Woodsome Hall professional John Eyre looks back at his visit to Bethpage’s Black Course ahead of the course hosting the Ryder Cup this September
Near the first tee of the Black Course stands a sign that offers both a warning and a challenge – “The Black Course is an extremely difficult course which we recommend only for highly skilled golfers.” This is not a joke.
We had been planning this round for months. With our tee time booked well in advance and anticipation building, our group was ready to take on one of the most iconic – and punishing – public golf courses in the world. There was no lottery queue and no camping overnight, just the determination to face a course that doesn’t simply test your swing – it tests your patience, stamina and spirit.
Pulling into Bethpage State Park, the energy was unmistakable. This was no ordinary round of golf – this was hallowed ground – the same fairways where Tiger dominated, where major championships were won and lost, and where countless golfers came to be humbled. After a quick warm up on the range, we headed to the first tee, paused for a group photo in front of the famous warning sign, and took a collective deep breath.
My round caught fire early. On the second hole – a tough par four – I found the fairway with a solid three-wood, then followed it up with a crisp nine-iron that finished just 10ft below the hole. For a moment, I felt invincible, as if Bethpage had decided to go easy on me. The birdie putt slid by the edge, but I walked off with a confident par and a wide grin.
The par three third hole is guarded by infamous bunkers that can turn a promising hole into a disaster. We’d seen what they’d done to the tour players but somehow, we all managed to avoid them. A small collective victory.
Then came the fifth – a brutal par four. The tee shot needs to be both long and precise as the fairway narrows, while the elevated green, set into a hillside, makes the second shot play significantly longer. Bogey on this hole feels like a respectable result and it served as a clear reminder – Bethpage offers no freebies.
On the seventh, a par five, I crushed my drive down the middle, leaving me in perfect position for the second shot. Just as I swung, the wind picked up and my ball found the greenside bunker. Then came the moment of the day – one of my playing partners had pushed his second shot well right, leaving a 40-yard pitch, and holed it for eagle. We erupted!
After a scrappy front nine, I striped my drive on the 10th, a much-needed clean swing. I played the hole steadily and finally carded a par. For the first time in a while, I felt genuine joy. That par felt like a major win.
The momentum continued briefly, and I managed back-to-back pars on 11 and 12, a short-lived hot streak that brought the fire back, before 13 bit me hard and brought me crashing back to reality.
Every hole posed a new challenge. Some stretches felt endless, with pars nearly impossible to find. Other moments brought hope – a perfect drive, a pure iron, a well-judged chip. We laughed, we groaned, and we celebrated the smallest wins. Even as the course beat us down, we loved every second of the fight.
Bethpage Black gives you nothing – you have to earn everything here and that’s what makes it unforgettable.
Playing Bethpage Black is like stepping into a heavyweight fight you know you won’t win – but you still choose to go all 12 rounds. It’s relentless, uncompromising and absolutely intoxicating.
Yes, I missed birdie putts, found the rough and hit some loose shots – but I also hit some brilliant ones. I walked all 18 holes with my friends, battling each step of the way, and I’ll carry that memory for the rest of my life.
Would I do it again? In a heartbeat!
