Will Bethpage's par 3s be up to par?

[NAF]

I have to think with the exception of #17 that the par 3s at Bethpage are definitely the weak link in Tillie's chain of holes.  The first par 3 (# 3) has a menacing looking bunker guarding a left pin placement (somewhat redanish) but from the tips (160?) it is not an imposing shot and the green is more flat that having the tilt a redan hole would have. It will certainly give up its share of birdies. Long on the hole (if they grow the rough) could make for a cheeky up and down but I don't think many pros will have a problem here. There is no back bunker just a drop off..

#8 is the par 3 over a pond and downhill to a long multi-tiered green.  It is somewhat long at 195 yards and I am sure it will probably play 220+ in the open but there is a lot of green to work with here although wind can come into play on the tee shot..I would love to see them put the pin up front and shave the bank fronting the green. If the greens are hard and fast, 2 putts from above the hole will be an adventure..

#14 at 160yards is the weakest hole on the course in my opinion.  It is a par 3 over a small valley to a plateaued green with a rees-restored bunker guarding the right
side..This is probably the easiest hole on the course although if my memory serves me there is a subtle ridge for back hole locations that can make for a tricky putt..The
pros should have no worries here..

#17 is a great hole known for its sahara-esque bunker complex and two tiered green..At 210+ yards it is definitely a challenge and resembles the 17th at Pebble Beach.  I do believe this hole will easily play the hardest of the par 3s.

That being said, I love the course and at a par 70 even with easy greens taken as a whole, this course will still play tough.

[Matt_Ward]

NAF:

Couple of quick points ...

The 3rd can be stretched to a max of about 210 yards. The left rear pin position will clearly demand a fine approach. Much more wind exists above the tree line and many players will have to pick the right club because the front left bunker will see plenty of action if they're not observant.

The 8th can play to a max of 220 yards and yes you are right about the front pin placement, however, there is also room now for a rear pin placement in the far back right. The green was partially extended and there is a new rear bunker to protect against bold plays that go too far. Gauging the fluctuating wind will also be a factor for the best players to consider. I would not automatically write 3 on anyone's card so fast.

I concede the 14th is a birdie hole but only with a well played approach. Given the fact that the 15th is probably the most demanding hole they will play I see no reason why there can't be a hole that yields birdies when played correctly.

The 17th as you described is a real treat and many golf fans unfamiliar with the hole will marvel at its design strengths. I really do believe that if the pin is placed far right the hole is tougher than when its back left. The landing area is very tight and the shot better not have too much pace or it won't stick to the putting surface.

Overall, the par-3's at the Black are not at the level of Winged Foot / West but in my mind better than what you find at Baltusrol / Lower. We shall see in June ...

[GeoffreyChilds]

Noel

I agree with Matt's post.  Let me add that I think that scoring will very much depend on the wind as Matt said as well as the "maintenance meld" available that week.  If the rains stay away and the course is firm we will be in for a treat.

Specifics.

#3- Long will be a serious mistake and if the USGA is smart enough to leave this area as a closely mown chipping area, double bogeys will be possible.  The flat green will yield lots of one putts once they hit the green.  The wind is tricky here as the shoot from #4 on the left and the tunnel up #3 creates swirling wind patterns.

#8- This is one of the most difficult greens on the course.  Miss right and long of a front pin and the tier in the green will make for very difficult pitches. Most misses will be to the left now that the scummy pond is gone. As Matt said, back right will play way over par.

#14 - This green is also pitched from back to front quite a bit so staying below the hole will be important.  Putts will have quite a bit of break from the sides.  Will this fool them after all the flat putts on the front side?  Still, the best birdie opportunity on the course besides #2 and they will need it once they cross the road to #15!

#17- Matt said it very well. Right pins will be very difficult. Distance control is everything with that shot. I think the rear bunker will see a lot of play.

[NAF]

Gents,

Thanks for your thoughts..With the exception of #17 in the 4 times I have been at the Black I always viewed the par 3s as somewhat of a breather...probably because I was nervous about the stretch 4-7, the long par 4s after 8 and obviously before #15..

I guess the most interesting thing will be to see the pros tackle the "Corral or Stable" Hole..If they push their approach with an upper tier pin placement they are toast and looking at 6.. I wonder what will happen if they shave the bank in front for a front pin placement..with that green you could easily putt off and be looking at one heck of a chip and putt to save par or bogey..

[Ran Morrissett]

Geoffrey,

How times change!

I recall the 14th as having the steepest back to front pitch on the course (with the possible exception of the 15th green) and the smallest sq.ft. green of the lot. In general, a relatively small target if you wish a straightforward uphill putt.

And now you're calling it a birdie hole - has that hole been compromised or what ?!

[Pete Lavallee]

I think most people consider it a birdie hole simply because it is the least difficult in comparison to the rest. Normal golfers get to play a mid-iron into at least one green. The hazard fronting the green could be the most fearsome greenside bunker on the course. The pitch from over the green, sloping towards that trap is down right scary!

[GeoffreyChilds]

Ran - What does "how times change" mean? I've said about 1/2 the greens at BB are very flat.  That leaves 9 with slope and contour. 14 is certainly one of them as I mentioned above.

Pete L is correct.  It's all relative.  There was talk of a new tee making the hole play 180 or so behind the road I think but it was never built.  It will be no more then an 7-8 iron even with wind so missing the green (even the smallest on the course) would be a bad shot.

[Tim_Weiman]

I tend to share Pete's opinion.  It's hard for #14 to impress given what one finds elsewhere on the course.  But, the boys just may be fooled by the contour of the green relative to much of the course.

A breather?  Probably.

A birdie assault?  Not sure about that.