Hole 1 at Bethpage State Oark (Red Course)

Par 4 • 471 Yards • Farmingdale, New York

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Brutal

Bethpage Red opens with one of its most memorable and challenging holes, setting an immediate test that demands respect from the first tee. This lengthy par 4 serves as both an introduction and a warning, establishing the course's reputation for demanding precision and strategic thinking right from the start.

Tees:

471y464y439y

Green:36y × 49y

Fairway @250y:38y wide

6 Bunkers dogleg

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Bethpage State Oark (Red Course)

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Hole Stats

Par: 4
Yardage: 471 yds
Green: 8747 sq ft
Bunkers: 6
Course Slope: 130
Course Rating: 75.1

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Hole 2

Par 4 • 408y

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Recommended Gear

Bunkers everywhere — a versatile wedge is your scoring club on this hole.

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Strategy Tips

tee shot

This opening hole demands precision off the tee as the fairway dramatically narrows to just 4 yards wide at the 200-yard mark before opening up to 38 yards at 250 yards. Longer hitters should consider laying back to avoid the squeeze point.

hazard warning

Three strategic bunkers guard the landing area at 249, 274, and 288 yards from the tee. The middle bunker at 274 yards is perfectly positioned to catch aggressive drives attempting to reach the wider fairway section.

approach

At 471 yards, this longest par 4 on the Red Course will likely require a mid-to-long iron approach shot. The generous green measuring 8,747 square feet (36x49 yards) provides a good target, but club selection is critical on this demanding opener.

green

The large green at 8,747 square feet offers some forgiveness for approach shots, but its 49-yard depth means club selection and distance control are crucial to avoid lengthy putts on this challenging hole.

train this shot at home

This 471-yard par 4 is ideal for working on your driver accuracy. Launch monitors from $600 let you practice this exact shot with real course data from home.

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Scoring Tip

With bunkers guarding the green, pick the side with the most room and let the slope feed the ball toward the pin.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best strategy off the tee?

For this 471-yard par 4, most players will hit driver to set up a comfortable approach.

How difficult is hole 1?

This hole is a moderate challenge for most golfers. Key challenges include: long par 4, heavily bunkered, large green requiring good lag putting.

How big is the green on hole 1?

The green is large and can play quite long. Three-putt territory if you don't manage your approach distance well.

What's a good score on hole 1?

This hole is one of the tougher holes where par feels like birdie. A challenging par 4. Accept that bogey happens and avoid big numbers.

Can I practice hole 1 on a golf simulator at home?

Yes — many modern launch monitors and simulators include real course data for Bethpage State Oark (Red Course). You can play this exact 471-yard par 4 shot-by-shot at home. Entry-level options like the SkyTrak+ (around $2,500) and Garmin Approach R10 (around $600) support course play, while premium systems from Trackman and Foresight offer tour-level accuracy. Most systems pay for themselves in a season or two versus green fees and range balls. Shop home golf simulators →