Bethpage Black Golf Course - Bethpage State Park, New York

Bethpage State Park was develped by lands previously owned by railroad tycoon Benjamin Yoakum. In the early 1930's NY State parks commissioner Robert Moses purchased the land and as part of a Depression-era work relief project, had nearly 2,000 workers build the Black, Red and Blue courses and the original clubhouse. It was Robert Moses' intent to create "The People's Country Club", an enormous golf complex that would be open to the public.

Legendary golf course architect AW Tillinghast was brought in to design and oversee the construction of the three courses at Bethpage. He also renovated the existing course, previously known as the Lenox Hills Country Club (originally designed by Devereaux Emmet). The renovated course would become the Green Course. A Yellow Course was later designed by Alfred Tull and opened in 1958.

Although seven Tillinghast designed courses in New York and New Jersey (including Winged Foot and Baltusrol) are ranked among America's 100 Greatest Courses, some believe Tillinghast had little to do with Bethpage. However, existing designs and drawings confirm that he definitely created this masterpiece, and that park superintendent Joseph H. Burbeck deserves the credit for carrying out Tillinghast's ideas.

True to Robert Moses' vision, Bethpage State Park is the largest public golf facility in the world, containing five 18-hole golf courses centered at one clubhouse. The 1,500-acre state-run facility at Bethpage hosts an average of 300,000 rounds of golf annually, and more than 18 million rounds to date.

Art Print of 18th Hole at Bethpage Black


#5 by Golf Digest - America's 100 Greatest Public Courses (2009-10)

Ranked #6 by Golf Digest - Toughest Golf Courses in US (2009-10)

#29 ranked Golf Digest - America's 100 Greatest Courses (2009-10)

Ranked #6 by Golf Digest - Best in State (New York) (2007-10)

#7 by Golf Magazine - Top 100 Courses You Can Play (2006-08)

Ranked #1 by Golfweek - Best State-by-State Public-Access (2007)

Prior to the start of the US Open at Bethpage State Park, the Black Course hosted 4 amateur golfers to see if they could break 100. Golf Digest's US Open Challenge, pitted Michael Jordan, Ben Roethlisberger, Justin Timberlake (all scratch golfers) and contest winner Larry Gibelhausen against the Black Course, in US Open condition (complete with rain). Although there were some rough spots, there were also several good shots by all involved. Overall, three of the four were able to break 100, with a low score of 81 (Ben Roethlisberger) and a high of 101 (Larry Gibelhausen).

However, since not all of us can afford to hire the best coaches (like Jordan, Roethlisberger, and Timberlake), we need to improve our games mostly on our own, like Larry Gibelhausen. Fortunately, you can get, and use the same tips that have appeared in Golf, Golf Digest, and Golf Illustrated magazines collected into a comprehensive guide to help you lower your scores.

How to Break 80 provides practical an deffective tips that will lower your score and make playing golf more fun than ever. Some of the things you will learn are:

The 10 Essential components for breaking 80
Shotmaking secrets
Prefessional pre-shot routines
Perfect practice techniques
How to handle bad shots
Short game shots
The secrets to reading a green properly
and much more...

Why spend another summer shooting over 100, with How to Break 80 you can start lowering your score now.

Image from Golf Digest - J.D. Cuban

Bell's Original Telephone & other Vintage Images are Available Here


Basically, you have two choices
1. Automated telephone reservation, or
2. Walk-up (or more precisely - sit in your car overnight)
Automated Telephone System

In order to use the telephone reservation system, you must first register to use the system. You can register in person at the Bethpage clubhouse (bring a valid driver's license or DMV issued identification) or by fax. All faxed submissions must be clearly written. Illegible submissions will not be processed.

New York State Residents Fax a copy of a New York State DMV identification card (driver's license or non-driver identification card) to 516-753-0413. The following information must be included on the identification:

name
date of birth
driver's license or non-driver identification's number
expiration date
Also include a contact telephone number

The driver or non-driver license's identification number will be the reservation access number. Registrations can be confirmed by calling the reservation system and entering the number.

Non-New York State Residents Fax a copy of a state driver's license or DMV identification card to 516-753-0413. The following information must be included on the copy of your identification:

name
date of birth
driver's license or non-driver identification's number
expiration date
Also include a contact telephone number

A registration number will be generated by the system and registrants will be contacted with their number. Registration can then be confirmed by calling the reservation system and entering the issued number.

How to Make a Reservation

RESERVATION NUMBER - 516 - 249 - 0707

Reservations on the Black course are limited to one reservation per person per month

New York State Residents A tee time reservation can be made seven (7)days in advance, beginning at 7pm EST for the Black Course. Reservations can be made at anytime during the seven day period, until 11:50pm EST the day before.

Non-New York State Residents A tee time reservation can be made two (2)days in advance, beginning at 7pm EST for the Black Course. Reservations can be made at anytime during the two day period, until 11:50pm EST the day before.

NOTE: There is a $5.00 per player reservation fee which must be purchased at least one hour prior to the reserved tee time. Any late arrivals risk loss of treir reservation, and the assessment of a $15 per player no-show fee.

ALSO NOTE:The automated system will be completely booked in ~2 - 3 minutes.

Allow plenty of travel time.

Walk-up

The first hour of tee times, or six foursomes, are reserved for walk-ups (telephone reservations cannot be made for the first hour) There is also one foursome per hour available for walk-ups. Early arrivals have a better chance of playing that day.

Arriving early is a matter of opinion - for most it involves sleeping overnight in their cars. which generally means people who have spent the night in their cars. Park supervisors will distribute bracelets at a random time each night, to confirm places in line. Hourly checks are made, to insure that at least one person per car remains in line. If no one is available to confirm a groups place in line, that place will be forfeit.

Starting at 4:30 every morning, a park ranger will compile a waiting list to replace cancellations or no-shows.

General information

PRE-US OPEN RESTRICTIONS: The Black Course will be open from April 11 to May 31, prior to the 2009 US Open Championship. Players will be permitted to play the Black Course once during this time period. Players will be logged and checked to make certain this restriction applies to everyone. This restriction includes reservation and walk-up players. The course will re open on June 27, and normal restrictions will apply.

The Black Course is a walking course only. Pull carts and caddies are available (caddies are arranged through the Pro Shop by calling 516-249-4040).

Fees
Residents
Weekdays: $39, $21 (twilight); $24, $13 (seniors).
Weekends: $49, $26; no senior discount.
Non-residents
Weekdays: $78, $42.
Weekends: $98, $52

Information
General Info: (516) 249-0700
Pro Shop: (516) 249-4040
Restaurant: (516) 501-9700
Reservations: (516) 249-0707