Blue at Bethpage State Park Golf Course

Bethpage Black, the most infamous of Bethpage State Park's quintet of courses, is the brute from which legends are born, shattering scorecards and humbling even the world's best. Its daunting reputation, earned through unforgiving length, thick rough, and boldly contoured greens, is cemented by the ever-present warning sign near the first tee: "The Black Course Is An Extremely Difficult Course Which We Recommend Only For Highly Skilled Golfers."

A product of the Golden Age, designed by A.W. Tillinghast and opened in 1935, the Black is a parkland-style monster carved through Long Island's hilly terrain. Its narrow, tree-lined fairways demand accuracy, while its strategically placed bunkers and penal rough make wayward shots a death sentence. Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner were tasked with overseeing restoration work, paying close attention to the original Tillinghast blueprints.

Bethpage Black has served as a proving ground for champions, hosting the 2002 and 2009 U.S. Opens, the 2019 PGA Championship, and the 2024 Ryder Cup. Its accessible public nature, coupled with its championship pedigree, makes it a course unlike any other, where weekend hackers and major winners alike can test their mettle against one of golf's most formidable challenges. The course, and its modest public clubhouse, also serves some of the best hotdogs on Long Island - a welcomed staple for those who need solace after a long day of golf.