Grand Traverse Resort - The Bear

Jack Nicklaus opened The Bear at Grand Traverse Resort in 1985 as one of his early signature designs, and one of the most punishing northern Michigan resort courses ever built. Pot bunkers, wide and undulating fairways with sharp falloffs, and small target greens add up to an 18th toughest course in America designation from Golf Digest. The Bear was on Golf Digest's 100 Greatest Public list for ten consecutive years and currently sits 33rd on the 2025-26 ranking (32nd the prior cycle). It's been ranked as high as 16th in Michigan (2013-14, 2017-18) and now sits 22nd. Resort-tier pricing applies. For groups expecting a cushy Nicklaus 'resort playable' experience, this isn't that. The Bear is the trophy-and-test round of a Traverse City trip.