White Bear Yacht Club – Played September 2021
- Rankings: None of my four lists
- Location: 56 Dellwood Avenue, Dellwood, Minnesota
- Year: 1912
- Original Architects: Donald Ross & Willie Watson
- Course Access: Private
- Walking Rules: Carts & Caddies Available
Score Card Information:
- Blue: 6,471 yards, Par 72, 72.1 Rating/132 Slope
- White: 6,266 yards, Par 72, 71.2 Rating/131 Slope
- Gold: 5,823 yards, Par 72, 69.0 Rating/127 Slope
- Red: 5,658 yards, Par 74, 73.3 Rating/134 Slope
After a wonderful day at Interlachen and Hazeltine, I headed a little bit outside of the metro area to see White Bear Yacht Club. That might be one of the best golf course names I’ve come across.
Through my burgeoning interest in golf course architecture, I’d heard about White Bear before. Additionally, as has been the theme so far on this trip, I had a connection through the No Laying Up message board.
I met up with Nick, Nick’s mom, and Tyler to check out this wild golf course. You’ll see from the photos, but the course heaves and dips over crazy land.
White Bear Yacht Club has a long history dating back before the original nine holes from 1912. Before the turn of the century the club was founded around sailing. Since then the club has hosted many tournaments and was the home of 1929 US Amateur winner Jimmy Johnston and head pro Tom Vardon. You may have heard of his brother Harry.
A fun aside from the club’s history page is that F Scott Fitzgerald and Zelda occupied a room in the clubhouse in 1921. They were apparently too wild and had to relocate.
Let’s start the show. The sign below greets you upon your arrival.
White Bear Yacht Club has an excellent logo, showcased here on the intricate hole markers.
All hole yardages are from the blue tees.
Hole 1 – 405 yards – Par 4
It’s no easy start to this round. The contouring and elevation change punch you in the mouth from the beginning. I love it.
For all the slopes you get in the fairway, the green is relatively tame.
Hole 2 – 429 yards – Par 4
A big drive can really help you out here. The fairway slopes to the right, so accurate drives will likely end up on that side. The approach shot plays to a relatively tame green which is fair due to the length of the hole.
Hole 3 – 133 yards – Par 3
I love quirk in golf courses and this hole is an epitome of that. Much of the green is obscured by the hill on the right and any left miss is absolutely screwed. It’s a short shot but you are absolutely nervous to hit it. Thrilling!
Hole 4 – 552 yards – Par 5
The high heather that is seen straightaway is in play on your tee shot. Laying back or aiming up the right is imperative. The characteristic fairway contours continue on this hole.
Hole 5 – 441 yards – Par 4
You don’t often find holes that play over roads, but they are more common on older courses for some reason. Unleash the driver on this long par four. The slope on the left side may slow down drives, but that side is best for the approach. It’s a real cost/benefit decision.
Hole 6 – 152 yards – Par 3
With the downhill grade, I found this hole played much less than the yardage. Short is also better than long, so that factors in as well.
Hole 7 – 457 yards – Par 5
The length may not scare you on this tee, but the slopes all over and heather down the right should.
Second shots must not be indifferent as there is a big slope in front of the green. You can have some interesting chips around this putting surface.
Hole 8 – 189 yards – Par 3
Quirk shows up again with three par threes on the front. Any left misses here leave you with a challenging chip from well below the green.
Hole 9 – 514 yards – Par 5
This might be the quintessential hole at White Bear Yacht Club. You cannot see the green until you get pretty close. The fairway contouring is turned up to the maximum, as evidenced by the view in the second shot. On the approach shot you can be creative playing along the ground or carry the ball all the way to the green. Choices abound!
Hole 10 – 332 yards – Par 4
Hitting the fairway is a big advantage when playing to this green. The putting surface is elevated and mostly blind. To add to the challenge, it is also one of the smaller targets.
Hole 11 – 180 yards – Par 3
Epic, almost comical slope characterizes this green. If you find yourself in the wrong section, be happy with a three putt!
Hole 12 – 383 yards – Par 4
Back across the road we go. The view from this tee box is certainly unique. A wide fairway is guarded by bunkers on the right before it gives way to a sunken, obscured green. Very interesting hole from start to finish.
Hole 13 – 514 yards – Par 5
Not many of the holes at White Bear Yacht Club feel tight from the tee. This is an example of what “tight” is here. It’s still pretty generous especially if you treat it as a three shot hole and play for accuracy.
The fairway mounding doesn’t quit out here!
Hole 14 – 336 yards – Par 4
I was told there had been some work on this hole and it had been changed a bit. The dogleg right did feel a bit out of place. The tee shot would become easier with multiple plays.
Bunkers guard the green, but I would argue the small size and extreme slope are the bigger challenges.
If I’m being honest, I thought this green was too severe for its size.
Hole 15 – 423 yards – Par 4
As you’ve seen the par fours here can be very difficult. The 15th is no exception, but if you can hit a drive up the left it shortens this hole a bit.
This look at the second shot can induce some fear.
But upon getting closer you see that the green is open in front and accepting of run up shots. A good mix of length with accommodating architecture.
Hole 16 – 483 yards – Par 5
It wasn’t apparent what this hole was doing on my first look. The green sits out in the distance, slightly to the right. With a hazard to the left, power fades play well here.
My drive left me with no view of the green and relying on my host for direction. He did a good job!
Short grass surrounds the green and can make for some awkward chips. For a short par five, it’s pretty devilish.
Hole 17 – 205 yards – Par 3
The final par three takes you on a straightforward journey. Can you you hit a longer shot to a bigger green while avoiding the bunker? No crazy slopes or elevation change here.
Hole 18 – 343 yards – Par 4
The finishing hole evokes Ireland with a blind tee shot marked by a “white bear” aiming rock. Driver is not needed and arguably not advised as a comfortable wedge yardage for the approach is paramount.
A good drive puts you in attack mode with a short club.
My day at White Bear Yacht Club was phenomenal. First, the company was top notch. On a long solo trip, I was grateful for the open arms of my No Laying Up friends. Second, the course spoke to me in a way not many do. So much quirk and interesting architecture. The membership has something special here. What a day!