Bethpage Trip - July

[TeeAreNY]

> @"CJ Hanson" said:

> >@"j hanson" said:

>

Glad you guys had a great time and although hot, lucked out with the weather as it rained here for a couple days straight right before you got here. That's interesting you played a round from the tips. I've never done it because I think the whites are plenty tough and I figured I would have to hit driver, 3 wood on almost every par 4 with my distance (also carry around 235 with about 250 total with my driver). What you said about managing the course is truly the biggest reason for slow play. Although 5 is actually on good pace because its so long, I've played behind a slow group and has taken 6-6.5 hours which is absolutely brutal. I can't count how many high handicappers I've seen on the course continuously keep trying to hit long irons from the rough, hitting it 20 yards, and hitting another long iron instead of short iron/wedge to get back into the fairway lol. What did you both think of the greens? It still amazes me how there are times I have no clue what the breaks are going to be because the slopes are so subtle.

[CJ Hanson]

The greens were in fantastic shape (as were the fairways). Many of the greens appear flat, but as you mention, there are subtle breaks. However, there are also plenty of greens where, if you're on the wrong side of a ridge, you will leave yourself with a very challenging putt.

[TeeAreNY]

> @dbornack said:

> Playing here Wednesday early afternoon for the first time.

> I'm a 3 HCP, and drive it around 300. Should I play the tips, or just play one up and just understand that that will be enough of a challenge for me?

 

Based on your carry distance, I think you would be fine playing from the tips. I have seen others play beyond the back tees and tee off from the furthest tee box. I think the biggest mistake people make is playing the tips without the necessary distance for them to enjoy the layout of the course. (I play it from the whites because I only drive it around 260 and don't want to hit driver, 3 wood on pretty much every par 4.) I think it all depends on what you want to do going into the round. Play it and experience the distances of the tour or give yourself a shot at scoring well. The track is plenty tough even from the whites and the key is you need to drive it well and unfortunately the range is short and does not allow drivers.

[chas521]

Just know that the Black is being aerated October 10-11.

[LICC]

> @dbornack said:

> Playing here Wednesday early afternoon for the first time.

> I'm a 3 HCP, and drive it around 300. Should I play the tips, or just play one up and just understand that that will be enough of a challenge for me?

 

If you just want to have fun and try to break 80, play the whites. If you want the challenge but can accept a score in the 80s, play the tips.

[ckay]

> @dbornack said:

> Playing here Wednesday early afternoon for the first time.

> I'm a 3 HCP, and drive it around 300. Should I play the tips, or just play one up and just understand that that will be enough of a challenge for me?

Whites are challenging enough your first time around. However at 300 yards of driving distance, there are certain holes where you run out of landing area. The ones that come to mind real quick are 7, 9, & 12 unless you know what the line is to get super aggressive.

[TinkerGolfMan]