Bethpage Black Course is a brutal beauty among America’s greatest public golf courses. Few public courses command more respect—or fear— and it is the crown jewel of the five-course Bethpage State Park complex in Farmingdale, New York. The legendary layout is a test of skill and a full-scale examination of mental and physical endurance. It will humble even the most seasoned golfers having earned its reputation as one of the most challenging and iconic public golf courses in the United States.
A Course Made For Champions
Opened in 1936 and designed by the famed A.W. Tillinghast, Bethpage Black was originally built during the Great Depression as part of a public works initiative. While four other courses—Yellow, Green, Blue, and Red—exist within the park, the Black Course is in a league of its own. It was designed specifically for low handicappers, and this message is made clear before you even tee off. The infamous sign near the first tee warns:
“The Black Course is an extremely difficult course which we recommend only for highly skilled golfers.”
This isn’t marketing hype—it’s a genuine caution.
Course Layout: A Relentless Challenge
From the tips, Bethpage Black plays 7,468 yards, par 71, and features slope and course ratings of 155 and 77.5, respectively. Every aspect of the layout demands precision and power. Its narrow, canted fairways are framed by dense rough and massive bunkers forcing players to be accurate off the tee. Its deep, steep-faced bunkers—many original Tillinghast originals—protect nearly every green. Small, undulating greens will challenge even the most consistent putters, and elevation changes that include blind shots force thoughtful club selection and course management.
Bethpage Black’s difficulty lies in its length, bunkering, thick rough, and punishing greens.
Championship Pedigree
Bethpage Black is tournament tested. It became the first public course to host the U.S. Open in 2002 and returned for the 2009 U.S. Open, and the 2019 PGA Championship. It’s also been the site of multiple FedEx Cup Playoff events and will host the Ryder Cup in 2025. Its hosting resume proves that Bethpage Black isn’t just a brutal test, but a world-class venue capable of challenging the best golfers on the planet.
Playing the Black Course
Tee times are in high demand. While New York State residents get priority booking, out-of-staters can secure times online or even brave the infamous overnight line for walk-up play—a rite of passage for some golf purists. That said, if you are set on playing the Black Course, a tip from me is to try looking closer to your date of play. Often, tee-times will open up a day or two before—or even the same day—as local residents cancel out.
Final Verdict
Bethpage Black is a proving ground. It will humble you, it will frustrate you, and it will test every club in your bag. But it will also thrill you with its design brilliance, reward your grit, and give you bragging rights forever. For public golf enthusiasts and Tillinghast fans alike, a round at Bethpage Black is a bucket-list experience…grueling, glorious, and unforgettable.
