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4.1
18 Reviews (18)
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2
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4.3
Value
3.8
Layout
4.4
Friendliness
4.4
Pace
3.5
Amenities
4.4
83.3%
Recommend this course
15 out of 18 reviews
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About

Holes 18
Type Public
Par 72
Length 7726 yards
Slope 141
Rating 74.8

Just south of Denver, the public, 18-hole course at The Golf Club at Bear Dance offers a challenging game of golf set against a landscape of tall Ponderosa Pines, old oak trees, and lush native grass valleys. It is a championship, mountain-style golf course that offers 7,726 yards of golf from its longest tees with a par of 72. Tree-lined fairways, strategically-placed bunkers, and dramatic elevation changes make the course challenging. The large greens are undulating and fast and water hazards come into play on a few holes. The well-maintained course also offers lovely scenery with the Rocky Mountains being visible from several holes. Walking is not allowed at The Golf Club at Bear Dance, carts are required.

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The Golf Club at Bear Dance
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Course Details

Year Built 2002
Golf Season March - November

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes - included in green fees
Clubs Yes
GPS Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Golf School Academy Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted Yes
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Walking Allowed No
Dress code Appropriate golf attire. Collared shirt and please, no denim.

Available Facilities

Clubhouse, Meeting Facilities, Banquet Facilities

Accolades

Reviews

4.1
18 Reviews (18)
Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 75
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Top 500 Contributor
Oklahoma Advisor
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Good views and good golf

This was our 2nd course of our Colorado golf trip and this one was as good as the first and more enjoyable. Paired up locals and that helped. I am not sure I had a flat, even lie and that is always a challenge.
There are some very interesting holes with the views to match. Greens were pretty fast and the pins in places that the locals say are never there and they were even having problems the break.
Again, the theme is undalations and going up or down a hill and it is a mental challenge to get it right where you need to go.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Perfect weather
Used cart

Incredibly Beautiful Views and challanging course

I took my daughter here for a round of golf to celebrate her birthday. Everything was perfect. The course,, facilities and staff were wonderful. Owen assisted with our bags and cart as soon as we arrived in the drop off zone. He was extremely friendly and knowledgeable about the course. Shelly in the snack shop was so nice. I highly recommend this course for its amazing views, challenging layout and friendly staff. I only wish the Green Fees were more reasonable (weekend rate of $150). Id come back and play it more often.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Plays Once a month
1.0
Previously Played

Never. Again.

I must preface all of this by saying that I cannot remember the Last time I was irritated enough to write a review of ANYTHING. That said, I just played out there today and was astonished at how obnoxious the staff was. I paid $40 for a 6-pack of beer and when I asked for a bit more ice for the cooler on the other golf cart (they gave me 2 piece of “junk” carts without gps and barely working motors and no coolers - had to switch at the turn) I was told “the ice is only for mixed drinks”. F**** these people and do not give them a cent! I play out there 4-5x per year and typically bring clients (I.e. usually way >$1k bill for a foursome) and was treated like horribly the entire time I was out there. I’ll never play there again and I hope anyone that reads this heeds my warning. Overall the condition of the course was below average as well. Honestly wish I could give negative 3 stars as a 1 star review is FAR too much credit for the experience today

Also, they allowed a foursome to bring the course nearly to a halt until I asked the marshal “how many warnings they get?”. This is what it took to “take care of it...” absolutely insane and truly a shame given how great the course is. Miserable 5.5 hour round. NEVER AGAIN!!!

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Fair
Friendliness Poor
Pace Poor
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played

Disappointed

Been to Bear Dance several times. Never had been disappointed, until this one. For $100 I expect pristine conditions. Many of the fairways are terrible. Never complained about the price. I do now.

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 324
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Texas Advisor
Top 10 Contributor
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Walked

Very scenic mountain course an hour from Denver with tough greens

We played here on the afternoon of our arrival day and had a 2pm tee time for $100. The course is very scenic with very few homes in view and starts with a pleasant, downhill par 4. The drivable par 4 6th with the bear claw is a fun look. The name makes you think this is a Nicklaus design, but it's not.

No chance walking this course, and I don't think the greens needed to be as severe as they are. It was my first round in Colorado and it'd been some time since I putted bent grass so I was constantly above the hole and three putted like crazy. That said, there are some very memorable holes both uphill and downhill. I always love reachable par 5s as finishing holes.

The club was pretty busy and clearly very popular. It was a bit of a hike from Denver but not as far down south as Colorado Springs. I'd definitely make the trip again. If you want scenic mountain golf this is Top 3 easy within an hour of Denver.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 244
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Missouri Advisor
Top 25 Contributor
First Time Playing
Cold weather
Used cart

I Had High Expectations, I Left A Bit Disappointed

According to their website, Bear Dance has been voted the best Denver golf course the last 7 years. I had really high expectations going in and when I finished my round - I left a bit disappointed. The main reason for being disappointed were the condition of the fairways and 3 greens which were tricked-up. You were not rewarded for hitting good shots into some of the greens. Also, if you were above the hole on many of the holes, you nearly had an impossible up and down or it was impossible to keep your ball on the green. On the bright side, this course has some beautiful holes and scenery. I have recapped the good and bad of Bear Dance:

Good:
Beautiful holes and scenery
On the back side, great views of Devil’s Head (aka The Sleeping Indian)
Many holes framed by Ponderosa pines
Fast greens
GPS on carts
The rough is cut low, so no issues if you miss the fairway
Good sand in bunkers
Staff was extremely friendly

Bad:
All the fairways had bad patches
2 of the greens had sodded areas (5 & 6)
3 tricked up greens (6, 7, 12). More details below.
The lay-up area on the par 5 (5th hole) is too narrow
Because of the speed and slope of the greens and several tricked-up greens - pace of play is slow.

General comments:
You must be cautious of all your approach shots and stay underneath the hole. I felt the golf course was designed from the back tees. When you play from the white tees, you are not sure of where your landing area is. Lot of hidden, blind shots. With 7 holes turning left, 3 holes moving right and only 4 straight holes, you were constantly looking at the GPS views to figure out where to hit your tee shot.

The greens were firm, and I never saw one ball back up. If they had a professional tournament there, there would be so much white paint used to indicate all the ground under repair (GUR) areas in the fairways.

Referring to the tricked-up greens. On hole 6, I hit a sand wedge to 3 feet of the pin. My ball rolled away 30 feet. I had an impossible putt to even get near the hole or keep my putt on the green. On the par 3, 7th hole. The pin was in the back right on a ridiculously small plateau. I hit my shot within 15 feet of the pin. The ball rolled down 60 feet from the hole. My playing partners were above the hole and to the side. Their chips rolled down the slope and within 1 foot of going into the pond in front of the hole.
On the par 3, 12th hole, I hit my shot over the green. My best option was to putt my ball through 15 feet of rough and trickle my ball on the green. My ball goes down the slope another 50 feet. Now I must putt up a very severe slope. I leave my ball 3 feet above the hole. I barely tap my ball; it misses the cup and then rolls down the slope the 50 feet again. This was no fun and it only creates slow play.

With all that said, I would recommend people play this course. It has such beautiful scenery. However, you must tell yourself you must stay below the hole to score. Unfortunately, you will have to deal with three poorly designed greens. You really need to play this course several times to understand all the nuisances of the course.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 128
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Texas Advisor
Top 100 Contributor
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

Dancing in the mountains...

Bear Dance was the first stop on my group's annual trip (held in Denver this year obviously).

For once we arrived well in advance of our tee time and had time to take advantage of the very nice practice facilities. Nice range, good chipping area, and the fastest practice green this side of the Mississippi.

The course is a nice collection of holes. Most are fairly tight, with trees defending one or both sides. However, there is good variety; with a few short par 4s and plenty of tee shots where you have options besides driver off the tee. The par 3s are all beautiful and enjoyable as well. Conditions this day were great. Everything was lush. The real greens were not nearly as a fast as the practice green... but were still challenging.

#6 is the signature hole. It's a fun short par 4. You can go for the green, but if you miss in the paw print bunker, be prepared for a tough par.

At $100, this was the most expensive round of our trip. In that context, I think it's just a decent value as the other courses were also very nice. But in a larger context, $100 for a quality round of golf isn't outrageous.

I'd definitely recommend adding this course to your itinierary if you're in the area. It was a favorite of many of the folks on our trip.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
d184b637-9e39-516d-b298-c2dcbdea3c79
Commented on 06/05/2020

Looking at this course for my Denver trip later this month. Thanks for the insight!

Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
First Time Playing

Is not worth the green fee

The course layout is one of the best I've played. Every hole had its own personality and weaved throughout the mountains. I would love to play it again to learn the layout, unfortunately it is not worth the 100$ they charge. A lot of the greens were under repair/had spots of dead grass. Plus we had an unusual start to the round, our group already teed off and we met them on the first green. It was a good course, just isn't worth the price tag.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Great course for the most part

I recently was on a trip to Denver and decided to play Bear Dance with a few friends. I had read previous reviews and was excited to give it a go.
Tee times were scarce even a week out but we managed to get an afternoon time so we decided to get lunch at the clubhouse before playing. The menu was excellent, service great and the food arrived promptly and was great. They also have a great pro shop with very friendly staff and a great selection of apparel and other gear.
Practice facilities were also great and well maintained and the pager system similar to a restaurant was a great way to know when it was time to get to the tee box.
The course has a great layout and great views throughout and even though there were many groups out each hole is its own experience where you don’t see the other groups.
My only complaint was the greens. It might have been the fact that we were in the afternoon but they were very firm and difficult to land a ball on and keep it from running off. A few of the greens are a bit ridiculous with two to three foot mounds in them. They were fast but fair when putting but not great for the approach shots.
I also want to note that due to their native areas and the risk of fire they do not allow smoking of any kind so if you like to smoke a cigar during your round you can’t do that here.
Overall a wonderful experience for the money and I will definitely return.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Wow!

This course is now marked down as my favorite course I've ever played, and I've been fortunate to play some of the top courses in the country. Absolutely stunning layout, extravagant views, wonderful course conditions, great service, and awesome pro shop! I didn't have a SINGLE complaint. I honestly didn't want the round to end. Hole 16 is probably one of the best/coolest holes I have ever seen or played. And 17 is a very special par 3. I can't wait to play here again, you HAVE to play this golf course!!!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a month
1.0
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

SLOW!

I played in a 4-some (my friend and I were paired with 2 other people) at 7:27am on Saturday. We were told we were the 5th group out that morning. We waited on EVERY hole and the round took almost 5 hours! We saw the ranger once, and we asked about the pace of play, he rolled his eyes and seemed annoyed that we were even asking. No round of golf should take 5 hours to play. While the scenery was beautiful and the course was in good shape, were we so fed up with the slow pace that we skipped the last hole. Note: My friend made a hole in one on the 17th hole, so we were both glad we didn't end our round any earlier. Lots of good courses in the Denver area. I am crossing this one off my list due to the ridiculously slow pace of play.

Conditions Good
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Fair
Pace Poor
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Amazing Colorado Golf at Bear Dance

This course is phenomenal. It is a true Colorado Mountain Golf experience. It's close to Denver, close to Colorado Springs, but yet it's in a class of its own. Great staff, excellent course conditions and solid pace of play. This is a must for Colorado Golf!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 48
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Top 1000 Contributor
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Our Favorite Course

Played here while visiting from out of town. We heard so many recommendations, we had to give it a try. It lived up to the reputation. Great layout with beautiful scenery. Challenging holes - made you think off the tee. You can't just grab driver and smash it. Tees, fairways, and greens in excellent condition. Staff was friendly and helpful. Recommend if you're in the area.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 36
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Outstanding!

We've worked our way back east on I70 and this was the 3rd of 3 mountain courses we played.

IMO Bear Dance took 1st prize! Maybe it was because I'd played this one before, but the weather, conditions, layout, and service made this the best of the trip.

The variety of the holes made the layout more fun to play. Not every hole played downhill from an elevated tee box. Greens were the smoothest and fastest we played. While it's fairly expensive, but you feel like it's a special course, and an upscale, but not stuffy clubhouse experience.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 100
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Top 250 Contributor
Denver Advisor
Previously Played
Good weather
Used cart

Denver Area's Best

I have played here a handful of times. I think that this is a 4.5 star course and the best public access course in the Denver metro area. It is about 30 minutes south of downtown.
This course is well maintained, the routing is good with very limited housing along the fairways, the staff is nice, there is a putting and practice area, a driving range and a restaurant. In all, everything people would expect at a course. No let downs here.
The routing is the "it is all in front of you" type. Bunkers and conditioning of greens/fairways is excellent. Fairways are not too narrow, but the farther back you go, the thinner they appear. The par 3s go in different directions and will require short to mid irons-no killer length one here. The par 5s are gettable for the gargantuan driver; however, all have some strategy off the tee. They also go in different directions. The par 4s vary in length, have some elevation change and are enjoyable. Signature hole is a short par 4 guarded by bunkers and a two tier green. I can't drive it, but those who hit it far will have a choice to make. Not sure if Bear Dance should advertise a signature hole as the entire lay out is very good.
I will say the back tees are quite far back and if you are the type to enjoy challenge, play from there. My friends who are scratch love this place. I am a mid-handicapper and I find it to be great too. This place is advertised as mountain golf, but I don't find it to have 100 foot elevation changes you get up in the high country. Some elevation change, but you could walk this if you want.
If you are in the Denver area and can't get onto the private courses, this should be first on your itinerary. It gets voted best in Denver area and was #1 in 2015. A very good course and during twilight and shoulder season, a good value. A fine place to spend a day-you might even see some wild life running around the course.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 31
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

All you can handle from the tips

Spectacular in every regard. Some of the best greens in the State consistently. Have played it for years on my annual trip out to CO to play for 4 days. This one always makes the cut; it's just a special place and every hole is memorable which is rare; most notably the "bear paw" with bunkers representing the paw of a bear and one of the most undulating greens you'll ever putt on.

Great views, wildlife everywhere, few homes, wind will get you if you play late, plays long and big from the tips.

It's just a really solid test of golf and if you have not played it you need to. It's that good.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

A great course only 30min from Denver!

This is my favorite course to play, especially in the early part of the season - it's cheap, and always in great condition.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Uncharacteristic rains bring phenominal conditions to Bear Dance

I have come to the conclusion that Bear Dance is a premier course and quite challenging with opportunities to shape your drives around both left and right hand dog legs. Two par 5's are difficult to reach with a weekend warrior type drives (270 average off tee), like me. The signature hole (Bear claw cut out in the fairway) is a par 4 that will impose a severe penalty if short out of the box. It's going to take a round to learn the dynamics of this course. Long drivers will be faced with blind landing areas if over 290 from the tee. I play the Blues and find enough trouble to keep things challenging. Undulating greens roll easy with deceptive turns and multiple rollers. All greens are consistent and can be rewarding when you can lock in to your line and pace of putt... I love Bear Dance. Uncharacteristic rains recently have provided a tremendous green landscape, beautiful lush fairways, and fair 1st cuts. Penalties will be assessed applicably when off line on your shots... For an average player that shoots in the low eighties, I'd suggest bringing an extra ball. ...in the mid-nineties - bring 3... If you're over 100 on an average day at your home course, I'd strongly suggest playing up - playing your irons - get to know the course - and you'll have a blast at this course. It's fairly priced to play weekends for what you experience.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
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