Last but not least, we played Bear's Best yesterday afternoon. This was also booked through TeeOff.com with a promo code, so it ended up being around $54 a player. Hard to beat that this time of year ... Continue »

Last but not least, we played Bear's Best yesterday afternoon. This was also booked through TeeOff.com with a promo code, so it ended up being around $54 a player. Hard to beat that this time of year when the rack here is listed high and we saw someone in front of us at the pro shop paying $135. We had a 12:20 time and were paired with another twosome. It was really crowded out there with a big group going out ahead of us, so we were worried about finishing. The front nine started good, but then slowed down a lot. However, things picked up on the back nine once the sun started going down and we were just barely able to finish. The course was in pretty good overall condition. It's been out of the overseed for awhile now, but still had the feel of a course that was fresh out of maintenance. The tee boxes were nice and lush, but too shaggy for my tastes (especially with the "sticky" rye grass). The front nine fairways were mostly good but not always consistent. The back nine fairways seemed much nicer. The rough is a mixed bag because of different design approaches used for the "tribute" holes throughout the course. In many places it's a semi-dormant fluffy bermuda where the ball will either sit beautifully on top or settle down a bit and be tougher to hit clean. Other holes have more lush rye grass, but it wasn't too deep or penal. I was in one bunker and it was good. One of the guys in our group found the black slag sand on both of the Old Works holes and said it was too firm. Having played the real stuff in Montana, how it's playing at Bear's Best apparently isn't the best representation of it. The weak spot of the course was definitely the greens. They were not very good looking and often bumpy. They weren't horrible to putt on, but far from what you'd expect from a course of this caliber during this part of the season. Even though I've only played two of the courses represented in this tribute layout (Old Works and PGA West), I found it to be a fun round. There's obviously a mix of looks and styles as they represent courses from the Western US and Mexico, but it mostly flows together. I was expecting the layout to be much more difficult being a compilation of signature Nicklaus holes, but it's not overly tough. There are a few really challenging ones mixed with some fun and easy ones, too, so it's an enjoyable mix that will test every part of your game. I will say a couple of the par-3 choices could have been better since most Nicklaus courses have some really great par-3s to choose from. I'd recommend it in a heartbeat, but it's worth seeking out a deal. If we had paid rack rates, I would have been less forgiving about some of the condition issues (especially the greens).

I played this course on Monday the 15th of September. They had just opened the course two days earlier from seasonal over seeding. We were cart path only. But we were aware of that prior to arriving b... Continue »

I played this course on Monday the 15th of September. They had just opened the course two days earlier from seasonal over seeding. We were cart path only. But we were aware of that prior to arriving because of Greenskeeper.org . The day was hot the course was full. Pace of play was frustrating. Waiting on every shot. The course was in good condition considering the recent maintenance. They had put down a LOT of water. The fairways were thin and often balls were cake with mud. The greens were in very good shape but were long and wet. Overall I was satisfied because I knew what to expect coming in. I would love to come back during ideal conditions and I intend to do that. The only thing I would complain about as page of play. The group in front of us lost sight of the group in front of them early on and there was no marshal to move them along or to let us through. BTW the beverage cart came by often and stayed late into the afternoon.

Been wanting to play this course for a while but never got a chance to. Got to play on May 31st birthday weekend. Good course conditions with a great layout made it very enjoyable. Will definetly put ... Continue »

Been wanting to play this course for a while but never got a chance to. Got to play on May 31st birthday weekend. Good course conditions with a great layout made it very enjoyable. Will definetly put this course in my regular courses to play in vegas

Played 4/9/2014 with GK Jshea. Tee time at 1:50 with weather about 80° with some wind.
We had a 2-for-1 coupon, got the local twilight rate of $69 -- so it was $34.50 each. If it had been much more... Continue »

Played 4/9/2014 with GK Jshea. Tee time at 1:50 with weather about 80° with some wind.
We had a 2-for-1 coupon, got the local twilight rate of $69 -- so it was $34.50 each. If it had been much more than that, I would have been disappointed in the experience.

Arrived about 1:15PM for a 1:50 tee time so I have would time to use the range and get a drink. The starter said, if we could go early, we could avoid being behind a fivesome. So no range and no drink.

Course was passable. It is not the BEST 18 holes that Jack has ever designed. It appears to be selected holes from courses Jack has built in Mexico, Arizona, a couple holes from Montana (the black sand bunker holes) and a par 5 from Castle Pines. I've played Castle Pines and this hole does resemble the hole at Castle Pines so I suspect the other holes also are reasonable facsimiles.

Not particularly challenging. We played the White tees on the front -- too short from those tees because the fairways are dry with a lot of roll. Played the Blue tees on the back which was better -- but the Blue tees were set up about half way between the white marker yardage and the blue marker yardage. So it wasn't the full Blue tee yardage.

The course played very dry, especially around the greens. Lost of browned out and bare spots on the fringes. Many areas have been repaired with turf patching. This is April in Las Vegas -- prime time for golf and the course was not in prime time condition.

I usually play in the morning. Afternoon golf on a Wednesday is very different. No beverage cart service after about 3PM. When we finished about 6PM (still an hour until sunset), the place was deserted. Restaurant and pro shop were closed. Bag service guys were gone. It felt like walking through a 24 hour strip joint at 6AM (or so I have been told).

This is a course that has a rack rate around $175. It advertises to the tourist market and it has local members. I've been told that the members get second standing to the tourists as to tee times. Bummer.

My suggestion to visitors is to avoid the high-profile tourist courses. Play the courses that the locals play which are generally in better condition. And the out-of-town rate at the local courses is generally better, too.

Played today, Thanksgiving. Had an enjoyable round but was a bit dissatisfied with certain aspects. Facility is nice and customer excellent. A great mix of holes from desert style to black sand to pin... Continue »

Played today, Thanksgiving. Had an enjoyable round but was a bit dissatisfied with certain aspects. Facility is nice and customer excellent. A great mix of holes from desert style to black sand to pine trees like in Colorado. Definitely an excellent concept. Got water and a free divot tool and wet towels on cart. Tee boxes very lush and pretty decently level. Fairways fantastic and lush. Rough long and lush, okay to get through as I believe it is long fescue, you just needed to club up and aim a bit right and you're fine. Unfortunately sand traps are among the worst I've ever seen. They are hard and rocky, about the same consistency as a waste area. Greens, while nicely manicured were almost impossible to putt well on as you are rolling over SEVERAL unrepaired and healing divots of varying size and age. Truly the most divots consistently on every hole I have ever seen. So, for the most expensive round I've played, 2 of the 5 major quadrants of the course were absolutely awful. Now I know this is not necessarily the course's fault, as the tourists that don't care are beating up these greens. After all, they give you a divot tool for God's sake! But.. I have to question the attention to these divots by the maintenance team. Other courses are not this bad, or anywhere near it. Also, range is not grass with just a strip of worn plastic turf to hit off of. Additionally, we had to scrounge for balls as we were near the end of the day. Regardless, this is supposed to be "Bear's Best". I think Mr Nicklaus need to pay a visit to the course as it needs to be a better representation of one of, if not the most amazing man to ever play the game. I don't know that I would recommend here, especially not at the rack rate.

Played a Thanksgiving round. We had the last tee time and there was no one behind us, a very nice round. Loved that this course provided variety in Jack's courses. Each hole was different and presente... Continue »

Played a Thanksgiving round. We had the last tee time and there was no one behind us, a very nice round. Loved that this course provided variety in Jack's courses. Each hole was different and presented their own individual challenges. Course was beautiful and scenic. Tee boxes were perfect. Lush and level. Fairways were nice as well and very lush. Rough was exactly that-rough. About 3-5" of rough that sometimes made it hard to find your ball. Greens and bunkers were completely far from perfect. Greens had so many unrepaired divots and bunkers had hard, packed sand. Customer service was excellent. We got wet towels, water in the ice chests, and divot repair tools all before the round started.

The bunkers and greens were very under par for this course. Luckily we got a discount on this course as I'm not really sure it's worth the full priced rate.

Played Saturday, 10/5, with a mid-day tee time. Customer service was outstanding (except for 1) and what you would expect from a higher priced resort course. Greetings from every employee, manned bag ... Continue »

Played Saturday, 10/5, with a mid-day tee time. Customer service was outstanding (except for 1) and what you would expect from a higher priced resort course. Greetings from every employee, manned bag drop, etc. Carts had coolers stocked with water bottles, and the best GPS I've seen. It was the size of a IPad, and featured distances to hazards and the group ahead, hole flyover, and pro tip video from Jack Nicklaus. Drink cart was around twice per 9. You could order from the cart at the 9th tee and pick up at the turn, but it was incredibly slow (10 minute wait). Pace was brutal though, just over 5 hours, waiting on a 3some who were way behind the group ahead of them.

Course conditions were stellar. It recently came out of reseeding and was playing with 90 degree rule, except 16-18, which were still cart path only. Tee boxes were great, with only a few that were not leveled. Fairways were lush, with very little amount of thin/brown spots. The rough was brutal! Gradual from fairway to ankle deep and higher, you absolutely had to know where it landed or there was a great chance you were not finding it. Sand was okay, typical of the desert, a little thin and still wet from watering. Greens were incredible. A few ball marks, held well struck shots, and rolled perfectly and fast.

Course is made up of Nicklaus designed holes from the Western US; PGA West, Desert Mountain, Castle Pines, etc. Fun but slightly difficult course. Cool aspects, such as the black sand bunkers from Old Works in Montana.

The course had a special at the end of last year, $99 for 2 rounds "any time, any day." Incredible price for this course. However, "any time" means "any time available for locals," which was explained with a bit of arrogance by the pro shop staff with a "You can always pay another $159 for the resort time." Outside of THAT guy, I had a great time.

Played Friday, August 16th at 11:40 AM.

I have been waiting to play here for a couple years but I finally got a great discount on golfnow for 57$ which was significantly less the all the other tee ... Continue »

Played Friday, August 16th at 11:40 AM.

I have been waiting to play here for a couple years but I finally got a great discount on golfnow for 57$ which was significantly less the all the other tee times they were offering for the day (120$)

Club house was nothing spectacular, kind of dated. Guys behind the counter were working slow and there was a big line when we got in and the man who helped me was rude. Oh well!

The driving range was great and the putting/chipping area was awesome. The course conditions were above average and quite nice for the dead of summer in Vegas. Fairways were partially burnt out but still very playable. The greens were nice. Medium fast but not completely true.

The bunkers were awful. Some had NO sand and were rock hard, others had way too much sand. Zero consistency here.

Overall I had a positive experience but would definitely play Paiute before returning here.

So this was my last of four courses. Of course used my Golf Card and like the others received a awesome discount. I personally love playing this course due to knowing Jack's courses and to replay his ... Continue »

So this was my last of four courses. Of course used my Golf Card and like the others received a awesome discount. I personally love playing this course due to knowing Jack's courses and to replay his favorite 18 holes is a blast. In fact I purposely hit into the black sand trap, just for the experience. Inside and outside staff are incredible, it seems like most Vegas courses really get the hospitality aspect of what a customer wants, unlike many in So Cal. Playing conditions were great and it is one I must recommend. Jose, the 1st assistant is just a gentleman and so helpful. Way to go Bears Best