Grand Bear Golf Course is nestled in the southern end of DeSoto National Forest. It’s not far from the gulf coast and Biloxi Mississippi. The drive in is quite unique. It’s a lone six-mile road that’s the only access to the property. It’s a serene drive through the tunnel of pine trees and brush that’s native to the gulf coast region. Quite peaceful.
Grand Bear is a Jack Nicklaus designed course that was built back in 1999. It immediately received national acclaim in the public access rankings as a top golf course that all can play. It’s a beautiful course that checks everything a golfer wants in a golf course. There are no homes dotting the fairways. The conditioning is very good. There’s a true serenity to the layout as the course doesn’t even have two parallel fairways. It’s public access golf with a seclusion and private club feel.
Grand Bear checks all the boxes of a Jack Nicklaus designed golf course. It’s generous off the fairway giving all golfers room to get on their way. Yet, it requires a golf shot on the approach as most of the greens have a preferred angle of attack. Additionally, there’s definitely places where you don’t want to miss. The course is really fair, but I’d imagine most would play it better on their second go around with some local knowledge.
The property boasts an enormous log cabin lodge style clubhouse. While it seems a bit out of place for the region, it’s impressive and boasts views of the 9th and 18th holes. The course winds through the property presenting holes that run along both the Biloxi River and the Little Biloxi River. It’s a beautiful property that has wildlife all over the course. The day we were there a small herd of deer darted across the par-5 15th hole.
There’s a lot of really good holes on the course. To me, the signature and best hole is the Par-4 17th. It’s a dogleg left where golfers get to smash a drive across the Biloxi River cutting off all they dare to take on. I recommend playing that hole from the back tees aptly named the grizzly tees to get the full experience. If you’re looking for a peaceful round of golf, don’t miss Grand Bear. It’s a need to play golf course if you are in the Biloxi area.
