Which Bethpage course to play OTHER than black?

[Big D McGee]

I'm gonna be moving out of the area soon, so I'm putting together a list of courses I'd like to play. I certainly would like to play the BP Black; however with a 15.8 handicap and no time to wait in the car overnight, I don't think I'd enjoy playing Black. I'd struggle to break 120, I'm sure.

 

Still, I'd like the experience of playing one of the sister courses. Which course is easiest to get on as a single? Which would be suitable for a 15.8 handicap. I don't need to shoot in the 80's, but I'd like to break 100. Which of the sister courses has the best collection of holes?

 

Thanks very much for any input; I plan on playing in mid-september when the humidity is gone.

[EHSgolf11]

I just played there, all the courses are spectacular. To suit you, I would reccommend either the Blue course or the Green course. Good luck!

[bethpage16]

Play the black. then play the red... also drive to montauk and play montaulk downs....

 

handicap is not as relevant to enjoying the course if you can drive the ball.... play bogey golf (target getting on the green in three, if you are not in the fairway) and you will be fine....

[Big D McGee]

^^I was thinking the same thing, just enjoy the round. I was just worried that, as a single, the guys I was playing with might get a little peeved. But even if I am shooting a high #, I can keep up.

 

How can a single get on the Black course without camping out overnight?

[vikingbulldog]

I just played the Black two weeks ago with my girlfriend. We used the phone reservation system as out-of-staters and got an 11:48 tee time on Saturday. I am a 10, she is a 30, though she plays fast and was waiting for us several times. I shot a 90, she shot 125. The two guys we were paired with were great (two locals) and gave us a lot of local knowledge of the course. They couldn't have cared less that there was a girl in the group. I ended up shooting lower than both of them, and they were similar handicaps.

 

I wouldn't hesitate to play the Black at your handicap if you can keep up with pace of play (which is fairly slow, 5 1/2 hours). The group in front and back of us had players that were probably higher handicaps than yours. It not as if everyone playing the Black is a scratch golfer.

 

Get there early in the morning and as a single and they should be able to put you into a group. If you want a definite tee-time, register in the phone reservation system. It's not as hard as some people think. I was planning a visit for today until a couple of buddies had to cancel, but anyway, on Friday night I was able to get a 1:00 pm tee time for today for a foursome. Getting in as a single on the phone reservation system is pretty easy, especially during the week.

 

Fax a copy of your driver's license, and write your ss# down on the paper with phone # too. Fax to (516) 753-0413. You should be in the system in three days. Then call (516) 249-0707 and follow the instructions to make a tee time. As out-of-state, you can only make tee times 2 days in advance, and you have to wait until 7:00 pm to call for 2 days ahead. For the next day you can call anytime you want to. If you call at 7:00 be prepared to have to redial many times until you get in.

 

While you're up there, play the Red course too. Easy to get on too through the system. If you're lucky, you can work it out to play them both the same day.

 

It's definately worth the hassle of getting a tee time. THE best course I have ever played, and I have played some famous/great courses. Can't wait to get back.

[Big D McGee]

Awesome, thanks for the detailed info! I'll start planning a 36-hole day for mid-September!

[WRXJIM]

Awesome, thanks for the detailed info! I'll start planning a 36-hole day for mid-September!

 

Hey there, Im in Queens, Im a "loner" as well, and always have to play as a single :beach:

 

I am a 16 h/c and would be keen to go play a couple of rounds when you go, then we can go as a pair and have a better chance of a reserved Tee Time...

 

I have also heard that any of the courses are GREAT!!! so I would be keen for any of them.

 

Jamie

[Big D McGee]

Awesome, thanks for the detailed info! I'll start planning a 36-hole day for mid-September!

 

Hey there, Im in Queens, Im a "loner" as well, and always have to play as a single :good:

 

I am a 16 h/c and would be keen to go play a couple of rounds when you go, then we can go as a pair and have a better chance of a reserved Tee Time...

 

I have also heard that any of the courses are GREAT!!! so I would be keen for any of them.

 

Jamie

 

I'm thinking of going the last week of September. We'd have to tee off as early as possible, 'cause I'll have to be back in the Plymouth Meeting area to pick up my son from school. Sounds like a ton of fun, I'll send you a PM later so I have your screenname in my inbox. Heh...being from Queens I assume you're a Mets fan? I'll wear my Phillies cap if you wear your Mets cap... :beach:

[WRXJIM]

Awesome, thanks for the detailed info! I'll start planning a 36-hole day for mid-September!

 

Hey there, Im in Queens, Im a "loner" as well, and always have to play as a single :wacko:

 

I am a 16 h/c and would be keen to go play a couple of rounds when you go, then we can go as a pair and have a better chance of a reserved Tee Time...

 

I have also heard that any of the courses are GREAT!!! so I would be keen for any of them.

 

Jamie

 

I'm thinking of going the last week of September. We'd have to tee off as early as possible, 'cause I'll have to be back in the Plymouth Meeting area to pick up my son from school. Sounds like a ton of fun, I'll send you a PM later so I have your screenname in my inbox. Heh...being from Queens I assume you're a Mets fan? I'll wear my Phillies cap if you wear your Mets cap... :cheesy:

 

Any time is good for me, early morning is normally when I go out and play anyways.

 

Im actually not a HUGE baseball fan... Im from New Zealand, and have only been here 1 year, so havent really figured it out yet :beach: I like the Mariners though cause I have at least been to see them play :good: ha ha

 

So feel free to wear whatever hat you like :cheesy: I will be there in my New Zealand All Blacks cap (Rugby) So long as you dont arrive with any Australian paraphernalia we will get on fine :cheesy: ha ha

 

Im looking foward to it

[Gross]

the red course is also really nice, I personally like the green course a ton, its a lot of fun and should be much easier to get on. The black course is actually based on the green I believe.

[dispatch096]

they're all wonderful courses, but i'd say other than the black, you should play the green. its fun, playable, but not overly easy and boring. easy to get on also. enjoy!

[oppy]

[quote name='Big D McGee' post='657215' date='Jul 29 2007, 09:24 AM']I'm gonna be moving out of the area soon, so I'm putting together a list of courses I'd like to play. I certainly would like to play the BP Black; however with a 15.8 handicap and no time to wait in the car overnight, I don't think I'd enjoy playing Black. I'd struggle to break 120, I'm sure.

Still, I'd like the experience of playing one of the sister courses. Which course is easiest to get on as a single? Which would be suitable for a 15.8 handicap. I don't need to shoot in the 80's, but I'd like to break 100. Which of the sister courses has the best collection of holes?

Thanks very much for any input; I plan on playing in mid-september when the humidity is gone.[/quote]
you would be fine with a 15.8 handicap. i am a 19 and shot 95 from the white tees.

[hurricanes7]

i live near the course and would highly recommend the green after the black.

[sabram]

My faorite after the Black is the Red. The Red is a great golf course. It is similar to the Black but not as punishing.

[songolfbur]

Sabram is right...

The Black is an amazing track but The Red course is also amazing. It is very challenging and long if you arent hitting fairways.

Order of rank - Black, Red, Blue, Green & Yellow

Also check out Eisenhower Park where there are 3 courses including the Eisenhower - Red Course. There were PGA championships played there in the 20's or 30's and more recently, Champions Tour events.

[fairways4life]

Don't worry about playing the black just because you're a high-handicapper. Honestly, a 15 handicap is about what the average player carries on the black. Heck, 15 is about the average handicap overall. The sign in front of the first tee is more of a landmark than it is an actual warning to deter players. And besides, do you really want to make the pilgrimmage out there and not play the black?

I played the black, red and blue a few years back. The black is an absolute beast but let's be serious here --- 95% of the players on the black course at any given time are getting their butts handed to them. It's not like people are going out there and throwing out 73's on the black. Of course there are people who do, but it's a vast minority. Of all the groups I saw on the black that day, pretty much all the players were your typical bogey golfer.

The red is quite similar to the black. I played the black first and thought I'd have an easier time on the red but was quite surprised how challenging the red was.

I lucked out big time too. I went up with a buddy on a Friday and our plan was to play 36 on the other courses that day then sleep in our cars and play the black the next morning. When I got to the counter I said to the lady, "This may sound like a stupid question but are there any tee times left on the black today?" She checked her computer and said, "There's two spots left today and they are about an hour from now." So we snagged those up and played it then. Couldn't have worked out better.