Questions for Bethpage regulars

[johnnylongball]

Need Tee Time Advice

I'm planning to be in NYC later this month and have hopes of playing Bethpage Black on a Friday. I've heard the stories of needing to sleep in the car overnight to get a tee time. I have a friend that lives in Manhattan that I will be playing with but he's never played BP or attempted to get a tee time. There will only be two of us, we don't need a time for a foursome. He has registered in the phone system as a NY resident and we will attempt to get a 7-day advance time but we've never tried this and we've heard it's tough to get through.

The questions I have are:

1. What time can we tee off and reasonably expect to finish before dark? I've heard six hour rounds are common. Sunset on the day we want to play is 8:30.

2. If we are unsuccessful obtaining an advance time on Friday, we will try for Saturday. I know that you are only allowed to make one tee time per month on the Black course. So if we reserve a late afternoon tee time of say, 3:00 on Friday, and then call the next night and get lucky and a morning tee time for Saturday is available, does the system allow you to cancel the Friday time and immediately re-book the more desirable Saturday time?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[chas521]

[quote name='johnnylongball' date='03 June 2010 - 04:10 PM' timestamp='1275595819' post='2484637']
I'm planning to be in NYC later this month and have hopes of playing Bethpage Black on a Friday. I've heard the stories of needing to sleep in the car overnight to get a tee time. I have a friend that lives in Manhattan that I will be playing with but he's never played BP or attempted to get a tee time. There will only be two of us, we don't need a time for a foursome. He has registered in the phone system as a NY resident and we will attempt to get a 7-day advance time but we've never tried this and we've heard it's tough to get through.

The questions I have are:

1. What time can we tee off and reasonably expect to finish before dark? I've heard six hour rounds are common. Sunset on the day we want to play is 8:30.

2. If we are unsuccessful obtaining an advance time on Friday, we will try for Saturday. I know that you are only allowed to make one tee time per month on the Black course. So if we reserve a late afternoon tee time of say, 3:00 on Friday, and then call the next night and get lucky and a morning tee time for Saturday is available, does the system allow you to cancel the Friday time and immediately re-book the more desirable Saturday time?

Thanks in advance for any advice.
[/quote]

Yes, you are correct. Bethpage Black is a very hard time to get a tee-time. The reservation phone number 1-516-249-0707. Actually, you can start calling 8 days in advance - Friday for the following Friday. You can start at 7PM [if you can sneak a little, start at 6:58 PM]. The phone will be constantly busy but don't give up. Re-dial immediately! You have to be persistent. Now:

1. Figure on 5-6 hour rounds. Sometimes it's not you but the group somewhere in front.

2. I play one of the Bethpage courses every week. The Black is a monster but is really a test of golf. Yeah, it's worth it. It's a walking only course - no motor carts. Yes, to hand carts. You may consider a caddy but I don't know your budget. Anyway, a cancellation must be made 48-hours in advance of the tee-time or there is a charge. I think it's $5 a man but I could be wrong there. As an out-of-stater, you can still register to make a tee-time but I think that you only get a 2-day headstart. Call the above number and listen to the announcement. To speak to a live person call 1-516-249-0700.

The Red Course is also very nice and makes for a nice round. Hope this helps.

http://www.golfvacationinsider.com/cr/bethpage-black-golf-course/how-to-get-a-tee-time-on-bethpage-black-1979