When you think of a local muni, chances are you don’t think of a 7,436-yard par 71 major championship venue.
Here are 7 reasons why the Black Course at Bethpage State Park is not your average public golf course:
Painted Cups
Perfectly set and cut. Also, the greens are stunning.
The Greens Fees
If you flip it and compare the Black to the top courses in the U.S. it’s a bargain. Compare these to $500+ at Pebble Beach and other resort courses. It’ crazy!
Green Fees (New York State Residents)
- Weekdays (18 Holes): $65
- Weekdays (Twilight): $39
- Weekends (18 Holes): $75
- Weekends (Twilight): $45
- Senior Citizens and Juniors (Weekdays): $42
- Seniors Citizens and Juniors (Twilight): $25
Green Fees (non-NYS resident)
- Weekdays (18 Holes): $130
- Weekdays (Twilight): $78
- Weekends (18 Holes): $150
- Weekends (Twilight): $90
Makes You Feel Like A Tour Pro
This picture was taken right before the course closed to the public for the 2016 Barclays (Northern Trust.) So what if you missed the green and are buried under the lip, walking down this path waving to the crowd is a feeling unlike any other.
The Rough Is Thicc
If you miss a fairway at the Black, it’s almost a stroke penalty, even for the pros sometimes. While it may not be long, your ball will go straight to the bottom. It’s thick ryegrass and requires some serious strength to advance the ball. Not many public courses can say that.
Funny story. When I used to caddie here, a guy would typically miss the fairway on the first hole and they’d ask me what I think they should hit from a buried lie in the rough 200+ yards away. Usually, I just took out a wedge and tried to hand it to them. More often than not he’d look at me like I was insane so they’d ask for a 4-iron.
As any good caddie would, I didn’t argue. But I’d always laugh as I watched them hit the next 4 shots a combined 30ft. Next thing you’d know he’d ask for his wedge, got it back in the fairway and saved his 9 lol.
Here’s our scientific way of measuring the depth of the rough. But be advised, the beer can sank to the bottom and i’s only a quarter full. Gnarly stuff.
The Bunkering Is Art
Besides sheer difficulty, one of the Black Course’s biggest defense is the sand. It’s spectacular. It’s like art. There are 75 of them in total. While it looks intimidating, it is. Some of them are as big as deserts and as deep as oceans.
Also, you’ll notice the sand on the Black course is different than the other 4 courses that make up Bethpage State Park. It’s imported from Florida and is a much different consistency. It’s lighter and fluffier than what most courses in the northeast, have to offer. It’s also usually rock-free which is nice for a change a public facility.
Embed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty Images
Warning Sign
While it doesn’t seem to actually deter anybody who’s a 20+ handicap from playing the course, it does make them think twice. Plus it’s pretty cool to snap a picture next to.
Walking Only
Want to take a cart? Find a different golf course. Bethpage doesn’t allow golf carts on the Black course because real golfers walk. Pushcarts are also welcomed if you’re into that sort of thing.
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