Golfing In A Bear Trap: Where's The Course?

where is the bear trap golf

The Bear Trap is a treacherous stretch of holes at the Honda Classic, a golf tournament held at the PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. It includes the 15th, 16th, and 17th holes, which are known for their difficulty and have been described as a mental challenge even for professional golfers. The Bear Trap is also the name of a 27-hole golf course in Ocean View, Delaware, just 3 miles west of Bethany Beach. This course is known for its unique design, incorporating sand dunes, grassy hollows, bunkers, and water hazards.

Characteristics Values
Name Bear Trap Dunes Golf Club
Location Ocean View, Delaware, 3 miles west of Bethany Beach
Course Designer Rick Jacobson
Holes 27
Course Layout Winding bentgrass fairways lined with native wetland grasses that drift into sand dunes
Features Impeccably groomed oversized greens, four masterfully placed sets of tees, bunkers, and water hazards
Difficulty One of the most treacherous stretches of holes, requiring precision and guts
Holes Included 15th, 16th, and 17th
Yardage 15th: 179-180 yards; 16th: 430-434 yards; 17th: 140-145 yards
Par 15th: Par-3; 16th: Par-4; 17th: Par-3
Notable Tournaments Honda Classic, Cognizant Classic

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The Bear Trap Dunes Golf Club is in Ocean View, Delaware

The golf club caters to golfers of every skill level, with impeccably groomed oversized greens and four masterfully placed sets of tees. The course demands strategic thinking and precision from golfers as they navigate through the dunes, hollows, bunkers, and water hazards. The layout of the course provides a fun and challenging experience for golfers, combining the beauty of the natural landscape with the excitement of a well-designed golf course.

The Bear Trap Dunes Golf Club is known for its commitment to "profunalism", a unique philosophy that blends fun and professionalism. The golf club strives to create an environment that is exceptionally fun and professional for both guests and associates. The club has been recognised for its exceptional offerings, being voted one of the "Top Five Best Courses You Can Play in Delaware."

The Bear Trap Dunes Golf Club, with its stunning location and expertly crafted course design, offers a one-of-a-kind golfing experience that has attracted golfers from near and far to the shores of Delaware. It stands as a testament to the harmony between the beauty of nature and the strategic challenges inherent in the game of golf.

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The course was designed by Rick Jacobson

The Bear Trap Dunes Golf Club is located in Ocean View, Delaware, just 3 miles west of Bethany Beach. The course was designed by Rick Jacobson, a former associate of Jack Nicklaus. Jacobson has won acclaim for his course designs, and his design philosophy is evident at Bear Trap Dunes.

In his own words, Jacobson describes the course as:

> "visually unique because of its ample use of sand dunes – adhering to the coastal area’s natural terrain. Because of strategically placed dunes, grassy hollows, bunkers and water hazards, players will have to ‘think’ their way through each hole."

The course is a 27-hole masterpiece that offers a memorable golf experience on the Eastern Shore. The winding bentgrass fairways are lined with native wetland grasses that drift into stunning sand dunes, creating a natural golf course. The course features impeccably groomed oversized greens and four masterfully placed sets of tees that beckon golfers of every skill level.

Jacobson's design philosophy is further reflected in his strategic placement of bunkers and water hazards, which challenge players to think carefully about each hole. The course is known for its visual uniqueness, with sand dunes that adhere to the coastal area's natural terrain. This visually stunning course is not only a delight for golfers but also a testament to Jacobson's acclaimed design skills.

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It is considered one of the most treacherous stretches of golf holes

The Bear Trap is a treacherous stretch of golf holes at the PGA National's Champion Course in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. It is named after Jack Nicklaus, also known as the Golden Bear, who redesigned the course. The Bear Trap includes the 15th, 16th, and 17th holes, which are considered some of the hardest holes on the course. These holes are known for their difficulty and have earned a reputation as one of golf's most treacherous stretches.

The 15th hole, a par-3, measures around 179 to 180 yards and requires a full carry over a water hazard to the green. This hole is not particularly long, but it demands precision and courage from the players. The 16th hole is a par-4 that plays around 430 to 434 yards. While it is considered the easiest of the three holes, it still presents a challenge with a carry over the water hazard and a two-tiered putting surface that is difficult to read.

The final hole of The Bear Trap, the 17th, is a par-3 that plays about 140 to 190 yards. This hole is particularly daunting as it requires a precise shot to a green surrounded by water. Coming up short or veering too far left can result in a ball landing in the water or a tricky bunker shot. The Bear Trap has lived up to its reputation, with 76% of golfers hitting at least one ball in the water across these three holes during competitive rounds at the Honda Classic.

The Bear Trap is strategically designed to test the skills and mental fortitude of golfers. Its designer, Jack Nicklaus, intended to create holes that reward golfers with the guts and skill to hit small targets. The Bear Trap is a notable feature of the Honda Classic, and it is often considered a critical stretch of holes that can make or break a golfer's performance in the tournament.

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The Bear Trap includes the 15th, 16th and 17th holes

The Bear Trap is a treacherous stretch of holes at the famous Champion Course at PGA National, nicknamed after Jack Nicklaus, the Golden Bear, who redesigned the Championship Course. The Bear Trap includes the 15th, 16th and 17th holes, a pair of par-3s sandwiching a tough par-4. These holes are known to be extremely challenging, with water hazards and precision carries that can make or break a player's scorecard.

The 15th hole, a par-3, measures around 179 to 180 yards and requires a full carry over a water hazard to the green. This hole is not about length but precision and courage, as Nicklaus himself noted. The 16th hole is considered the easiest of the three but still presents challenges. It measures around 430 to 434 yards, and while it may be a simple wedge for professionals, amateur golfers may need to use a hybrid or long iron. The two-tiered putting surface is also notoriously difficult to read, and players can easily fall into a false sense of security if they reach the green without issue.

The 17th hole is another par-3, playing at about 140 to 145 yards for professionals and 190 yards overall. It is considered one of the toughest holes on the course, with the Sunday pin located just on the other side of the carry. Coming up short can result in a splash ball, while going long and left leads to a tricky bunker shot. This hole demands commitment and precision, with little room for error.

The Bear Trap is a memorable and strategic part of the course that has been voted one of the "Top Five Best Courses You Can Play in Delaware." It showcases Nicklaus's intention to reward golfers who have the skill and courage to navigate small targets and challenging layouts.

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It is nicknamed after Jack Nicklaus, who redesigned the course

The Bear Trap Dunes Golf Club is located in Ocean View, Delaware, just 3 miles west of Bethany Beach. It offers a unique and memorable golf experience with winding fairways lined with native wetland grasses and stunning sand dunes. The course was designed by Rick Jacobson, a former associate of Jack Nicklaus. Nicklaus, nicknamed "The Golden Bear," is known for redesigning the Championship Course at PGA National, which includes the infamous "Bear Trap."

The Bear Trap is a treacherous stretch of holes near the finish of the Champion Course. It consists of the 15th, 16th, and 17th holes, which are known as some of the hardest holes on the course. Nicklaus' intention in redesigning these holes was to reward golfers who possess both skill and courage. The 15th hole, a par-3, requires a full carry over a water hazard, demanding precision and nerve. The 16th hole, a par-4, presents a similar challenge with a carry over water, and its two-tiered putting surface adds to the difficulty. The 17th hole, another par-3, concludes the Bear Trap with yet another treacherous layout that can be unforgiving for golfers.

Nicklaus' philosophy behind the design of these holes is evident in his quote, "It's not about length, it's about precision. It's about guts." He wanted to create holes that test the golfer's mental fortitude and ability to hit small targets. The Bear Trap is known to be a challenging stretch of holes, with a high percentage of golfers hitting balls into the water. It has earned its reputation as one of the most treacherous stretches in golf, and its nickname is a fitting tribute to Nicklaus' redesign.

The Bear Trap has become a legendary part of the Honda Classic, often deciding the outcome of the tournament. It is a true test of skill and nerve for golfers, and its design by Nicklaus has left an enduring impact on the game. The nickname "The Bear Trap," inspired by Nicklaus' own nickname, is a testament to the course's challenging nature and the respect commanded by Nicklaus' design skills.

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Frequently asked questions

Bear Trap Dunes Golf Club is located in Ocean View, Delaware, just 3 miles west of Bethany Beach.

The Bear Trap is a treacherous stretch of holes near the finish of the famous Champion Course at PGA National. It includes the 15th, 16th, and 17th holes, which are known for their difficulty.

The Bear Trap is notorious for its water hazards. The 15th hole, for example, requires a full carry over a water hazard to reach the green. These holes demand precision and strategic thinking from golfers.

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