ive stayed at the grand traverse a few times and have played the bear and spruce run. the resort itself is great, nice indoor pools, plenty of hot tubs and a private beach area. lots to do here other then golf and i'd recommened staying here especially in the off season when the rates drop, but lets get bak to the golf..
the bear is one of my favorite courses, great condition and very tough as noted by its golf digest rankng as one of americas toughest courses. greens are perfect and present a fair challange. i didnt have too much trouble off the tee as the landing areas are fairly receptive but approach shots are what made this course difficult for me. even as a player of above average length i hit a lot of long irons over water and onto small greens. the bunkers are also difficult, avoid them at all costs, beleive me it took me 3 shots to get out of a greenside bunker on #15.
this course has many beautiful holes,(my favorites were the par 4 fifth and par 3 thirteenth) is well kept and will test anyones game. when playing you truly feel like youre the only ones on the course.very fun course and i highly recommend playing it if you are in the traverse city area. its a bit pricey for a single round on the bear so id recommend staying on a golf package.

after playing the bear spruce run was a bit of a let down. just an average course and not overly difficult. i was expecting something better seeing as how the rest of the resort is so beautiful. condition was not up to par with the bear as well. not too expensive and id pass on it if i had the chance to. this course is fairly open and plays next to numerous houses, condos and the hotel itself. havent played the wolverine but probly should have opted for it.

Customer Service

great service in the pro shop. also the starters were great and quick to offer up some last minute advice. the restaurant in the clubhouse was good too. great pace to grab a bite to eat between rounds. also the bear has a nice little spot to stop for a drink on the turn.

My wife and I stayed at the Grand Traverse Resort, and played both golf courses (The Bear, a Jack Nicklaus design, and The Wolverine by Gary Player.) We were impressed with the resort itself, and the view from our room was great. For those regular readers of my reviews, you know it’s all about the golf, so let’s start with The Bear.

The Bear is considered the harder course of the two, and for good measure. Even the opening hole is a toughie. What I really liked about The Bear was that after the first couple holes, you are almost hidden from civilization (not unlike a lot of other Michigan golf courses). Starting with the third hole, you meander into an area that is as serene as it gets.

All throughout the back 9 you’re hidden from others. It’s such a great feeling, and so different than what I’m accustomed to (in the Chicago area).

The 9th hole is a par 3, with water hugging the right side. My advice; take an extra club, and if you play a draw, aim for the bunker. (I hit the bunker, but still took a 4. Drat!)

As you start the back 9 (and yes, there is a halfway house for restroom breaks and snacks), you see some of the houses/condos built on the course, but it isn’t anywhere near overdone. Just a few, sparse houses, which isn’t that bad.

The 15th is a great hole that plays downhill, and gives you the feeling that you can drive for a mile. Personally, my favorite kind of hole. Oddly, when we were on the tee, it was just starting to drizzle, and by the time we finished putting on the green, it was a borderline downpour. Of course, that (normally) wouldn’t stop us. By the time we finished 17, it was absolutely pouring. We hit tee shots on 18, lost one in the rough, and called it a day. The lightning started, and that was enough for us!

All in all, we both loved the course, loved the serenity, and would absolutely play it again.

Lots of pictures at http://danperry.com/wordpress/bear-golf-course-review/

Customer Service

Really good, although the halfway house was closed, so no food at the turn.

Similar Products Used:

Most upscale Northern Michigan courses; Most of the Boyne courses.