So I am in New York and just played Bethpage Black for the first time today but only got to play 12 holes because it got dark. Afterwards I realized how incredibly good the pros are and how impressive it is to think of the 2002 US Open when Tiger won and that there were actually players under par in those conditions. The rough was nowhere near that of a US Open and the greens were probably only about 10 on the stimp but it was still the hardest course I have ever played. Just wondering if any of you have played it from the tips too, and what did you think of it and where does it rank in terms of difficulty of courses youve played?

When did you get there to walk on? and what tee time did you get? Im looking to go on the 13th and be there for about 5 am hoping to get out by 10 or 11 am

played it last week, 1st time in many years(grew up in LI). plays 6684 from whites, 7387 tips, par 71. Obviously, lots of long par 4's. great course for public or private, elevation changes, interesting holes, and mostly smaller greens than I expected. Water on one hole only. If you can hit your long irons/hybrids/FW's into greens, you can score. Had 49/42, mostly because i went in a bit intimidated and expecting to score high. I'm an 11 capper, and we kept ego in check and played whites. big fun, cant wait to go back. If you know someone with NY drivers license, have them enroll in system, then all of you call with his info one week in advance and you might actually get real tee time. Fees are 108 for outofstate, 54 for NY'er. can walk with pull cart, which does make it an easier walk. Do it and Enjoy!

Wow, I really hope I'm able to get on next week. Going to be possibly walking on as a twosome with a friend of mine from NJ. I look forward to shooting 90.

When it first opened after the renovation, I played it from the tips for the obvious reasons but I just dont have the game to play it from there. Basically it turned into a Par 80 for me compared to before the renovation. I would always play the white tees now.

Bethpage has some of the greatest shots that you will see on any course, second shots into the greens at 2, 5, 6 15 are all world shots to me. Driving has been hindered too much by narrowing the fairways and making the rough so thick. Why have the everyday player take a wedge from 200 out? Let's give him a chance to go for the green with a hybrid club that probably won't hold anyway! Still drives on 1, 3, 4, 12, 16 are great ones to me. There are others but these stand out against the greatest in golf.

The greens are flatish but they are subtle too so there are few easy putts. However if you 3 putt at BB, it was probably a speed issue not a side to side issue.

The Par 3's are very good but not great when compared to a Shinnecock, Merion or Pine Valley.

I am still not sure how to fix 18, but it is better that what was there before.

Conditions today are apples and oranges but as mentioned, it should be wider fairways and lower rough, IMHO. The model for the course was Pine Valley which has wide fairways.

The only problem with BB now is getting on, and I never did sleep in a car even when I drank alot of beer in college!

PS. The two things that BB could use is a great short Par 4 such as 17 at Oakmont. I like the 2nd hole more than most, but you (or a pro) can't drive it. Also I would like to see a short treacherous Par 3 similar to Shinnecock 11. If you change 14 and 18 into these two types of holes it goes Top 10 for me.

i hold my handicap there and im a 2

toughest course tee to green ive ever played, but now in spain, PGA Catalunya has the toughest greens ive ever played.

glad you enoyed your round!