Front Nine

Hole One

This scenic first hole sets the stage for your Bear Brook mountain golf experience. From a lofty tee box, you hit to a valley fairway, then it's back uphill to a well-protected green.

The Bear's Tip:
Club carefully on your approach to the green. I suggest you drop down a club…if you think you should hit a 9, use your 8. Getting the ball on top makes par easier.

Hole Two

Course management skills are put to the test early in your round, with this abrupt dogleg right. Many leave their driver in the bag on the tee. The green is tight, so use your tee shot to set up a shorter approach.

The Bear's Tip:
Strong hitters…leave your driver in the bag off the tee. Try to land next to the 180 yard post in the middle of the fairway.

Hole Three

Don't be square… get it there! You don't want to leave your tee shot short on this long par 3. The wind will most often be in your face, so club accordingly.

The Bear's Tip:
Don't be cute here. Use one club lower if you're unsure. It's better to be long than short on No. 3.

Hole Four

Check the sign on the tee box to see which of this hole's two greens you will be hitting to. That's right, this hole has two greens, though only one is in play during any given day. And remember, the next time you play Bear Brook, you may be gunning for the other green!

The Bear's Tip:
Avoid the bunker on the right side of the green… it's "Sahara" big and as difficult to get out of!

Hole Five

OK big hitter, grip it and rip it… here's your chance to drive a par four green! But beware…this is a definite risk/reward hole. Otherwise, be sure to keep your tee shot in this tight fairway, if you want to have a chance to get on in regulation.

The Bear's Tip:
Don't try to get too close to the green on your tee shot. You may have a better chance of staying on the green with an approach shot of over 100 yards.

Hole Six

One of our more scenic holes, the first par five you face is also testing. Even the most hearty won't try to get home in two. You'll need to carry a broad natural area to reach the green. Don't worry, you can buy more golf balls in the pro shop at the turn.

The Bear's Tip:
Careful of that pond on the right. It actually comes out further into play than it looks.

Hole Seven

Why would we put a huge bunker in the middle of the fairway? Because putting a lake there might have really been unfair! Think your way through this hole...it's course management time again.

The Bear's Tip:
An accurate tee shot is important here. Much better to be short of the bunker than in it!

Hole Eight

This par four only seems long-ish, because of its dogleg right. But a long iron or fairway wood into this green is still a pretty safe play… the green is smooth and receptive. Leaving yourself short of the green, on the other hand, may complicate your day.

The Bear's Tip:
"Hug" the right side, your 2nd shot will be shorter. Too the far to the right is in the hazard!

Hole Nine

No doubt about it… this is a cool golf hole! Cool to look at, cool to play, cool as a spring morning at the Jersey Shore. The tee is elevated, the green is contoured and well-protected, and regardless of your score, you'll leave the number nine with a smile on your face. Cool.

The Bear's Tip:
It's downhill, hit one less club than you normally would at this distance. Don't let an empty stomach affect your back nine… stop by for a snack at the turn!

Hole Ten

You'll head back up the mountainside to start your back nine. The green is elevated with a gentle slope. Again, take the elevation change into account on your approach shot.

The Bear's Tip:
It's safer to hit toward the left side of the fairway. The ball will bounce right when it lands.

Hole Eleven

Each time you play this hole, it will have a different look due to our varying tee set. Check the breeze, note the elevated green, hope the golf gods are looking favorably on you.

The Bear's Tip:
Unless you're feeling particularly Tiger-ish, play to the middle of the dance floor. Par is well earned here.

Hole Twelve

Rebuild your confidence on this forgiving hole. Grip and rip a drive to the ample landing area. Then you can ease your approach to the biggest green on the golf course.

The Bear's Tip:
Long hitter stay right so you don't hit through the fairway.

Hole Thirteen

This is why you like mountain golf...a fairway with distinctive terrain, rocky flange, and a sunken green, guarded by sand and grass bunkers. Take a mental picture on the tee. That image may rescue your mind from your next boring budget meeting.

The Bear's Tip:
Try to hit your drive to land near the 180 yard marker. If you drive too far, the landing area is small and difficult to hold.

Hole Fourteen

Fourteen…the big Kahuna…the one you've heard about. It is long with a capital "L". If it was a ski slope, it would be a Black Diamond. You'll love par here.

The Bear's Tip:
Forget reaching in two. You must be long and straight to get home in 3.

Hole Fifteen

You deserve some eye candy at this point in the round. This beautiful setting is our signature hole…an inviting green floating on a series of ponds linked by a gentle waterfall. Great golf hole!

The Bear's Tip:
Water? What water? Forget you're hitting to an island green and the hole gets a lot easier.

Hole Sixteen

Another sight to behold. The view from the tee is simply amazing…you can nearly see all the way to Pennsylvania. Now look down and focus on keeping your tee shot in the fairway.

The Bear's Tip:
Approach by hitting it high… green is hard to hold. Mid-handicappers may want to hit short and run the ball up to the green.

Hole Seventeen

Yes, there really is a "Bear Brook." You'll cross it as you maneuver this sharp dogleg, before approaching its gorgeous and receptive green.

The Bear's Tip:
Don't flirt with the left side. The payoff there is not as great as it seems.

Hole Eighteen

Another trip across "Bear Brook" makes our finishing hole one to remember…and will cause you to start planning your next round here, before you even reach the green. Don't be surprised if you hear yourself say out loud, as you tap in the final satisfying putt, "Man, I can't wait to play this Bear again!"

The Bear's Tip:
Beware of the right side of the fairway…the creek is lying in wait. That's our golf ball grave yard.