Variety of lines and shots.
Well kept, even after storms.
Challenging
Beautiful scenery.
Solid baskets.
Well Marked Trails.

Still has mixed tee pads (I know they are working on getting them all concrete and it just takes time and effort) When all the Teepads are installed it will bump my review to a 5*
Not for the faint of heart, a couple of the trails between holes are a little challenging.

This is a very well designed course that has potential to be world class. With time and $$ the park could smooth the transitions between holes with some steps and a bit of work on the trails.

The holes are phenomenal with a variety of options to make you break out some of those less used discs in your bag.

I wish I lived closer so I could spend more time working on my skills here. It would definitely help improve my game.

Many improvements have been made recently with new Tee pads and Tee Signs. The course makes for a great workout both mentally and physically.

If you aren't ready to climb large hills then this course may not be for you. Black Bear goes up two large hills and can wear you down quick if you aren't ready. Make sure you bring water!

this course is not for the faint of heart. it's definitely physically challenging and it puts your disc golfing game to the test. The scenery is stunning. The course is great. No standing water really comes into play until the creek on 17 & 18-- but there are plenty of other ways to lose discs and/or get into trouble. Course is thoughtfully laid out; the first and last 2 holes are conveniently at the bottom of the hillside close to the lake, near the entrance of the Shawnee State Lodge roadway. It gets interesting very quickly as you negotiate the forest and its rugged terrain, climbing the hill, one basket and bucket of sweat at a time... up to the top where the Lodge is located. You get somewhat of a break rounding off the front 9 on a somewhat level grassy knoll...
Fantastic facilities all around-- love this place. Teeing off the water tower/reservoir on #11 was a highlight...

terrain is a bear!; plethora of thorns & poison ivy; no cell service (just a head's up)

It's readily apparent this course has come a long way in a short time, and the people who invest their sweat equity are true ambassadors of the sport! I'm looking forward to the next round already-- see ya at the tournament in September if not sooner!

*Major note- I am the co-designer, founder, and main work-mule for this course*

Since I was a kid, I have been coming to Shawnee State Park. It was always great plaing in the lake, fishing, hiking, and what not... but after discovering disc golf in my mid 20s, I knew what it was missing. I am very thankful to a great parks department for allowing/helping me get this course in the ground.

Due to the small (but growing) population of Black Bears in the local area, I lovingly bestowed a majestic name upon this course. I think it is quite fitting. Without detailing each hole, I will say that the course starts wide open with some OB right,long, and left. The course then winds itself up the hill through dense forest. There are long holes, there are short holes. There are uphills, downhills, sidehills. The putting greens often find themselves near roll away or death putt areas. Definitely holes that can kill your momentum with large numbers over par, and holes thrown in between to help boost your confidence and give a chance at ace. One of the great moments is a very elevated shot, teeing off of the peak of the hill that you just ascended (actually from water reservoir) for an ace run. Finally, the last few holes are in the open and re-introduce you to the sky (that you probably haven't seen much of in the last few hours.

*update 2019- After having just had Black Bear Open 2, this course is looking amazing right now. Parks has been huge in supporting us this year. We have cleared logs off of holes 3, 4, 5, 6, 9. Still have lots of work to do... but it is really taking shape. New since last review update are stairs on hole 4 down to the creek, rock steps going up to 4s basket and 1/3rd of the way up to 5. Picnic table put in by the mountain bikers on hole 10. Direction arrows on each basket to the next tee. Still need directional arrows between walks.

Edit 9/29/22: Just had BBO4 this past weekend! Course is the best it has ever looked. We had 88 players this weekend. Turf tees on 2,5,6,12,13,15. We are also looking into making hole 19-21 permanent or at least seasonal. This time next year, we will have Tomahawk DGC also available to play at Shawnee State Park.

Edit: 9/13/21:

Lots of cons have been addressed. The fairways are becoming more fair. Small trees removed this year on 4, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12. Got some new placements in on 5, 8, 12, 18. Course has recently been weedeated down to the nubs. Carpet tees on 2, 12, and 13. Every hole now has permanent tee signs.

Big things to come this winter after BBO3 on 9/25!

Edit 8/6/2020: To address people getting lost. There is a course map at the Kiosk beside hole 1. This is updated and directly from collaboration with Udisc, GPS map. This map is posted on each of the 6 next tee signs located on the course. New tee signs are designed, and will be posted soon. The permanent tee signs are submitted to the state and are waiting to be made by the state.

There are still 6 hard packed dirt tees. Plan is to replace these with local supply nice texture surface pavers.

Holes 4, 5, 6 still in the works in regards to clearing but looking much better.


Edit 9/21/17: Previous cons have now mostly been fixed. We have temp signs for every hole. Have concrete pads on 7/18 long pads. We do still need to fill around these. Good chance of getting 6 more tees concrete this fall. Kiosk is now built and has some info on it.

We are awaiting good metal tee signs in the very near future


Clearing- this is getting better with more regular play. Still hole 4, 5, 6 need some work. This fall, we will finish up cutting a few more trees, and this should make fairways more fair.

Benches- We just need to get some guys to make some benches... heck even strip and polyurethane some short logs.

Also, pictures on dgcr are old and do not correctly correlate with the numbers and distance on those holes. Will take new pics in the spring when all teepads are completed.

With all of the upgrades, this course is now a solid 4.5 in my book. Maybe some of that rating is on potential, but man it is playing great right now.

This is a Blue rated, very technical and difficult course. Not for whimps or whiners

If you have time to kill and want a beer, the lodge is a great place to take a break between holes 12 and 13. They have pretty good food also. I will have to check and post their hours.

Camping and lodge nearby!

This will be a great place for tournaments in the future. Parks has another large parcel of acreage for us in the future near the ball golf course on the river. 5 years from now, we will be able to host a killer 2 day tournament. (This is coming closer to fruition as of 2021).

Also of note, this course is the equivalent to leg day. You are going to be sore in a good way for a few days.

Make sure to stop in and speak to the park office and thank them for the course. I hope everybody has a great time out there!