Homecoming: Back to Bethpage Black (A Mini Doc)

A raw and unique look at the entire Bethpage Black experience through the eyes of a (former) local amateur.
Bethpage State Park is an incredibly special place for every golfer who visits, but it’s especially meaningful to those that call it their home course.
In this mini documentary, we get a different perspective of all the things that go along with playing the Black Course through the lens of AJ Voelpel, who grew up at Bethpage.
From sleeping in your car overnight and praying for a reasonable tee time, to hitting a nearby deli for a proper NY egg sandwich, to battling some of the thickest rough you’ll find anywhere in the world…this is what the Black is all about.
Credits:
Producer: AJ Voelpel
Director of Photography: Sean Gilroy
Editor: Daniel Burns
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Have you played the Black or have any questions about it? Let us know in the comments below!

[@daveeklund6277]

That was the best golf day ever!! AJ and his friends are very good players. Thanks for the video.

[@callawaygolf]

You're the man Dave! Thanks so much.

[@BryanBrosGolf]

Yes!! A major championship course this accessible is so awesome!!! Also, you guys crushed it as per usual 🤙🏼🤙🏼

[@randyrodrigues4907]

I had a hole in one on 17! 1994 never forget it,191 yrds ping eye2 3 iron, titleist tour balata 90, right pin so I couldn't see it drop, but the group coming off 16 sed it looked like it went in, went to the pro shop and got a cool certificate from head pro Chuck Workman (R.I.P.),grew up playing this track, and this was before any restoration, it was my first hole in one, and it took 24 years for the second one down in Florida.to many incredible memories of the black to recount, cant wait for this week!

[@callawaygolf]

Randy Rodrigues that is incredible Randy!! Hope you still have the ball 🙏

[@davidritz4948]

Awesome job AJ. I like the way you roll.

[@callawaygolf]

Vortex appreciate ya Vortex!

[@kevinmurphy3666]

Great job men!!! I live 5 minutes from course!! It's taken me many times ,,, ty

[@daleharrison7614]

Thank you for this video guys, a really unique and brilliant view for the amateur (the other side of the pond) to get a taste of Bethpage Black.

[@callawaygolf]

Thank you so much for watching Dale! Really appreciate the kind words

[@blkhll]

Can't wait to sleep in that parking lot someday. Thanks for sharing AJ!

[@callawaygolf]

Blake Hall thanks so much for watching Blake! Your time will come soon haha.

[@mattc8347]

I feel bad for the people that never played it’s incredibly hard to book if your a state resident and if your out of state your not playing it unless you do what they did in the beginning I luckily played it twice this year because I’m a nys resident (from Long Island) and I know a trick to get it online but everyone should have a chance to play it it’s an amazing experience once you get pass hole 2 your in the middle of nowhere on a massive golf course till you hit hole 15 when you cross back over

[@Chowyanh]

This an awesome goflumentary. I wish more can be done of course around the world and re-ignite golf to the highest level.

[@all-timealien4483]

Go watch Erik Anders Lang if you’re interested in this type of golf vlog style videos.

[@Chowyanh]

@@all-timealien4483 thanks bruv will do.

[@callawaygolf]

Thanks so much Vusa! We're gonna keep producing, so be on the lookout.

[@callawaygolf]

Agreed, we admire Erik and his team's work! - AJ

[@daveedward6925]

Moved from Nassau Co. to Nashville 6 years ago. Man I miss egg sandwiches!!

[@callawaygolf]

My wife yelled at me Dave for not going with bacon, egg and cheese :) - AJ

[@KoloaKane]

bravo for you guys, thanks . that was fun

[@callawaygolf]

Thank you so much Kolo!

[@benmack1334]

Awesome video guys

[@callawaygolf]

Thanks a lot Ben!

[@arym1108]

Daaaaaaamn got that nasty nas ny state of mind bumpin!!!!

[@callawaygolf]

Always Ary, always - AJ

[@davidzimmer2694]

Fantastic video. Thank you for sharing your pride of such a great course.

[@callawaygolf]

Thank you so much David...The fascinating part is that it's such a shared pride. All golfers who play there are so proud to call it their home course!

[@davidzimmer2694]

@@callawaygolf I'm a fan of Callaway, and this video is part of the reason. Our golf future lies in the passion of these young men and I couldn't think of any better bunch of guys.

[@callawaygolf]

david zimmer we couldn’t agree more David. It’s about showing passion and pride!

[@team99sports86]

Well done. Painted the picture for many bucket list golfers. 🏌️‍♂️👍💯👏

[@callawaygolf]

Team 99 Sports love it!!

[@gophishn]

When I was a Junior In High School,I used to wait online overnight for my High School Baseball Coach. I did not have a drivers license and would get terrified when I would have to move forward on the line. But I loved doing it . Wish I took up more golf though. I am a fan more than ever now.Just can't get rid of that baseball swing..lol

[@Daniel092511]

Great video Callaway! Way better than any taylormade video

[@callawaygolf]

Thanks a lot guys!

[@gregallen5694]

Everyone loves their home course. Yours is tougher than most

[@callawaygolf]

Greg Allen yes...and yes haha!

[@garyordus2383]

great video would love to play there one day

[@callawaygolf]

You gotta do it Gary, too much fun!

[@MoMoMyPup10]

Heading up there tomorrow. Can't wait for my Ham, Egg, and Cheese!!! But I'll do sausage. Gonna be a great event and thanks for the video!

[@callawaygolf]

Hahah, sausage/egg/cheese is my wife's go-to! - AJ

[@MoMoMyPup10]

@@callawaygolf oh yeah. Did three my first three days up here! So good.

[@buckolocke]

LOL. We use to sleep out back in the day (80's) just to play a public course in UK.

[@callawaygolf]

Love it! True passion.

[@pilotngb]

I want to get a job with Callaway!

[@callawaygolf]

That's the spirit Neil!

[@pilotngb]

@@callawaygolf When can I start?

[@neilswallow8054]

What a great video.

[@callawaygolf]

Neil Swallow thanks for watching Neil!

[@trabajohistoria8628]

Amazing mini doc. Like erik lang docs

[@callawaygolf]

Thanks so much Trabajo!

[@aydenc4421]

You can book it online now, the tee times go at 7pm exactly on week before if you’re a New York State resident or 5 days in advance if from out of state. During the winter only the blue and yellow course are open: blue being reservation necessary and yellow being walk ups. Also Callaway, if you would like to hook me up with some Christmas presents you know where to find me ;). Just kidding (but if you want to that’d be cool with me)

[@waavyflo]

Ghee is a beast!

[@callawaygolf]

Kid crushes it!

[@iiZAPPx]

Content team for Callaway>

[@callawaygolf]

James PSY you the man James!

[@karpediem4725]

Are the white tees only open? Seems a bit short for these guys?

[@callawaygolf]

Yup, those were the only tees available for the time the course was open before the PGA. We normally go from the back tees, crazy how different the course plays from the whites! - AJ

[@johankriek3328]

0:03 Iron Man chilling in the car

[@alexmattes2065]

2:10 I heard that those guys from Maryland that camped out to play full send

[@mattpramuan]

What is the name of the deli?

[@jamese1116]

Im a 6 handicap and shot 20 over at bethpage😂😂

[@callawaygolf]

Haha not bad at all James!

[@ribusgan]

How do you play after not sleeping the whole night? That too teeing off at 10:20!!!

[@callawaygolf]

SUBIR NAG it’s a skill that must be learned 😂

[@ribusgan]

@@callawaygolf You bet!! 😆😆

[@mrs.b.5698]

I know this was from a while ago but I just found a chromesoft with the shamrock truvis on the black. If you want it back send me your address lol.

[@ribusgan]

Is Black the only public course or are all five courses public?

[@mthoyland]

They're all public

[@callawaygolf]

All public Subir! Five good ones.

[@ribusgan]

Great! Will try to play it next time I'm in US, and around NY. Is there a handicap restriction?

[@mthoyland]

SUBIR NAG Well it depends on how much fun you want to have. You’re going to get wrecked by the course, but as long as you’re a competent golfer you can enjoy it just so long as you’re not playing too slowly

[@robatkinson5813]

you're suppose to have those beers during the round

[@callawaygolf]

*before/during/after :)

[@tom00025]

How much?

[@callawaygolf]

$75 for residents, $150 out-of-state

[@LA67895]

I feel like I will die if I play bethpage

[@callawaygolf]

Hahaha, it takes courage Logan...no doubt about that.

[@peterk814]

You’d think with as much callaway has they could invest in some decent cameras

[@callawaygolf]

peterk814 haha it’s a particular style Peter. The camera used was extremely decent 👍

[@peterk814]

Callaway Golf oh gotcha. Expensive camera but edited down to 1990s pixel resolution. Right. Stylistic.

[@peterk814]

Daniel Hancock or it must be that you watch all your videos in dogshit quality

[@dougiebarnard]

@@callawaygolf All in all, it was an extremely decent video haha. Camera and editing were great, I don't know what this dude is saying.

[@callawaygolf]

Thanks so much Dougie, appreciate the kind words very much!

[@vamvra5498]

I'd rather play a Jack Nicklaus designed course - it does not look that appealing or imaginative. Bomb it straight and long - mostly.

[@callawaygolf]

The Black forces you to use every club in the bag. If you have no imagination around the course, you're in big trouble!

[@msalzberg4962]

You look at a video that shows less than 10 minutes of golf and think you have seen the whole course? The 4th requires a well placed drive followed by a blind shot over a massive bunker, aiming 50 yards right of the green. The 5th requires a fade off the tee, followed by a draw to get on in 2. The 6th requires precision to avoid the very penal rough. Hit your drive too long on 7 and you'll go through the fairway; hit it too short, and you're in a nasty bunker and blocked out. The par 3 17th has a shallow green with two tiers left and right, and is surrounded by deep bunkers. It's a course that rewards precision over length.