cut out in the fairway) is a par 4 that will impose a severe penalty if short out of the box. It's going to take a round to learn the dynamics of this course. Long drivers will be faced with blind landing areas if over 290 from the tee. I play the Blues and find enough trouble to keep things challenging. Undulating greens roll easy with deceptive turns and multiple rollers. All greens are consistent and can be rewarding when you can lock in to your line and pace of putt... I love Bear Dance. Uncharacteristic rains recently have provided a tremendous green landscape, beautiful lush fairways, and fair 1st cuts. Penalties will be assessed applicably when off line on your shots... For an average player that shoots in the low eighties, I'd suggest bringing an extra ball. ...in the mid-nineties - bring 3... If you're over 100 on an average day at your home course, I'd strongly suggest playing up - playing your irons - get to know the course - and you'll have a blast at this course. It's fairly priced to play weekends for what you experience.

I stopped counting after $600 for the round. The course was spectacular, the fairways superb, the greens immaculate. Even tempered and consistent greens rolled an even 10 to 11 on the stimp. I would suggest one saves their pennies and plays it once for the experience, however here's the tally. $20 (parking), $20 (for a sandwich), $10 (ea water), $80 (you are assigned a forecaddie), $400 (Blue Monster greens fee), $80 (tips for cart girl and caddy), $10 (Club care to/from valet), and you can warm up off rubber practice mats. My suggestion is to book a tee time early, and get to the course to get your bearing as it's in downtown Miami, and loaded with traffic, road construction, and serpentine multiple exits and merge requirements. It's right next to the airport, so expect a 777 to fly over ever 2 minutes or so.

The Bear Trap... the Legendary Nicholas course utilized for the Honda Classic. I knew I had to play it. It's a shame that PGA National had to pack a 60 man group in front of me at 8 min cycles and stack up people for an entire day. Rolling an even 9.5 to 10 in the morning and 10 to 11 in the afternoon on the Stimp... Course was great. The challenge was certainly there, but it was a waiting game and lends itself to getting off pace and frustration.