Golf’s prestigious Ryder Cup 2025 is held next weekend at the fearsome Black Course at Bethpage State Park in Farmingdale, New York.
It’s the first time Bethpage Black has hosted the event and JOHN EYRE, the PGA professional at Woodsome Hall Golf Club in Fenay Bridge, tried out the course about a month ago. Here’s what he made of it.
Near the first tee at Bethpage Black stands a sign that greets you with equal parts warning and challenge: “The Black Course Is An Extremely Difficult Course Which We Recommend Only For Highly Skilled Golfers.”
It’s not a joke. It’s a promise.
We had been planning this round for months. With our tee time booked well in advance, our gear prepped and anticipation building, our group of friends was ready to take on one of the most iconic — and punishing — public golf courses in the world.
No lottery queues. No camping overnight. Just the determination to face a course that doesn’t simply test your swing — it tests your patience, stamina and spirit.
Arrival: History in the Air
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, like us, 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 now-famous warning sign, and took a collective deep breath.
Game on.
Hot Start on the Second
My round caught fire early. On the second hole – a tough par-4. I found the fairway with a solid 3-wood, then followed it up with a crisp 9-iron that nestled just ten feet 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. I was dialled in, and the energy in our group was buzzing.
Avoiding Trouble, Savouring Small Victories
The par-3 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 pros but somehow, we all managed to avoid them. A small, collective victory.
Then came the fifth — a brutally demanding par-4. The tee shot needs to be both long and precise.
The fairway narrows, and the elevated green, set into a hillside, makes the second shot play significantly longer. Bogey on this hole feels like a respectable result. It was a clear reminder: Bethpage offers no freebies.
On the seventh, a par-5, I crushed my drive down the middle, leaving myself in perfect position for a second shot.
Just as I swung, the wind picked up, and my ball found the green-side 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. A highlight we’ll be talking about for years.
Finally, Joy on the Back Nine
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. 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.
The 11th green is something else entirely – wildly undulated and extremely difficult to read.
Even good approach shots leave you scratching your head, and two-putting feels like a miracle.
The 12th is arguably one of the hardest holes on the course. The tee shot demands laser accuracy. Miss the fairway and you’re swallowed by Bethpage’s unforgiving rough. I found it and the escape was more survival than strategy.
The Grind Never Ends
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, 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. And that’s what makes it unforgettable.
Looking Back
Playing Bethpage Black is like stepping into a heavyweight fight you know you won’t win — but still choosing to go all twelve rounds. It’s relentless, uncompromising and absolutely intoxicating.
Yes, I missed birdie putts. I found the rough. I hit some loose shots. But I also hit some brilliant ones.
I walked all 18 holes with my friends, side by side, 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.
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