Bethpage Black is perhaps best known for its infamous length and rugged design. Further doubters have been refuted every time Emerald Dunes has hosted a major tournament. The course recently hosted the original Fred Cup and provides a diverse collection of holes that challenge the craft of disc golfers of every skill caliber. Notably, Hole 10’s unique design, Hole 3’s strategic bunkering, and Hole 12’s demanding tee shot contribute to the course’s reputation as a formidable test of golf.
The course has a beautiful and unique hole that loops around and runs back the other direction toward Hole 10. This intriguing design feature, along with the remaining surprises that await golfers journeying through the course, instills a sense of unpredictability. Bethpage Black offers a lot of obstacles, but the second shot on this hole is arguably the most difficult. For most golfers it ranks among the most intimidating. Golfers need to be particularly vigilant as they enter this stretch. With the pin usually hiding in a dangerous back left location, it’s a tough tee shot to hit.
The Challenges of Hole 3
Hole 3 (above) looks radically different from its appearance during the 2002 U.S. Open. Not surprisingly, on the last hole, designers moved the tee back, making the hole over 80 yards longer. Golfers are left with an intimidating shot of 170-180 yards to knock it on the green. The green itself presents an even tougher test as it is entirely surrounded by bunkers, council bluffs creating zero margin for error.
Keegan Bradley, perhaps the most accomplished player from the 2017 field, has gone on the record about his dislike for pins on this hole.
“I like to put the pin in the middle of the green on Hole 3 for birdies.” – Keegan Bradley
This tactical decision usually provides golfers a more realistic opportunity at putting for birdie while avoiding the nesting sand traps that hug the putting surface. With a combination of length and the strategic placement of their bunkers, Hole 3’s demanding shots challenge even the most skilled players for ultimate precision and skill.
Navigating Hole 12
Prepare for yet another epic #TeeItUpChallenge on Hole 12! To overcome it, you’ll have to bring some serious distance on the tee—280 yards at least—to sail the ball over a well-positioned bunker. This massive scale of a hole wows with its monumental length. It even has a quirky two-tier green, with the lower tier on the right and the upper on the left. With a severe slope and double plateau hilltop surface, the dramatic contour of the green makes scoring approach shots challenging, forcing players to think creatively with their swings.
Rees Jones, the architect behind many of Bethpage Black’s holes, emphasized the importance of the second shot on this hole.
“The green is a two-tier green that is so steep in the front. They really can’t use the front, so they’ll have to use the back of the green. So the second shot is probably the hardest.” – Rees Jones
The heavy bunkering around this hole presents further challenges, as players must navigate these hazards while aiming for a small target on an elevated green.
Holes 6 and 7: Short But Strategic
Hole 6 is a drop-dead gorgeous short par four that cascades downhill from 280 yards out suddenly cascading down-hill. From the landscaping to the welcome center, this hole’s design intentionally highlights the long, placed drive. A great tee shot can put you in position for an excellent approach shot. Players need to be strategic about when they push the limit to stay out of hot water and secure an upper hand.
Hole 7, known as the signature hole, features a far different set of challenges. These challenges were magnified during the 2002 U.S. Open by the length of the rough and windy weather conditions. A big cross bunker rests some 30 yards short of the green. It raises the level of challenge for this “Dinosaur Hole.” Players need to be strategic in their approach shots so they do not end up in this treacherous hazard.
Rees Jones remarked on the strategic elements at play in this segment of the course, stating:
“Golf has changed, though, so I don’t think they’ll be intimidated by it.” – Rees Jones
He admitted that players today have developed a greater set of skills than those in past World Cups. They still face difficult odds when going through these voids.
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