Bethpage Black

[Finn07]

I dont know where the Bethpage Black thread went but Im playing it on Tuesday morning with a buddy of mine. I heard they aerated the greens last Monday, do you think one week later they will still be affected?

[flap]

They were aerated last Tuesday and Monday and since they are done only twice a year I would imagine it was a core aeration and solid top dressing.We had some good soaking rains the last 2 nights here on the island and the forecast is for sunny days and cool nights the whole weekend so maybe they wont be too bad.Craig is a magician with greens but they are predicting rain for tuesday or at least the chance of showers so good luck.

[Finn07]

Its rainiing here in Westchester now, they say it will be periodic throughout the day, wondering if I should take a chance and go out there, its about an hour away. Hmm....

[bklynbenz]

not looking too good in manhattan right now

[Finn07]

Yeah, I ended up not going (sucks).

[flap]

Hey next week it should be back to normal and the kids return to school and so do the teachers and it should loosen up as far as getting a decent tee time.

[Finn07]

Thanks, ill probably be out there in two weeks.

[Bo the Golfer]

What is the best way for an out of stater to get on the Black? I live in Boston and some friends and I would love to get out there.

[Finn07]

Call the general number 516-249-0700, they will be able to help you, im not sure.

[soup]

Great site - just stumbled on it.

I live about 5 miles from Bethpage and I'm fortunate enough to play it quite a few times during the summer. Work has had me tied down the last 3 or 4 years, but I made a commitment to get out more often from now on.

The Black is a wonderful experience - I moved to LI in 2000 and played The Black for the first time about 6 weeks after the 2002 Open. The first time I played it was the only time I had butterflies in my stomach while teeing off. It is a humbling experience - but it is worth every minute.

I'm amazed at how the professionals are able to play 3 practice rounds and then play four days of tournament golf on that course under those conditions. Anyone that says golf isn't a sport should have to strap a bag on and walk The Black.

I can pretty much show up at any country club and throw up an 85 - but it took me about 20 rounds on The Black to somehow get into the low-90s. It's like any other home muni - you learn the nuances of the course, where to hit it, where to take some gambles and most importantly, how to take your medicine.

Played a nice round last month - out in 43 with a birdie on #2 and a couple of pars thrown in - but the back nine starts kicking your arse immediately on #10 and winds up with what have to be some of the toughest closing four holes in golf. Came in with a 48 for a pretty respectable 91....just makes you want to go right back out.

My favorite hole on The Black is #6 - a 408 yard par 4 with a downhill second shot into an island green surrounded by finger bunkers - just a beautiful golf hole.

The best part about The Black is showing up as a single meeting up with out-of-staters, or going with out-of-town friends, for their first time. All of these guys shoot 82 on their home courses - but wind up slapping it around in 105 on The Black.

Just today I invested in a new set of irons for the first time in 12 years - went from my old reliable, comfortable Tommy Armour 845s to the Callaway X-20s. All of a sudden my 6 iron went from 160 to 180 - so I can't wait to get out and give them a test drive on the best road course in golf.

And I see a lot of guys on this forum that think they don't have the game for The Black - but as long as you play fast, and don't look for lost golf balls or balls in the rough for longer than a minute or two, you'll be fine. I've played in foursomes where one guy shot a 76, a couple of us were in the 90s and one guy shot 120 - but no one cares - the pace of play is no more than average (which on Long Island equates to five hours) and everyone always has a blast.

The day I shot 91 last month I went out as a single, with a pair of brothers and another single. One of the brothers was from San Jose and the other single was also from San Jose - before we left the first tee, they realized they lived 8 houses away from each other and their kids go to the same school - the first time they ever met was on the first tee at The Black.

[flap]

The thing I allways like about the Black is about the 14th some one new allways says "this aint as tough as i thiought it would be".You ask them at the end what they shot and they say 110.Allways get a chuckle out of it.

[nevets88]

FYI - there were decent tee times available this weekend if you came around 6. There was a 9am tee time yesterday and a couple at 10am Saturday.

[soup]

FYI - there were decent tee times available this weekend if you came around 6. There was a 9am tee time yesterday and a couple at 10am Saturday.

Good info, thanks. No good this coming weekend, but I'll get out a couple of more times this year. No chance to get an entire round in teeing off after 2pm or so - so going through the reservation system ain't going to cut it with the days getting shorter.

[flap]

Try towards the end of the month when most of the people have used up the one time allowed per month.

[doublesuited77]

also, if you can't play the black, definitely play the Red. Actually, I think it is a equal course. The black gets tons of hype because of the open but I think the red could very easily host any golf tourney it wants to.

[soup]

The Red is an excellent golf course. Took a buddy from work back in July - he's about a 20 handicap. First hole, 471 yard par 4, up hill. He went driver, 5-wood to about 10 feet and made the putt......I'd say there are less than 20 birdies on that hole over the course of a season.

One advantage over The Black, it's nice to be able to feel your legs when you're done with The Red since you can use a cart.

[flap]

Yeah but the Red is a GREAT walking course.Not too many mountains.And nice 5 wood.

[Finn07]

Ive played the Black three times (from the tips) in my life and shot 92, 92, 93. Goes to show you how tough it is. Love it though. I have to get out and play the red I think next time I make the trip, I Hear nothing but great things about it.