Gonna try and play Bethpage Black this weekend

[rob0225]

So I'm in Maryland for two weeks for work.  I waited too late to book my hotel and couldn't get a room for Friday & Saturday.  Figured I'd make lemonade.  

Bethpage is about 200 miles from here and since I don't have a room, I'll have to camp in a car anyway and give it a shot.  Looking forward to it.

Also figured I'd catch Sunday play at the Constellation Senior Tournament in Philly on the way back.  

 

 

[jamo]

@kpaulhus and I both played it last year a few weeks apart. I think I can speak for the both of us when I say you definitely will not regret it!
 

I think if I were to do it again, I'd skip the hotel and either sleep in my car or just leave (from Connecticut) at midnight or whenever and time my arrival correctly. I only ended up spending a few hours in the hotel.

Other than that, it was an awesome, awesome experience. I had the perfect tee time of ~8:30, so I had some time to hit the range, hit some putts, and just walk around. I did plenty of wandering around the pro shop (definitely bring some cash for that), and just generally walking around the clubhouse and surrounding area.

[Buckeyebowman]

I'm envious! My buddy and I have talked about doing that, but we'd be coming from Ohio. Do they still do it the same way? You have to camp out in your car all night? As famous as the place got after he Opens were held there, I might have thought they'd put in a tee time system.

[jamo]

23 minutes ago, Buckeyebowman said:

I'm envious! My buddy and I have talked about doing that, but we'd be coming from Ohio. Do they still do it the same way? You have to camp out in your car all night? As famous as the place got after he Opens were held there, I might have thought they'd put in a tee time system.

Not necessarily all night. For reference, I got there at 3:45am, got my tee time at 5:30, and at the time the earliest foursome tee time was 11:30. As a single i got an 8:30 tee time. 

So getting there the night before secures you a good spot, but you don't absolutely have to.

[nevets88]

12 hours ago, Buckeyebowman said:

I'm envious! My buddy and I have talked about doing that, but we'd be coming from Ohio. Do they still do it the same way? You have to camp out in your car all night? As famous as the place got after he Opens were held there, I might have thought they'd put in a tee time system.

They're defensive about it, the car line up and phone system. Somewhere written  in the directions on paper or online is we've been doing this since forever. Deal with it.  

There's a good bagel place if you drive towards 135 towards the library. The za across street isn't bad either. 

[rob0225]

For those that have played here,  Will it be an issue that I will be a single?  Will it impact my ability to get one of the tee times? I suspect they'll just group me with someone?

[jamo]

8 minutes ago, rob0225 said:

For those that have played here,  Will it be an issue that I will be a single?  Will it impact my ability to get one of the tee times? I suspect they'll just group me with someone?

It's actually the easiest way. They'll just put you in the earliest spot.

[davechen]

I'm sure they'll put you with someone.  My brother and I played there last year, and he plays there on a regular basis, living on Long Island.

We played it on a Friday.  If I recall correctly we got to the course at 5 am that morning.  We got the 3rd tee time of the day and they paired us with another twosome.

It wasn't really that tough to get a tee time.  It's not as busy as the other courses at Bethpage, I think because it's a difficult course and you have to walk.  No carts allowed.

But it was a great experience.  Best course I've every played.

[kpaulhus]

A lot of the early morning traffic is to play the other courses. The locals rarely play the Black course because it is really tough. Like Jamo said get there around 4-4:30 and you shouldn't have an issued getting a tee time before 10am.

[Buckeyebowman]

Thanks for the replies. I remember an episode of "Everybody Loves Raymond" where Ray and his Brother wait in their car to play the Black. According to the program there was a food truck that showed up offering hot sausage sandwiches, but I don't know if that really happens. There are what, 5 courses at Bethpage?

[rob0225]

BTW...if anyone in the area is interested, I can drive.

[Groucho Valentine]

The course tee to green isn't in the greatest shape right now and there is a lot of work being done to prepare for the Barclays this fall. So be prepared for that. The greens are in descent shape though. But a bonus is that a lot of the grass is down. 

It's tough walk so make sure you have plenty of water. Especially if it's a hot day. Have fun!

[rob0225]

Got here around 9pm and am 5th in line.  So definitely will get a tee time, no time ot get a bit of rest.

The drive into Long Island was horrible...It probably took me 2 hours to go 20-25 miles. OMG!!!

[jamo]

3 minutes ago, rob0225 said:

Got here around 9pm and am 5th in line.  So definitely will get a tee time, no time ot get a bit of rest.

The drive into Long Island was horrible...It probably took me 2 hours to go 20-25 miles. OMG!!!

Hahaha that sounds like Long Island to me.

[newtogolf]

7 minutes ago, rob0225 said:

Got here around 9pm and am 5th in line.  So definitely will get a tee time, no time ot get a bit of rest.

The drive into Long Island was horrible...It probably took me 2 hours to go 20-25 miles. OMG!!!

Welcome to NY, specifically Long Island.  I guess no one mentioned to you all the traffic you'd hit due to people heading out to the Hamptons for the weekend.   The weather should hold out for you tomorrow, they are calling for thunderstorms later in the day.  Have a great round.  

[Buckeyebowman]

Yes! Have a good round! The thing that concerns me about walking the place is how hilly it might be. I really don't know. Of course, I can suck it up for the round of a lifetime! I just don't want to suck at it! And looking at the website, it seems that there are only two sets of tees at the Black? Really hard and really harder?!

It's still on the bucket list, but damn the USGA! I would have never known about this place if they hadn't hosted an Open there!

And I've been on Lawn Guyland before to attend a 3 day wine education course/seminar at the Villa Banfi estate in Farmingdale, which is quite close to Bethpage. People around here complain about traffic. I tell them they have no idea what traffic really is!

[newtogolf]

10 hours ago, Buckeyebowman said:

Yes! Have a good round! The thing that concerns me about walking the place is how hilly it might be. I really don't know. Of course, I can suck it up for the round of a lifetime! I just don't want to suck at it! And looking at the website, it seems that there are only two sets of tees at the Black? Really hard and really harder?!

It's still on the bucket list, but damn the USGA! I would have never known about this place if they hadn't hosted an Open there!

And I've been on Lawn Guyland before to attend a 3 day wine education course/seminar at the Villa Banfi estate in Farmingdale, which is quite close to Bethpage. People around here complain about traffic. I tell them they have no idea what traffic really is!

It's not overly hilly, but it is long.  They have a great day, it's a bit overcast, cool breeze and pretty mild out.  Walking Black in the heat of the summer was pretty painful by the time we got to 16, but I'm not used to walking while golfing so it might not be so bad if you're used to it.