Wondergiulio

Quit before is too late 🤣
from a 2 time divorced very smart friend 

What to say... I got lucky enough to book a tee time at the Black Course yesterday and God what a treat. The course is pristine considering that it just reopened and the pace of play was FANTASTIC with tee times pushed at 18 min intervals.
When playing the Black the challenge is enormous. Technical, physical and mental.
Technical because the length and accuracy required is incredible. Rough is so thick that anytime you are not in the fairway most likely a double is coming.
Physical because of the continuous ups and downs without of course even mentioning the infamous 15th hole arriving when your legs are already fried.
But mostly Bethpage stress you mentally. Because most of the time you stare at that ball and in your head the idea of having a great shot and just missing the fairway of 2 inches (transforming the following shot in a nightmare from the thickest rough you can imagine) stress you so much that no wonder Eddie Pepperel declared "i hope i will not make the team in 2024 so i won't play here again: lol
Anyway, lets try give a little review at it:
Everyone knows the infamous sign that oversee the fabulous dogleg n.1 (picture attached). I a big dive in a tiny fairway that if well executed leaves with a mid to long iron on a slightly sloped green. Secret is to stay in the left side to avoid being blocked from the tree. Better stay under the flag because greens are fast and this one is pretty sloped.
Number 2 is a relatively short dog leg left par 4 that requires a perfect tee shot to avoid being blocked from the trees again. Best using a 3 wood to avoid the rough. The approach shot is very hard especially if you have to use a long iron because the green is very elevated and protected from bunkers. Green ia normally hard and not too much movement.
3 is a long par tree to a very narrow green . Avoid being long or left because of the slope surrounding the green
Here comes what for me is one of the most beautiful golf holes i ever played. The famous par 5 Hole number 4. Requires perfect downhill tee shot on a narrow fairway. Avoiding left bunkers is the key to try to go up in 2. For short hitters like me a good strategy is a 3 wood to right before those bunkers. The second shot uphill on a fairway platform requires accuracy to avoid bunkers as well as the final approach again uphill on a green that is hard and going long means being burned...
The 5th hole has huge bunkers on the right and a very close waste area to avoid. Tee is elevated and protected by other bunkers. Stay out of the sand!
6th hole is just gorgeous. Dogleg left to a platform and a downhill to a small green. Tee shot is important not to go too much right and make the hole longer than already is. But a good tee shot over the left bunker can leave with a wedge. The approach to the green is scenic when well executed.
7 is a par 5 (for us normal people, a par 4 for the pros) dogleg right. Stay on th left of fairway and 2 straight shot will make the par doable..
8 is a gorgeous par 3 with a scenic drop over the only water pond of the course. The tree on the right might bother if flag is up right. It favors fade shots. Stay under the flag because green is very sloped.
9 is a not so long par 4 dogleg left. stay on the right side to avoid a blind second shot to a well protected green.
10 is a straight hole with narrow fairway and thick fescue. So hit the fairway if you want to have a doable approach to a super protected green
11is a long hole with an elevated green that happen to be one of the only with a little movement. If reached in regulation a 3 putt is behind the corner... 
12 Requires strategy. The massive bunker on the left is staring at you saying 'you won't make it' but going right makes this hole too long considering that is already the longest par 4 of the course... 
13 is a beautiful bar 5 and another scoring opportunity together with the next hole before the final stretch. Fairway is narrow and the hole length makes it hard. Stay out of the right side on the final approach shot to avoid a very hard waste area.
14 is probably the easiest par 3 hole on the course. Short iron shot to a generous green that is one of the few with some movement. A birdie hole.

And now... what to say prepare to war!!!
15. Your legs burn. The fairway is small. The hole is long. A par four dogleg left that requires a long drive and a almost impossible approach on a very elevated green super protected by the deepest front bunker of the course. Stay on the right side if you want to have a chance. A bogie is a good score lol. 
16 is another monster hole. Dogleg left. A downhill tee shot to a small fairway and a green that goes in opposite direction of the dogleg. Ideally draw the ball to have a decent approach.
17. What to say about it. A long, uphill par 3 to a super protected and very elevated narrow green. Anything else? Miss left is not bad...
18. Final hole and despite being scary visually is probably the easiest par 4. Secret is in  y opinion to use a 3 wood so to be sure to hit the fairway .The tee shot is a downhill one and only thing to avoid are the gigantic sand traps on the right and left. Execute well and you will have a 9 iron to an elevated green that does not easily hold the ball. Once there breath and be happy no matter the score because IT WAS AN EXPERIENCE.
Ciao!!!
 
 
 

Bethlage Black hands down.
played right after the PGa championship last year and conditions were so hard with tiny fairways and rough so thick!
played again twice and still have to break 90 from the middle tees lol

Great review!
I have the same clubs and i am 100% in line with your test.
If i have to say the only downside i saw is little quick wear on the faces compare to my previous Apex cf19.
For the rest awesome set

Hi!
great review!
i actually agree on most of the things about the clubs.
they feel amazing, sound amazing and are easy to hit.
the only downside i see is that they seem to worn out quick. 
aside of this great option especially to have an eye catching iron at a affodable-ish price.

I try to walk always and got very annoyed when courses do not allow it.
there is nothing more natural than walking on a flat bed of grass... I sometimes would walk bare feet just to enjoy the feeling.
but aside of it I feel a different rhythm with my game.

I think that even if probably not the best move from him, the Koran ferry tour don not need to be scared of his presence. At the end is golf and he at this stage of career is not necessarily better of any of those top guys there.
so if I was playing on that tournament it would be an extra reason to do better!

I think that even if probably not the best move from him, the Koran ferry tour don not need to be scared of his presence. At the end is golf and he at this stage of career is not necessarily better of any of those top guys there.
so if I was playing on that tournament it would be an extra reason to do better!

Quit before is too late 🤣
from a 2 time divorced very smart friend 

Quit before is too late 🤣
from a 2 time divorced very smart friend 

I’m in the broke 80 category, but perhaps I’ll wait till I earn that ever elusive broke 70 category. Granted I may die before that ever happens but there’s always hope.


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Just wondering if there any walkers left. I recently returned to the joys of walking the course. I had forgotten how much I enjoyed the idea of leaving the cart behind and playing in a much more relaxed state of mind. Also, it seems to me that I play better when walking. Anyone else enjoy putting one foot in front of the other when playing?

Hi there, i am Giulio, Italian born from Roma and living in Brooklyn in the last 10 years. I am 49 and would love to find playing partners!
1. Started playing 3 years ago in Atlanta where i moved for work. Played there every day (i was living on a course) and improved very quickly at the beginning. Now i play as many round as possible in NY. I am a 13 handicap shooting mid 80s.
2. I love the fact that you can't master it! And that for 4 hrs you are out in the nature not thinking to anything than that little ball. Also great excuse for not to be disturbed.. "sorry i am on a golf course" ahahahah
3. My Golf Spy came to me thru internet research. Love the totally honest reviews and this is first forum i participate and seems really good without stupid trolls and people insulting each others! Great job
4. Again, i am from Brooklyn, NY. I play mostly at Bethpage, Marine Park and Eisenower. i am also Clubcorp Away (still from Atlanta) member and play Engineers and other ones in the region.
5. NY has Bethpage! Thats just a treat. Also Many great courses in Long Island and even in adiacent NJ. Downside... Slow Pace of Play..
6. I own restaurants (pizza) and travel the world to teach the art of pizza making
7. My nickname comes from my young one when i was GoGo dancer ahahaahaasha

hahaha oh yeah thats right forgot about John daily asking for a cart. That's awesome I hope I can get up there and play it in the future. I will make sure I get into shape haha

It is a walking only course. And yes is an hard walk... Remember John Daly asking for a buggy? I mean good shape is mandatory and despite me loving him, he definitely is not in good shape ahahaha

It was pristine!!! Thanks for the reply and if you happen to be around message me and we go play!

The photos are spectacular.

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I heard it is in good shape and back to playing under normal conditions. My last round there was the Sunday after the PGA last year and it was just brutal. Fairways were cut down by a third on most holes and the rough was well let’s just say juicy.


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Or just rip driver over the trees with a little draw [emoji3]


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What to say... I got lucky enough to book a tee time at the Black Course yesterday and God what a treat. The course is pristine considering that it just reopened and the pace of play was FANTASTIC with tee times pushed at 18 min intervals.
When playing the Black the challenge is enormous. Technical, physical and mental.
Technical because the length and accuracy required is incredible. Rough is so thick that anytime you are not in the fairway most likely a double is coming.
Physical because of the continuous ups and downs without of course even mentioning the infamous 15th hole arriving when your legs are already fried.
But mostly Bethpage stress you mentally. Because most of the time you stare at that ball and in your head the idea of having a great shot and just missing the fairway of 2 inches (transforming the following shot in a nightmare from the thickest rough you can imagine) stress you so much that no wonder Eddie Pepperel declared "i hope i will not make the team in 2024 so i won't play here again: lol
Anyway, lets try give a little review at it:
Everyone knows the infamous sign that oversee the fabulous dogleg n.1 (picture attached). I a big dive in a tiny fairway that if well executed leaves with a mid to long iron on a slightly sloped green. Secret is to stay in the left side to avoid being blocked from the tree. Better stay under the flag because greens are fast and this one is pretty sloped.
Number 2 is a relatively short dog leg left par 4 that requires a perfect tee shot to avoid being blocked from the trees again. Best using a 3 wood to avoid the rough. The approach shot is very hard especially if you have to use a long iron because the green is very elevated and protected from bunkers. Green ia normally hard and not too much movement.
3 is a long par tree to a very narrow green . Avoid being long or left because of the slope surrounding the green
Here comes what for me is one of the most beautiful golf holes i ever played. The famous par 5 Hole number 4. Requires perfect downhill tee shot on a narrow fairway. Avoiding left bunkers is the key to try to go up in 2. For short hitters like me a good strategy is a 3 wood to right before those bunkers. The second shot uphill on a fairway platform requires accuracy to avoid bunkers as well as the final approach again uphill on a green that is hard and going long means being burned...
The 5th hole has huge bunkers on the right and a very close waste area to avoid. Tee is elevated and protected by other bunkers. Stay out of the sand!
6th hole is just gorgeous. Dogleg left to a platform and a downhill to a small green. Tee shot is important not to go too much right and make the hole longer than already is. But a good tee shot over the left bunker can leave with a wedge. The approach to the green is scenic when well executed.
7 is a par 5 (for us normal people, a par 4 for the pros) dogleg right. Stay on th left of fairway and 2 straight shot will make the par doable..
8 is a gorgeous par 3 with a scenic drop over the only water pond of the course. The tree on the right might bother if flag is up right. It favors fade shots. Stay under the flag because green is very sloped.
9 is a not so long par 4 dogleg left. stay on the right side to avoid a blind second shot to a well protected green.
10 is a straight hole with narrow fairway and thick fescue. So hit the fairway if you want to have a doable approach to a super protected green
11is a long hole with an elevated green that happen to be one of the only with a little movement. If reached in regulation a 3 putt is behind the corner... 
12 Requires strategy. The massive bunker on the left is staring at you saying 'you won't make it' but going right makes this hole too long considering that is already the longest par 4 of the course... 
13 is a beautiful bar 5 and another scoring opportunity together with the next hole before the final stretch. Fairway is narrow and the hole length makes it hard. Stay out of the right side on the final approach shot to avoid a very hard waste area.
14 is probably the easiest par 3 hole on the course. Short iron shot to a generous green that is one of the few with some movement. A birdie hole.

And now... what to say prepare to war!!!
15. Your legs burn. The fairway is small. The hole is long. A par four dogleg left that requires a long drive and a almost impossible approach on a very elevated green super protected by the deepest front bunker of the course. Stay on the right side if you want to have a chance. A bogie is a good score lol. 
16 is another monster hole. Dogleg left. A downhill tee shot to a small fairway and a green that goes in opposite direction of the dogleg. Ideally draw the ball to have a decent approach.
17. What to say about it. A long, uphill par 3 to a super protected and very elevated narrow green. Anything else? Miss left is not bad...
18. Final hole and despite being scary visually is probably the easiest par 4. Secret is in  y opinion to use a 3 wood so to be sure to hit the fairway .The tee shot is a downhill one and only thing to avoid are the gigantic sand traps on the right and left. Execute well and you will have a 9 iron to an elevated green that does not easily hold the ball. Once there breath and be happy no matter the score because IT WAS AN EXPERIENCE.
Ciao!!!
 
 
 

What to say... I got lucky enough to book a tee time at the Black Course yesterday and God what a treat. The course is pristine considering that it just reopened and the pace of play was FANTASTIC with tee times pushed at 18 min intervals.
When playing the Black the challenge is enormous. Technical, physical and mental.
Technical because the length and accuracy required is incredible. Rough is so thick that anytime you are not in the fairway most likely a double is coming.
Physical because of the continuous ups and downs without of course even mentioning the infamous 15th hole arriving when your legs are already fried.
But mostly Bethpage stress you mentally. Because most of the time you stare at that ball and in your head the idea of having a great shot and just missing the fairway of 2 inches (transforming the following shot in a nightmare from the thickest rough you can imagine) stress you so much that no wonder Eddie Pepperel declared "i hope i will not make the team in 2024 so i won't play here again: lol
Anyway, lets try give a little review at it:
Everyone knows the infamous sign that oversee the fabulous dogleg n.1 (picture attached). I a big dive in a tiny fairway that if well executed leaves with a mid to long iron on a slightly sloped green. Secret is to stay in the left side to avoid being blocked from the tree. Better stay under the flag because greens are fast and this one is pretty sloped.
Number 2 is a relatively short dog leg left par 4 that requires a perfect tee shot to avoid being blocked from the trees again. Best using a 3 wood to avoid the rough. The approach shot is very hard especially if you have to use a long iron because the green is very elevated and protected from bunkers. Green ia normally hard and not too much movement.
3 is a long par tree to a very narrow green . Avoid being long or left because of the slope surrounding the green
Here comes what for me is one of the most beautiful golf holes i ever played. The famous par 5 Hole number 4. Requires perfect downhill tee shot on a narrow fairway. Avoiding left bunkers is the key to try to go up in 2. For short hitters like me a good strategy is a 3 wood to right before those bunkers. The second shot uphill on a fairway platform requires accuracy to avoid bunkers as well as the final approach again uphill on a green that is hard and going long means being burned...
The 5th hole has huge bunkers on the right and a very close waste area to avoid. Tee is elevated and protected by other bunkers. Stay out of the sand!
6th hole is just gorgeous. Dogleg left to a platform and a downhill to a small green. Tee shot is important not to go too much right and make the hole longer than already is. But a good tee shot over the left bunker can leave with a wedge. The approach to the green is scenic when well executed.
7 is a par 5 (for us normal people, a par 4 for the pros) dogleg right. Stay on th left of fairway and 2 straight shot will make the par doable..
8 is a gorgeous par 3 with a scenic drop over the only water pond of the course. The tree on the right might bother if flag is up right. It favors fade shots. Stay under the flag because green is very sloped.
9 is a not so long par 4 dogleg left. stay on the right side to avoid a blind second shot to a well protected green.
10 is a straight hole with narrow fairway and thick fescue. So hit the fairway if you want to have a doable approach to a super protected green
11is a long hole with an elevated green that happen to be one of the only with a little movement. If reached in regulation a 3 putt is behind the corner... 
12 Requires strategy. The massive bunker on the left is staring at you saying 'you won't make it' but going right makes this hole too long considering that is already the longest par 4 of the course... 
13 is a beautiful bar 5 and another scoring opportunity together with the next hole before the final stretch. Fairway is narrow and the hole length makes it hard. Stay out of the right side on the final approach shot to avoid a very hard waste area.
14 is probably the easiest par 3 hole on the course. Short iron shot to a generous green that is one of the few with some movement. A birdie hole.

And now... what to say prepare to war!!!
15. Your legs burn. The fairway is small. The hole is long. A par four dogleg left that requires a long drive and a almost impossible approach on a very elevated green super protected by the deepest front bunker of the course. Stay on the right side if you want to have a chance. A bogie is a good score lol. 
16 is another monster hole. Dogleg left. A downhill tee shot to a small fairway and a green that goes in opposite direction of the dogleg. Ideally draw the ball to have a decent approach.
17. What to say about it. A long, uphill par 3 to a super protected and very elevated narrow green. Anything else? Miss left is not bad...
18. Final hole and despite being scary visually is probably the easiest par 4. Secret is in  y opinion to use a 3 wood so to be sure to hit the fairway .The tee shot is a downhill one and only thing to avoid are the gigantic sand traps on the right and left. Execute well and you will have a 9 iron to an elevated green that does not easily hold the ball. Once there breath and be happy no matter the score because IT WAS AN EXPERIENCE.
Ciao!!!
 
 
 

So jealous of you!  Great pictures and write up.  However, for me, hole 1 I always like to be to the RIGHT of the trees...more towards the Red course.  This takes all the trees out of the way on your second shot and makes the second shot much shorter.  Give that a try next time.  Man, though, that rough looks THICKER than normal!  Great job once again!

It truly is the perfect golf course. Thanks for sharing the photos. I completely agree with you that 12 is an unreal hole from the tips as a Par 4.

Do a lot of people usually walk bethpage or is it because of the covid ? I never been there in person but it looks insane to walk that course and by you writing by 15 your legs are fried, you would have to be in pretty good shape to walk that course.