Nina Caldwell
Bethpage Golf Course, located in suburban Long Island, is one of the most popular golf courses in the United States. It features five 18-hole regulation golf courses, including the world-renowned Bethpage Black, which has hosted major golf tournaments such as the U.S. Open Championships, The Barclays, and the PGA Championship. While Bethpage offers a challenging and sought-after golfing experience, it is not free to play. Golfers must book tee times, which are highly sought-after and often quickly reserved, and there are associated costs for playing at Bethpage, including a non-refundable booking fee for groups of four.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Suburban Long Island, New York City |
| Number of Courses | 5 |
| Course Names | Black, Red, Blue, Green, Yellow |
| Course Yardage | Black: 7,468 yards, Green: 6,378 yards |
| Course Difficulty | Black: Very Difficult, Red: Difficult, Green: Easier than Black |
| Course Designer | A.W. Tillinghast (Black, Red, Blue, Green), Alfred Tull (Yellow) |
| Course Maintenance Day | Monday (Black Course) |
| Booking Method | Online, Walk-up |
| Pricing | Weekdays: $23-$43, Weekends: $26-$43, Senior Citizens and Juniors: $15-$25 |
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What You'll Learn
- The Black Course is challenging and only suitable for skilled golfers
- The Red Course features long par 4s and one of the toughest starting holes
- The Yellow Course is considered the easiest of the five courses
- The Green Course was originally called the Lenox Hills Course
- The Blue Course was redesigned by Alfred Tull in 1960
The Black Course is challenging and only suitable for skilled golfers
Bethpage State Park is a public park in Long Island, New York, that features five 18-hole golf courses. Among these is the world-renowned Black Course, which has hosted several prestigious golf tournaments, including the US Open in 2002 and 2009, The Barclays in 2012 and 2016, and the PGA Championship in 2019. The Black Course will also host the Ryder Cup in 2024 or 2025.
The Black Course is widely considered one of the most challenging golf courses in the world and is suitable only for skilled golfers. Its slope rating is one of the highest in the northeastern United States. The course is characterised by narrow fairways, high roughs, strategically placed bunkers, and small greens, all of which contribute to its extreme difficulty.
One golfer described the Black Course as "up there with the hardest [courses]—probably [one of the] top five courses I've ever played in my life." Another golfer commented that the Black Course is "a risk, even for really good players." The course is for walkers only, and golfers must be prepared to walk the course as golf carts are not permitted.
The Black Course is one of three courses at Bethpage State Park designed by master golf course architect A.W. Tillinghast, who is said to have created his finest work with this course. Tillinghast was hired in the early 1930s to design and oversee the construction of the Black, Red, and Blue Courses, as well as modify the Lenox Hills Course, which became the Green Course.
The challenging nature of the Black Course is further emphasised by the fact that even professional golfers have struggled to stay near even par during tournaments. The course demands a high level of skill and precision from golfers, making it unsuitable for beginners or those with limited experience.
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The Red Course features long par 4s and one of the toughest starting holes
Bethpage State Park is a public golf course featuring five 18-hole regulation golf courses. These include the world-renowned Black Course, which has hosted several major championships, including the US Open, the Barclays, and the PGA Championship. The Red Course, designed by famed golf course architect A.W. Tillinghast, offers a unique golfing experience with its long par 4s and challenging starting holes.
The Red Course at Bethpage is known for its long par 4s and one of the toughest starting holes in the country. The course lies on higher ground than the Blue Course and features more undulating terrain with dramatic elevation changes between tees and greens. It offers golfers a mix of six par 3s, six par 4s, and six par 5s, providing a diverse and challenging golfing experience.
The par 4s on the Red Course are particularly notable for their length and strategic design. These holes demand accurate and powerful tee shots, as well as precise approach shots to well-guarded greens. The combination of distance and carefully placed hazards makes these holes a true test of a golfer's skill and strategy.
One of the most talked-about holes on the Red Course is its challenging starting hole. This hole, a par 5 or par 4, depending on the tee box played, is tree-lined and can be a daunting prospect for even the most experienced golfers. The hole plays downhill off the tee and then runs back uphill as golfers approach the green, adding extra complexity to their strategy.
The Red Course at Bethpage, with its long par 4s and demanding starting hole, provides golfers of all skill levels with a thrilling and memorable golfing experience. The course's design, elevation changes, and strategic hole layouts make it a must-play destination for golfers seeking a challenging and diverse test of their abilities.
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The Yellow Course is considered the easiest of the five courses
Bethpage State Park is the largest government-owned golf complex in America, with five courses sprawling out from a central clubhouse. The Black Course, which has hosted the US Open in 2002 and 2009, is considered one of the most challenging courses in the world.
The Yellow Course, on the other hand, is considered the easiest of the five courses at Bethpage. It was opened for play in 1958 and was designed by A.W. Tillinghast and Alfred Tull. With a par of 71, a slope of 121, a rating of 69.5, and a length of 6,124 yards from the back tee, it is far less grueling than some of the other courses at Bethpage. The course features some memorable holes, including the famous Tillinghast "Reef" 12th, and strong land movement. The bunkers, however, have been described as needing some attention.
While the Yellow Course is considered the easiest, it still offers a fun and challenging experience for golfers. It is known as the beginner-friendly course at Bethpage and is a great option for golfers who want to have fun and improve their game. The course is also notable for being the shortest of the five courses, with wide fairways, a shorter length, and less severe slopes overall.
The Yellow Course is a great value option, with prices at $43 to walk on weekends and further discounts for weekdays, twilight, and 9-holes. It is also worth noting that, unlike the Red and Black Courses, there is no price difference for New Yorkers and out-of-state golfers.
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The Green Course was originally called the Lenox Hills Course
Bethpage State Park is a public golf course located in suburban Long Island, New York. It is home to five 18-hole regulation golf courses, including the world-renowned Black Course, which has hosted major championships such as the U.S. Open in 2002 and 2009, the Barclays in 2012 and 2016, and the PGA Championship in 2019. The park was developed from an estate owned by the Yoakum family, who leased their property to the Lenox Hills Corporation in the early 1930s. The Lenox Hills Country Club was then built, and it was subsequently purchased by the Bethpage Park Authority, along with other adjacent properties, to create Bethpage State Park.
The Green Course, the first of the five courses at Bethpage, was originally called the Lenox Hills Course. It was renamed when the Black, Red, and Blue Courses were built, and famed golf course architect A.W. Tillinghast was hired to design and oversee their construction. Tillinghast also modified the Lenox Hills Course, which then became known as the Green Course. The Yellow Course, designed by Alfred Tull, was added in 1958 to accommodate the increasing popularity of golf and the high demand for tee times at Bethpage.
The Green Course is a challenging yet enjoyable course for golfers of all skill levels. It offers a mix of narrow fairways, strategic bunkers, and water hazards that come into play on several holes. The course is well-maintained, with immaculate fairways and greens that rival those of private golf clubs. The layout provides a fair test for golfers, rewarding accurate tee shots and strategic course management. The greens are known for their undulations and speed, demanding precise putting strokes.
The Green Course at Bethpage has gained recognition among golfers for its unique characteristics and playability. It has hosted numerous amateur and professional tournaments, showcasing the talent of up-and-coming golfers as well as established players. The course's original design as the Lenox Hills Course has been seamlessly integrated into the overall Bethpage golf experience, contributing to its reputation as a premier public golf destination.
The Green Course, with its rich history and engaging layout, attracts golfers from near and far. It stands as a testament to the evolution of Bethpage State Park and the transformation of the former Lenox Hills Country Club into a world-class golfing facility. Visitors appreciate the course's accessibility, scenic beauty, and the opportunity to test their skills on the same fairways that have challenged some of golf's greatest players.
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The Blue Course was redesigned by Alfred Tull in 1960
Bethpage State Park is a public golf course in Farmingdale, New York, featuring five 18-hole regulation golf courses. It is not free to play golf at Bethpage; the cost varies depending on the day of the week, the course played, and the age of the player. For example, on weekdays, 18 holes on the Blue Course costs $38, whereas 18 holes on the Black Course costs $99.99. Senior citizens and juniors benefit from discounted rates, with 18 holes costing $25 on weekdays.
The Blue Course was one of three courses designed by A.W. Tillinghast in the early 1930s. In 1960, it was redesigned by Alfred Tull to make room for the Yellow Course. Tull was born in Washington, D.C., and moved to Canada in 1907 and then to the United States in 1914. He began his career with his brother, William J. Tull, in a construction firm that supervised the building of courses for renowned golf architects such as Walter Travis and Devereux Emmet. Tull's ability to lay out individual holes and establish a circuit by walking the land and staking holes was particularly impressive. The front nine holes of the Blue Course are considered very challenging, with an easier back nine to finish the round.
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Frequently asked questions
No, it is not free to golf at Bethpage. It is a public golf course, and you need to book a tee time.
You can book a tee time online or by walking up. To book online, you need to be on the website at 7 pm sharp and keep refreshing the page until the times for the following week are released.
The cost of playing at Bethpage varies depending on the course and day of the week. For example, a reserved foursome is charged $20 at booking, and this fee is non-refundable if canceled or modified.
