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From our Directory of the most recommended golf courses
Black Bear Golf Club
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Pace of Play
Greens
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Black Bear is located 40 minutes north of Orlando, and is difficult to reach unless you have GPS or good mapping directions. It is 25 miles off I-4 through a series of two lane road turns through mostly undeveloped land-a rarity in Florida. It was intended to be the centerpiece of a residential community which has never taken off, and is located on a small rise in the Florida sand hills providing vistas of the surrounding area. It was designed by P.B. Dye, apparently a relative of Pete Dye, but don't get your hopes up, it's nothing like the master's creations. The course is laid out through treeless sand hills that were even more contrived in the course construction, and the greens like mushrooms with some devilish pin positions which are impossible to hold. It's forgiving off the tee, but after hitting good shot after good shot to the pin, and finding your ball off the green, you may leave disappointed.
Published by: ralphn
Posted by: Bill Morgan
Apr 20th, 2012
Black Bear is reasonably priced, and an interesting layout from tee to green, wide open and links style type of course. But....when you hit a great approach shot and due to the humps and undulations of the green it careens off the green leaving you an impossible up and down, it's just not the way a course should be set up. Conditions were fine, the greens just OK, service in the clubhouse is very good, very attentive and the food excellent, especially when they have the grill on. Go to Black Bear expecting you will be roughed up around the greens, and you won't be disappointed.
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Posted by: richard
Jan 7th, 2011
We have played Black Bear 3 times in the last month. The course is in wonderful condition. New ownership took over at the beginning of November 2010 and have really been focusing on the course. The greens are fast and true. Fairways have been overseeded for the winter season so are among the best in the area. As a Dye design Black Bear must represent some of the best golfing value in the Orlando area. Usually you must pay close to $100 for a round on a championship tournament course - not at Black Bear. Its really worth the extra few minutes by car, especially if you are a single digit handicapper looking for a test against the best.
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Posted by: CLOVE
Oct 31st, 2009
Well worth the 45 minute drive from Orlando. Lots of sand and terrific undulations (greens & fairways). Remarkable elevation changes for a Florida course. More about accuracy than length. They have weathered the drought better than most courses & the fairways are in very good shape. Staff are awesome & facilities quite nice. Watch out for the 18th hole though. It's poorly marked and a nice drive will land you squarely in the pond. The rates are well worth the drive!
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Posted by: nickr
Jul 6th, 2008
Four sets of tees measuring 7002 yards/134 slope, 6394 yards/127 slope, 5975 yards/124 slope and 5044 yards with a slope of 121 from the forward tees .Great on course yardage markers are posted on the fairways at 50, 100, 150 and 200 yards, and sprinkler heads are measured to the center of the green, and they usually provide pin placement sheets. Three holes have water in play, but 117 sand bunkers/waste areas pop up in the most inconventient areas near the greens and along the landing zones on the fairways.
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