Question for the Bethpage Black regulars

[johnnybogey]

First things first, I am a 20 handicap, been plaing golf for about 5 years (less than 10 rounds a year). Grew up on Long Island and never played Bethpage Black. Played only Blue, Green and Yellow.

 

So.....I want to try the Black course. Of course, it'll be a challenge but I want to experience it.

 

Question for the Black course regulars, do you often see hackers out on the black course? What are the attitudes of the other low handicap players playing with a hacker? The last thing I want to do is ruin someone elses round because of my lack of skills. Of course, I plan to just pick up my ball where ever it may be if I can't get on the green in say, 4-5 shots on Par 4's, etc....

 

Thoughts / Comments appreciated.

 

Forgot to add, plan to play during the week. Would imagine that weekends are a zoo. Wonder if the Black course is all booked during the week. IIRC, course is closed every Monday for maintenance.

[dporto]

#1 - I can't say I'm a "regular" as I've only played the black 2 times (last summer). That being said, I'm sure you've seen the sign at the first tee that clearly states "The black course is extremely difficult and should be played by expert golfers only" (I'm paraphrasing). Of course this is not to say a 20 handicap absolutely could/should not play the black. I think if you do as stated in you're post above and you're mindful of your playing partners you should be fine. If you hit it in the rough, don't take the full 5 minutes looking for your ball everytime - that'll get old really quick!. As far as attitudes of low handicappers, that's a crapshoot at best. In my experience golfers in general are pretty nice/fair/friendly people, but you never know when you're going to run into a total a-hole ! Good luck and hit it straight.

[99Luftballoons]

I've played the Black a 100 times and i've seen low handicappers take way toooo long and seen hackers do just fine.
Just keep pace with the group in front of you and you"ll be fine.

[duff2303]

[quote name='99Luftballoons' timestamp='1341589826' post='5226704']
I've played the Black a 100 times and i've seen low handicappers take way toooo long and seen hackers do just fine.
Just keep pace with the group in front of you and you"ll be fine.
[/quote]

Totally agreed. If you play from the appropriate tees (i.e., not the back tees which far too many people do there), and move along there is no reason why you shouldn't enjoy the black course as well. Its a tough course, but a lot of fun too. Biggest challenge is dealing with the annoying reservation system!

[johnnybogey]

OK. This is it. Think I am playing the Black course on Friday, Sept. 7th. Hopefully, it would be too difficult to get a tee time for a single. We'll see.

Will report back on how I do. Thanks all for the tips.

Wonder what condition the Black course is in given the recent Barclay's event.

[rockinar]

If would imagine that as long as you keep up with the pace of play, it would not be a problem. Meaning don't look shots in the rough for 5 minutes every time. Just drop another and move along. If you are struggling real bad on a hole, just pick up instead of hacking along. And play from the regulation tees.

[johnnybogey]

hey Rock, yeah, that's the plan. Will basically go out there with the main goal of keeping up with pace of play.

[jfzhorseman]

[quote name='johnnybogey' timestamp='1346357460' post='5562117']
hey Rock, yeah, that's the plan. Will basically go out there with the main goal of keeping up with pace of play.
[/quote]
Main goal is to ENJOY it!

[johnnybogey]

[quote name='jfzhorseman' timestamp='1346357777' post='5562145']
[quote name='johnnybogey' timestamp='1346357460' post='5562117']
hey Rock, yeah, that's the plan. Will basically go out there with the main goal of keeping up with pace of play.
[/quote]
Main goal is to ENJOY it!
[/quote]

Will definitely try to enjoy it.

[Mile High Fin]

Good luck..............good tips from everyone.

[alucard75]

How easy is it for a two ball to get on the Black in October? Not very? Tell me otherwise..

Cheers.

[Marrrk]

there are golfers of all types out there, there always are, so don't worry a bit. biggest thing you can do is just don't search for your ball for too long. bring a ton of balls with you, give a quick look, and then just drop one. you'll probably have more fun that way anyway.

[kftgolfer]

Does anyone know when the Black course closes for the season?

[drpino]

Black usually closes first or second week of November.

2-some in October may be able to walk on if you get there early enough (7-8am).

Playing it tomorrow afternoon.

[Marrrk]

[quote name='drpino' timestamp='1346960166' post='5597729']
Black usually closes first or second week of November.

2-some in October may be able to walk on if you get there early enough (7-8am).

Playing it tomorrow afternoon.
[/quote]

enjoy. was on last weekend and it was quite good fun finding decent lies in rough that was trampled down by the gallery. hoping there's still some of that left for me on Saturday.

[drpino]

Thanks, Marrrk...always do no matter how well or poorly I'm hitting it.

My buddy and I will likely be finishing up right around sunset...at least the forecast looks ideal.

How are the greens?

[Marrrk]

[quote name='drpino' timestamp='1346960935' post='5597791']
Thanks, Marrrk...always do no matter how well or poorly I'm hitting it.

My buddy and I will likely be finishing up right around sunset...at least the forecast looks ideal.

How are the greens?
[/quote]

about average. not much different than usual. some portions were roped off due to burn-out. in the center of #2, i guess the grass had completely died so there was just firm mud at spots. very surprised they didn't rope that off.

[Joe2282]

Don't psych yourself out. I've played with plenty of double digit guys on the black. I played the last day it was open before the Barclay's. Our 3 ball picked up a single at the tee, guy was really cocky. Told us he was a teaching pro. He proceeded to roll it off the first tee and shoot what looked like about 95-100.

Keep up. That's all you need to know. You'll have plenty of time to soak it all in.

[treyiswilson]

ya just play the red tees.....

[drpino]

[quote name='Marrrk' timestamp='1346961254' post='5597813']

about average. not much different than usual. some portions were roped off due to burn-out. in the center of #2, i guess the grass had completely died so there was just firm mud at spots. very surprised they didn't rope that off.
[/quote]

Thanks.

[treyiswilson]

place is tough....

[Joe2282]

[quote name='treyiswilson' timestamp='1346962532' post='5597915']
place is tough....
[/quote]

Agreed.

However, I am not so sure about your username. I think being King of Prussia would be a lot for one man to handle, but also being the Duke of Lizards? I don't see it.

[drpino]

#2 and #14 greens were BEAT. The rest were a little hurt...definitely worse than usual and slower. The rest of the course was in good shape, especially the FWs. There were still significant remnants of Barclays up but in the process of being removed. Blue tees played a little up from normal...probably played a shade over 7,000 only.

Got around in 5:15 the other day and finished just after sunset (7:15pm sunset, walked off 18 at around 7:25pm). Group in front had a Black first timer who I saw drag his rented pull cart straight across a couple greens Had to sort of yell at that group to put a stop to it.

Shot my second straight 82 (played 2 weeks before Barclays) with my only doubles on 8 and 9 . Very pleased with a 38 on the back side (5.0 index). Carrying on that course is a test in and of itself (8 miles if played straight...closer to 9 or 10 if you're crooked).

Looking forward to playing it a few more times before the end of the season. Aeration will occur 10/11-13 if I recall correctly.