Are you as much of a fan of Jack Nicklaus designed golf courses as I am? If you are than there are two places in the United States you will want to visit - Atlanta, Georgia and Las Vegas, Nevada. Both of these cities have what are named Bear's Best golf courses. These golf courses are a collection of 18 holes, hand picked by Jack Nicklaus, from his various golf courses around the country.

In 2001 Las Vegas became home to the first Bear's Best Golf Club. Since it was opened it has been one of the most popular golf courses in the city. Some of the many golf courses featured within the 18 holes include PGA West (Private), Cabo Del Sol, Old Works Golf Club and Castle Pines Golf Club. Many of the holes you will find on this golf course come from the desert southwest, and the landscape of Las Vegas is best suited to these types of golf courses.

One of the very unique things about this golf course is the use of black sand that was shipped in from the Old Works Golf Club in Montana. This black sand can be found in all the bunkers of the Old Works and is a by-product of the copper smelting process which use to occupy the land on which the golf course now sits. Additionally you will find that Bear's Best Las Vegas is one of the best-manicured golf courses in the city. The large fairways are firm and the greens are quick and receptive. Be sure to check out this must-play golf course on your next visit to Las Vegas.

The Bear's Best Atlanta was opened in 2002 and became a great sister course on the east coast. Some of the golf courses represented on this track include Muirfield Village, Sherwood Country Club and Shoal Creek Country Club. There is a distinct design difference between the east and west coast versions of this model. The Atlanta clubs feature many holes with tree-lined fairways and intimidating water hazards.

Once again, you will find some holes from Old Works on this track that feature the distinctive black sand. As with any Nicklaus designed golf course you can expect to find large greens and be playing lots of long irons into the greens. This golf course measures over 7,000 yards from the back tee but can play well for any skill level of golfer. The first hole at Bear's Best Atlanta is a mid-length par-4 that features a 100-foot drop from the tee to green. What a very dramatic way to start a round of golf!!!

When you are playing golf in Las Vegas you might want to check out these other fine golf courses: Siena Golf Club, Red Rock Golf Club and TPC Las Vegas.

Other golf courses you might enjoy in Georgia include Sea Island Golf Club, The Club at Savannah Harbor and Callaway Gardens Resort.

Jack Nicklaus Designs Golf Courses to Suit His Game
Jack Nicklaus is one of the finest players ever to play the game of golf. Many of the records he set a decade ago are still on the record books and look to be there for a long time. In addition to being a golfing phenomenon, he is also considered to