BEARS BEST

 

Reviewer - StanB1
Date - Sept 28, 2009
Course - Bears Best
Tees - 4
Fairways - 3
Greens - 3
Bunkers - n/r
Layout - 4
Staff - 5
Pace - 3

Comments -
Played Sunday 9/27/2009 after the "flood of 2009", and then it rained another inch or more the day before we played.
On the first 3 or 4 holes, there was no place in the fairway to drop - it was all casual water and there was no getting away from the mud bath you'd get with even the shallowest divot.
After those first few holes, the fairways improved, but were never firm enough to get any roll.
The greens were extremely soft, although they putted well. Many of the bunkers had pools of water in them.
Hole #10 was reduced to a 30 yard pitch from its normal par 4 length due to mud runoff from an adjacent home site.
Given a week or so to dry out, this should be a very enjoyable course to play.
Fairways are plenty wide, not terribly difficult to hit, and are in nice shape,
the greens are generally guarded by bunkers and/or water, and the layout is varied enough to stay interesting.
We played "cart path only", waited for the group ahead for most shots, and still finished in about 4-1/2 hours.

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On July 14, 2009, Kyle  posted:

played "the bear" on Sunday, 12 July 2009 (after taking a small loan from the bank to fund the green fees) and had a blast!!!
 I'll cut to the chase..
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND A VISIT TO BEAR'S BEST."
here's why:
The course itself is extraordinary! It feels very natural despite the fact that it is hole replications from all over the world. the rhythm is spot on.
there are no gimmicks on the course...there is never a moment when you scratch your head and say "why did they do this???"
 (except maybe the rock bunker on #1).  The greens are fast, but not too fast.
they LOOK kinda pocky, BUT they roll true. again, no gimmick greens, no humpbacks and they are very receptive.
practice facilities are about what you'd expect...4 stars.
pro shop (expensive) and bar/restaurant (not too expensive) are also about what you'd expect.
service is decent and they treat you as a VIP.
due to heavy rains, one hole was damaged a bit due to run-off from a near-by construction site.
 it is obvious that LOTS of mud was carried onto the course from a downhill grade...but the
groundskeeper and crew have made this mishap barely noticeable (i think it is hole #12).
the guys i played with are decent golfers and demanded to play one off the tips.
 i am not that good (18 handicap), but i still had a great time even thou i was playing from tees that i had
no business occupying. the course is long, but it doesn't feel long...if that makes any sense at all.
the scenery is very impressive. i encourage you to take the time to stop and absorb it all once in a while.
the fairways are topnotch (except #12...but even that should be back to "grade A" within 10 days or so.
the cart girls made many visits. very cute and very hospitable.
in short, you may not be able to afford to go to bear's best every week...
but YOU'VE GOT to go every once in a while. you absolutely will not be disappointed.
 

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On July 7, 2009, Jonathan  posted:

Have played it multiple times and love the whole experience.
You should def use a forecaddie the 1st time because they no every inch of the course.
After that I suggest tackling it on your own for an extra challenge.


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On July 5, 2009, Chez Robert  posted:

Great course in great condition. Fantastic practice area and many good caddies especially Dale.
Greens in great shape and fairways as well and tee boxes.
Rates are good for what they offer.
However, food in clubhouse is poor and be careful of the all inclusive gratuity they do sometimes as they don't tell you, so you tip when the tip is already included.


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On July 3, 2009, Golfnut  posted:

I played Bear's Best on Tuesday. It has been a number of years since I last played this course.
I was very pleased to see how the course has been maintained and grown.
 The course is in great shape from tee to green.
Even with the 2 year drought and watering restrictions, they have managed to keep their fairways and greens in great shape.
 The layout is pretty good and there is no hole you can really complain about.
 I would like to see the greens speed increased to at least 11 or 11.5.
We saw the cart girl about every 3 holes so we did not want for a thing.
If I lived in closer, it would be on of my favorites.

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On June 28, 2009, MattGOP  posted:

Fantastic track, and the forecaddie program makes for a fabulous experience.
Course is challenging yet fair... if you hit the ball well, you will be rewarded.
Rates are all over, from 119 to 45, but it is well worth the cheaper rates. Well worth the trip.


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On June 22, 2009, Mike  posted:

If you have never played this course you need to. It is in excellent condition and is what I like to call a very fair course.
With the new rates (45 twilight) it is a steal. Don't forget if you have never had a forecaddie then you need to try it.
This is a course that can be enjoyable to all skill levels. If you are a 18 or higher try the whites at 6000 yards,
 a 10 to 17 should play the blue tees at 6500 yards and 9 and lower should try out the gold at 7100.
You cant go wrong with this course.

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On June 16, 2009, bbwannabe posted:

Played again on 6/14 at their new special rate of $44 after 4 on Saturday and Sunday with no forecaddie required.
 Range balls included too!
This course is one of the best in ATL. Greens were in very good shape. Fairways, tee boxes everything great!
I guess to save money they've cut out the marshal and we got behind a group of 30 plus handicaps that refused to pick up
 regardless of how many shots they had taken.
A marshal would have taken care of that. However that's the only complaint I have.
The layout is very good, with some holes that are memorable. 18 is a longggg par 4 with 11 bunkers running up the left side.
5 is another par 4 that requires a medium to short iron over a creek with a green tilted away form you.
6 and 11 are great par threes with all carry over water.
Service in the clubhouse is good. Saw the cart girl twice.
 Great short game area with chipping green, sand bunkers and putting green.
Can't beat it and at this price it's a no brainer.


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On June 8, 2009, JOHN  posted:

What a awesome course in Suwanee!
It is very exciting to play in this course.
After 4PM, It is enough time to finish 18 holes regularly.
But some group spent a lot of time every hole, so that skipping several holes.
Please keep time to play.

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On June 4, 2009, dbutts  posted:

Just an awesome course.
A must play in the Atlanta area.

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On June 1, 2009, scotttn1 posted:

Played at Bear's Best on 5/22 and it was one of my best golf experiences.
We took advantage of the new summer twilight rate which is a great price!
We didn't have anyone slowing us down and no one ever was pushing us from behind.
The greens were perfect. They were smooth and very consistent in their speed.
They are tough to putt because of the various breaks in them.
The tees/fairways were in great condition.
The setup of the course is wonderful. Watch out for the par 3s. They are tough. 6 & 11 are all carry over water.
The service was great both in the clubhouse and on the course. Can't wait to get back and play again!

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On June 1, 2009, BenK  posted:

 rank Bear's Best as the top course in Atlanta.
I don't know about that, but it's a great layout, in good shape, and has been providing a lot of specials lately.

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