Hole 16 at Bethpage State Park (Black Course)

Par 4 • 479 Yards • Farmingdale, New York

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Brutal

The 16th hole marks the beginning of Bethpage Black's infamous "Bear Trap," a three-hole stretch that Jack Nicklaus declared should determine the outcome of any round. This demanding par 4, patterned after Pine Valley's 16th, features a menacing tree line on the left that blocks approach shots to the green. It's here where Bethpage truly reveals its championship pedigree.

Tees:

479y457y431y

Green:24y × 35y

Fairway @250y:47y wide

2 Bunkers dogleg

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Bethpage State Park (Black Course)

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Hole Stats

Par: 4
Yardage: 479 yds
Green: 5397 sq ft
Bunkers: 2
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

Target the center-right of the fairway on your tee shot, as the fairway actually widens from 44 yards at the 200-yard mark to 47 yards at 250 yards. This gives longer hitters more room to work with and sets up the ideal angle for the approach.

approach

With bunkers positioned at 442 and 464 yards from the tee, your approach shot will likely be from around 200-230 yards depending on your drive. The green measures 24 by 35 yards, providing a reasonably sized target, but precision is key on this championship-caliber hole.

hazard warning

Beware of the greenside bunkers at 442 and 464 yards - these are strategically placed to catch approach shots. Given the 479-yard total length, these bunkers guard the green complex and demand precise distance control on your second shot.

approach

This is where 'Bethpage starts to show its teeth' - the tree line on the left blocks shots to the green similar to Pine Valley's 16th hole. Plan your approach to avoid the left side trouble and aim for the center of the 5,397 square foot green.

tee shot

On this 479-yard par 4, position your drive in the 200-250 yard range where the fairway provides 44-47 yards of width. This sets up a manageable approach shot while avoiding the championship-level trouble that defines Bethpage Black.

train this shot at home

This 479-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

Long par 4s are scoring holes only if you keep the ball in play off the tee. Accuracy over distance.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best strategy off the tee?

For this 479-yard par 4, most players will hit driver to set up a comfortable approach.

How difficult is hole 16?

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

What hazards should I watch out for on hole 16?

Key hazards include: 2 greenside bunkers. Plan your shots to avoid these trouble spots.

How big is the green on hole 16?

The green is medium-sized with moderate targets. The green is deeper than wide, so club selection is crucial. Pay attention to pin placement when selecting your approach club.

What's a good score on hole 16?

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 16 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 479-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 →