Bethpage State Park - Black Course
United States · 18 holes · Par 71 · 7,459 yards · Designed by A.W. Tillinghast (1936), restored by Rees Jones (1998, 2003) · Est. 1936
Overview
Bethpage Black is the ultimate public golf experience - a U.S. Open venue for $65-150. If you're a serious golfer, playing Bethpage Black is a bucket list, must-do round. It's brutally hard, but it's Tiger Woods' stomping ground, and it's accessible to anyone willing to brave the booking process. The course is HARD. Really, really hard. The famous first tee sign isn't joking: 'The Black Course is an extremely difficult course which we recommend only for highly skilled golfers.' At 7,459 yards with narrow fairways, thick rough, elevation changes, and deep bunkers, this is championship golf. Even scratch golfers struggle. If you're a mid-high handicapper, expect to shoot 20+ over your handicap. But that's part of the experience. Conditioning is excellent for a public course - Rees Jones restoration and U.S. Open preparation means the course is maintained well. Fairways are good, greens are fast and true (by public standards), bunkers are raked. It's not Pebble Beach or Augusta pristine, but for a $75 round, it's excellent. The atmosphere is pure New York - loud, crowded, no-frills, blue-collar golf. Expect 6-hour rounds on weekends. The clubhouse is basic (think cafeteria). Cart rental is optional - many walk. Rangers enforce pace of play. Other golfers are friendly and passionate - this is their U.S. Open venue. The 18th hole walk-up is iconic - you're finishing where Tiger finished, where Ryder Cup matches will be decided. Post-round, grab a beer and swap war stories. Weather: New York climate. Hot, humid summers 80-95°F (27-32°C). Spring (April-May) and fall (Sept-Oct) are ideal: 60-75°F (16-24°C). Winter is cold and course may close. Always pack layers and rain gear. At $65-150 (vs. $500+ for other major venues), Bethpage Black is incredible value. It's hard, blue-collar, and no-frills - but it's a U.S. Open venue open to the public. Unforgettable.
History
Bethpage Black opened in 1936, designed by A.W. Tillinghast (one of golf's greatest architects, also designed Winged Foot and Baltusrol). Built during the Great Depression as a public works project, Bethpage Black was designed to be extremely difficult - a championship course for the masses. The famous warning sign on the first tee ('extremely difficult course... for highly skilled golfers') has been there since the beginning. For decades, Bethpage Black was a local legend - a brutally hard public course in New York. In 1998-2002, Rees Jones restored the course, and it was selected to host the 2002 U.S. Open - the first U.S. Open at a truly public municipal course. Tiger Woods won in dominating fashion. The event was a massive success, proving that public courses could host majors. Bethpage Black has since hosted the 2009 U.S. Open (won by Lucas Glover) and the 2019 PGA Championship (won by Brooks Koepka). It's scheduled to host the 2024 U.S. Open and 2025 Ryder Cup. It's the only public municipal course to host multiple majors. Bethpage Black is beloved for its accessibility - anyone can play a U.S. Open venue for $65-150. It's also famous for its difficulty. The course is long (7,459 yards), narrow, with thick rough, deep bunkers, and elevation changes. It's consistently rated the hardest public course in America. Bethpage State Park has five courses total (Black, Red, Blue, Yellow, Green) - all public. The complex is one of the world's busiest golf facilities, with 300,000+ rounds per year.
Signature Holes
Long par 5 with cross bunkers 280 yards from tee. Second shot over more bunkers to narrow fairway. Third shot to elevated green. One of the hardest par 5s in America. Bogey is a good score.
Long brutal par 4 uphill. Narrow fairway, deep rough, elevated green. Consistently ranked one of the hardest holes on the PGA TOUR when they play here. Pars are precious.
Longest par 4 in major championship history. Uphill dogleg right. Two long shots to reach elevated green. Many pros play it as a par 5. Incredibly difficult.
Another long, brutal par 4. Narrow fairway, deep rough, hazards left. Approach to elevated green. Relentless difficulty.
Long par 3 over valley to elevated green surrounded by bunkers. Wind makes club selection difficult. Beautiful and challenging.
Pros & Cons
✓ The Good
- U.S. Open and PGA Championship venue - true major championship pedigree
- Incredibly affordable - $65-150 (cheapest major venue in the world)
- A.W. Tillinghast design - one of golf's greatest architects
- Public municipal course - anyone can play (no resort stay required)
- Ultimate bucket list for serious golfers on a budget
- Famous first tee warning sign - iconic
✗ The Challenges
- EXTREMELY difficult - brutal for mid-high handicappers
- Tee times nearly impossible to get - people camp overnight
- 6-hour rounds common on weekends due to difficulty and crowding
- No-frills public course - basic clubhouse, cafeteria food
- Conditioning good but not pristine (it's a public course)
- Crowded and loud - peak public golf experience (chaos)
Our Verdict
Bethpage Black is the ultimate public golf experience - a U.S. Open and PGA Championship venue that anyone can play for $65-150. For serious golfers on a budget or anyone who wants to play where Tiger Woods and Brooks Koepka won majors, Bethpage Black is a must-play bucket list course. The course is BRUTALLY hard. The famous first tee sign warns you: this is for highly skilled golfers. At 7,459 yards with narrow fairways, thick rough, and elevation changes, even scratch golfers struggle. If you're not a low handicapper, expect to get beaten up. But that's part of the experience - you're playing a U.S. Open course. Booking a tee time is the hardest part. People camp overnight (literally) at the course to secure weekend walk-up times. The online reservation system crashes regularly. Weekdays are easier but still competitive. Consider hiring a booking service or playing midweek. Conditioning is good for a public course - well-maintained fairways and greens (by public standards). It's not Pebble Beach pristine, but for $75, it's excellent. The atmosphere is pure New York - loud, crowded, blue-collar, and passionate. Expect 6-hour rounds on weekends. At $65-150 (vs. $500+ for other major venues), Bethpage Black is incredible value. You're playing a U.S. Open venue for the price of a chain restaurant meal. It's hard, it's crowded, it's no-frills - but it's authentic, accessible, and unforgettable. Is it worth it? If you're a serious golfer who wants to play a major championship venue on a budget, absolutely. If you're a high handicapper who hates slow play and thick rough, skip it. If you appreciate Tillinghast design, U.S. Open history, and blue-collar public golf, you'll love it. Best for: Low-to-mid handicap golfers who want a major venue on a budget, New Yorkers, Tillinghast fans, golfers who don't mind crowds and slow play. Not ideal for: High handicappers (you'll lose 20 balls), impatient golfers, those expecting resort amenities. Combine Bethpage Black with the other Bethpage courses (Red is excellent and easier, Blue and Yellow are solid). Manhattan is 35 miles away - combine with NYC sightseeing. Long Island has good restaurants and beaches. This is a working-class golf pilgrimage. Bottom line: Bethpage Black is the ultimate public golf experience. It's brutally hard, the tee time process is a nightmare, and it's crowded - but it's a U.S. Open venue for $75. Book it, embrace the chaos, and prepare to be humbled. Walking off 18 where Tiger won is worth every lost ball.