Looking for some animals to play Bethpage from the pro tees…

[davey3putts]

I’m out on the Black the other day, and notice the markers are still in place from the Barclay. way back there, and then back some more.

 

As I’m waiting on the 23 handicap in front of me to find his ball in the tall stuff, I asked the guys I’m playing with if they’ve ever seen mortals playing back there. Not a one... But I’m sure others have thought of the challenge. Let’s make it happen!

 

Hit is like Sasquatch ripping apart a forest? You’re in.

Working a deep butter cut that starts a full fairway over? You’re in.

Can’t reach the fairway, but can get up and down from a pothole on the LEI?? You’re in too buddy.

 

Only request here is that you are an actual single digit index, out of respect for the sign on the first tee.

 

Let me know interest and we’ll start working on plans!

 

-Davey3Putts

[aabcuue]

I’m out on the Black the other day, and notice the markers are still in place from the Barclay. way back there, and then back some more.

 

As I’m waiting on the 23 handicap in front of me to find his ball in the tall stuff, I asked the guys I’m playing with if they’ve ever seen mortals playing back there. Not a one... But I’m sure others have thought of the challenge. Let’s make it happen!

 

Hit is like Sasquatch ripping apart a forest? You’re in.

Working a deep butter cut that starts a full fairway over? You’re in.

Can’t reach the fairway, but can get up and down from a pothole on the LEI?? You’re in too buddy.

 

Only request here is that you are an actual single digit index, out of respect for the sign on the first tee.

 

Let me know interest and we’ll start working on plans!

-Davey3Putts

 

Better hit it 300+yd long on some holes. Otherwise 280+ will do. Tips are some 7550yds. Been there, done that already, don't need it again. Currently coming off long IR.

 

Be glad Black isn't in Barclays/ Northern Trust, Ryder Cup or US Open tournament rough. Your challenge will be much easier.

 

As your probably doing this challenge after the summer, the fescue will be thinner and easier to handle.

 

Good luck assembling the challenge foursome. It will be memorable.

 

Fyi, they don't really check your handicap index. They definitely do warn you. If your not a single, it feel like tourture over 5+hrs. Either case, you better have game or expect lots of pickups or X's.

[MadGolfer76]

Wish I could help, but my swing is more like a Walrus trying to climb uphill.

[ckay]

Those tees are brutal. Only way I can see it being enjoyable is if you're having a full on ballstriking day with the driver

[UncleJohn’sBand]

Hell if you can find a date and a tee time count me in. Just after mid September when the Mackenzie Tour season is over

[cardoustie]

I could be talked into coming down from Toronto w a buddy

 

Haven't played the black in years

[PThomas]

If the date and time worked i would be down

[krtgolfing]

I would love to get onto Bethpage black, but there would be no way in hell I would play the tips at 7500 yards. Played 7600 yards a few years ago and that was a brutal round. Driver and 3 wood on the 500+ par 4s was a pain!

[aabcuue]

Those tees are brutal. Only way I can see it being enjoyable is if you're having a full on ballstriking day with the driver

 

You don't need your "A" game only rl good course management and how to manage the 12" between the head. As a Tilly course you need to know where to go, when to go & have the shot that is needed tobe able excute the shot.

 

Black in normal conditions isn't about forced carries but managing your game with what you got that day. Black can attack you on any shot not just the drive or 2nd shot.

 

Of course if your long and accurate its far easier. Actually having a strong short game is better than pure distance when you need to recover over & over again. 1 good shot will almost make up for 2 bad ones here. However if you keep making bad shots it will be a draining and torturous 6+hrs. Normal is 4.5hr to 5.5hrs.

 

Only local knowledge and knowing where you can miss will help more. With a good caddy or locals you should be fine.

[mkunes01]

I could be in to join you for this. I've actually played it twice with a couple of my D-1 college golf buddies. In fact we played it from one pace forward of the rough on the back of every tee box lol. I managed to somehow shoot 75 (my buddy shot 71 with a double where I yelled noonan in his back swing since he was taking ALL of our money). Think we added up roughly how many more yards we added and it ended up at almost 7700. Incredible/grueling day. Shoot me a DM when you're planning on giving it a whirl

[ckay]

Those tees are brutal. Only way I can see it being enjoyable is if you're having a full on ballstriking day with the driver

 

You don't need your "A" game only rl good course management and how to manage the 12" between the head. As a Tilly course you need to know where to go, when to go & have the shot that is needed tobe able excute the shot.

 

Black in normal conditions isn't about forced carries but managing your game with what you got that day. Black can attack you on any shot not just the drive or 2nd shot.

 

Of course if your long and accurate its far easier. Actually having a strong short game is better than pure distance when you need to recover over & over again. 1 good shot will almost make up for 2 bad ones here. However if you keep making bad shots it will be a draining and torturous 6+hrs. Normal is 4.5hr to 5.5hrs.

 

Only local knowledge and knowing where you can miss will help more. With a good caddy or locals you should be fine.

I don't know about you but I have played the tour tees several times, and there is nothing fun about #3, 5, 7, 10, 12, 15, or 17 from the back tees. Long and accurate is EXACTLY what you need to par those holes. That's almost half of the golf course that 90% of the golfers out there will be playing for at least a bogey. If you think otherwise, you have either never played from the back signs, or settled for a 95.

 

Guy talking about you don't need distance from 7,600 yards. Give me a break.

[aabcuue]

Those tees are brutal. Only way I can see it being enjoyable is if you're having a full on ballstriking day with the driver

 

You don't need your "A" game only rl good course management and how to manage the 12" between the head. As a Tilly course you need to know where to go, when to go & have the shot that is needed tobe able excute the shot.

 

Black in normal conditions isn't about forced carries but managing your game with what you got that day. Black can attack you on any shot not just the drive or 2nd shot.

 

Of course if your long and accurate its far easier. Actually having a strong short game is better than pure distance when you need to recover over & over again. 1 good shot will almost make up for 2 bad ones here. However if you keep making bad shots it will be a draining and torturous 6+hrs. Normal is 4.5hr to 5.5hrs.

 

Only local knowledge and knowing where you can miss will help more. With a good caddy or locals you should be fine.

 

I don't know about you but I have played the tour tees several times, and there is nothing fun about #3, 5, 7, 10, 12, 15, or 17 from the back tees. Long and accurate is EXACTLY what you need to par those holes. That's almost half of the golf course that 90% of the golfers out there will be playing for at least a bogey. If you think otherwise, you have either never played from the back signs, or settled for a 95.

 

Guy talking about you don't need distance from 7,600 yards. Give me a break.

 

Have played the Black from tips. Have also played Black in full US Open conditions, full/thick rough, 11+ stimp and longer pro carries to fairway.

 

The distance referenced was having decent amateur distance 260+yds. You don't need to be College, Mini-tour, pga tour 285-315 or Long Driver (e.g. Monte type). Most single digits do hit 260+yds and longer consistently and accurately.

 

Remember the 1st post called for single digit handicaps. Based on the usga, single handicaps are 31% of golfers. 10% are 5 handicaps & less.

http://www.usga.org/Handicapping/handicap-index-statistics/mens-handicap-index-statistics-d24e6096.html

 

They will need short game more than the long game to save par & prevent big #s on Black. This is essential when multiple balls into fescue don't reach the ground. Fwiw, US Open rough had fescue @mid-thigh off the fairway. 4-5ft off fairway, height was at least belly button.

[cschermick23]

I would love to be in on this. Been wanting to take on this challenge for a while. Shoot me a PM if you actually get something together.

[aabcuue]

Now you can call it a early warmup for the 2019 PGA Championships.

 

Fyi, it will be in may 2019.

http://nypost.com/2017/08/07/pga-championship-moving-to-may-for-return-to-long-island/amp/

[Z1ggy16]

31% of golfers are single digit? D:

 

Or you mean .31%, because that's what it looks like at my local driving range.

[GoldenBellGW]

Count me as a tentative yes dependent on date. Sept/Oct would be best and I also think this is the prime season for the Black as temps are cooler and they can take advantage of this with the grass.

[davey3putts]

Looks like we had a good amount of interest in the challenge – let’s make it happen!

 

I’ll send a PM to everyone who gave a response in favor of giving it a go. We’ll pick the date with the most takers and go from there.

 

I know for sure I’ll be on the Black – Friday, 9/15. I understand weekdays are tough so could also do Saturday, 9/30 or Sunday 10/8. (Have to go before Aeration Oct 10-12^th)

 

First post-round beer on me in the worst 19^th hole in golf. If you’ve ever had a beer from Lurch you know what I’m talking about, but we still love it.