PLAYROUND COURSE GUIDE

How to Play Bear Creek Golf Complex — Bear Course

Course strategy, tee-specific yardages and a hole-by-hole game plan for Bear Creek Golf Complex — Bear Course in Chandler, AZ.

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Bear Creek Golf Complex — Bear Course golf course

Bear Creek Golf Complex — Bear Course

Chandler, AZ
Gold tees · 6,825 yards
COURSE OVERVIEW

About Bear Creek Golf Complex — Bear Course

Designed by the Nicklaus Design Group and architect Bill O'Leary, the Bear Course at Bear Creek Golf Complex in Chandler, AZ, is a championship 18-hole inland links layout. Opening in 2000, the par-71 course features rolling fairways, strategic pot bunkering, tightly mown green surrounds, and exposed desert valley terrain where wind plays a significant factor in shotmaking.

COURSE STRATEGY

How to play Bear Creek Golf Complex — Bear Course

Off the tee

Rolling inland links fairways give golfers generous landing areas, but strategic pot bunkers and native rough penalize off-target drives. Wind across the open Chandler valley strongly influences tee-shot distance and direction, making target selection crucial.

Elevation & terrain

Situated on former valley agricultural land, the terrain is essentially flat with minimal natural elevation change. Environmental adjustments come almost entirely from wind velocity rather than elevation changes.

Approach play

Approach shots require trajectory control to navigate wind and hold firm, well-conditioned greens. Bunkering guards most green complexes, while water hazards come into play on key holes such as Hole 5 and the finishing Hole 18.

Around the greens

Green complexes feature tightly mown collection areas, subtle swales, and strategic pot bunkers. Missed greens demand versatile short-game options, including bump-and-run chips from shaved fringe areas or clean splash shots from fluffy sand bunkers.

Best way to play it

Play conservatively off the tee to avoid strategic pot bunkers and position drives on the open sides of fairways. Manage wind carefully on approach shots by hitting to green centers, and judge risk-reward decisions wisely on the drivable 16th and hazard-lined 18th.

Key takeaways

  • Inland links-style layout designed by Nicklaus Design Group and Bill O'Leary featuring rolling fairways and strategic pot bunkers.
  • Flat desert valley setting makes wind direction and trajectory control the primary tactical considerations.
  • Notable stretch on the back nine features the drivable par-4 16th playing downwind followed by the long par-3 17th into the prevailing wind.
  • Risk-reward par-5 18th hole features an approach shot threatened by water left and a signature heart-shaped bunker right.
YOUR GAME PLAN

Hole-by-hole game plan

Hole
Par
Yards
HCP
Strategy
1
4
397
13
Target the center of the fairway off the tee to establish a comfortable line into a green guarded by sand.
Your 240 yd driver · ~157 yards remaining by raw distance.
2
3
154
15
Select enough club to carry front bunkering and target the center of the green surface.
3
5
513
17
Favor the fairway center off the tee, then position the second shot short of sand hazards to set up a clean wedge approach.
Your 240 yd driver · ~273 yards remaining by raw distance. Plan this primarily as a three-shot hole.
4
4
363
9
Drive toward the left-center of the fairway to avoid right-hand bunkering and create an open approach angle.
Your 240 yd driver · ~123 yards remaining by raw distance.
5
3
179
5
Club up to handle crosswinds and favor the left side of the green to keep the water hazard on the right out of play.
6
5
556
7
Play a controlled tee shot to the wider fairway section and layup short of sand hazards before pitching onto the green.
Your 240 yd driver · ~316 yards remaining by raw distance. Plan this primarily as a three-shot hole.
7
4
421
3
Focus on finding the fairway off the tee to leave a manageable mid-iron into a protected green complex.
Your 240 yd driver · ~181 yards remaining by raw distance.
8
3
211
11
Choose enough club to clear front sand hazards and aim for the center of the putting surface.
9
4
458
1
Hit a long and accurate drive to navigate the dogleg, setting up a solid long approach into a well-guarded green.
Your 240 yd driver · ~218 yards remaining by raw distance.
10
4
437
4
Aim for the center-left side of the fairway off the tee to bypass right-side sand and secure a clean approach angle.
Your 240 yd driver · ~197 yards remaining by raw distance.
11
4
460
2
Focus on finding the main fairway corridor off the tee and take a conservative approach toward the center of the green.
Your 240 yd driver · ~220 yards remaining by raw distance.
12
5
531
16
Lay up short of fairway pot bunkers on your second shot to set up an uncomplicated wedge onto the green.
Your 240 yd driver · ~291 yards remaining by raw distance. Plan this primarily as a three-shot hole.
13
4
406
10
Favor the wider section of the fairway off the tee away from sand traps to set up a short-iron approach.
Your 240 yd driver · ~166 yards remaining by raw distance.
14
4
458
14
Hit a controlled drive down the center-left and aim for the middle of the green on your approach shot.
Your 240 yd driver · ~218 yards remaining by raw distance.
15
3
196
12
Check the wind direction and aim for the center of the putting surface to avoid surrounding sand traps.
16
4
299
18
Take advantage of downwind conditions with an aggressive line off the tee or layup safely to wedge distance.
Your 240 yd driver · ~59 yards remaining by raw distance. Favor position and approach angle over extra tee-shot distance.
17
3
228
8
Club up significantly to compensate for the headwind, aiming for the center of the large green.
18
5
558
6
Find the fairway with a long straight drive, then target the larger front portion of the green on your approach to clear hazards left and right.
Your 240 yd driver · ~318 yards remaining by raw distance. Plan this primarily as a three-shot hole.

Course information and strategy are provided for planning purposes. Yardages, course setup, hazards and playing conditions can change. Always confirm current course information before your round.