We all remember our significant firsts in life. The moments that stick forever. First kiss, first beer, first birdie. For me, another first was being thoroughly humbled by Bethpage Black.
Feeling Invincible
I was about 21 at the time and fresh off a solid 82 at my local muni. I’d gone to the gym twice that month and thought I was in peak condition. With my game and body in tip top shape, I was ready to take on one of the toughest courses in the country. Or so I thought.
The Warning Sign
The first thing that greets you at The Black is the oversized sign perched above the opening tee:
WARNING – The Black Course is an extremely difficult course which we recommend only for highly skilled golfers.
I gave it about half a glance and walked right past, the way you roll through a stop sign at 2 a.m. I stuck my tee in the ground, gave a quick nod to my imaginary gallery, and went through the routine. The plan was a nice fade around the dogleg.
First Swing, First Lesson
Despite the nerves, I put a decent swing on it. The ball didn’t fade and finding its way through the dogleg and into the rough. Nothing unusual. I’d been in rough before. No big deal. I’d just made the hole a little longer.
When I reached the ball, the lie didn’t look terrible. About 175 out, sitting down but not buried. Perfect 6-iron number. I took a confident rip and learned my first true lesson at Bethpage.
The clubface never had a chance. The grass wrapped around my hosel like Luca Brasi. The ball came out knee-high, and it dove left into even more rough about 90 yards away. In that moment, I understood why pros could shoot 10 over here and still not look bad doing it.
The Working Man’s Par
On the next shot, I pulled a wedge and took a more realistic approach. This time I muscled it out and managed to knock it to three feet. A scrappy par on the opening hole. And the lesson was burned into my brain: middle and long irons out of the rough at Bethpage Black are a waste of time. Take your wedge, get it back in play, and live to play another shot.
What Bethpage Teaches You
That was just the first hole. Despite the promising start, my front 9 scorecard looked like a crime scene. But here’s the thing: you don’t go to Bethpage Black for an easy round. You go to measure yourself against one of the hardest tests in golf. And you leave with stories you’ll tell forever.
The Black forces you to think differently:
• Fitness Matters. It’s a beast of a walk with hills that will wear your mind and body down.
• Course Management Matters. Par fives and par fours play long, and missing in the wrong spot means automatic bogey or worse.
• Patience Matters. The course will beat you down and drag you through the mud if you let your ego get in the way. Be patient and enjoy the walk.
Tips If You’re Planning a Trip
• Respect the warning sign. It’s not a marketing gimmick. The course is brutally tough.
• Check the tee sheet early. Times go quickly, especially on weekends, but with the right planning you can get out there.
• Be ready for the walk. There are no carts, and it’s a grind. Hydrate and pace yourself.
• Club down in the rough. Don’t fight it. Wedges and short irons are your best friend.
• Build a trip around it. Pair Bethpage with other Long Island or New York courses so you balance the punishment with some fun. Any of the other 4 Bethpage courses are a great choice too, my favorite of which is Red.
Final Thoughts
Bethpage Black is everything it’s built up to be: hard, historic, and unforgettable. I’ve been fortunate enough to play some elite courses since then, and the Black still holds a spot high up on my list.
If you’re planning a golf trip and Bethpage Black is on your radar, make it part of a custom itinerary. That’s the best way to fit in the experience without making the whole trip about one punishing round. I’ve walked these fairways, hacked out of this rough, and I help golfers build trips worth the stories.
