USA · Parkland
Bethpage Black
Possibly the best deal in golf. Bethpage Black is a legitimate US Open venue available to anyone for under $100 USD. Eight-hour drive from Kitchener-Waterloo, or a short flight — and New York City is right there.
BEST TIME TO GO
May–September
EST. COST / PERSON
$600–$1,800 CAD
BOOK IN ADVANCE
4–8 weeks
TRAVEL TIME
8h drive from KW
MUST-PLAY COURSES
Bethpage Black
#7 Public Course USA (Golf Digest)
2002 & 2009 US Open host. Warning sign: 'difficult course, not recommended.' Worth it.
Bethpage Red
Best alternate course at Bethpage. Much more forgiving than Black.
Bethpage Green
Short, great for a warm-up or a recovery round.
WHAT A TRIP LOOKS LIKE
Arrive & Manhattan
Build New York City into the trip — most Toronto groups don't need a reason, but 24 hours in Manhattan before heading out to Long Island makes the Bethpage rounds feel like part of a real adventure rather than a commute.
Transfer to Long Island & Bethpage Red
Drive or take the LIRR east to Farmingdale. Open with the Red Course — Tillinghast's more accessible layout at Bethpage is still a genuine challenge, and it saves the Black for the day when legs are fresher.
Bethpage Black
The main event. 7,468 yards from the tips, with bunkering and rough that earned its warning sign. The back nine plays into the prevailing wind and rewards patience — most Canadian groups shoot significantly better than they expect if they lay up where Tillinghast intends.
Bethpage Green & Wineries
A relaxed morning on the Green Course — short, pleasant, and genuinely fun — then an afternoon drive east through the North Fork wine country. Long Island's wine scene is underrated and makes a natural second-day activity.
Bethpage Black Again
The second round on Black is when scores actually reflect the course — the group knows the angles, the greens, and where the real trouble is. Arguably the better round of the two.
Depart
Morning drive back toward the city. JFK or LaGuardia for the flight to Toronto — direct flights run throughout the day.
GROUPS 12+ — Bethpage has no on-site accommodation — the group stays in nearby Farmingdale, Melville, or Garden City hotels and commutes to the park. Early tee times avoid the midday pace issues; book the 7:00–7:20am window for the best experience on Bethpage Black.
BEST MONTHS
Ready to plan Bethpage Black?
Tell us your dates and group size — we'll take it from there.