Bethpage Black 2021 - How to get on?

[njlam]

I am a west coaster but will be on Long Island next month to visit my in-laws. For marital bliss, my wife suggested I play golf by myself as much as possible, and I love her.

As a non-NYS resident, how does one get on Bethpage Black? I am looking to play as a single on a weekday, and can go there early to wait for a tee time.

Is there a strategy to this? I have set up an on-line account, and will try to sign up beforehand (7 days in advance?).

 

If on-line sign up does not work, will just showing up and hoping worth? I will only be 20 mins away, so getting there is not a issue.

Any suggestions? Let the experts speak!

[disco111]

https://www.bethpagegolfcourse.com/tee-times/

[chas521]

I'm a resident and I can't get on any Bethpage courses because there is something crooked going on in getting a reservation.  As a  SINGLE though, you should have little trouble getting on.  Just go there early and sign up at the cashier.  There are TV screens there.  Not every group is a foursome  Bad thing though is you might have to wait around a bit for the opening.  Just know though, nothing is guaranteed!  Usually good for weekday and single.  Good luck.

 

 

Edited April 24, 2021 by chas521

[njlam]

I heard the system opens up for non-residents 5 days in advance. Any ideas how early to start calling or trying the website?

 

If I can't get an advanced reservation, how early do I get to the course on a weekday as a single?

I am told the course is not open on Mondays....true?

Edited April 26, 2021 by njlam

[Abh159]

I don't have any experience booking tee times, but out of curiosity I just went to the website and tried. I chose the non-resident, single player option and they had a handful of morning and afternoon times at the Black course for several days this week.

[Marty86]

Tee times go live at 7pm EST. Believe me tee times will be gone within 10 seconds. Mostly because the cancelation policy is very forgiving as you can cancel 6 hours before your time and don't have to pay anything. Tee times will open up randomly throughout the week. You have to just refresh that date at the right time as someone else cancels before someone else snipes that time in front of you. Black is hard to get a time, but Blue, Green, and Red fill up quickly too. I would recommend the red course as well if you have the time to play 2 days or if you can't get a time for black.

[chas521]

Forgot to mention, Bethpage is aerating the courses around this time.  Not sure when The Black is being done.  But you should try to find out before.  Live phone is 516-249-0700. 😕

[doglegs]

I played Black yesterday and the conditions were top notch.  Greens were smooth, fast and true - no signs of aeration.  The tall grasses have not grown in yet and the rough is a tad more forgiving than in mid season form but it was still plenty difficult. 

[Marty86]

3 hours ago, doglegs said:

I played Black yesterday and the conditions were top notch.  Greens were smooth, fast and true - no signs of aeration.  The tall grasses have not grown in yet and the rough is a tad more forgiving than in mid season form but it was still plenty difficult. 

I want to get a tee time for my friends and I for the weekend of May 15th. Hoping we can get something then. Hoping the tall grass isn't tall yet. Rough is already on the tougher side. I was playing green and rolled onto the black rough, wasn't fun LOL!!!

[Mr288361]

My girlfriend is working the Bruins- Islanders series and wondering how successful out of state walk ons are and how early I’d need to be there next Friday or Saturday (coming from Philly.) I’d be staying at her hotel about 10 minutes away on the Belt. I’d be a single.

Edited May 27, 2021 by Mr288361

[tomba51]

A single can often walk on. Try to get there as early as possible, 8:00 AM would be good. Be aware that you may have to wait several hours for an available time. Or alternatively, you can get there later and try to get an afternoon time, which may be easier to get than a morning time. They have a board in the clubhouse that shows all available times for the day. 

[Mr288361]

9 minutes ago, tomba51 said:

A single can often walk on. Try to get there as early as possible, 8:00 AM would be good. Be aware that you may have to wait several hours for an available time. Or alternatively, you can get there later and try to get an afternoon time, which may be easier to get than a morning time. They have a board in the clubhouse that shows all available times for the day. 

My uncle had his wake at Bethpage so I can bomb around and know my way around the facility. Is Friday a better bet than Saturday? I know I run the risk of getting shut out but am happy to do the parking lot wait as part of the experience. 

[3PuttLefty]

@Mr288361First off I dont see the schedule posted yet! Only see @ Boston this Saturday!

 As a single i think you have a shot a grabbing a single spot cancellation.  But you need to Be commited on Thursday at checking the website like a junky.  Like check often!
For example... As of 822pm tonite, theres 2some avail for 3:30 tomorrow. Singles seem to open up. Tuesday there was 8, 9, 9:30 AM singles that opened.  
  Obvioulsy weekends are tougher, but possible. 
 If you dont get lucky Thursday, I recommend sleeping in your car. Ive have never done that but guy i know arrives at 3AM !😳   

[Mr288361]

6 minutes ago, 3PuttLefty said:

@Mr288361First off I dont see the schedule posted yet! Only see @ Boston this Saturday!

 As a single i think you have a shot a grabbing a single spot cancellation.  But you need to Be commited on Thursday at checking the website like a junky.  Like check often!
For example... As of 822pm tonite, theres 2some avail for 3:30 tomorrow. Singles seem to open up. Tuesday there was 8, 9, 9:30 AM singles that opened.  
  Obvioulsy weekends are tougher, but possible. 
 If you dont get lucky Thursday, I recommend sleeping in your car. Ive have never done that but guy i know arrives at 3AM !😳   

Haha yeah, she works for NBC and per the NHL, Islanders host Wednesday & Friday, time TBD. Friday would be ideal so if I can sneak on Friday at some point, that would work best but I wouldn’t be a choosing beggar. I’d be taking Amtrak-LIR and uber’ing out to the course 10-15 minute away. City life and cars don’t mix, even in Philadelphia.

Edited May 28, 2021 by Mr288361

[tiderider]

i've been twice in the past five years ... single on T/Wed (closed Monday, i believe) will get a tee time ... get there 7ish ... could get there a bit earlier, though ... you'll have a few choices right off the bat ... do not skip the red course, however ... very nice warm-up ... rent a pushcart for black ... 

[njlam]

Just an update. I did get to play BPB twice (both on weekdays as a single). As this was my first visit to Bethpage, I found it to be a very challenging course but having the opportunity to  play it the 2nd time gave me a real appreciation of how great this course is. (my 2nd round was 6 strokes better than the 1st).

As many advised, it is important to learn the on-line system. I signed up weeks in advance and five days ahead of when I wanted to play, I started checking the website for times.
 

For most of the days, only times after 4pm were available. I kept checking daily but had resigned myself to getting to the course at 5am on the day of to wait in line per the well known ritual. The night before the day I planned to play, I checked the website and there was a 230pm foursome available. I jumped on the time, but was worried if it was a slow day, I might not finish with daylight.

My 230pm round was great (played the middle tees) and all of my playing partners were local and had significant course knowledge. I had great fun, and lost only 3 balls. 

 

Just before starting the first round, I checked the website for the following day, and noticed a 1pm tee time. I tried to jump on it but the website said on-line reservations can only be made once every 28 days for the Black course. I took the opportunity to book a round for the Red course, which everyone had told me was a worthwhile course (when I visit Torrey Pines in San Diego, while the South course is more popular, I am glad I tried the North, and actually prefer it to the South).

 

My first round started smoothly, but the 4th and 5th holes really can make one wonder if they had ever played golf before. While I parred a few holes I did not break 100 (and I am a 10).

 

The next day, before I paid for my round at the Red, I asked if there were any times for a walk on (not booked on-line) at the Black. The person at the desk said if I didn't mind waiting 45 minutes, I could play the Black again (instead of the Red).

 

The second round was much better than the first, and I am hooked. I can't want to try the Black again (and someday the Red).

 

Thanks to all who weighed in with advice. BPB is very possible as a single and on a weekday.

Edited May 30, 2021 by njlam

[tiderider]

On 5/30/2021 at 5:18 PM, njlam said:

Just an update. I did get to play BPB twice (both on weekdays as a single). As this was my first visit to Bethpage, I found it to be a very challenging course but having the opportunity to  play it the 2nd time gave me a real appreciation of how great this course is. (my 2nd round was 6 strokes better than the 1st).

As many advised, it is important to learn the on-line system. I signed up weeks in advance and five days ahead of when I wanted to play, I started checking the website for times.
 

For most of the days, only times after 4pm were available. I kept checking daily but had resigned myself to getting to the course at 5am on the day of to wait in line per the well known ritual. The night before the day I planned to play, I checked the website and there was a 230pm foursome available. I jumped on the time, but was worried if it was a slow day, I might not finish with daylight.

My 230pm round was great (played the middle tees) and all of my playing partners were local and had significant course knowledge. I had great fun, and lost only 3 balls. 

 

Just before starting the first round, I checked the website for the following day, and noticed a 1pm tee time. I tried to jump on it but the website said on-line reservations can only be made once every 28 days for the Black course. I took the opportunity to book a round for the Red course, which everyone had told me was a worthwhile course (when I visit Torrey Pines in San Diego, while the South course is more popular, I am glad I tried the North, and actually prefer it to the South).

 

My first round started smoothly, but the 4th and 5th holes really can make one wonder if they had ever played golf before. While I parred a few holes I did not break 100 (and I am a 10).

 

The next day, before I paid for my round at the Red, I asked if there were any times for a walk on (not booked on-line) at the Black. The person at the desk said if I didn't mind waiting 45 minutes, I could play the Black again (instead of the Red).

 

The second round was much better than the first, and I am hooked. I can't want to try the Black again (and someday the Red).

 

Thanks to all who weighed in with advice. BPB is very possible as a single and on a weekday.

great to hear ... the opening holes for both courses ain't no joke ... if you're willing to play single, it's a must play if you are in the area ... 

[monty09]

when does season start? Can a late april round be played? 

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

DO people still camp out in the parking lot or are those days over with online tee times?

[tomba51]

11 minutes ago, BEND OF THE RIVER GC said:

DO people still camp out in the parking lot or are those days over with online tee times?

Yes, some people still camp out in cars. But with the online reservation system, I don't know why they do that. I guess that they are hoping to be first in line for a possible last minute cancellation.

[drpino]

51 minutes ago, monty09 said:

when does season start? Can a late april round be played? 

 

If you register with the online booking system, you will be added to their e-mail list and they send out a monthly calendar with the schedule for each course.  The next calendar will be for March 2022 and should go out near the end of February (24th in 2021).  The BLUE appears to be open all year round weather/conditions permitting.  The other courses should all be open by late April (and likely all open by late March weather/conditions permitting).

 

24 minutes ago, BEND OF THE RIVER GC said:

DO people still camp out in the parking lot or are those days over with online tee times?

 

If I'm not mistaken, at least for the Black, one foursome tee time slot per hour is reserved for walk-ups with no reservations so there are still plenty of people who camp out overnight or show up super early to play.

 

Here's the last monthly calendar sent in 2021:

 

 

First, our apologies for sending this out several days late.

Second, here is the calendar for the month of November.   

Key dates in November:  last day for the Black Course is Monday, November 15th; last day for the Green and Red Courses is Sunday, November 28th.

This will be the last calendar for the year.  The next calendar will be March of 2022.

As always, please confirm whether a course is open by calling 516.249.0700.

 

Edited January 21, 2022 by drpino

[Marty86]

Yellow is also open all year but it's currently walk up only during the winter.

 

But yes Black tee times before 8:30, which there are a few, are walk-up only. Hence why people camp out to get these tee times. I had 1 tee at 8:30 this year in late June (US Open Sunday) and there were multiple groups in front of us.

[wolverine_man]

Gotta pay your dues. October 2021. Was a cold car camp, and only got a couple hours of sleep, but worth it. It was simply incredible being the first group off the Black and walking down the fairway like kings, with caddies in tow. My first time, and I did it right.