As a first time visitor who prefers shorter, tree lined, technical courses at the intermediate level of difficulty, Bear Branch's new design made for an ideal stop on a late Texas afternoon. From its beautiful, large, level, concrete tees, through quality, informative tee signage, from an abundance of 'next tee' signs when needed, through benches, bridges, and steps, and finally to its new 24 chain dga baskets, this course delivers on all the amenities.

But the design of the course is what really leaves a positive impression. Given the flat terrain and limited space available in the wooded periphery of a soccer sports complex, the first few holes give you opportunities to shape shots right to left, L-R, R-L, then straight, and that level of variety is maintained for 18 holes. Hole distances are in the recreational to intermediate range, with most between 225 and 275 feet, but mixed in are a couple under 200', and a couple between 370 and 445'. There is a pond to the left of holes 6 and 15, but plenty of room to play it safe if you want to keep your discs dry.

Course flow is fine, and easy to follow for any first timer who brings the map and watches the signs, though there are a couple of walks between holes. Hazards at adjoining fairways are kept to a minimum. You may want to walk ahead to locate tees the first time through, but the signs really help if you want to throw 'blind' on the handful of holes where you can't see the basket from the tee.

The course lies in a bit of a flood plain, and is both flat, and prone to hold water. The soil is sandy, so it won't get you too muddy, but there are a lot of mosquitoes in season. There's not a lot of 'distance' on this course, if that's what you're looking for. The wooded lanes, though fair for intermediate skill levels and above, may still result in tree kicks for beginners, recreational players, and even guys who want to force ace runs out of every chance.

On the positive side, those tree kicks are unlikely to result in a lost disc, as the piney woods reduce most thick underbrush. Finally, there are unavoidable walks from time to time (especially from 16 to 17 & from 18 back to your car).

If you are coming to Bear Branch for the first time, go to the last soccer fields on the left, and not to the church parking lot beyond. You'll see the course map and the entry to the woods at hole 1. Enjoy: it's a great opening hole.

As a disc golfer approaching 7 years and 300 reviews, bordering on intermediate skills, while playing with folks from 7 to 87 years old, I try to write reviews helpful to all.

(Review note: Course comparisons made are to the original layout and not the first redesign. Number of times played is new design only) First, I love the placement of the new #1 tee box. Having the first box on the far side of the park makes it easier for golfers to park away from the soccer crowds. Plus, there is no more walk clear across the soccer fields just to start and end the course. It just makes sense.

Logistically, the course is laid out very well with only minor long walks between holes and making sure to end in relative proximity to the beginning. Signage is a major improvement, and having the increased number of "next tee" signs is extremely helpful for first-timers to the course. The concrete pads are ample sized and well-brushed for good traction.

The redesigned holes also place a premium on accuracy over distance, maximizing the small space the course designers had to work with. However, even with the focus on accuracy, none of the holes felt "unfair" in that chutes and lanes are so tight you have to be lucky rather than good. Finally, even a short layout, the designers made sure to just enough hyzer versus anhyzer holes to ensure all players are equally challenged.

BEST HOLE/S: #1

To me the cons are more like courses preferences. First, the course is short - clocking in at almost 4900'. There is one hole, (#6) where a big arm could even think about opening up. If big wide open long holes are your preference, then you'll love this new design just about as much as you enjoyed the old design. Overall transitions between holes are good, but first-timers can still benefit from the map because of the blind long walks from #14-#17.

One of my personal sad notes is I wish the lake had been incorporated into the new design a bit more. There are two holes, (#6 & #15) where the lake could even remotely come into play, but if you are an intermediate player or above - these will absolutely not be a problem. I remember when I first started playing disc golf, and holes 3 & 4 (old design) would loom to my newbie arm. Although they weren't fantastic holes in general, they are some of the few I will always remember simply because of the water - so nostalgia me missed that bit of challenge in this new course. #17 made me laugh because the old #17 was simply awful if you tried to run the chute, but the new hole is better but still similar in approach. However, you can still bomb it around the outside of the trees, so if the designers wanted to really make the players work - they need to make #17 a mando going left off the tee.

WORST HOLE/S: #17

Besides Agnes Moffitt Park, Bear Branch is one of those courses that I've played for so long - it's more like an old friend to me. And unlike Agnes, it was a course that forced me to throw straight and accurate. It wasn't the best course, or really even a great course - but I loved it dearly and it helped ignite my passion for disc golf. So having said that - I'm happy to say that new course felt fresh, but thankfully didn't bastardize the feel the old wooded course originally strived to be. 3.5 discs might be a touch generous because it's still not the best course, and will never be considered a top tier course in Texas, but it's well-loved by a dedicated group of locals - and in the end that may be the most important thing of all.

This course is good for beginners as well as expert players.

this would have gotten a 5 from me but with the changes done to the course layout the tee markers need to be updated and put back in the ground.

Beware after rain days holes 10-16 get pretty mucky.