Bears Best Golf Course

Jack Nicklaus has been designing golf courses for more than 30 years. During that time he has created some of the most memorable holes in golf. As a tribute to his great designs, two golf courses have opened that feature 18 holes copied from the more than 200 golf courses Nicklaus has designed. Located in Atlanta and Las Vegas, the golf courses are named Bear's Best.

I recently had the opportunity to revisit the Bear's Best in Las Vegas. Nevada. This golf course features holes that have been designed by Jack Nicklaus mainly in the southwest part of the United States and Mexico. It is a fitting place for such a course considering that Las Vegas, Nevada is in a desert area.

Bear's Best Golf ClubThis golf course plays to a long 7,600 yards from the back tees. There are some slight elevation changes as you work your way around the golf course. Each one of the holes attempts to replicate a different hole with as much accuracy as possible.

The first notable hole is the par-3 4th hole. This hole was originally designed for the Old Works Golf Club in Anaconda, Montana. Besides it's length, the most striking feature of this hole is the black sand that surrounds the green.

The Old Works is set on land that was once used for copper mining. As a result the bunkers are filled with a by product of copper smelting called black slag. At Bear's Best Las Vegas they have remained true to this feature on the holes that represent Old Works by using black sand. It is a unique feature and adds to the challenge of the golf course.

The eighth hole on the front nine is a long par-5 measuring 599 yards. This hole is a replica of the 14th hole at Castle Pines Golf Club, in Castle Pines, CO. Castle Pines is best remembered as the site of the International golf tournament on the PGA Tour. The hole is downhill but you will need a big drive to reach this hole in two shots. Don't expect to get the extra distance as in the rarefied air of the Colorado Rookies.

The eighth hole comes complete with pine trees and a ravine that runs across the middle of the fairway near the green. This green is guarded by bunkers and if the pin is tucked in the back, your best bet would be to play to the middle of the green.

The back nine starts off with the 10th hole from the private club at PGA West in La Quinta, CA. This is a medium length par-4 that has a bunker dividing the fairway into two sections. The bunker is well placed and you will need to decide wether you want to go to the right or left. I would recommend you play for the right fairway as this will make for an easier approach shot into the green.

If you choose to play to the left fairway you will have to contend with bunkers that guard the left front of the green. This narrow green has bunkers behind as well that will catch any mis-hit shots.

As with all Nicklaus golf courses, great attention is placed on the condition of the golf course. This course is no exception. The fairways and tees are in wonderful condition. The greens on this day were very smooth and rolled at about 9-10 on the stempmeter.

The pace of play moves along very well due to the forecaddie program in place at the golf course. These professional caddies will enhance your experience. They will read putts, tend the flag, rake bunkers and help you locate those hard to find balls you hit into the desert.

The 18th hole at Bear's Best is a replica of 18th hole at PGA West(Resort), in La Quinta, CA. This is a great finishing hole that features lots of water and bunkers. This hole measuring 463 yards, so a good tee shot is critical to hitting this green in regulation. The green is surround by water in the front and all the way down the right side. Be careful of any pin that is placed in the front of the green. Aim for the middle of the green to ensure your par.

There are several other Bear's Best golf courses under construction. Hopefully they will be as spectacular as the Bear's Best Las Vegas. Located about 25 minutes from the Las Vegas Strip, this course would be well worth the trip to the west side of town near Red Rock Canyon.