Hole 12 at Bethpage State Park (Black Course)

Par 4 • 499 Yards • Farmingdale, New York

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Brutal

The 12th hole at Bethpage Black stands as part of the course's notorious "meat" - the brutal four-hole stretch from 9 through 12 that defines this legendary Long Island layout. This demanding par 4 continues the relentless test that has challenged professionals and amateurs alike on one of America's most revered public golf courses.

Tees:

499y432y403y

Green:36y × 34y

Fairway @250y:66y wide

4 Bunkers dogleg

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Bethpage State Park (Black Course)

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Hole Stats

Par: 4
Yardage: 499 yds
Green: 7528 sq ft
Bunkers: 4
Course Slope: 152
Course Rating: 77

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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 499-yard par 4 demands precision off the tee. The fairway widens significantly from 47 yards at the 200-yard mark to 66 yards at 250 yards, so longer hitters can take advantage of the extra room by carrying their drive past the 200-yard bottleneck.

hazard warning

Beware of the fairway bunker positioned at 237.8 yards from the tee - this sits right in the prime landing zone for most golfers. Consider laying up short of this bunker with a controlled tee shot or ensure you can carry it completely.

approach

With bunkers guarding the approach at 423.1 and 465.5 yards from the tee, your second shot will likely face significant hazards. The green measures 36 by 34 yards, providing a reasonably sized target, but club selection and accuracy are critical from this distance.

tee shot

As part of Bethpage Black's challenging middle stretch (holes 9-12), this 499-yard hole requires strategic thinking. Consider hitting a 3-wood or hybrid to position yourself in the wider 66-yard section of fairway at 250 yards, leaving a more manageable approach angle.

green

The green's substantial size of 7,528 square feet gives you room to work with, but don't let this fool you into being careless with your approach. Focus on finding the correct tier and avoiding the surrounding bunkers positioned at 423.1 and 465.5 yards.

train this shot at home

This 499-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 499-yard par 4, most players will hit driver to set up a comfortable approach. Be mindful of the bunker at 249.4 yards if you hit driver.

How difficult is hole 12?

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

What hazards should I watch out for on hole 12?

Key hazards include: fairway bunker at 249.4-249.4 yards; 2 greenside bunkers. Plan your shots to avoid these trouble spots.

How big is the green on hole 12?

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

Which side of the fairway is safer on hole 12?

Aim for the left side of the fairway when possible. Missing right brings more trouble into play.

What's a good score on hole 12?

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 12 on a golf simulator at home?

Yes — many modern launch monitors and simulators include real course data for Bethpage State Park (Black Course). You can play this exact 499-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 →