Hole-by-hole guide to Bethpage Black, venue of the 45th Ryder Cup from 26-28 September.
Hole 1 (Par 4, 397 yards)
The tee shot from an elevated position bends to the right but with trees lining that side of the fairway, an approach from the left is preferable. The green is the smallest on the course. Bunkers guard it on both sides, including a deep one on the right, and its front slopes sharply.
Hole 2 (Par 4, 389 yards)
This time there is a dogleg to the left between tree-lined ridges. The elevated green falls away to the left by as much as 10ft. There are deep bunkers to the right.
Hole 3 (Par 3, 210 yards)
The angled green has bunkers to the left that are so deep players standing in them may only see the top of the flag stick. It also slopes away to the rear.
Hole 4 (Par 5, 517 yards)
A daunting prospect with a fairway that bends to the left around a cluster of bunkers and then climbs some 50ft towards a blind green guarded by more bunkers. Further bunkers across the fairway complicate matters for players who end up in the thick rough.
Hole 5 (Par 4, 478 yards)
The fairway shapes around a set of bunkers to the right. Trees line the left-hand side, which obscure sight of the green. The green itself is small and surrounded by testing bunkers.
Hole 6 (Par 4, 408 yards)
A relatively straight hole but with a narrow fairway squeezed by bunkers at a typical hitting distance from the tee. Fairway then heads downhill to another well-bunkered green.
Hole 7 (Par 4, 524 yards)
Long hole which plays as a par five when the course is open to the public. Tee shots must carry over a huge bunker and there are no shortcuts over a dogleg to the right because of trees. The flat green offers an opportunity to run balls up to it but there are bunkers on both sides.
Hole 8 (Par 3, 210 yards)
The green is guarded at the front by a pond – the only water hazard on the course – while bunkers to the rear and left add an extra dimension when the pin position is at the back. There is also a steep dune to the right of the green.
Hole 9 (Par 4, 460 yards)
Fairway doglegs sharply to the left but a large bunker down that side will punish any shots too far left. Playing short of the bunker can lead to a testing lie on a contoured section of the fairway. There are also deep bunkers in front of the green.
Hole 10 (Par 4, 502 yards)
Another straight hole with bunkers either side, thick rough to the left and trees to the right. The green is elevated, behind more bunkers.
Hole 11 (Par 4, 435 yards)
A blind tee shot to a fairway lined by a complex of bunkers on the left, and a few sand traps to the right too. The green can be punishing for players who hit past the hole.
Hole 12 (Par 4, 496 yards)
A tough tee shot over bunkers but with rough waiting for anyone hitting too long. The green is large but with significant undulations.
Hole 13 (Par 5, 608 yards)
The longest hole on the course but straight and potentially reachable in two. A large bunker to the left can collect off-line tee shots and more sand in front of the green will punish approaches falling short. Another deep bunker to the right.
Hole 14 (Par 3, 161 yards)
The shortest hole plays over a valley to a wide but shallow, sloping green with bunkers in front and to the left.
Hole 15 (Par 4, 477 yards)
A brute of a hole characterised by a dogleg to the left and an arduous climb up a slope ominously nicknamed "Heart Attack Hill". Rough to both sides makes staying on the fairway imperative and the elevated green is well guarded by bunkers.
Hole 16 (Par 4, 490 yards)
The first shot plays to a narrow fairway some 60ft below the level of the tee box. There is a slight bend in the fairway and bunkers around the green.
Hole 17 (Par 3, 179 yards)
Five bunkers surround the elevated green, which is split by a spine running through its middle.
Hole 18 (Par 4, 411 yards)
Regarded as one of the easiest holes on the course – a reward after the hard slog of the 17 before it with a great view from the tee to boot. There are several bunkers to the left and right but the fairway is wide and straight. The elevated and sloping green provides some complication.
Card of the course
Hole - Par (Yards)
1 - 4 (397); 2 - 4 (389); 3 - 3 (210); 4 - 5 (517); 5 - 4 (478); 6 - 4 (408); 7 - 4 (524); 8 - 3 (210); 9 - 4 (460). Out: 35 (3,593)
10 - 4 (502); 11 - 4 (435); 12 - 4 (496); 13 - 5 (608); 14 - 3 (161); 15 - 4 (477); 16 - 4 (490); 17 - 3 (179); 18 - 4 (411). In: 35 (3,759)
Total: 70 (7,352)
