Bethpage Black Ratings!!!!

[glenametz]

Just got invited to head to BP Black on Thursday with a co-worker. We are NYS residents, so he was able to make a time a few weeks ago. I asked him what tees he was going to play, and he said blue. I checked GHiN, and the blues are 152!!!!! Insane. The whites are 145!!!! I'm an inconsistent 12, how bad are the whites going to punish me? My home course is 129, which is tough enough.

[cardoustie]

what are the tips ... did that once and struggled home in 81. It was a long painful day

[gioguy21]

i played it a club length off the back of every tee box 2 fridays ago.

 

it's a friggin beast. i shot a 76...and the differential to my handicap was -1.6! lol i scored a stroke and a half better than i should have...even at a +0.8.

 

 

beast.

 

what are the tips ... did that once and struggled home in 81. It was a long painful day

7,400+

[PThomas]

Hit 'em long and straight and you'll manage, if not, prepare for a long day. Not sure if you are getting a looper but the walk alone is punishing if you are not used to carrying.

[WillMK5]

They also allow push carts and have (crappy) rental carts available if you don't want to take a caddy.

[benzenbe]

Bring lots of water and stay hydrated. If you're not used to walking, that'll have a bigger impact on your game (especially in this humid August heat).

[glenametz]

I walk every round at my home course now, which is hilly in spots. Walking 18 with a heat index of 95 is nothing new to me. Forecast for tomorrow is 80, so I should be just fine. I'm bringing my push cart also.

 

Are there showers and lockers available? I'd like to be able to take a quick shower before I hop back in the car and drive home. Any place around there recommended for pre-round lunch?

[TW23]

I used to live in Long Island and Bethpage Park was 15-20 mins from my house. My buddies and I walked the Red Course every Sunday but 1 month we would treat the golf gods with playing and walking the Black Course. At a 12 handicapp, you'll enjoy playing from the whites. To be honest with you, it really won't matter which box you play from. The 1st tee is set up to flat out intimidate you. It starts with the sign that says "The Black Course is a extremely difficult course which will destroy you and your weak golf game ". Well it doesn't actually say that but that's the intent. Then they set up the course whereas all tee boxes hit from virtually the same length off the first hole. There's a bench right behind the tee box for which spectators come to laugh at you. The tips basically make the par 3's into par 5's for you. Speaking of tips. Here's another tip. Depending on what's going on at the course, you'll want to stay very away from the rough. This is where the Black course will punish you no matter who you are or your golf skills. Ask the pros about the rough. That's the number one reason why they don't like it. The number two reason is the walking. The course is very hilly and some of the tee boxes are a good hike from the previous hole. The walk from 17 green to 18 will burn your calfs and thighs so much, you'll want to let 2 groups go in front of you. Expect to score 8-10 points over your normal.

 

Suggestions:

Either have a good push cart or use the caddies.

Drink plenty of fluids the night before.

Play the White Tees.

Take plenty of balls.

Have fun.

Enjoy the course.

 

[TW23]

Sorry. Didn't see your reply about lunch.

 

There's an awesome Deli just off the exit. Can't think of the name. They put more turkey on a sandwich than the law should allow. I wouldn't suggest eating heavy. The walk will add up to 7-8 miles on your fit bit. I would eat a hot dog or something at the turn shack at hole #11. You'll pass the shack at #5 but that's never been a good time to eat for me. The club house is nice but I can't recall if lockers and showers are available. The food in the cafe is nice though. Hope this helps.

[rcb1586]

I walk every round at my home course now, which is hilly in spots. Walking 18 with a heat index of 95 is nothing new to me. Forecast for tomorrow is 80, so I should be just fine. I'm bringing my push cart also.

 

Are there showers and lockers available? I'd like to be able to take a quick shower before I hop back in the car and drive home. Any place around there recommended for pre-round lunch?

 

Here's a quote from someone back in May

"Also, to correct a previous poster in the thread, they do have lockers and showers available. You can rent them for the day from the same window you pay for your round. Cost is $5 as well as a $20 refundable cash deposit. FYI they do not provide towels (thankfully I packed my own)."

http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/1487262-bethpage-single-walk-up/

[glenametz]

Good info. If anyone remembers the name of that deli, give me a yell.

[gioguy21]

Good info. If anyone remembers the name of that deli, give me a yell.

just so you know -- they have all their PGA 2019 merch already -- so, pick up a towel, headcover or shirt or something. i grabbed a towel, a tumbler mug and a cover.

[TW23]

Broadway Deli

[glenametz]

Good info. If anyone remembers the name of that deli, give me a yell.

just so you know -- they have all their PGA 2019 merch already -- so, pick up a towel, headcover or shirt or something. i grabbed a towel, a tumbler mug and a cover.

 

Gotta have a logo ball for my collection

[ZBUCK]

it'll be a fun day for you BECAUSE you're playing Bethpage, but expect to be mentally, physically, and emotionally beat up afterwards, doesn't matter what tees you play.

[NYCgolfer17]

I think the Hype of the Black course being soooooooo hard is overblown. I've played it well over 50 times and if you keep it in the fairway and have decent distance the course is manageable especially from the whites.

[joey2aces]

NYS Am was there a couple weeks ago. My buddy is a .9 index and he was something along the lines of 118 out of 125 entered. Course played around 7100 each day. You had guys shooting 88+ out there and I think only 2 players were under par for the whole tournament. Some of the shorter hitters spent days hitting hybrids and 4 irons into par 4's.

 

Personally, if you are an inconsistent 12 you shouldn't be playing the blues, especially if you want to have fun.

[PC51]

Any place around there recommended for pre-round lunch?

 

Head to Main St. in Farmingdale and you pretty much can have whatever you want. Sports bar/grills, deli, bagel place, wing place, Thai, Mexican, Italian and so on. Less than 5 minutes from the clubhouse.

[aabcuue]

Don't think your going to need to worry too much re: heat. Most of course is exposed and bright n' sunny though.

 

Summer is basically over, next two weeks are only expected to be low80s to upper 70s.

 

First is much easier without the huge tree on right corner. The rough is still a shock if your not used to it.

 

Why leave the course to relax? Sit off Black 18th green and watch others come in on the patio for a bit. At least have a drink or snack.

[scottc25]

First time I played the Black I had my cart bag fully expecting to rent a pull cart. Much to my dismay my cart bag didn't fit for s*** on those horrible things. Fell off twice in the first 30 seconds I had it. I returned it and carried my cart bag, which wasn't exactly fun.

 

I didn't find the course as difficult as others find it. I am a typical WRX'er that hits it a long ways though. I played it on early May with a huge wind. Trade-off was less rough that time of year.

 

I'm playing again on Labor Day with a late tee time. Getting there early in the hopes of getting out a bit earlier as a single.

[gaffs]

The trick is to play sensibly (isnt it always).

 

Holes like 5, 10, 12, 15 and 17 require a long drive, or else your are approaching green with a 4 or 5 iron. If you have not driven the ball into a good spot, 5 and 15 are particularly tough given they are severely uphill and surrounded by bunkers.

 

If you are a little short and in the rough, don't risk the 20% shot. Pitch out to the fairway and wedge up there.

 

I could have saved myself a shot on both 10 and 15 if I had taken my own advise. That would have been the difference between my 81 on Sunday and a 79, which would have been the fist time i had broken 80 on the Black.

 

Bethpage Black requires stamina - mental and physical.