Kyle, we talked about The Red last night; in fact, I was typing my post and our power was knocked out.
My nomination is for Bethpage Red Course's #9 and 18.
#9 is one of many great holes in the middle part of the course, a stretch from #8 through to #16, that play over a large, relatively open field far away from the clubhouse complex.
The hole is approximately 466 yards from the Blue tees, and is played over flat terrain, although not without interest. A right to left dogleg hole, the tee shot offers several options to the golfer.
The conservative player, or a shorter hitter, will play a straight ball from the tee, aiming at a group of evergreens on the far side of the fairway, separating the 9th and 10th holes. Hitting the fairway from here should leave a second shot of about 230 yards, and at first glance, although this is a good distance for an approach shot, keep in mind that the stance is relatively level and the green is open in front, to accept a running approach.
The more skillfull player will want to do one of two things; one, take an aggressive line with a straight shot down the left side, challenging a Tillinghast bunker complex and a grove of large trees, or try to draw the ball around the corner. The reward to this method of play is that the golfer is rewarded with a shorter club in hand.
The caveat here is that the left side of the green is defended with another great Tillinghast bunker which is deep, but not excessively penal. Par is very possible from this bunker.
Short right of the green is often a safe place to miss, as the green is open here, and absent two larger slopes within the green, offers the best spot for trying to save par from.
The 18th, in contrast, is similar in yardage, but completely different in setting, topography, and selection of shots.
The tee shot here is played from high up on a hill, the same hill that most of the course is situated on, the same hill that players play up when playing #1.
Length from the Blue tees is about 445 yards, and new tees have been built that would add another 30 yards.
Three strategies to the tee shot here, depending on wind conditions.
Note; in my experience, I have found #18 to play more into the wind in the late afternoons than downwind.
The first strategy is to play a straight ball down the middle of the fairway, playing back of the left and right fairway bunker complexes.
The second strategy, one I employ often, is to start the ball over a large, gaping Tillinghast bunker cut into the hill on the right, and draw it back--a shot of about 290 yards. This leaves about 165 yards in, usually about lateral with the right bunker.
The third strategy would be to start the ball left and cut it back to center. I believe a shorter shot also gives a level stance, but requires a longer, aerial approach in order to hit the green in regulation.
Both flanking fairway bunkers create that elusive "half-stroke" penalty, and the right bunker may be more penal than the left, given its high face--good luck trying to reach the green from there! If one lands in the left bunker, I would be more apt to pitch out, trying to leave an approach of 90 yards, for full wedge shot in.
It is a treat to hit a drive well here, and watch it rise against the backdrop of sky and of the Black's 18th, clubhouse, Red's 1st and 18th holes, and collection of golfers around.
Based on prior experience, length is amply rewarded here, as the golfer who can hit a long drive will be rewarded with a level stance, to a green that must be hit with an aerial approach. Surrounded by five bunkers and rough, sitting in a natural ampthitheater (what a wonderful way to finish!) the green is relatively flat, although pitched slightly back to front.
Recoveries from around the green are not terribly difficult, and good play is often met with applause from the golfers waiting to tee off on #1. One of my favorite finishing holes in all of golf.