Hole 15 at Bethpage State Park (Black Course)

Par 4 • 478 Yards • Farmingdale, New York

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Brutal

Known simply as "The Beast," the 15th hole at Bethpage Black stands as the course's most notorious challenge and signature test. This demanding par-4 has earned its fearsome reputation through major championships, separating contenders from pretenders with its unforgiving design.

Tees:

478y430y417y

Green:30y × 33y

Fairway @250y:30y wide

3 Bunkers dogleg

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Bethpage State Park (Black Course)

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Hole Stats

Par: 4
Yardage: 478 yds
Green: 5616 sq ft
Bunkers: 3
Course Slope: 152
Course Rating: 77

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Recommended Gear

This long par 4 demands distance off the tee — the right driver matters.

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Strategy Tips

tee shot

Play conservative off the tee to position for your approach shot. The fairway maintains consistent width at 37 yards at 200 yards and 36 yards at 250 yards, giving you room to work with a controlled tee shot.

approach

Your approach shot will play from around 200-250 yards to a generous 5,616 square foot green measuring 30 by 33 yards. Despite the green size, precision is key due to the challenging pin positions.

hazard warning

Be aware of three strategically placed bunkers at 424.6, 453.6, and 454.4 yards from the tee. These greenside bunkers frame the putting surface and make approach shot accuracy critical.

green

Target the center of the 30 by 33-yard green for most pin positions. The front-left tongue creates a narrow slot that's extremely difficult to access - play conservatively to the middle and putt to challenging pins.

approach

At 478 yards, this par-4 requires two solid shots but offers birdie opportunities. Focus on course management rather than distance - position trumps power on this hole.

train this shot at home

This 478-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 478-yard par 4, most players will hit driver to set up a comfortable approach.

How difficult is hole 15?

This hole is a moderate challenge for most golfers. Key challenges include: long par 4.

What hazards should I watch out for on hole 15?

Key hazards include: 3 greenside bunkers. Plan your shots to avoid these trouble spots.

How big is the green on hole 15?

The green is medium-sized with moderate targets. Pay attention to pin placement when selecting your approach club.

What's a good score on hole 15?

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 15 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 478-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 →