Hole 17 at Bethpage State Park (Black Course)

Par 3 • 207 Yards • Farmingdale, New York

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Brutal

The 17th hole at Bethpage Black stands as an iconic and daunting penultimate test, perched dramatically on a hillside with its green heavily fortified by bunkers. As part of the legendary "Bear Trap" stretch that Jack Nicklaus declared should determine the outcome of any round, this intimidating par 3 has proven itself worthy of Ryder Cup theater.

Tees:

207y195y178y

Green:42y × 35y

5 Bunkers dogleg

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Bethpage State Park (Black Course)

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Hole Stats

Par: 3
Yardage: 207 yds
Green: 6491 sq ft
Bunkers: 5
Course Slope: 152
Course Rating: 77

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Recommended Gear

A hybrid or long iron makes this long par 3 far more manageable off the tee.

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Strategy Tips

tee shot

This iconic 207-yard par 3 demands precision club selection and commitment. With no fairway to bail out to, you must carry your tee shot all the way to the 6,491 square foot green. Factor in wind conditions on this elevated, exposed hillside position when choosing your club.

hazard warning

The green is heavily fortified by bunkers positioned at 223.5, 201.6, and 172.5 yards from the tee. These strategic hazards guard both the front and sides of the green, making accuracy more critical than distance. Avoid the temptation to be aggressive if you're between clubs.

green

Target the center of this 42-yard by 35-yard green rather than hunting pin positions. The generous 6,491 square foot putting surface gives you room to work with, but the surrounding bunkers punish misses severely. A two-putt par is an excellent score on this Bear Trap finale.

tee shot

With zero landing zone available short of the green, there's no room for a conservative layup strategy. You must commit fully to carrying the ball 207 yards to the putting surface. Practice your yardage control with mid-to-long irons before attempting this intimidating shot.

approach

This is pure target golf - no fairway width at either 200 or 250 yards means there's nowhere to miss except into trouble. Focus on smooth tempo and solid contact rather than trying to overpower the shot. The elevated green position and wind exposure make club selection critical.

train this shot at home

This par 3 is ideal for working on your long iron or hybrid. Launch monitors from $600 let you practice this exact shot with real course data from home.

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Scoring Tip

On long par 3s, hitting the green is a win — don't be afraid to take one extra club and aim center.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What club should I use on this par 3?

At 207 yards, most golfers will need a long iron or hybrid (5-iron to 6-iron) to reach this green. Adjust for elevation, wind, and pin position.

How difficult is hole 17?

This hole is a moderate challenge for most golfers. Key challenges include: long par 3, heavily bunkered.

What hazards should I watch out for on hole 17?

Key hazards include: 5 greenside bunkers. Plan your shots to avoid these trouble spots.

How big is the green on hole 17?

The green is fairly large with multiple pin positions. Lag putting becomes important on longer putts.

What's a good score on hole 17?

This hole is a challenging par where bogey is acceptable. This longer par 3 will test your long iron or hybrid game. Par is a good score.

Can I practice hole 17 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 par 3 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 →