When I was growing up on Long Island, the five public courses at Bethpage State Park felt like home. From junior tournaments to Monday rounds on the infamous Black course while I was at St. John’s University in New York, I’ve played them all more times than I can count. Each course has a memory tied to it. The Red quickly became my favorite, the Yellow gave me my first round under 80, and the Black … the Black was usually just frustrating.
Just in time for the Ryder Cup at Bethpage from Sept. 23 to 28, Shot Scope has released new data that makes sense of my frustration (and that of just about anyone else who’s experienced it). For the average golfer, the Black isn’t just hard; it’s almost unplayable.
The sign outside says it all: “The Black Course is an extremely difficult course which we recommend only for highly skilled golfers.” The Shot Scope data shows that’s indisputable.
Half the fairways are out of reach
At Bethpage Black, the average golfer can’t reach half of the fairways when playing from the professional tees. The data indicates that seven of the 14 driving holes are unreachable for most players, with an average driving distance of 204 yards.
Almost every one of those holes is a par-4 yet, for an amateur, they effectively become par-5s. You’re hitting your driver and one more shot to reach the fairway. Then you’re faced with a long approach into a green that’s well-guarded.
The fifth hole is statistically the hardest hole for Shot Scope users. Out of 100 attempts, only seven players hit this green in regulation.
The seventh hole can ruin a scorecard
Shot Scope data shows the seventh is one of the most punishing holes for amateurs. From the rough, the average golfer gives away more than a stroke and, from the sandy scrubland, it’s essentially game over.
- Left miss → +1.2 strokes to par
- Right miss → +1.5 strokes to par
- Fairway → –0.3 strokes to par
If you don’t find the fairway here, it will hurt your score regardless of where you are teeing off from.
The 11th hole leaves no room for error
If you’re going to miss a green at Bethpage, don’t let it be the 11th. Shot Scope users record their worst up-and-down rates here thanks to the false front, steep bunkers and a green that slopes away. Miss long, and you’re chipping downhill. Miss short, and your ball is rolling back to your feet. Miss left or right, and you’re facing a deep bunker shot.
It’s the definition of “difficult” for amateur players.
Final thoughts
There’s a reason Bethpage Black comes with a warning sign. The data is clear.
That’s what makes the 2025 Ryder Cup so compelling. For the best players in the world, Bethpage Black is a par-70 that demands precision but rewards power. They can reach those fairways, attack those par-3s, and turn the course into a true test of strategy and nerve. I still think it’s going to be tough.
Doug Mael
11 months ago
I played Bethpage Black in both US Open years (2002 & 2009) and played within the month prior to the course being closed for Open preparation. Both times, we played from the tips (and I mean as far back as we could play) and reached every fairway with my tee shot (at age 53 and 60, respectively). In fact, all but one golfer in both of my foursomes at the Black reached all of the fairways (or the rough at fairway distances) both times that we played there, and our oldest golfer was 62 or 63 in 2009.