Bethpage Black Golf Course Guide: History, Holes and Tips

Few golf courses come with a warning label. Bethpage Black does. Near the first tee at Bethpage State Park in Farmingdale, New York, a sign has warned since the 1960s that the Black Course is "an extremely difficult course" recommended only for highly skilled golfers. It's part of what makes the place so beloved: a true championship test that's owned by the public and open to anyone willing to chase a tee time. This guide covers the history, what the Black is like to play and how to plan a visit.

A short history of Bethpage Black

The Black opened in 1936 as one of several courses built at Bethpage State Park during the Depression era. Today the park has five courses, and the Black is by far the hardest.

Who designed it is one of golf architecture's great debates. The course has long been credited to A.W. Tillinghast, the architect behind Winged Foot and Baltusrol. State records show Tillinghast was hired as a consulting golf architect in late 1933, and Rees Jones, who prepared the Black for its first U.S. Open, has said Tillinghast did the design and routing. But Golf Digest's Ron Whitten argued in 2002 that park superintendent Joseph H. Burbeck was chiefly responsible, pointing to a 1959 history of the Long Island State Parks that names Burbeck as directing the design with Tillinghast as consultant. Tillinghast himself praised Burbeck for directing the work daily from start to finish. No signed plan has surfaced to settle it, so the fairest answer is that both men shaped the Black.

The People's Open and beyond

The Black made history in 2002 as the first publicly owned course to host the U.S. Open. Tiger Woods won at 3-under, three shots clear of Phil Mickelson, in front of famously loud New York crowds. The Open returned in 2009, when Lucas Glover won a rain-soaked championship. Since then the Black has hosted The Barclays (2012 and 2016), the 2019 PGA Championship, won by Brooks Koepka, who shot a course-record 63 in the first round, and the 2025 Ryder Cup, which Europe won 15 to 13.

What Bethpage Black is like to play

The Black is a par 71 that stretches to about 7,468 yards from the back tees, and it plays every inch of that. Expect:

• Big, deep bunkers. Huge sand complexes cut into the hillsides, often sitting right where good drives want to land.
• Elevated greens. Many approaches play uphill to greens perched above false fronts and bunkers, so short misses are punished.
• Rough that bites. Wayward drives mean hacking out rather than attacking.
• Rolling Long Island terrain. The land climbs and falls through the woods, which makes the course a real physical test.

It's also worth knowing that the Black is a walking-only course, with no carts. Eighteen holes of hills, sand and long carries on foot is part of the challenge, and part of the bragging rights.

Holes to remember

The opening hole eases you in with a dogleg par 4 below the clubhouse, but the course gets serious quickly. The par-5 4th is one of the most photographed holes on the property, a classic three-shotter with a massive bunker face climbing the hillside in front of an elevated green. The 7th is a long dogleg that played as a par 4 in both U.S. Opens and as a par 5 at the 2012 Barclays, a sign of how flexible and demanding the layout is.

The par-3 17th became a stadium hole at the 2002 U.S. Open, ringed by grandstands and a natural hill, and it was the scene of the famous chants for Mickelson in 2009. The 18th then sends you home toward the clubhouse, with bunkers pinching the fairway on both sides.

Tips for visiting Bethpage Black

Getting a tee time

Tee times are booked through the Bethpage State Park reservation system on the New York State Parks website. Verified New York State residents get discounted rates and a slightly longer booking window than non-residents, so if you live in-state, verify your residency first. Online times go fast, and last-minute cancellations do pop up the day before.

The Black is also famous for its walk-up tradition. A set number of early tee times are held for walk-ups, and golfers line up in numbered parking spots the day before, sometimes sleeping in their cars. Policies, fees and windows change, so check the official site before you go.

Play it at the right tees

Take the warning sign seriously. Choose a set of tees that leaves you short irons into at least a few greens, and you'll enjoy the architecture rather than just survive it.

Pack for a walk

Bring a comfortable carry bag or push cart, water and snacks. Rounds on a demanding, hilly walking course take time.

Don't skip the rest of the park

If you can't land a time on the Black, Bethpage's other courses are worth playing, and they're a great way to warm up for a return trip. You can see more of the park in our Bethpage State Park prints.

Bringing Bethpage home

Bethpage Black is a course people remember shot by shot, whether they slept in the parking lot to play it or watched Tiger and Koepka win there on TV. Our Bethpage Black print is drawn in a mid-century style from real map data, with every hole outlined and numbered, so you can trace your round from the first tee below the clubhouse to the 18th green. It comes in 12x16, 18x24 and 24x32 inches, unframed on museum-quality matte paper or framed in black, white or green and ready to hang. Golf Print House is an independent shop and is not affiliated with Bethpage State Park.

FAQ

Can anyone play Bethpage Black?

Yes. Bethpage Black is a public course in a New York state park. Anyone can book through the park's reservation system or try the walk-up line, though New York residents get lower rates and earlier booking access.

Who designed Bethpage Black?

It's traditionally credited to A.W. Tillinghast, who was hired as consulting architect, but historians have argued that park superintendent Joseph H. Burbeck directed much of the design. Rees Jones renovated the course ahead of its major championships.

Can you ride a cart at Bethpage Black?

No. The Black is walking-only, so plan for a full 18 holes on foot over hilly terrain.

What major events has Bethpage Black hosted?

The U.S. Open in 2002 and 2009, The Barclays in 2012 and 2016, the 2019 PGA Championship and the 2025 Ryder Cup.