Bear's Best Golf Club: Experience Jack's Favorites

Bear's Best Golf Club is a must-play for those who appreciate the finer golf courses available in the great city of Las Vegas. This Jack Nicklaus creation has lived up to the quality of the Nicklaus name. Superior golf course conditions, speedy greens, and a little history in every hole help make this course what it is.

Bear's Best Las Vegas has holes from golf courses in the West. These samples range from Old Works Golf Club in Anaconda, Montana to Cabo del Sol in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The holes have been neatly placed in the Las Vegas desert by Nicklaus' design professionals using the natural terrain of arroyos, elevation, and man-made water features. Playing to nearly 7,200 yards from the back tees, Bear's Best will truly challenge and delight golfers of all levels with a variety of tee placements.

The front-nine topography is not spectacular and Jack obviously chose holes that feature creative shaping and bunkers complexes to add pizzazz to the setting. The par 3 4th hole, a replica of the 7th hole at the Old Works Golf Club in Anaconda, Montana, is a visual treat with a huge black sand bunker contrasting against the undulating green. The 5th and 6th holes are also great examples of how Jack has the flair to create something out of nothing, as the islands of green fairway seem suspended over the desert terrain.

The back nine climbs into the foothills more and the added movement puts even more drama into Jack’s golf holes. The 10th hole is another replication from PGA West and is noteworthy with its raised fairway split by a long, deep bunker that teases with your thoughts while you are on the tee. The 12th hole is a par 5 from Bear Creek Country Club in Murrieta, California that works well with the large mountain backdrop. Here, large undulations affect your stance and depth perception forcing you to just trust your judgment. Again, it is Jack’s way of making you hit your best shots in order to score, rather than tricking you into hitting it somewhere that you shouldn’t.

The clubhouse has a good sized pro-shop, dining area, small locker room and a banquet facility that will accommodate up to 150. The practice facility is second to none as the range is huge, the putting green is exactly like the greens on the course (fast), and there is a nice chipping area with practice bunker.

Make sure you include Bear's Best Las Vegas in your Las Vegas Golf itinerary.