Black Bear Golf Club – The 3 Best Holes

Black Bear Golf Club has a memorable name and a layout that has been pleasing North Strand players for years. There is nary a house to be found on the course, which features 23 finger lakes and ponds, and it provides a peaceful round of golf.

With that in mind, we asked head pro Patrick Wilkinson to take us inside Black Bear’s three best holes.

No. 8, 352-yard, par 4 – A short dogleg right, there is a substantial risk-reward component to No. 8. Players can cut as much of the water as they’d like – a long drive from the 315-yard white tees will have you knocking on the green’s front door – but flirting with the water invites disaster.

“It’s a fair hole,” Wilkinson said. “But greedy people raise the water level in the pond.”

The smart play is to hit the ball a little over 200 yards to the left side of the fairway, leaving a short approach, but to far left lands the ball in the trees. The green is two-tiered and the pin position and drive placement determine how much the water factors into the approach.

On the card, the eighth doesn’t look difficult but it’s full of decisions, which makes it fun.

No. 17, 454-yard, par 4 – By far the longest par 4 and most difficult hole, the 17th represents a substantial challenge. The hole plays slightly downhill, but hitting the fairway is crucial. Bunkers on the left collect errant shots and a big oak tree on the right can prevent a clear look at the hole’s L-shaped green. There is also water on the left coming in and the green slopes toward the lake, making a pin placement on that side treacherous.

No. 18, 533-yard, par 5 – Playing into Black Bear’s plantation style clubhouse, the 18th is the course’s signature hole. It’s reachable in two but an eagle putt requires two outstanding shots and the willingness to risk drowning a ball on the 18th hole.

“It’s risk-reward; do you want to play it safe?,” Wilkinson asked. “A lot of high scores are posted there. It’s an awesome looking hole.”

With a good drive there will be the temptation to go for the green, but it will take a lot of muscle and nerve.

What is your favorite hole at Black Bear?