Grand Bear Golf Course
Grand Bear Golf Course
4.5
About
Located a mere 35 minutes from the Gulf Coast, Grand Bear offers a respite from the glitz and glow of downtown Biloxi. Complementing the challenging Nicklaus design, Grand Bear offers an immaculate practice facility, and the rustic clubhouse welcomes all with a fully equipped golf shop, and a grill area sure to please. Get away today, and treat yourself to the Grand Bear.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
60 reviews
Excellent
43
Very good
13
Average
4
Poor
0
Terrible
0
THINGS YOU MUST KNOW BEFORE PLAYING THE GRAND BEAR:
1. In most cases, you have to be a guest at the Grand Casino to play the Grand Bear.
2. It takes at least 40 minutes to get to the course from the Grand Casino Biloxi. Renta a car or make sure you are scheduled for the hotel shuttle.
3. A good hotel/golf package makes the STEEP greens fees more affordable.
4. If you have the clout, get a limo from the Casino to take you and pick you up... the open bar makes the trip back much more enjoyable.
We played the morning following a stiff rain. For the most part, the course had drained very well and was in very good condition. The layout is very balanced interesting... a good mix of both tight and wide-open fairway, appealing contours, and small undulating greens. The bunkers and hazards were were well placed (or adapted) to reward good shots and penalize strays. Each hole had it’s own unique challenges but maintained a consistent character.
One of the most interesting things was the river that follows many of the holes, starting on #6. The river has powder white sand “beaches.” We speculated that the sand was trucked-in but it runs almost the entire length of the river and would have been far too expensive.
The clubhouse is incredible and the staff was nice. We went in mid-December so there was little action at the course. My buddy liked the new Davis Love course at Shell Landing better (and it's a great course), but the memories of the Grand Bear have stuck with me for quite awhile.
1. In most cases, you have to be a guest at the Grand Casino to play the Grand Bear.
2. It takes at least 40 minutes to get to the course from the Grand Casino Biloxi. Renta a car or make sure you are scheduled for the hotel shuttle.
3. A good hotel/golf package makes the STEEP greens fees more affordable.
4. If you have the clout, get a limo from the Casino to take you and pick you up... the open bar makes the trip back much more enjoyable.
We played the morning following a stiff rain. For the most part, the course had drained very well and was in very good condition. The layout is very balanced interesting... a good mix of both tight and wide-open fairway, appealing contours, and small undulating greens. The bunkers and hazards were were well placed (or adapted) to reward good shots and penalize strays. Each hole had it’s own unique challenges but maintained a consistent character.
One of the most interesting things was the river that follows many of the holes, starting on #6. The river has powder white sand “beaches.” We speculated that the sand was trucked-in but it runs almost the entire length of the river and would have been far too expensive.
The clubhouse is incredible and the staff was nice. We went in mid-December so there was little action at the course. My buddy liked the new Davis Love course at Shell Landing better (and it's a great course), but the memories of the Grand Bear have stuck with me for quite awhile.
Written January 10, 2002
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
lwelshCO
Denver, CO266 contributions
Mar 2015 • Family
I recently had the chance to play six different golf courses on a five day spring break trip. Here are the pro / con of your options in Biloxi / Gulfport.
Grand Bear
A great choice. It’s a tough call between The Bridges and here. If I had to pick, I’d come here. You can’t make a bad decision, though. This course is carved out of a forest and you rarely ever see another fairway. Really well designed. Lots subtlety that makes it a challenge. Around $100. I saw quite a few deer while I was here.
PRO
- Fun course; five tee box options from easy to insane
- Well-manicured. Not as nice as the preserve, but better than the others
- Beautiful clubhouse
- Great service
- Challenging greens
- Short game practice area, as well as putting and driving range.
- I played first thing in the morning (7AM start in March) – had the course to myself – on and off in well under three hours.
- Memorable. If you want a special place that you couldn’t play anywhere in the US, this would be a good choice.
- Memorably nice staff.
CON
- Not as convenient a location as some of the other choices. I think the drive was worth it.
- No GPS in carts
>> Please click “helpful” if appropriate
Here's the mini-reviews for the other five places I played:
Gulf Hills
Nice course and a solid value. About $50 with cart. Easier to play than the fancy courses; and sometimes it’s nice to have a break from the punishment.
PRO
- Affordable
- Reasonably well maintained for the money
- Fast play in the mornings. I was the first person (solo) of the day and played in 2:30
- Greens rolled pretty true and were in good shape
- Enough hazards to be interesting, but not too obnoxiously difficult
- Greens were “normal” size relative to the other 40 or so courses I have played (e.g., a lot bigger than Great Southern)
- Some hills! Many of the competitor courses I played were pretty flat.
- Super friendly staff.
CON
- No GPS in carts
- If you are a great golfer looking for a challenge, this isn’t your course
- Nothing “special” or memorable – you could be playing anywhere in the US.
>> Please click “helpful” if appropriate
The Preserve
My favorite. It’s about $140, so it was the most expensive place I played, but worth it in my opinion.
PRO
- Lots of options from easy to challenging
- Extremely well-manicure
Greens in perfect shape in March.
- Post card perfect views
- GPS in cart top notch
- Nice clubhouse. Not as nice, in my subjective opinion, as Grand Bear, but still very pleasant.
- Played fast the day I was there. I was the first start of the day and had the place to myself. Finished in under 2:30
- Memorable. If you want a special place that you couldn’t play anywhere in the US, this would be a good choice.
- Really professional staff.
CON
- Most expensive. You get what you pay for.
>> Please click “helpful” if appropriate
Bridges / Hollywood Casino
My 3rd choice. Around $90. Locals can probably get a better deal. I guess it was ranked in the top 50 casino golf course list. I can believe it.
PRO
- Lots of water / marsh hazards – that’s a pro or a con, I guess. I lost more balls here than anywhere else on the trip.
- All of the bridges do make for a unique experience
- Played fast the day I was there. I was the first group of the day (by myself) and finished in about 2:20.
- This isn’t a course you would mistake for a course in Colorado or most of other parts of the world.
CON
- Reasonably well-manicured, but not nearly as nice as the Preserve
- Greens, in March, were good, but not as good as the Preserve or Grand Bear.
- No GPS system in carts
>> Please click “helpful” if appropriate
Shell Landing
My 4th choice. Around $90. Locals can definitely get a better deal. Certainly a solid course; I just liked other courses better.
PRO
- Played fast the day I was there.
- It’s a nice course.
CON
- Reasonably well-manicured, but not nearly as nice as the Preserve or Grand Bear
- No GPS system in carts.
- Not as special / unique as the Preserve or Bridges. To me, it didn’t capture the local element as well as other courses (e.g., what is special about Mississippi).
>> Please click “helpful” if appropriate
Great Southern
Supposedly the oldest course in Mississippi. From the layout, I would believe it. At $32 (I saw internet rates for $25) WITH a cart, it’s an amazing value.
PRO
- Nice views of the Gulf of Mexico from the first few holes, and 18. This was unique among the courses I played and was nice.
- Incredible value
- To me (I’m an intermediate golfer), this course was a lot more challenging than I anticipated. You won’t lose many balls here (not much water, wide fairways), but the greens are the size of postage stamps. Literally half or a third of the size of what you are probably used to.
- Really close to hotels in Biloxi / Gulf Port. Short drive from the hotels.
CON
- Not as well maintained.
- Pretty crowded; slower players than on other courses I played.
- Clubhouse is not a Disneyland architectural masterpiece, like some of the other courses here.
>> Please click “helpful” if appropriate
Grand Bear
A great choice. It’s a tough call between The Bridges and here. If I had to pick, I’d come here. You can’t make a bad decision, though. This course is carved out of a forest and you rarely ever see another fairway. Really well designed. Lots subtlety that makes it a challenge. Around $100. I saw quite a few deer while I was here.
PRO
- Fun course; five tee box options from easy to insane
- Well-manicured. Not as nice as the preserve, but better than the others
- Beautiful clubhouse
- Great service
- Challenging greens
- Short game practice area, as well as putting and driving range.
- I played first thing in the morning (7AM start in March) – had the course to myself – on and off in well under three hours.
- Memorable. If you want a special place that you couldn’t play anywhere in the US, this would be a good choice.
- Memorably nice staff.
CON
- Not as convenient a location as some of the other choices. I think the drive was worth it.
- No GPS in carts
>> Please click “helpful” if appropriate
Here's the mini-reviews for the other five places I played:
Gulf Hills
Nice course and a solid value. About $50 with cart. Easier to play than the fancy courses; and sometimes it’s nice to have a break from the punishment.
PRO
- Affordable
- Reasonably well maintained for the money
- Fast play in the mornings. I was the first person (solo) of the day and played in 2:30
- Greens rolled pretty true and were in good shape
- Enough hazards to be interesting, but not too obnoxiously difficult
- Greens were “normal” size relative to the other 40 or so courses I have played (e.g., a lot bigger than Great Southern)
- Some hills! Many of the competitor courses I played were pretty flat.
- Super friendly staff.
CON
- No GPS in carts
- If you are a great golfer looking for a challenge, this isn’t your course
- Nothing “special” or memorable – you could be playing anywhere in the US.
>> Please click “helpful” if appropriate
The Preserve
My favorite. It’s about $140, so it was the most expensive place I played, but worth it in my opinion.
PRO
- Lots of options from easy to challenging
- Extremely well-manicure
Greens in perfect shape in March.
- Post card perfect views
- GPS in cart top notch
- Nice clubhouse. Not as nice, in my subjective opinion, as Grand Bear, but still very pleasant.
- Played fast the day I was there. I was the first start of the day and had the place to myself. Finished in under 2:30
- Memorable. If you want a special place that you couldn’t play anywhere in the US, this would be a good choice.
- Really professional staff.
CON
- Most expensive. You get what you pay for.
>> Please click “helpful” if appropriate
Bridges / Hollywood Casino
My 3rd choice. Around $90. Locals can probably get a better deal. I guess it was ranked in the top 50 casino golf course list. I can believe it.
PRO
- Lots of water / marsh hazards – that’s a pro or a con, I guess. I lost more balls here than anywhere else on the trip.
- All of the bridges do make for a unique experience
- Played fast the day I was there. I was the first group of the day (by myself) and finished in about 2:20.
- This isn’t a course you would mistake for a course in Colorado or most of other parts of the world.
CON
- Reasonably well-manicured, but not nearly as nice as the Preserve
- Greens, in March, were good, but not as good as the Preserve or Grand Bear.
- No GPS system in carts
>> Please click “helpful” if appropriate
Shell Landing
My 4th choice. Around $90. Locals can definitely get a better deal. Certainly a solid course; I just liked other courses better.
PRO
- Played fast the day I was there.
- It’s a nice course.
CON
- Reasonably well-manicured, but not nearly as nice as the Preserve or Grand Bear
- No GPS system in carts.
- Not as special / unique as the Preserve or Bridges. To me, it didn’t capture the local element as well as other courses (e.g., what is special about Mississippi).
>> Please click “helpful” if appropriate
Great Southern
Supposedly the oldest course in Mississippi. From the layout, I would believe it. At $32 (I saw internet rates for $25) WITH a cart, it’s an amazing value.
PRO
- Nice views of the Gulf of Mexico from the first few holes, and 18. This was unique among the courses I played and was nice.
- Incredible value
- To me (I’m an intermediate golfer), this course was a lot more challenging than I anticipated. You won’t lose many balls here (not much water, wide fairways), but the greens are the size of postage stamps. Literally half or a third of the size of what you are probably used to.
- Really close to hotels in Biloxi / Gulf Port. Short drive from the hotels.
CON
- Not as well maintained.
- Pretty crowded; slower players than on other courses I played.
- Clubhouse is not a Disneyland architectural masterpiece, like some of the other courses here.
>> Please click “helpful” if appropriate
Written March 31, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Gene B
Basile, LA8 contributions
Sep 2018 • Friends
Service was great! Much more than what is expected for $79 green fee. Bailey set the tone when I arrived from handling clubs, taking me to the pro shop and making sure I was satisfied with everything before I started my round. Heidi was pleasant, helpful and accommodating for a quick lunch and drinks after. Melvin topped off the day while I was waiting for my ride by bringing me a bottle of water and handling my clubs when my ride arrived. No doubt Grand Bear is now on my must return to play list. Oh, the course was in superb condition, sand traps were consistent and in great shape.
Written September 21, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Golfnole79
Golfnole791 contribution
I travel to Biloxi every few months or so and I always set aside time to play the Grand Bear. Not only is the course always in awesome shape, it is just a great layout as well. Certain times of the year, the greens fees are so cheap, you feel like you are stealing. Even in high season, the fees are very reasonable for a course of its quality. On top of all that, the staff will make you feel like family. Just a perfect day of golf.
I have played great courses all over the country and the Grand Bear is definitely in my top 2 or 3. It is well worth the drive and your time.
I have played great courses all over the country and the Grand Bear is definitely in my top 2 or 3. It is well worth the drive and your time.
Written May 31, 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Roam1958
Belzoni, MS1 contribution
I have played Grand Bear the past two years that I vacationed on the MS Gulf Coast. Its a great course. Green fees are a little high, but I'll be back for sure.
Written August 20, 2003
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jamielynnmcclinton
Cookville, TX8 contributions
Aug 2019 • Couples
Ww found this course to be diligently challenging, but enjoyable. For a beginner like me, i enjoyed the pristine seclusion without having to stress about any nearby structures. Shank one out of the faraway on this course, and all you hear is the sound of limbs breaking. Will definitely make the trip again!!
Written August 6, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Aubrey H
Heber City, UT56 contributions
Jan 2018
We played in January do the grass was still dormant but with 2’ foot of snow back home I’m ok with that. The greens were in good shape and not to fast. They do have that undulating look to them. Just what I needed to sharpen those green reading skills. The staff was very accommodating and got us right out.
Written January 27, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Lee M
Chicago Land Area13 contributions
Feb 2015 • Friends
I organize a golf trip that includes Grand Bear every Super Bowl Sunday. We had a rain check from 14 months ago for two atta 3 players we had. I didn't have our paper rain checkss since it was so long ago, but still Mr. Ian honored it plus he allowed our 3rd person to play Grand Bear for free!! Talk about value! This is arguably the best course Ive played like Ive reviewed years ago, but the service Ive received on booking large groups has been outstanding. I really appreciate the staff and will continue to support this Grand venue time and time again.
Written February 6, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
ltlbit44
Bella Vista, AR40 contributions
Dec 2014 • Couples
Wonderful course and the service is outstanding. This time of the year, fees are a huge bargain. Would do this again and again.
Written December 25, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Andy Bradley
1 contribution
Aug 2019
Daughter played this course on August 31 and I joined as caddy/spectator. Incredible property in fantastic condition. Greens were in great shape and fairways were outstanding. Staff were among the most courteous and welcoming I’ve experienced in a long time. If you’re anywhere near this property and you enjoy golf then this is a MUST PLAY Venue!
Written September 1, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
No questions have been asked about this experience
Grand Bear Golf Course (Saucier) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Grand Bear Golf Course
- Hotels near Grand Bear Golf Course:
- (6.16 mi) Hampton Inn & Suites Gulfport I-10
- (7.34 mi) Residence Inn by Marriott Gulfport-Biloxi Airport
- (6.22 mi) Home2 Suites by Hilton Gulfport I-10
- (7.35 mi) Hilton Garden Inn Gulfport Airport
- (6.67 mi) Holiday Inn Gulfport-Airport, an IHG Hotel
- Restaurants near Grand Bear Golf Course:
- (6.09 mi) Taranto's Crawfish
- (7.12 mi) Shrimp Basket
- (8.87 mi) C.A. Sarducci's
- (8.64 mi) The Blow Fly Inn
- (9.28 mi) Brooklyn Pizzeria