Review Date
December 29, 2006

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Reviewed by: Kevy59, Shoots in the 80s

Summary:
Bear Ridge Golf Course in Waco, Texas is located on the southwest end of town, down Highway 84. The clubhouse is decent, along with the grille. The driving range is all-grass and level, but the actual area of the range is very hilly and hence not conducive to solid practicing. Now about the course itself. The positives: it is a nice track of 18 holes (par 72) with six different sets of tees. There is enough variety with the differing holes that it is generally a good test of your golf game. It feels as though you are alone on each hole (not parallel to all the others). The track mixes the need for fades and draws and also provides greens with enough pin placements to require different approach shots depending on the day of the week. The negatives: the greens are absolutely awful ... unkept, diseased and splotchy (ouch). The bunkers are more than firm and closer to cement. Two of the four par-5's are basically three-shot holes ... no risk/rewards, only a test of patience. The residents of the area are ALWAYS on the course (walking, jumping on for free, playing with their dogs, even playing frisbee) which is very "bush-league." In short, it is a course which can be fun, but only if one starts off by realizing that they will be playing at a facility that likes to think it is pseudo-private club, but in reality is more like a muni.

Customer Service:
The staff is generally nice but hampered by the clearly lacking budgetary considerations. You will see a staffer when you pay for your green fee and then you can pretty much forget about seeing anyone with any connection to the staff until you return your cart.

Similar Courses Played:
This course reminds me of Bluebonnet Hill GC in Austin and also of Iron Horse GC in Fort Worth (NRH). A good way to think about Bear Ridge would be to imagine a Fazio course that gets taken over by the American Golf Corp. and then completely run into the ground.

Review Date
May 31, 2005

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: divotman, Shoots in the 80s

Summary:
a challenging course, with some tight fairways. the par 5's require smart play, tempting you to go for it but the better choice often is to layup. one of the par 3's has an elevated green playing at least 2 clubs longer, more if the wind is in your face. fairways are average, greens are fast and undulating. the clubhouse looks like an old barn. this club is host to the Baylor golf team.

Customer Service:
fair