It's going to be a unique season at Bethpage State Park. Unlike past years when the Black Course hosted a U.S. Open or PGA Championship before the summer officially arrived, the presence of late September's Ryder Cup will loom over the whole complex for the entirety of the playing season. Ryder Cup festivities begin on September 23 and the tournament concludes on September 28.
Here's what you need to know about playing golf at Bethpage this spring and summer before the world's international superstars take over at the start of fall:
BLACK COURSE
The Black Course opens for the season on April 12 and will close to the public from August 18 to October 3. The course will operate under normal procedures until July 6.
From July 7 to August 17, Black will be walk-ups only with no tee times after 12:30 p.m. weekdays and 1:30 p.m. on weekends.
GREEN and YELLOW COURSES
Bethpage Green opens for the season on March 15. Both the Green and Yellow courses will operate with a normal schedule until August 17. (See below for course modifications.) Green and Yellow will close to the public from August 18 to October 3.
As of June 1, the Green Course is walk-ups only and is only playing as a 16-hole course (#1 and #18 are unplayable due to event structures). Players will be charged the nine-hole rate.
The Yellow Course is shortened to nine holes.
RED and BLUE COURSES
Bethpage Red opens for the season on April 1. Both Red and Blue will operate with a normal schedule until August 17. (See below for course modifications.) From August 18 until early September, both courses will remain open for play until 2:00 p.m. Red and Blue will close to the public from September 8 to October 3.
That means once Bethpage Black closes for final Ryder Cup preparation on August 17, the only courses available for play will be Red and Blue, until their September closing date.
COURSE CONDITIONS
As noted here last fall, the rough on the Black Course will be shorter for the Ryder Cup than it's been for previous tournament play. In fact, at the planned 2 1/4-inch height, the rough will be shorter than it is for regular public play (2 1/2 to 3 inches). Black Course superintendent Mike Hadley said in October that the rough will be maintained short throughout the 2025 season. This way there's no need to cut the entire course back before the Cup.
The only hole modification this offseason, according to park staff, involved moving the left-side bunker on #7 closer to the fairway. This follows last winter's updates to the bunkering on #5 and #13.
TEMPORARY TEES, GREENS AND MODIFICATIONS
Some holes around the park will be shortened or closed to accommodate all the facilities required for the event ’97 merchandise tents, bus parking, rideshare lots, full-size driving range and practice areas, and more. Expect the holes closest to the clubhouse and Black Course to be impacted the most.
- The Yellow Course is currently open for nine holes only
- The Green Course is 16 holes (holes 1 and 18 are closed), walk-ups only
- Red Course hole #1 is shortened to a 120-yard par-3
- Red Course hole #5 is shortened to a par-4
All scheduling is subject to change as the season progresses. Bethpage suggests that all players check the park website, social-media outlets and email blasts for any updates to course availability.
SEE ALSO:
For guidance on where to play in the lead-up to the Ryder Cup, view the 2025 Long Island Golf Guide: