Bethpage State Park -The Black

$151 (cart not included), played on Saturday, May 2016 at 2:48 PM

Enjoy playing the course that the pros play

Do Not Recall (cart not included), played on Friday, April 2006 at 10am

Spectacular! Everything I expected and more. Love the stately oak trees and classic layout. Difficulty is a plus just because average golfers can test their skills against the pros. Bunkers and length are incredibly challenging. Love this place, and have played the Red and Green as well.

$76 (cart not included), played on Saturday, October 2011 at 2pm

If you want to know what it's like to play a TRUE U.S.OPEN or PURE PGA layout, unadulterated by the elements and for the PROS only, try your skill. The biggest drawback is that you can not go out and PRACTICE or play a practice round. I understand this and I understand why this has to be. That sucked a bit. I can play any course-well, but I need to practice. The solution is to keep playing this course over and over(get in a group and each make reservations for a foresome over the course of a month) until you matriculate to breaking 80. If you can do this, you can play anywhere, anytime and with anyone and you will not be intimidated. Moreover, you will shoot par! Remember, it's not the person you play with who intimidates you ----it's the golf course. Sincerely, Rich Willett

$126 (cart included), played on Thursday, July 2010 at 10am

First time I played the Black, although I caddied all 5 courses as a kid back in the '60s. She's a much different and prettier old girl than I remember, harder yet fair. I'd probably have played better if I didn't have a story or two from each of the holes. I'll go back in the spring and try her again. Pleasing vistas and tough rough. Highest recommendation.

$71 (cart not included), played on Sunday, September 2008 at 8am

The Cost is not $39 - not even close Try 75 to 150 and double it if your not a NY state resident

$31 (cart not included), played on Thursday, July 2008 at 6am

I look forward to playing this course every year. Ever golfer should play Bethpage Black once in their lifetime.

$46 (cart not included), played on Wednesday, October 2008 at 10am

Bethpage Black, what can I say.

Tough to get on, if you live in NYS you need to have speed dial the week before.

The greens had been aerated the week before I played, and the putts still rolled pretty true. The rough is punishing, the fairways immaculate. If you have not played, take a caddie. Since you MUST walk anyway, makes it fun. Also saved me at least 10 strokes.

This will be one tough course to get on next year before the Open, so if you can get on now, you should. Tillinghast was really an evil genius, but if you can keep it in the fairway, you have a shot at a lot of pars.

$101 (cart not included), played on Tuesday, August 2008 at 2pm

We did not have to spend all night to get a tee time. You can call after 8am on the morning of play and get a cancelled tee time. Singles had many options to join up with 2-3somes.

The Staff in the proshop and the starter must have been having a long day because they were all grumpy old bastards, not helpful at all, not even friendly.

The course was in great shape and very challenging. Avoid the bunkers at all costs unless you are exceptional bunker player. Lots of elevation changes.

Worth the hype and the hassle, will definitely go back.

$46 (cart not included), played on Friday, June 2008 at 4pm

This is an incredible test of golf. It is long, it is tough and when you finish you feel as if you have played a US Open venue. I was pleased to break 100 when it usually takes seventy-something to assuage my competitive nature. The pro shop is large and very well stocked, including some teriffic bargains. There is very good food in the restaurant. The driving range has mats, but this is the New York Metro area sort of. The price is about 1/6 of Pebble and the course is comparable. Phenomenal bargain. If you are in the area and don't play it, you are scared or foolish. It is harder than Pinehurst #2.

$56 (cart not included), played on Sunday, June 2008 at 8am

Great layout

$51 (cart not included), played on Wednesday, November 2007 at 10am

walk up tee times are available. worth the 2-3 hour wait. challenging test of golf. WALKING ONLY. well maintained and preparations have started for the next U. S. Open. Don't expect country club amentities or customer service. While the course is clearly (marked as being) for the skilled golfer, it doesn't stop the 20+ plus handicappers from wanting to play it. As a result, if you happen to be playing behind that group, it can result in a 5 1/2 -6 hour round. You will most likely never see a ranger. the red course is similar in layout, however, shorter and less difficult and is a good alternative to the black course. ok driving range, very good putting areas (3) and no short game area. THE BEST VALUE IN GOLF, SECOND TO NONE.

$26 (cart included), played on Tuesday, September 2006 at 8am

MOST DIFFICULT COURSE I HAVE PLAYED. Green fee was very reasonable, particularly with cart, and with New York State Driver's license, reduced rate with cart is an incredible deal. Richard J.Willett, Jr. CEO & Founder WILLETT GOLF INTERNATIONAL,LLC 11 BROADWAY, SUITE 1020 NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10004

$76 (cart included), played on Friday, June 2006 at 6am

Fulfilled all expectations...came all the way from Victoria, BC, Canada and it didn't disappoint. It was a grueling test of golf...long even from the white tees (6,700 yards and most of the par 4s are over 420 yards), very little water (only one of the par 3s), long wild grasses lining most fairways, tons of sand protecting all of the greens and perfectly placed to gobble up tee shots. It seemed like we kept up a great pace (not a lot of waiting) but it still took 5 hours...could have been 5 of the most enjoyable hours of my life, though! Below are things I tried to find out before we left for our trip but couldn't because it seemed there was very little information about how to get tee times: 1. We arrived after the Thursday night Mets game in June(about 30 minutes from Shea although the detour on the LI Expressway made it longer) at about midnight fearful that we'd arrived too late to get one of the first tee times the next morning. We pulled into the dark parking lot at the front right of the property and were pleased to find out that we were the 6th car there. You must back into the numbered spot (I guess to make a quick get away to the reservations desk the next morning). After engaging in some small talk with the other avid golfers who were already hanging out in the parking lot (and had done this many times) our excitement began to grow as the "veterans" indicated that we would be a slam dunk to get an early tee time on the Black. Like my kids on Christmas Eve, we then settled into our reclined rental car seats for what we hoped would be a very quick (but restful)4 hours sleep. 2. At 4:30 AM the park ranger rapped on our window and told us to hurry up and roll it down (unbelievably we had fallen into a deep sleep and were a bit groggy!). He gave us each a wrist band and two numbers (every golfer must be present at that point) and told us to drive to the reservations desk, which is in the same building as the pro shop. At 4:30 AM about 30 cars were parked in the lot waiting for the park ranger's arriveal. At the door to the reservations desk another employee allows in the golfers based on the numbers assigned. As we reached the front of the line, we were asked to view the video screens above the counter showing the available tee times for the 5 courses. We were thrilled to snag the 7:09 tee time. I almost had to be pinched it was so unbelievable to actually have the sought after tee time. Unfortunately calling my buddies or wife on the West Coast at 4:45 AM EDT wouldn't elicit the same shared excitement as I was experiencing so I had to share it with my one buddy with me! The first tee time on the Black was at 6:30 and spaced 9 minutes apart so the tee times right up to about 7:30 I believe were saved for walk up traffic. After that one tee time per hour was available for walk up traffic. 3. We were surprised that Friday tee times still attract the weekday rate of $78 for non-state residents. As we had not showered for 3 days in the sticky east coast heat, we gladly paid the $5 daily charge which gave us access to the locker rooms immediately. We showered (quite likely in the stall where Tiger showered!) and felt as spry as we had ever felt. 4. We then got a quick breakfast (most guys choose to kill the time in the restaurant) and headed over to pick up our rental clubs at the range and hopefully hit a bucket of balls. The only two downers on the experience were the absolutely crappy clubs they rent for $30(mismatched no name set and a bag with broken zippers) and the fact that the range was closed. 5. We then proceeded to the practice green for a few putts before heading to the first tee. We spent time taking pictures in front of the famous "this golf course is extremely difficult..." sign and the Bethpage "home of the 2002 and 2009 US Open" sign. The two guys we were paired up with were perfect partners as one guy was from Queens who had played the course many times before so could walk us around and the other guy was an interesting travelling young business man from Mississippi who had played in the 1996 Basketball Final Four for Miss State. Interestingly the guy from Queens had shown up in the parking lot at 4:00 as a single and still got this prime tee time on the Black. 6. After the round, the pro shop, as expected, had lots of interesting merchandise for very reasonable prices. After filling up on souvenirs for the buddies back home, we again showered in the nice locker rooms and then headed to Philly to see the Phillies that night! 7. It wasn't the most scenic course I had ever played (come play in Whistler for that) but it was truly amazing to play a grueling golf course that Tiger had hardly been able to tame. 8. If you are not fortunate enough to get a time on the Black, we were told by the guy from Queens that the order of courses for quality and challenge is Black, Red, Blue, Yellow, Green. Recommended: Yes Green Fees Paid (US$): 78 Speed of Play (typical weekend): 4 to 5 Hours Look Out For: Sand