Hole 9 at Bethpage State Park (Black Course)

Par 4 • 418 Yards • Farmingdale, New York

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Challenging

Hole 9 marks the beginning of Bethpage Black's notorious stretch known as "the meat of the golf course," where the championship layout begins to bare its teeth. This demanding par 4 serves as the gateway to what many consider the most challenging four-hole sequence in public golf. The hole's unforgiving nature sets the tone for the brutal back nine that has tested the world's best players.

Tees:

418y385y293y

Green:32y × 29y

Fairway @250y:53y wide

2 Bunkers dogleg

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Bethpage State Park (Black Course)

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Hole Stats

Par: 4
Yardage: 418 yds
Green: 5664 sq ft
Bunkers: 2
Course Slope: 152
Course Rating: 77

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Strategy Tips

hazard warning

This hole presents an extreme challenge with no traditional fairway landing areas - the fairway width measures 0 yards at both 200 and 250 yards from the tee, indicating severe rough or hazards dominate the hole.

tee shot

With no defined landing zone from the tee and fairway constrictions throughout, accuracy is paramount over distance - consider laying up short of trouble areas and playing for position rather than maximum yardage.

approach

Two bunkers guard the green area at 367 and 374 yards from the tee, requiring precise distance control on your approach shot to avoid these hazards in the final 50 yards to the pin.

green

The generous green measures 5,664 square feet (32x29 yards), providing a reasonable target once you navigate the challenging approach - aim for the center of this sizeable putting surface to maximize your margin for error.

tee shot

At 418 yards and par 4, this represents the 'meat of the golf course' as noted by course experts - expect this to be one of the most demanding holes on your round, requiring strategic course management over aggressive play.

train this shot at home

This 418-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

Focus on getting your approach inside 20 feet. Two putts from there and you walk away with par.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best strategy off the tee?

For this 418-yard par 4, most players will hit driver to set up a comfortable approach.

How difficult is hole 9?

This hole is a good scoring opportunity for most golfers.

What hazards should I watch out for on hole 9?

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

How big is the green on hole 9?

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 9?

This hole is a demanding hole where bogey is not unusual. This longer par 4 will test most golfers. Focus on position over distance.

Can I practice hole 9 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 418-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 →