Brian Walters Photography
Grand Traverse Resort and Spa
Grand Traverse Resort and Spa
Grand Traverse Resort and Spa
Grand Traverse Resort and Spa
Grand Traverse Resort and Spa
Grand Traverse Resort and Spa: The Bear
Grand Traverse Resort and Spa: The Bear
100 Grand Traverse Village Blvd
Williamsburg, MI 49690
United States
Telephone
Overview
Ranked for 10 years on our 100 Greatest Public list, The Bear is one of three championship layouts at the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa. The Jack Nicklaus-designed northern Michigan gem opened in 1985 and has plenty of character—with tiered greens, native fescue, moguls and deep pot bunkers. Like many Nicklaus designs, The Bear is a stern test, tipping out over 7,000 yards with a slope and rating of 76.1/150.
About
Awards
ranking history:
100 Greatest Public: Ranked from 2011-'20.
Highest ranking: 72nd, 2013-'14.
Best in State: Ranked 16th, 2013-'14, 2017-'18. Ranked 18th, 2015-'16. Ranked 20th, 2021-'22. Ranked 21st, 2019-'20. Ranked 22nd, 2011-'12. Ranked 32nd, 2023-'24. Ranked 33rd, 2025-'26.
Previous ranking: 32nd.
2025-'26 ranking: 33th.
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“Classic Jack Nicklaus design with good risk reward and interesting and undulating green complexes."
Read More2025
Review
“This course, though softened a bit, was built during a time when difficult courses were. in vogue. Today it is just difficult and not much fun."
Read More2025
Review
“A very difficult Nicklaus designed course which is not very fun to play. Too difficult for the average resort player."
Read More2025
Review
“With multiple carries over water hazards and wetlands and many very difficult narrow angled Nicklaus greens, The Bear is a very difficult course and almost unplayable for the average resort player."
Read More2025
Review
“This Nicklaus course turns 40 in a few days. Straightforward design with penal green side bunkering. Housing on some of the holes really deters from otherwise excellent sight lines. Excellent bent on the greens which are quite good. I would love to see the moguls disappear but that was popular when this course was designed."
Read More2025
Review
“Really a tough layout, challenge every hole. Playing up a tee box or two doesn't really help. Neat mix of long and short par 4s and par 5s, par 3s were a bit mundane but still fun. Conditions were exceptional, 18th hole presents a neat risk/reward opportunity. Overall a really solid design."
Read More2024
Review
“Typical north woods resort course here with lots of green grass. Trees are nicely to the sides and not in the playing corridors and make a beautiful back drop in the fall. Greens rolled very smoothly which impressed me. Wayward shots were always punished as the course is laden with marshes, ponds, trees and huge amount of mounding. But you can play well here if you hit the straight ball as fairways were generous and flat."
Read More2023
Review
“A difficult course, not for everyone unless the player has some proficiency."
Read More2023
