As the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black approaches, excitement builds for one of golf’s most anticipated showdowns.
The Black Course is regarded as one of the toughest in the game, and the data team at Shot Scope has delved into the stats to see how difficult it is for the average golfer from the tee box.
Shot Scope used average distance instead of Performance-Average, which includes all shots, both good and bad, giving the typical golfer an average driver distance of 204 yards.
50% of the Fairways are Not Reachable
With the course having four par 3s, this means there are 14 opportunities to hit the fairway. Unfortunately, the typical golfer does not have the firepower to reach the short stuff on 7 of those holes, as shown in the table below:
On holes 9, 13, and 18, the average golfer will get close to the fairway but typically will come up just shy. On holes 5, 10, 12, and 16, they have an average of 22y left to reach the fairway.
Here’s the key takeaway: almost all of these holes are par 4s, but they play more like par 5s for the average golfer. You’re hitting driver off the tee, then another shot to advance the ball, then another for an approach shot. With the distance left to the green on these holes, it would not be unreasonable to say that for the average player, Bethpage Black plays like a par 77 or 78 as opposed to 70.
Long Second Shots – A Guarantee
Consider the data: on holes like the 5th, the average golfer comes up a full 28 yards short of the fairway and is faced with a daunting 270 yards to the green. Even on holes like the 9th, where they might be just 3 yards shy of the fairway, will leave them with a 230y second shot.
On the par-5 13th, where players could reach the fairway with a good drive, leaves a staggering 390 yards to the green for the second shot. This isn’t just about missing the fairway; it’s about the domino effect that follows..
For many of the holes on the back 9, this is the case, and players are immediately put in a defensive position, facing extremely long and difficult second shots. The relentless demand for length and precision is what sets Bethpage Black apart.
The Unreachable Par 3
The par 3 3rd hole sets the tone for the day for the average golfer, measuring at roughly 230 yards off the back tees.
Their average drive will come up 10y short of the green, but a well struck drive, using Shot Scope’s P-Avg., would be long enough to get safely on board. No room for mishits.
On Bethpage Black, even the ‘shorter’ holes demand power and precision, the likes that most recreational players do not possess. For the professional, the course plays entirely differently, and Shot Scope data highlights the gulf between the game’s best and everyone else.
A Showdown in September
The golfing world waits with bated breath for the showdown in September, which will pit 12 of Europe’s top players against 12 of America’s, ensuring a Ryder Cup to remember.
Unlike the average amateur, Team Europe and Team USA representatives have the skill to navigate these holes with ease. But this is the Ryder Cup, and anything can happen. As you watch the event unfold, remember the struggles of the average golfer on this beast of a course.
If you use a Shot Scope performance tracking product, your data may have contributed to the statistics in this article.
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