Spur of the Moment Bethpage Black trip

[the700level]

Thinking about driving up after work, getting there around 8 or 9. I understand the protocol is to park right in the parking lot, get in line, and sleep in your car until 4:30 when they start making reservations? Is getting there at 8 or 9 for a Saturday round even feasible?

[chas521]

[quote name='the700level' date='15 July 2010 - 10:08 PM' timestamp='1279246091' post='2579025']
Thinking about driving up after work, getting there around 8 or 9. I understand the protocol is to park right in the parking lot, get in line, and sleep in your car until 4:30 when they start making reservations? Is getting there at 8 or 9 for a Saturday round even feasible?
[/quote]

Bethpage is a state park and they do have state cops patrolling now and then. I'm not sure how they feel about someone sleeping in their car from the night before. But I could be wrong there. It may be OK. Wouldn't it be better to get some sleep in another area [like home] and get up early so as to arrive at Bethpage around 3:30AM?

[luxman]

[quote name='chas521' date='16 July 2010 - 10:24 AM' timestamp='1279290290' post='2579807']
[quote name='the700level' date='15 July 2010 - 10:08 PM' timestamp='1279246091' post='2579025']
Thinking about driving up after work, getting there around 8 or 9. I understand the protocol is to park right in the parking lot, get in line, and sleep in your car until 4:30 when they start making reservations? Is getting there at 8 or 9 for a Saturday round even feasible?
[/quote]

Bethpage is a state park and they do have state cops patrolling now and then. I'm not sure how they feel about someone sleeping in their car from the night before. But I could be wrong there. It may be OK. Wouldn't it be better to get some sleep in another area [like home] and get up early so as to arrive at Bethpage around 3:30AM?
[/quote]

Chas,

That is kind of how it works at Bethpage. They have a lot with numbered spots where people routinely sleep in their cars to play the next day.

I'll also address your 2nd point. For me, I would rather get to the Park the night before and know I will get some sleep instead of leaving from home (outside of Philly which is where I am guessing 700 is from) at 1 in the morning and then be completely exhausted to play a very difficult golf course.

700, are you going up as a single? If so, I don't think you will have any problem getting out Saturday morning.

I take it you haven't been there before? Quick tip since that I wish someone told me the first time I played there, especially since it will be hot. There is a snack shack between the 5th green and 6th tee, make sure you get whatever you need for the rest of the round there because you don't come back to the clubhouse at the turn. You'll be near it when you are playing 12, but if you are on the right side of the fairway then it's a pretty long haul to get back to it.

Enjoy. I typically make the journey a few times each year and will be doing so in about a month when a friend of mine from Chicago is in town.