Bear Lake Reserve Golf Club

Bear Lake Reserve Golf Club is a 9-hole, par-29 Nicklaus Design course situated at 3,400 to 3,700 feet of elevation in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Cashiers, North Carolina. Recognized as the world's first 9-hole Nicklaus Design layout, the course offers sweeping mountain views from every hole and includes two challenging par-4 holes in its short but demanding configuration.

Bear Lake Reserve Golf Club opened in 2008 as a 9-hole course — a milestone that reflects Jack Nicklaus's recognition that not every setting calls for a full 18-hole layout. The course sits within Bear Lake Reserve, a 2,100-acre gated community in Tuckasegee, North Carolina, in the Cashiers Region of the Western North Carolina mountains. The course is routed across the summit of the property, where elevations range from 3,400 to 3,700 feet above sea level. At that altitude, the air is thinner and the views are panoramic: the Blue Ridge Mountains extend in all directions, creating a setting that is as visually compelling as it is geographically remote. The course plays to 1,927 yards from the Blue tees with a par of 29 — a mix of par-3 holes and two genuine par-4 challenges that reward accurate ball-striking and local knowledge of the mountain terrain. The USGA-rated layout carries a course rating of 60.0 and slope of 117 from the Blue tees, with shorter White and Red options for players seeking a less demanding examination. Despite its compact length, the combination of elevation change, mountain wind, and tight target areas makes the course a genuine test of shot-making. Bear Lake Reserve's golf season runs from April through November, reflecting the mountain climate. The Golf Club includes a pro shop, putting green, and driving range. The broader community offers miles of Bear Creek lake frontage, walking trails, and a full complement of outdoor recreation centered on the 70-acre Bear Lake — the largest private lake in North Carolina.