English golfing icon Ian Poulter once labelled the course at Bethpage Black as the “worst” setup he’s ever encountered. Currently hosting the Ryder Cup, this venue was also the site of the 2012 Barclays, which is when Poulter experienced it.
The Black Course at Bethpage State Park, which opened in 1936, joins Oak Hill as one of only two New York courses to host a Ryder Cup. This weekend, Team Europe and Team USA are battling it out on its greens. The course’s narrow fairways and challenging par-three third are just some of the obstacles that the world’s top golfers have had to navigate. However, back in 2012, Poulter, an outspoken Ryder Cup stalwart, criticised the venue for certain structural decisions.
During The Barclays 13 years ago, Poulter, a five-time Ryder Cup champion, recorded a dismal opening score of 76, with the course’s greens far from smooth. With players averaging over 30 putts per round, Poulter didn’t hold back in his criticism after completing his round.
He posted on X: “The worst course setup I have ever played in 13 years on tour. They have ruined what is a great course, greens like concrete stupid pins.”
His frustrations were also captured by the Golf Channel as he headed to his car following the opening round of the Barclays. Poulter declared: “I’ve got to tell you, they [screwed] up today.
“Royally [screwed] up. Look at how many guys have had a bad day, and there’s a lot of guys that had a bad day. You know, [hole] eight, especially, is the worst I’ve ever seen on tour. Eight was worse than Shinnecock. How about that? How about that for a statement? They have lost it.
“There’s supposed to be cloud cover, there wasn’t cloud cover. I don’t want to use that as an excuse. Fact is, the greens have barely got double-digit moisture in them. That is borderline unplayable on a golf course that simply plays as the longest course on tour, pretty much. Right?
“Par 71. It’s the longest 71 we play. So therefore you’re going in with even more club than any other course we play. Elevated greens. Rock hard. That is an absolute recipe for disaster. You can quote me on all that stuff.”
The 49-year-old made the cut that week, though he could only tie for 36th place on level par. American Nick Watney claimed victory with a modest -10 total, whilst Sergio Garcia trailed by four shots. Poulter isn’t alone in his criticism of Bethpage Black.
Former Team USA Ryder Cup skipper Paul Azinger has also slammed the venue, branding it “awkward.” Azinger revealed on Trey Wingo’s podcast: “This golf course. I couldn’t stand it.
“I played my practice rounds, I did my two rounds and I think I was 18 over for two days there in the U.S. Open. I really don’t like Bethpage Black. There’s a lot of awkward angles, downhill tee shots to fairways that angle away. It’s just hard and you cannot fluke your way around there.”
