Celebrate Mom
Celebrate mom in Traverse City with a variety of Mother's Day specials and events. Click below to learn more
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Go back to formWelcome to The Bear, every bit the animal it was when Jack Nicklaus first unleashed the course on June 17, 1985. Celebrated as one of the toughest 18 holes in Michigan, The Bear was ranked as the 18th toughest course in America, according to Golf Digest. This beautiful course offers the best of Traverse City golf and regularly stands out as a top golf course in Michigan.
Nicklaus' signature design features Scottish terraced fairways, tiered greens, deep grassy roughs, moguls and mounds, and deep pot bunkers. With rolling land, trees, lakes, streams, fruit orchards, and a variety of wildlife, The Bear features a mixture of different elements golfers rarely see on one course. This is northern Michigan golf at its finest. The Bear is opening Friday, April 24.
Book a Tee Time or Call 231-534-6000
Kick off golf season with us at our annual Spring Par 3 Shootout on Saturday, April 25, 2026.
10AM SHOTGUN ON THE BEAR | 2 PERSON SCRAMBLE
| Black Tees | Blue Tees | White Tees | Yellow Tees | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yardage | 7,078 | 6,601 | 6,122 | 5,281 |
| USGA Rating | 76.1 | 73.3 | 71.1 | 73.1 |
| USGA Slope | 150 | 147 | 139 | 139 |
| Par | 72 | 72 | 72 | 72 |