#4 Bethpage Black

They aren't kidding


I played the Forward tees, 6220 yards, which is just about at the edge of my ability these days.  I don't know what Meg would do, who likes something around 5000 yards.  The two locals with me played the middle tees at 6704, and couldn't handle it at all.  I shot a higher score than I want to admit to, and they were worse.

The rough is the main obstacle.  It wasn't at US Open length, only about 3" deep, which is 1/3" longer than the diameter of a golf ball.  And thick.  If you can hit a wedge 60 yards from the rough, and it goes where you aim it, that is a very good golf shot.  I guess the mild weather on Long Island is quite conducive to grass growing.  Farther out on the island, the following week, I volunteered at the US Open at Shinnecock, on a totally different kind of golf course, sandy, windswept dunes with sparse grass, and a totally different kind of impossible challenge.

Some of the holes have a lot of sand traps.  I guess Tillinghast liked that.





From the forward tees there were not any forced carries that were too difficult for me, but Corey Pavin - a US Open Champion - had trouble reaching the fairway on some, and had no chance to reach the green without help from the wind on several holes.  I had no chance to reach the green on most of the par 4's, even with good drives.

You just have to be long and straight, and have a good short game for the fast, sloping greens.  It's true, this is an extremely difficult golf course.  But I recommend it for anyone who loves the game.

More pictures.

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