In the hallowed halls of championship golf, few courses command as much respect, and a healthy dose of trepidation, as Bethpage Black. Nestled in Farmingdale, New York, this public course, a crown jewel in the Bethpage State Park system, proudly confronts all comers with its iconic warning sign: “WARNING — Bethpage Black is an extremely difficult course which we recommend only for highly skilled golfers.” For the upcoming 2025 Ryder Cup, this isn`t merely a polite suggestion for local enthusiasts; it`s a solemn declaration to the world’s golfing elite, who will soon navigate its demanding terrain.
Bethpage Black stands apart. Unlike many meticulously manicured private clubs, its design wasn`t softened for daily member comfort. Its challenge is intrinsic, a purity of golf architecture that has made it a favorite for major championships. It famously hosted the U.S. Open in 2002, where Tiger Woods etched his name into its history, and again in 2009 for the PGA Championship. Now, as the epic transatlantic clash of the 45th Ryder Cup looms, every contour, every strategically placed bunker, and every imposing tree line will play a pivotal role in determining the victor between Team USA and Team Europe.
To truly understand the impending battle, one must look beyond the scorecards. We present an exclusive, hole-by-hole tactical preview, drawing deeply from the insights of renowned golf course architect Rees Jones. Jones, who has meticulously sculpted Bethpage Black over two decades, offers not just a map of the course, but a detailed guide to the intricate mental and strategic game required to tame this beast. He reminds us that while the Ryder Cup setup promises a slightly “gentler” touch than a U.S. Open – prioritizing excitement and birdies – Bethpage Black’s inherent character will ensure a rigorous test for even the most polished professionals.
The Opening Chapters: Strategic Choices and Early Opportunities (Holes 1-4)
The journey across Bethpage Black commences with a mix of calculated risks and tantalizing chances. Hole 1 (Par 4, 397 yards), though shortened to accommodate spectator stands, immediately presents a strategic fork in the fairway. Players face the classic dilemma: a daring carry over trees for a shorter approach, or a more conservative lay-up. As Rees Jones notes, the format will heavily influence this decision; foursomes may err on the side of caution, while four-ball could witness audacious attempts for an immediate advantage. Similarly, Hole 2 (Par 4, 389 yards) beckons with another birdie opportunity, but its elevated, visually deceptive green demands a precise, controlled approach, often necessitating a lay-up off the tee.
Hole 3 (Par 3, 210 yards), significantly lengthened since the 2002 U.S. Open, puts iron play to the test. Intriguingly, Ryder Cup organizers, in their pursuit of thrilling golf, may opt for more accessible pin positions, encouraging an abundance of birdies. Jones highlights that the rough, unlike the U.S. Open’s unforgiving depths, will be set to allow for recovery, thereby favoring skill and strategic recovery over sheer punishment. A subtle nod to audience entertainment, perhaps, but a beast remains a beast.
Perhaps the most famous early challenge is Hole 4 (Par 5, 517 yards). This hole holds a peculiar dichotomy: it`s one of Bethpage Black`s most daunting for the amateur, yet transforms into one of the easiest birdie opportunities for professionals. Its relatively short par-5 distance means Ryder Cup players will meticulously treat it like a long par-4. A strategically placed mid-iron off the tee sets up a straightforward second shot. However, the green`s front-to-back pitch demands absolute precision; any overshot ball can find a tricky chipping area. Three potential birdies in the first four holes? A tantalizing start, indeed, but one that perhaps offers a false sense of security.
Bethpage Bares its Teeth: The Mid-Course Gauntlet (Holes 5-12)
As the players venture further, Bethpage Black begins to truly embody its formidable reputation. Hole 5 (Par 4, 478 yards), with its uncanny resemblance to Pine Valley`s 16th, is where the course`s “teeth” become undeniably sharp. A tree line aggressively blocks the left, while an extended sandy area hugs the right, forcing players to flirt with danger off the tee. This leads to an approach shot to a heavily bunkered, undulating elevated green – a genuine test of nerve and precision just to make par.
The tee shot becomes paramount on Hole 6 (Par 4, 408 yards), a short par four that drops dramatically after 280 yards. Players must confront a choice: aggressively attack the bunkers for a shorter, delicate flip-shot approach, or play safe and face a longer, more demanding shot into a green entirely encircled by sand. Then emerges the infamous Hole 7 (Par 4, 524 yards), converted from a par five for the 2002 U.S. Open. Jones humorously recalls its intentional design as the “whining hole,” intended to divert player complaints from the course`s overall difficulty. Its sharp dogleg and encroaching trees necessitate a powerful, precise drive to ensure a manageable second shot.
Hole 8 (Par 3, 210 yards) holds the distinction of being Bethpage Black`s only hole featuring water – a downhill par three where the day`s pin placement will drastically alter strategy. A back pin demands a precise release, while a front pin risks spinning the ball into the watery hazard. This hole vividly illustrates how the Ryder Cup setup can influence scoring. Following this, Hole 9 (Par 4, 460 yards) requires a bold drive over a massive bunker to secure an optimal angle into a low-profile, yet exceptionally well-protected, green.
The grueling stretch from Hole 9 through 12 is widely regarded as the “meat of the golf course.” Hole 10 (Par 4, 502 yards), notorious for its difficulty at the 2002 U.S. Open, now boasts a slightly extended fairway, making it more hittable, yet it remains firmly bracketed by bunkers. It`s a challenging tee shot, despite the target being wide for these formidable pros. Hole 11 (Par 4, 435 yards), flowing in the opposite direction, offers remarkable adaptability, its character morphing significantly with wind shifts and nuanced pin placements. Finally, Hole 12 (Par 4, 496 yards) stands as the sole hole that unequivocally demands a powerful driver, requiring a minimum 280-yard carry over a formidable cross bunker. However, the modern professional, with their prodigious distances, often renders this particular intimidation tactic moot, flying the hazard with impressive consistency.
The Home Stretch: Last Chances and Tightening Muscles (Holes 13-18)
As the Ryder Cup matches build to their crescendo, Bethpage offers a potent blend of scoring opportunities and intense, nerve-wracking challenges. Hole 13 (Par 5, 608 yards), despite its considerable length, is a clear birdie opportunity, especially if players avoid errant shots off the tee. Its relatively straightforward green layout promises scoring chances, perhaps a welcome reprieve before the final push.
Then arrives Hole 14 (Par 3, 161 yards), ironically labeled the “easiest hole” on the course. A short par three, it features a tricky narrow “tongue” on the front left for pin placement, presenting a small, demanding target if organizers choose to test ultimate precision. Otherwise, this hole is poised to be a “birdie wall,” a welcome sight for players looking to gain momentum.
However, any sense of ease is fleeting as players confront Hole 15 (Par 4, 477 yards), widely considered the hardest hole on the course. Devoid of fairway bunkers, it allows for powerful drives, but the green is a different story. A severely contoured, two-tier green, protected by three substantial bunkers and a massive slope to the right, makes the second shot not just critical, but exceptionally demanding. Missing right here spells almost certain trouble and a desperate scramble for par.
Hole 16 (Par 4, 539 yards) requires an intelligent, counter-intuitive drive to the left side of the fairway to avoid two imposing greenside bunkers on the right and secure the optimal angle for an approach. This visual deception, where players must fight their natural instincts, adds another layer of mental pressure to an already challenging layout.
The penultimate Hole 17 (Par 3, 179 yards) is described by Jones as a “dramatic, wonderful par three” and, tellingly, a “muscle-tightening hole.” Its two-tier, heavily bunkered, and shallow green demands absolute precision. If matches are poised on a knife-edge, this seemingly short hole has all the ingredients to decide crucial points as nerves fray and pressure mounts.
Finally, the 18th Hole (Par 4, 411 yards) offers a dramatic climax and a final birdie opportunity. Bracketed by numerous bunkers, the decision off the tee is paramount. While a driver might be risky due to a long left bunker, an effective tee shot sets up a chance to attack the elevated, heavily bunkered, but small target green. It’s a hole designed for strategic contemplation, a characteristic championed by champions like Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy. It promises a fitting, thrilling conclusion to any match at Bethpage Black, where the outcome can swing with a single, decisive stroke.
Bethpage Black transcends the definition of a mere golf course; it is a living, breathing entity that challenges every facet of a player`s game—physical prowess, mental fortitude, and strategic brilliance. For the 2025 Ryder Cup in Farmingdale, New York, it guarantees a spectacle unlike any other. While the setup may be subtly softened for maximum excitement, the inherent difficulty and unique design elements, meticulously crafted and refined by experts like Rees Jones, ensure that only the most prepared, adaptable, and composed golfers from Team USA and Team Europe will ultimately claim victory. The warning sign at the first tee is not merely a suggestion; it’s a prophecy for the ultimate test in championship golf, a narrative waiting to unfold.
Adrian Whitmore 
Benedict Kingsley