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The Bear reviews
8
1
Looking for elevation in Florida? It's here 2+ years
Reviewed:
Updated:
Played on:Sep 17, 2017
Played the course:2-4 times
Pros:
(3.567 Rating) (REVISED - replayed September 2017) The Bear hosts the biggest elevated shot in all of Florida.
- ELEVATION - Some of the best elevation changes in Florida and the most elevated shot in all of Florida. (102 Florida courses played as of this revision.) Hole (11) easily the signature hole on this course with the tee shot looking out over Lake Compass. It's a 50 foot down shot. I have had friends mention to me that the temporary course Throw Down the Mountain just north of Tampa has greater down shots, but topoquest.com disagrees.
- UNIQUENESS - In addition to the elevation, The Bear has a really great variety in hole types. A good mix of wooded and open holes. Sweeping right shots and a 90 degree hooking left shot on (8). There are ace runs but yet also insanely difficult holes like hole (12) which is a 430 bullet shot with a row of live oaks on the right and Lake Compass on the left. I have only rated four courses in Florida with a greater hole type diversity; New World, Tom Brown, Oldsmar and T2.
- NATURAL BEAUTY - The second most beautiful courses I've played west of Tally after Anderson Pond in Niceville. Several charming views of Lake Compass along the layout. The wooded holes are natural growth rather than the pine tree rows you'll sometimes see. A few rolling meadow shots as well. The only drawbacks I can for see is the backdrop view of an RV or two on a couple holes, but this really only applies on holes (1) and (3).
- CHALLENGING - Above average. I've shot from both the front (7 tees only) and the back tees and I see the back tee set-up difficult enough to please advanced players. I figure a 950 rated player will average 3 or 4 down here. The front tee set-up will be perfect for players in the 800 to 900 range. Several holes offer up really nice shop shaping opportunities and I personally threw every disc in my bag here. Although there are some tight windows to hit among the wooded holes, they are all fair IMO. The closeness of the water on (11, 12) is gut checking awesomeness, more than fair being 30 feet from shore. (This will vary with lake level. Lake levels are highest during the rainy summer months)
- TEES - Some of best tees in Florida west of Tallahassee. Long and wide. However two issues with these tees. One, is the surface maintenance. On both of my visits here, numerous tees were covered with pine needles and a couple had sand issues. The other issue is that a few of the tees are protruding well out of the ground and a big follow through could lead to a wipe-out.
- SCORE CARD WITH MAP - You'll get a really nice scorecard with map with admission. All the distances and par information you'll need is on the card.
- CHARACTER - In addition to the nice tees and scorecard, a bunch of other niceties as well. Great benches at every tee area and a Practice basket. There is a club house where you can purchase snacks and drinks, and there is a restroom. I have also read on other reviews that there are a few disc golf items for sale as well but I hadn't seen where on either of my visits. If there was one thing the course really needs, its brooms at the tees.
- NAVIGATION - With the map this course is easy peasy to traverse. I'll also add that bringing a disc golf cart here should work just fine.
- ELEVATION - Some of the best elevation changes in Florida and the most elevated shot in all of Florida. (102 Florida courses played as of this revision.) Hole (11) easily the signature hole on this course with the tee shot looking out over Lake Compass. It's a 50 foot down shot. I have had friends mention to me that the temporary course Throw Down the Mountain just north of Tampa has greater down shots, but topoquest.com disagrees.
- UNIQUENESS - In addition to the elevation, The Bear has a really great variety in hole types. A good mix of wooded and open holes. Sweeping right shots and a 90 degree hooking left shot on (8). There are ace runs but yet also insanely difficult holes like hole (12) which is a 430 bullet shot with a row of live oaks on the right and Lake Compass on the left. I have only rated four courses in Florida with a greater hole type diversity; New World, Tom Brown, Oldsmar and T2.
- NATURAL BEAUTY - The second most beautiful courses I've played west of Tally after Anderson Pond in Niceville. Several charming views of Lake Compass along the layout. The wooded holes are natural growth rather than the pine tree rows you'll sometimes see. A few rolling meadow shots as well. The only drawbacks I can for see is the backdrop view of an RV or two on a couple holes, but this really only applies on holes (1) and (3).
- CHALLENGING - Above average. I've shot from both the front (7 tees only) and the back tees and I see the back tee set-up difficult enough to please advanced players. I figure a 950 rated player will average 3 or 4 down here. The front tee set-up will be perfect for players in the 800 to 900 range. Several holes offer up really nice shop shaping opportunities and I personally threw every disc in my bag here. Although there are some tight windows to hit among the wooded holes, they are all fair IMO. The closeness of the water on (11, 12) is gut checking awesomeness, more than fair being 30 feet from shore. (This will vary with lake level. Lake levels are highest during the rainy summer months)
- TEES - Some of best tees in Florida west of Tallahassee. Long and wide. However two issues with these tees. One, is the surface maintenance. On both of my visits here, numerous tees were covered with pine needles and a couple had sand issues. The other issue is that a few of the tees are protruding well out of the ground and a big follow through could lead to a wipe-out.
- SCORE CARD WITH MAP - You'll get a really nice scorecard with map with admission. All the distances and par information you'll need is on the card.
- CHARACTER - In addition to the nice tees and scorecard, a bunch of other niceties as well. Great benches at every tee area and a Practice basket. There is a club house where you can purchase snacks and drinks, and there is a restroom. I have also read on other reviews that there are a few disc golf items for sale as well but I hadn't seen where on either of my visits. If there was one thing the course really needs, its brooms at the tees.
- NAVIGATION - With the map this course is easy peasy to traverse. I'll also add that bringing a disc golf cart here should work just fine.
Cons:
A couple flaws but overall a great course.
- SIGNAGE - The signage only shows hole distance but it's probably adequate considering that you'll get a great course map (see pros) I do question the placement of the one tee sign per hole at the front tee. If playing the back tees, you may have to check the front tee sign and then turn around and head back to the back tee.
- SAFETY HAZARDS - Hole (18) is a head scratcher with the ball golf driving range along the left side. However, in my two visits here, no one has ever occupied the range. Side note on hole (18). It's too short and too open to be labeled a par 5 (770/540 feet). My noodle arm had no problem making a 4 from the back tees.
- LOCATION - Kind of in the middle of nowhere. My friends in Freeport routinely post car pool drives over to this course with it being an hour's drive away. I could see Panama City residents also making this one hour drive several times a year as well. The course is located about 15 minutes south from I10's exit 130.
- PAY TO PLAY - $5 plus tax to play. Well worth it in my opinion.
- CHAINS - Not the heaviest set of chains. Mach New 2's. You'll lose a shot or two per round compared to DISCatchers or other similar type baskets.
- BEGINNER FRIENDLY - Not the best beginners course due to the length, water and several tight wooded holes. You'll want to have 50 to 100 rounds under your belt before venturing here.
- SIGNAGE - The signage only shows hole distance but it's probably adequate considering that you'll get a great course map (see pros) I do question the placement of the one tee sign per hole at the front tee. If playing the back tees, you may have to check the front tee sign and then turn around and head back to the back tee.
- SAFETY HAZARDS - Hole (18) is a head scratcher with the ball golf driving range along the left side. However, in my two visits here, no one has ever occupied the range. Side note on hole (18). It's too short and too open to be labeled a par 5 (770/540 feet). My noodle arm had no problem making a 4 from the back tees.
- LOCATION - Kind of in the middle of nowhere. My friends in Freeport routinely post car pool drives over to this course with it being an hour's drive away. I could see Panama City residents also making this one hour drive several times a year as well. The course is located about 15 minutes south from I10's exit 130.
- PAY TO PLAY - $5 plus tax to play. Well worth it in my opinion.
- CHAINS - Not the heaviest set of chains. Mach New 2's. You'll lose a shot or two per round compared to DISCatchers or other similar type baskets.
- BEGINNER FRIENDLY - Not the best beginners course due to the length, water and several tight wooded holes. You'll want to have 50 to 100 rounds under your belt before venturing here.
Other Thoughts:
Personally my favorite layout in Florida west of Tallahassee (19 courses) and I would call it a destination course considering the lack of great courses nearby. IMO you'd have to venture to Tally to the east and to Pensacola or even Mobile to the west to find a better course along the I10 corridor.
- HOLE 15 TEE- On my initial review I had mentioned no playable tee shot line to the basket from the back tees. It was fixed on my return visit and it is now among my favorite tee shots here.
- TIME PLAY - Average, neither a con or pro. Figure 2 1/2 hours for a four sum.
- HOLE 15 TEE- On my initial review I had mentioned no playable tee shot line to the basket from the back tees. It was fixed on my return visit and it is now among my favorite tee shots here.
- TIME PLAY - Average, neither a con or pro. Figure 2 1/2 hours for a four sum.
5
0
sstieg
Experience:
17 years
122 played
4 reviews
Little Lizards! 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Jul 23, 2013
Played the course:2-4 times
Pros:
-Great/friendly staff!
-All concrete tees
-Various terrains, environments, and many unique holes
-Good baskets
-Not hard to navigate with the map on the back of the score card that you get when you pay.
-Snacks and restaurant available
-Little lizards everywhere, I'll take them anytime over snakes. I just wished they would have posed for a picture. Fast little suckers
-All concrete tees
-Various terrains, environments, and many unique holes
-Good baskets
-Not hard to navigate with the map on the back of the score card that you get when you pay.
-Snacks and restaurant available
-Little lizards everywhere, I'll take them anytime over snakes. I just wished they would have posed for a picture. Fast little suckers
Cons:
-Only about 8 long tees
-Cost $5 plus tax
-last 2 holes located by the golf driving range and there is no protection from flying golf balls from errant shots.
-tee pads are not flush with the ground and have drop offs on the front of the bad when following through
-mosquitos were heavy on 3 holes after the lake holes.
-wooded holes could still use some trimming, but they were very playable. It is a new course after all.
-Cost $5 plus tax
-last 2 holes located by the golf driving range and there is no protection from flying golf balls from errant shots.
-tee pads are not flush with the ground and have drop offs on the front of the bad when following through
-mosquitos were heavy on 3 holes after the lake holes.
-wooded holes could still use some trimming, but they were very playable. It is a new course after all.
Other Thoughts:
I really enjoyed this course, but it could be much better! I was on vacation for the week in Panama City Beach and the courses offered there, Joe Moody and Under the Oaks, just aren't enough. This course gave me the disc golf fix I needed to get through the week. The drive was only about an hour long and the traffic was not a problem. The course took about 1.5 hours to play for the two of us. We played the 2 rounds, short tees and then the long tees (well, the ones that had them). I wish the course offered some longer holes, but it was still very fun to play. I read somewhere that this was a "championship course" and I don't think that is the case. I shot a 50 and a 55 respectively, but if they make more long tees for every hole, it very well could be. I really loved the long tees on hole 4 and 12. If I come back to Panama City for a whole week, I would make the trip again.
