Bear Trace At Tims Ford State Park, is a Public, 18 hole golf course located in Winchester, Tennessee.
The Bear Trace golf course opened in 1999. The course was designed by Jack Nicklaus.
The Bear Trace golf course is situated on a peninsula and surrounded by Tims Ford Lake. The design offers scenic views throughout and the deep fairway and greenside bunkers place an emphasis on shot placement. The elevation changes in the landscape is reflected in the greens, where undulating putting surfaces provide an additional challenge. The signature hole is #7, a 419-yard, par 4, which features a slight dogleg right fairway that plays uphill to the green. Tims Ford lake to the rear calls for an accurate approach shot.
Opening holes are a blend of links-style creations that gently roll across former pasture land, then gradually transition to wooded sites dominated by giant oak trees. The back nine presents a stronger test of each golfer's mettle and culminates with the 18th hole, a 453-yard, par four with traditional Nicklaus bunkers and a deep-water shoreline of Tims Ford. In all, the Tims Ford reservoir is visible from most holes on the course and comes into play on several of the 18 holes, giving the course an excellent balance of challenge and playability
The Bear Trace golf course plays to a par-71 and a maximum distance of 6,764 yards. The course rating is 72.5 with a slope rating of 130.
Gold tees: par-71, 6,764 yards, 72.5 / 130
Blue tees: par-71, 6,469 yards, 71.3 / 125
White tees: par-71, 6,109 yards, 69.6 / 120
Red tees: par-71, 5,517 yards, 66.8 / 115
Guest (cart included), played on Monday, September 2013 at 8am
Lovely setting, interesting/challenging layout, glimpses of the lake, lots of wildlife (most of it not playing!); but OMG could we spend some maintenance dollars on the traps -- half have become grass bunker out of desperation, the rest look like bomb craters, otherwise a fun experience!
$51 (cart included), played on Saturday, August 2010 at 8am
The rough was deep enough that you would have to be on top of a ball to see it at times. Probably deeper than it needed to be for recreational golfers. I'm all for a challenge, but the course is difficult enough without letting the rough grow that high. Looking for balls less than 3 yards off the fairway slowed the pace of play. Otherwise, it's a great setup.
Latest Golf Course Reviews
$41 (cart included), played on Thursday, April 2014 at 6am
Nice layout coarse in good condition for the time of year