Bethpage State Park Golf Courses
In the early 1930s, the Bethpage Park Authority purchased the Lenox Hills Country Club and other adjacent properties to build what we now know as Bethpage State Park . Famed golf course architect A.W. Tillinghast was hired to design and oversee construction of three new golf courses (Black, Red and Blue) as well as modify the Lenox Hills Course which became the Green Course. Due to the increased demand for golf, the Yellow Course designed by Alfred Tull was opened in 1958. Approximately 300,000 rounds are played annually on the five courses at Bethpage, all of which start from the Clubhouse area.
Bethpage State Park was developed from an estate owned by the Yoakum family and other properties. The Yoakum family leased their estate to the Lenox Hills Corporation which subsequently used the property to build the Lenox Hills Country Club.
Bethpage State Park, a mecca for public golf featuring five 18-hole regulation golf courses including the world-renowned Black Course which was the site of the United States Open in 2002 and 2009, the Barclays in 2012 and 2016, the PGA Championship in 2019, and will host the Ryder Cup in 2025.
Blue Course
The Blue Course was one of the three courses designed by Tillinghast. In 1960, it was redesigned by Alfred Tull to provide room for the Yellow Course. The front nine are considered very challenging, with an easier back nine to finish a round of golf. Some of the slopes are fairly steep.
Forward
Par
72
Slope
125
Rating
69.0
Yardage
5736
Regulation
Par
72
Slope
127
Rating
71.1
Yardage
6426
Championship
Par
72
Slope
130
Rating
72.3
Yardage
6693
Green Course
The Green Course is the first of the five courses at Bethpage. Originally called the Lenox Hills Course, it was redesigned when the Black, Red and Blue Courses were built. This is a gently-sloped course that features small greens. It is considered an excellent course for the novice and casual golfer, yet it can be challenging when played from the regulation tees.
Forward
Par
71
Slope
123
Rating
67.6
Yardage
5387
Regulation
Par
71
Slope
127
Rating
68.9
Yardage
6096
Championship
Par
71
Slope
129
Rating
70.2
Yardage
6378
Black Course
The Black Course is a difficult and challenging course that should be played only by low-handicap golfers. The course is for walkers only and its slope rating is one of the highest in the northeast. This was one of the last courses designed by master golf course architect A.W. Tillinghast, and is said by many to be his finest work. The Black Course served as the site of the U.S. Open Championships in 2002 and 2009, The Barclays in 2012 and 2016, and the PGA Championship in 2019, and will be hosting the Ryder Cup in 2024. The narrow fairways, high roughs, well placed bunkers and small greens help to make this an extremely difficult course.
The Black Course is closed Mondays for course maintenance except holidays.
Forward
Par
71
Slope
144
Rating
71.4
Yardage
6220
Regulation
Par
71
Slope
148
Rating
74.2
Yardage
6704
Championship
Par
71
Slope
155
Rating
77.5
Yardage
7465
Red Course
The Red Course is a very different Tillinghast course. It features long par 4s and dogleg holes and one of the toughest starting holes in the country.
Forward
Par
70
Slope
120
Rating
69.2
Yardage
5777
Regulation
Par
70
Slope
127
Rating
71.9
Yardage
6555
Championship
Par
70
Slope
133
Rating
74.4
Yardage
7092
Yellow Course
The Yellow Course was opened for play in 1958. The Yellow, with a few steep slopes, is considered by many to be the easiest of the five courses. It can be a challenge to the novice and casual golfer but, when played from the Championship tees, can be a true test of a golfer’s skills. Some of the original Tillinghast holes from the old blue course may still be seen on this course.
Forward
Par
71
Slope
116
Rating
67.1
Yardage
5401
Regulation
Par
71
Slope
118
Rating
68.6
Yardage
6055
Championship
Par
71
Slope
120
Rating
69.6
Yardage
6288