



Overview
A.W. Tillinghast’s Red course opened in 1935—a year before the famed Black—and is considered by many, including us, to be Bethpage’s second-best layout. The challenge of the Red starts on the first tee, where the typical crowd gathered by the starter’s booth watches as golfers try to find the narrow fairway guarded by thick rough.
Though the opening and closing stretch of holes are tree-lined, the routing shakes free at the par-4 eighth and breaks into a vast plain littered with fescue and bunkers. Here it emulates the same kind of rugged muscularity and wasp-waist bunkering the Black is known for, though with slightly more room to play off the tee and less dire consequence for missing shots. But in the Red you get the whiff of a major championship design and something far more profound than any run-of-the-mill "second best" golf course.
About
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
Reviews
Review
“Great layout with lots of strategic holes, however conditioning and the removal of fescue and key trees have reduced the variety and strategic value of the course"
Read More2023
Review
“Easily the second best option of the 5 courses at Bethpage, the Red Course is also a Tillinghast design and many consider it the Black's "Little Brother." While conditions and memorability can't compare, the opening and closing holes on the Red are better than its companion course. This is easily one of the best public options in New York State and should not be overlooked by people trying to play the Black."
Read More2022
Review
“Great course. Well designed and very challenging. Design variety, well conditioned, shot making, length rewarded. Multiple ways to attack holes."
Read More2019
Review
“If you can't get a time on the Black, the Red is your next option. A great course, but just like the Black be ready for a long day on the course. Carts are permitted here so get comfortable."
Read More2018
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