Orlando Trip Report – Golden Bear Club at Keene’s Pointe

We ended our trip with playing the Golden Bear Club at Keene’s Pointe and it was such a great course. It is another great Jack Nicklaus designed course with a mixture of both tough and easier holes. It was completely different than Grand Cypress Golf Club New course (read that review here) and we enjoyed the difference from the links style to more parkland.

The first hole is straight forward. Keep it right of the bunkers on the left on your drive, and the miss is right for your approach to the green. And just like any Nicklaus designed course, the greens will have plenty of undulations and definite quadrants as well so make sure you take aim correctly. Hole 2 is the shortest par 4 on the course. Just a couple of smaller fairway bunkers, there isn’t much trouble, so take dead aim for an easier approach shot. The 3rd hole is the first par 5, and for the majority of people be a 3 shot hole, playing 604 from the tips. The tee shot is tricky as longer hitters can carry the bunker on the right but stay away from the bunkers on the left. The best approach into the green is from right to left so keep your lay up to the right hand side for pin seeking approach. The 4th hole is another short par 4. Hit something off the tee that will keep you short of the bunker on the left. If you feel like taking out the big stick, thread the needle just right of the left bunker. The green is flatter than most so go for the pin as long it is not nestled behind the small bunker in the front left. Hole 5 is the first par 3 you will face, and by far the shortest. At 168 from the tips, it isn’t far but a good shot will be needed. Water is right and anything left and longer will be a tough up and down from the bunker. Just short of the green left would be your miss. Hole 6 is the second longest par 4 on the front and the fairway narrows the further down it goes. There is plenty of room for a good drive though. Stay right on your approach as there are 3 unforgiving bunkers to the left.

The 7th hole is an unforgiving par 3 with some large undulations on the green. Take aim and commit to your shot because anywhere else will be a tough up and down. Hole 8 is a par 5 you can get to in 2, but you need a good tee shot as there are bunkers short right and long left. There is plenty of room left of the green for your second shot, which is also a great place to lay up to as well. The play in my opinion is a longer lay up staying on the left side giving yourself a straight shot into the green. Hole 9 is ranked the 3rd toughest and definitely plays that way. The further left you can keep your tee shot, the shorter approach you will have. The only concession on this hole is that there is room left of the green and the green itself is pretty flat. Make the turn and start on hole 10 and keep your tee shot short of the long bunker on the left. This hole plays much tougher than its 14 handicap. There isn’t much room for error as the green is guarded by 3 bunkers on the front, left and right not much room behind. Hole 11 is another par 5, with the smart play taking 3 strokes to reach the green unless you have tour level driving distance. Just avoid the bunker on the right with your tee shot and keep your second shot away from the water that is on the right hand side of the fairway. Although the green is guarded by 3 bunkers and water, it is very receiving so take aim and get yourself a good birdie attempt. Hole 12 in my opinion the toughest of the par 3’s. With water on 3 sides, and playing at 207 from the tips, it is no easy task. There is room short and left if you don’t feel like taking aim for the green.

The 13th hole is the second hardest hole according to handicap, and boy does it play that way. With water extending up the far right and a collection of bunkers on the left, the tee shot is not easy. If you do find your self in the fairway, the approach is much easier to this slightly elevated green. Use a right to left shot shape and miss right if need be to avoid the bunker on the left. Hole 14 doesn’t get much easier as there are 3 bunkers in the middle of the fairway. Take them on if you want as the fairway extends a little but closer on the right. This will give yourself a good look at a green that isn’t as tough as the several ones you have just played. Just avoid the bunker right and you will walk away happy. Hole 15 will make you cringe when you look at it but keep your tee shot on the right hand side of the fairway short of the large bunker on the right. keep your approach towards the back of the green as there is more room for error there.

When I play any Jack Nicklaus Designed course, I always look towards the 3 finishing holes. He is one of the best in this regard in my opinion. (Check out the Jack Nicklaus designed Traditions Club for another great set of finishing holes). The last 3 holes at the Golden Bear Club at Keene’s Pointe are no exception. Starting with hole 16, you will face the longest par 3 of the day. Long but fair, keep your shot on the right hand side to avoid the penal bunker on the left. Hole 17 is a fun par 5, that you easily get to in 2 if you have a good tee shot that avoids the bunkers on both sides. With your second shot, carry the bunkers on the left as there is plenty of room behind them and up to the green. Do this and head the the 18th with confidence. On 18, keep your tee shot on the right hand side away from the largest bunker in play on the left. Avoid the water left on your approach and you will complete your round with no worse than par.

We enjoyed our time in Orlando, and will be back. We saved a bunch of money on our flight and hotel (read here how!) which was the main reason we decided to travel to Orlando. The golf is making us want to come back!