Bethpage: Beyond the Black

There is little doubt that the Black course is the big star at Bethpage State Park, especially this week for the U.S. Open. But Bethpage is hardly a one-course show. While plenty of golfers come from far and wide and go to great lengths like queuing overnight in the parking lot to play a U.S. Open course, many regulars opt to play one of the park's four other courses.

That's because in addition to the Black's difficulty, the course is tough to navigate. It is walking only, and the pace of play is predictably glacial. Before the USGA came calling, it wasn't all that hard to get on the Black because of these factors.

I grew up on Long Island, and have played all of Bethpage's courses—Black, Red, Green, Blue, Yellow—scores of time. I have played them in all seasons, in all weather conditions, during all times of day. There is little doubt that a round on the Black should be on the to-do list of every golfer. But while you're here, it would be a shame to not take the time to play one or more of the other courses here. 

If you're interested in camping out at the park—or at least in the parking lot for tee times—for a few days, here is a guide to the other Bethpage courses.

RED
This is considered the second best course at Bethpage, and some have even gone so far as to compare it to the Black as a test of golf. Let me set you straight: There really is no comparison, and if you go into the round with elevated expectations, you might be disappointed.

That's not to say you won't find some good golf. Also designed by A.W. Tillinghast, the 7,014-yard Red features some great holes on the back nine like the 400-yard 13th, 482-yard 15th and especially the 463-yard 18th, which is a much better finish than the one found on Black. But there are also some mundane holes that lack visual interest, strategic options and engaging green complexes.  

BLUE
Originally designed by Tillinghast, the 6,638-yard Blue was reworked by Alfred Tull in 1960 to make room for the adjacent Yellow course. This has resulted in a patchwork layout with some brilliant holes, like the stretch from the 4th through the 6th (a reachable par 5, a driveable par 4 and one of the most demanding par 4s in the park), along with some awful ones, like the parallel 9th and 18th holes, which look as if they were afterthoughts.

Although shorter and seemingly easier than the Red, I always found the Blue tougher to score on, especially on the front tine, which has more elevation changes.

GREEN
The hallmark of the original course at Bethpage is the small greens that make elusive target. Although the course isn't long, the 6,378-yard layout has more than enough challenges for the average golfer. But there are no holes where disaster is imminent, unless you're a 16-year-old on the verge of a scoring barrier. On a hot summer day 20 years ago, my friend and I teed off for a late afternoon round on the Green.

The round was hardly memorable until I went on a birdie run—five in six holes—that left me on the 16th tee at 4 under, in good position to break 70 for the first time. Realizing what I was about to accomplish, I let the pressure get to me absolutely choked. Two doubles and a bogey later, I finally understood the importance of the mental game in golf.

YELLOW
The last course at Bethpage, at least chronologically, is also the most beginner-friendly. The holes are short (only one par 4 on the back nine is longer than 366 yard), the terrain is flattish and the greens are large and receptive. The par 3s tend to get a bit repetitive (it's not uncommon to use the same club for three of the four), but in between, there are some excellent stretches, like the 12th and 13th, a driveable par 4 followed by a strong two-shotter.

The Yellow won't challenge your game like the Black, but for a fun round with friends or family, there's no better layout at Bethpage.

Comments

[Greg Pinelli]

A rare interesting article...any course Tillinghast designed has interest..
My guess is that the shorter courses mentioned..if they had the same attention that has been paid to Black (millions spent+thousands of hours of analysis and attention) would be just as challenging.
Length...once again..is irrelevant beyond a certain point on any well designed..crafty course.