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It's going to get tougher to get on Bethpage Black as the 2009 U.S. Open approaches.
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In the last few months, several readers have asked what we recommend in terms of when and how to get on Long Island, New York's Bethpage Black course before it hosts the 2009 U.S. Open.
The "when" part is easy: as soon as you possibly can. The U.S. Open is being held at Bethpage Black on June 15-21, 2009, so you only have this season before things start to get really jammed up out there. And for out-of-staters, it's going to be that much tougher because New York residents can make tee times up to seven days in advance; for everyone else, it's only two days.
Keep in mind, too, that the course is closed during winter and on non-holiday Mondays. And, when Bethpage Black opens in mid April for the 2009 season, it will likely be for half-days only through Memorial Day. The course will then close for the tournament and remain closed until two to four weeks afterward.
As for the "how," you have a couple options: 1) use Bethpage's tee time reservation system, 2) go the infamous route of trying to walk-on at the crack of dawn, which often involves camping out in your car, or 3) pay a huge premium to a little-known company that may be able to get you a tee time on your preferred day of play. Let's cover the first option first.
Before anyone can use Bethpage's reservation system, they must become a registered user. To register, you have to fax a copy of your driver's license AND write or type out all of the information that appears on the front of it, plus your telephone number (an email address would help, too), in case the image is unreadable via the fax.
If you're not a New York resident, you are also encouraged to include your Social Security number, which will become your reservation system account number. It's not required (they'll assign you a number, otherwise), but it will expedite processing. It usually takes between one and three days before you're officially "in" the system.
The number to FAX your materials to is: 516-753-0413. The tee time reservation line is: 516-249-0707. Again, out-of-state residents can only make tee times two days in advance of the intended date of play. New York residents can reserve seven days out. Sometimes, it's good to call the night before you wish to play because there are often cancellations.
In addition to a $4 reservation fee, the green fee is:
- Weekdays: $50 (NY residents) $100 (non-residents)
- Weekends: $60 (NY residents) $120 (non-residents)
Your second option for getting on Bethpage Black, as mentioned above, is to just show up predawn, as all of the first hour's tee times, and one slot per hour thereafter, are made available on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets for the day's first tee times, which begin at 5:30 am in summer, are handed out starting at about 4-4:30 am. (Note to foursomes: it used to be that only one player per foursome needed to camp out to get a tee time for the group, but now every person has to have their own ticket.)
From our experience and stories from people we know, if you're one of the first to show up, you'll likely get out in the morning. Later arrivals will likely get out, too, but it probably won't be until the afternoon. Either way, if you go this route to get on Bethpage Black, you'll be spending a good deal of time just waiting around in your car or the clubhouse, so bring a good book.
Finally, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention one other option for getting on Bethpage Black, though it's better suited to those for whom money is not an object. NYGolfShuttle.com sells Bethpage Black packages that include the green fee and round-trip transportation from Manhattan for $750 ($400 per person for a foursome). At 15 times the in-state green fee, it is a huge premium, but convenience does have its price.
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