Bethpage Black Bunkers

[sportsnut]

I dont know about anyone else but I was thinking today as I watched pics from the blimp looking down at the course that the bunkers looked like clouds in the sky for size and the number of them

[Beachcomber]

Cocaine is a helluva drug.

[Texian]

They're pretty from the air, but they look excessive and unnecessary to me.

Can you imagine how much extra it costs to maintain them, versus ordinary but well-placed bunkers on a much smaller scale?

[MSchott]

Originally Posted by Texian

They're pretty from the air, but they look excessive and unnecessary to me.

Can you imagine how much extra it costs to maintain them, versus ordinary but well-placed bunkers on a much smaller scale?

The Black Course costs a ton to play these days so they can easily afford to maintain them. I'd say that only on 18 are there too many bunkers.

[dsc123]

Originally Posted by MSchott

The Black Course costs a ton to play these days so they can easily afford to maintain them. I'd say that only on 18 are there too many bunkers.

If you're a NY State resident, its $75 on to play on a weekend.  That's not bad at all for a course.  $150 for non-residents.

[dsc123]

I'm curious though, what makes the course so difficult?  Is it just the bunkers and the length?  It doesn't look like there's a ton of other trouble around.

[MSchott]

Originally Posted by dsc123

If you're a NY State resident, its $75 on to play on a weekend.  That's not bad at all for a course.  $150 for non-residents.

Decent price if you are a NY resident. I'm not an played it before it was restored for about $25.00 so to me it seems pricey now. The point though is they have the money to keep up the course, both from fees and income from hosting events like the Barclay's.

[dsc123]

Originally Posted by MSchott

Decent price if you are a NY resident. I'm not an played it before it was restored for about $25.00 so to me it seems pricey now. The point though is they have the money to keep up the course, both from fees and income from hosting events like the Barkley's.

I grew up near there but never played it.  I remember during grade school going to the the little village they have set up with pilgrims or whatever.  Never the golf course though.  And now that I'm not a resident I'd have to pay $150.  Trying to do it next year though.

[MSchott]

Originally Posted by dsc123

I'm curious though, what makes the course so difficult?  Is it just the bunkers and the length?  It doesn't look like there's a ton of other trouble around.

I think the main difficulty is the elevated greens surrounded by bunkers. Also, there is deep rough if a tee shot is badly missed and of course the numerous fairway bunkers surrounded by tall grass. TV does not give a good picture of the green complexes. The bunker on number 2 is well below the green surface and nearly every green on the course is on a hill. It's hard to see the base of the pins from many fairways. Plus the white (shortest men's) tees are about 6700 yards.

[Infamous 273]

Originally Posted by MSchott

I think the main difficulty is the elevated greens surrounded by bunkers. Also, there is deep rough if a tee shot is badly missed and of course the numerous fairway bunkers surrounded by tall grass. TV does not give a good picture of the green complexes. The bunker on number 2 is well below the green surface and nearly every green on the course is on a hill. It's hard to see the base of the pins from many fairways. Plus the white (shortest men's) tees are about 6700 yards.

this.  i'd also add the relative small size of the greens.

in terms of deep rough, this is from saturday:

[dsc123]

Originally Posted by MSchott

I think the main difficulty is the elevated greens surrounded by bunkers. Also, there is deep rough if a tee shot is badly missed and of course the numerous fairway bunkers surrounded by tall grass. TV does not give a good picture of the green complexes. The bunker on number 2 is well below the green surface and nearly every green on the course is on a hill. It's hard to see the base of the pins from many fairways. Plus the white (shortest men's) tees are about 6700 yards.

Interesting, thanks!

Originally Posted by Infamous 273

this.  i'd also add the relative small size of the greens.

in terms of deep rough, this is from saturday:

Wow, that's pretty thick.

I was at the AT&T; this year and people were commenting on the "Open rough," but I didn't think it was all that bad.  This is another matter entirely.  The course looks pretty wide open on TV, but I guess this is just as bad, or worse, than trees.

And you risked life and limb to get a picture that close of tiger!  I was scolded and threatened with confiscation for using my phone withing 100 yards of Tiger (he was on the other side of the fairway for god's sake, walking off the tee).  No problem getting good pictures of other players, though.