Great Bear Golf Club is an outstanding golf course. The setting is truly beautiful. Great Bear feels like a classic course in a peaceful, natural environment.
The design is smart and inviting. The layout flows naturally, with a good variety of holes that test different parts of your game without feeling overly punishing. There are strategic challenges to think through, but also plenty of fun scoring opportunities if you manage your shots well. It’s a course that’s enjoyable for golfers of many skill levels.
The staff were friendly, welcoming, and professional throughout my visit. From check-in to the folks on the grounds, everyone was helpful and made the day feel relaxed and well organized.
Overall, Great Bear Golf Club delivers on great conditions, a lovely setting, thoughtful design, and a golf experience I'd recommend.
2 months ago
Great Bear is the best experience for Pocono Golf. I've played them all, and the only thing missing is a unique, memorable hole. I'll admit that I'm a sucker for crossing water so the island at Hideaway Hills or crossing the Delaware at Shawnee stand out in the area, but the Par 3s (2,7, 16) are amazing without a memorable feature, and the lead into the clubhouse on 18 feels majestic.
The grounds are immaculate, regardless of when playing, in the spring, summer, and fall, greens are well manicured, fairways are spectacular, and the tee boxes are neat. The bunkers are also kept nice, however, if coming the day after a heavy storm/rain, they will be full of water.
Howie and the entire team make it an enjoyable experience from dropping off the bag to post-round drinks. This is a must play in the area, and well worth the expense.
a year ago
Our group of 7 had a great time making Great Bear our home base for the weekend. The staff was wonderful and helped make two full days of golf a fantastic experience for our group. The course and greens were in great shape and the pace of place was accommodating. We’ll be back next Fall!
5 months ago
The course was okay, and the greens were mid. Denise on the other hand was extremely rude screaming at us to leave when it was our last hole. Not even giving us the reason why we had to leave. Didn't have to scream at us like that for whatever reason it was. After we heard her we were leaving, our parents are 70+ of age and she chases us to leave faster. "GO" "GET OUT NOW" "YOU GUYS NEED TO LEAVE NOW."
Ruins a whole trip just because of one person. Thanks Denise.
4 months ago
The course name is very misleading. There is nothing “GREAT” about
this course, the name should be simply Bear. Poorly managed and
poorly maintained. Examples: We had a 8:15 Tee time, the course
was backed up on each hole from #1 on we had a delay. The ranger
on the 6th hole came to us to tell us to speed up play and we
reminded him we waited on every hole for the group in front of us. The
group behind us said he came up to them and told them to hurry up as
well. On the back nine an angry old man, I believe he checked us in at
the pro shop earlier, rode up on a cart and yelled at us. He said “When
you see a yellow sign that Says CARTS with and arrow that means to
get directly onto a cart path....” and on an on he went” I’m in my 60’s
and I just let him ramble on but I’m thinking the 4 of us traveled here, 2
of us from out of state (NE. OH.) We paid $100.00 each to get yelled
at for no reason- wow- never again coming to Bear. The Cart sign at
the 100’s of course I have played means do not drive any closer to the
green. The Cart was parked off the fairway in the rough- short of the
Cart signs.
Conditions: We played here mid September, Their were someTee
boxes, fairways and greens that were burned out, down branches and
debris. Two tee boxes we didn’t use because Black Walnuts were all
over them and not cleared or cleaned up. The maintenance of the
course was not being done.
There was no Cart person out with drinks the entire 18 holes and
since course play was backed up, we did not take the time at the turn
to get drinks. A positive is the Cart attendant was very friendly and
was a good representation for Arney as we 1st arrived, all went down
hill after that.
5 months ago