Bethpage courses (other than black?)

Victory_Red · January 2, 2011

Guys,

trying to plan a fun trip for a few buddies.....coming from Rochester/Buffalo NY.........We have Black on our list, but also want to try and play one or two others. Heard Red is the next one to try. what would your third choice be?

Also, anything else in the area we should look at before we head home? Anything in the downstate area that is a "MUST PLAY"?

ceyoung · January 2, 2011

The Red is very good, they play a lot of the State Ams and qualifier stuff on that course. I think the next choices go Blue, Green, Yellow but don't really remember.

If you want a really long drive Montauk Downs in Montauk is awesome. The greens are amazing. Only problem is that it's about 100 miles East of Bethpage. Worth the trip if you can make it.

aue21 · January 2, 2011

The blue holds our Usga public links qualifier and has the toughest greens in the complex, take care,

crtssxc · January 2, 2011

If you are looking to play a course that is completely different than the black, try the green course. It plays pretty short and even as a short hitter (240-250 yd drive, hit 6 iron 165ish) I hit a lot of short irons and wedges into the greens.

Ronzo · January 3, 2011

[quote name='ceyoung' timestamp='1293995676' post='2871047']
If you want a really long drive Montauk Downs in Montauk is awesome. The greens are amazing. Only problem is that it's about 100 miles East of Bethpage. Worth the trip if you can make it.
[/quote]
Make the drive to Montauk Downs. You won't regret it.

Victory_Red · January 3, 2011

Ok guys, some great responses here!

We have agreed to book Black, Red and Montauk Downs. (all are in the top 10 courses you can play in NY!)

On the way home to Rochester, we are going to play Seven Oaks at Colgate University, a highly regarded RTJ course.

Any recommendations on WHERE to stay when visiting Long Island? something in an area with THINGS to do when we get done with golf.

Restaurants etc.

ninothing · January 3, 2011

Good luck with the trip. Myself and two others made the trip to BP last summer and it was great. We played on Day 1 Black and Red, Day 2 Black and Blue. The Red was a good course (a premium $ course over the others - Black excluded). The guys I went with were not too impressed with holes 2-5or6. The opening hole is really nice in my book and runs along side of #18 on Black. We all enjoyed the Red back nine better. We fit the Blue in just and rain was closing down on us the final day. The group seemed to like that course. Tees, fairways, greens (all the areas you are intended to play the ball) were great. You can tell however that it (Blue) has less maintainence in other areas than the Black. Some of the 'trouble' areas were beaten up pretty hard - but I wasnt trying to hit it in those areas anyway.

There is another thread started under my name on the boards that contains some details/help if interested. Overall it was a great trip. We all enjoyed having the complex of courses available in one central location.

Ronzo · January 3, 2011

Are you driving or flying in from upstate? If you're flying in, I'd fly in to MacArthur Airport (Islip), and stay at a nearby business-type hotel so that your rental vehicle could be dropped off easily. You might also consider the Hyatt Regency Wind Watch, which also has a decent course on-site. Here's a link to their golf package:
[url="http://www.longisland.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/offers/details.jsp?offerId=102096&isBookable=true"]http://www.longisland.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/offers/details.jsp?offerId=102096&isBookable=true[/url]

I set up an outing there about 15 years ago, and I stayed there on a visit north about 10 years ago. It didn't disappoint.

Victory_Red · January 3, 2011

Ninothing,
great posts in your thread about your trip.......looking forward to it! WOOHOO!!

ninothing · January 3, 2011

it was a great time - i am looking for 'excuses' to get back in the area for an extra day or two.

jbrunone · February 4, 2011

blue and red are the next best in my opinion, both challenging and fun

Rockfish · February 4, 2011

[quote name='Victory_Red' timestamp='1294074870' post='2872761']

We have agreed to book Black, Red and Montauk Downs. (all are in the top 10 courses you can play in NY!)

On the way home to Rochester, we are going to play Seven Oaks at Colgate University, a highly regarded RTJ course.
[/quote]

[b]Great 3 course on L.I. Montauk Downs is FABULOUS.

Sounds like your driving. If so you may want to check out Spook Rock and/or Richter Park, 2 EXCELLENT public golf courses.[/b] :good:

ExProGoingBack · February 4, 2011

Montauk Down is nice but not sure if its actually worth the drive. There is a course which is not too far from Bethpage....Hamlet Willow Creek....by far the best greens I have played on LI...they hard roll them so they are super smooth and quick....rarely a hair out of place there..decent amount of water....plus its never more that 4:15 hour round if you get off by 9:30 or so. There is also one on the North Shore of LI towards the city....Harbor Links in Port Washington.....nice track...can be long....and a long day if you don't tee early.

One Gray GLI · September 26, 2011

Willow Creek is nearby where I live, I've played there a couple times. Was in amazing shape and it was pretty challenging. Greens are great as stated. Granted I'm not too great at golf, I still had a good time, and the pace wasnt so bad.