Nassau Players Club

Bethpage State Park

Home Of The Black Course

The answer makes the decision as to how far right (or left) to aim.

Big hitters can take the ball over the tree on the corner leaving a short iron to the green, lesser mortals aim somewhere down the fairway, and hope to pass the tree, leaving a clear view of the green and a mid- to long iron. In the trees on the right, out-of-bounds awaits the errant tee shot.

The pear-shaped green is quite narrow, and has a small step just a few yards on to the putting surface. A pin cut on the lower tier leaves little margin for error, if a tricky putt down the slope is to be avoided on the opening hole.

With the wind in the face, this becomes a very tough opening hole.