Bethpage Black on Simulators: Complete Course Matrix Guide
By the Course Matrix Writer | July 24, 2026
There is a sign at the first tee of Bethpage Black that reads: “Warning: The Black Course Is an Extremely Difficult Course Which Is Recommended Only for Highly Skilled Golfers.”
This course matrix is part of our ongoing series covering the most iconic simulator-available courses. See also our Pinehurst No. 2 course matrix, Oakmont course matrix, and Spyglass Hill course matrix for other championship venues. For budget builds to play these courses at home, check our best golf simulator under $2,000 guide.
It is not a suggestion. It is a promise.
Bethpage Black is the only municipal golf course in America to host a US Open (2002, 2009), a PGA Championship (2019), and the Ryder Cup (2025). It is a public golf course that fights like a major championship venue — and it is one of the most punishing, rewarding, and sought-after courses in the simulator world.
And here is the best news for simulator golfers: you can play it tonight.
Bethpage Black is available on GSPro, E6 Connect, Trackman Virtual Golf, FSX Play, TGC 2019, Full Swing, and Golfzon — seven major platforms. And if you choose GSPro, you can also play Bethpage Red and Blue from the same state park.
This is the sixth installment of our Course Matrix Series, and we are taking on the most famous public golf course in America.
Course Profile: Bethpage Black
| Metric | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Bethpage State Park, Farmingdale, New York |
| Architect | A.W. Tillinghast (1936), restored by Rees Jones (1998) |
| Yards | 7,468 (championship) |
| Par | 71 |
| Signature Features | Crowned greens, deep bunkers, brutal rough, dramatic elevation changes, the warning sign |
| Major Host | 2002 US Open (Woods), 2009 US Open (Glover), 2019 PGA Championship (Koepka), 2025 Ryder Cup (US win) |
| Simulator Availability | GSPro, E6 Connect, Trackman, FSX Play, TGC 2019, Full Swing, Golfzon |
| Other Courses on Sim | Bethpage Red (GSPro), Bethpage Blue (GSPro) |
Platform-by-Platform Breakdown
GSPro — The Gold Standard (All 3 Courses)
GSPro has the most complete Bethpage experience by far. The community LiDAR version of the Black Course captures the Tillinghast routing, the crowned greens, the deep bunker faces, and the dramatic elevation changes — particularly on the back nine where the course climbs through the park’s highest terrain.
The real differentiator is everything else: GSPro also has Bethpage Red (a strong 6,900-yard layout) and Bethpage Blue (a shorter, more forgiving 6,600-yard course). GSPro turns your simulator into the entire Bethpage State Park complex. Cost: $249/year or $499 lifetime.
E6 Connect — Officially Licensed
Bethpage Black is one of E6 Connect’s premium licensed courses. The E6 version is polished and tour-ready, with accurate pin positions for the Ryder Cup and US Open setups. The putting physics handle the crowned greens reasonably well, though the break on the most severe slopes feels slightly softened. Limitation: Black Course only. Included in Apex ($499/year) and Fusion ($999/year) tiers.
Trackman Virtual Golf — Premium Licensed
Trackman Virtual Golf includes Bethpage Black with accurate yardage books and green contour data. The ball-flight and spin modeling is first-rate, and the rough penalty simulation is particularly punishing — fitting for a course where the rough is the primary defense. Limitation: Black Course only. Requires Trackman 4 or iO hardware ($18,000+).
FSX Play — Foresight’s Take
FSX Play includes Bethpage Black with detailed rendering and excellent shot data integration with GC3, GCQuad, and Bushnell Launch Pro hardware. The 18th hole plays particularly well, with the uphill approach into the clubhouse accurately modeled. Limitation: Black Course only.
TGC 2019 — Older but Functional
TGC 2019 has a community-created version of Bethpage Black. Dated graphics, but the routing is accurate and the course is playable. The best value entry point — a one-time purchase with no subscription. Limitation: Black Course only.
Full Swing and Golfzon
Full Swing Golf and Golfzon’s TwoVision both include Bethpage Black in their premium libraries. Accurate, well-rendered versions — but Black Course only.
The Three Hardest Holes on a Simulator
Bethpage Black is a monster on the course and a monster on a simulator. Here are the three holes that demand the most respect:
5th Hole — 478 Yards, Par 4
The hardest hole on the course. A blind tee shot over a hill, followed by a long approach to a crowned green. On a simulator, the elevation change is accurately captured by GSPro’s LiDAR data. The key is to club down on the approach — the ball will release down the hill on the green. Anything long leaves a nearly impossible chip.
15th Hole — 459 Yards, Par 4
The uphill battle. The 15th plays its full length and then some. The green is one of the most difficult on the course — crowned and sloping back-to-front. On a simulator, the approach needs to be your most accurate shot of the round. Aim for the middle of the green and accept a two-putt par.
17th Hole — 207 Yards, Par 3
The signature par-3. Uphill, over a bunker-filled valley, to a green that runs away from the player. On a simulator, the key is distance control. A club extra is almost always the right call. The green is deeper than it looks, but the front bunker is a bogey waiting to happen.
The Ryder Cup Connection
The 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black was a watershed moment for American golf. The famously rowdy New York crowd — the same fans who cheered Tiger Woods’ 2002 US Open victory with chants of “You da man” — turned the course into a cauldron.
On a simulator, you can recreate the Ryder Cup setup by adjusting course conditions in GSPro or E6:
- Firm and fast fairways: The course played faster than any US Open setup
- Thick rough: The primary defense — one foot off the fairway and you are punching out
- Sunday pin positions: The most difficult locations on every green
The GSPro community LiDAR version handles these conditions well. Play alternate-shot format with a friend to get the full Ryder Cup experience.
Budget Build for Bethpage Black
You do not need a $10,000 setup. Since Bethpage Black is on GSPro:
| Component | Option | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Launch Monitor | Garmin R10 | $599 |
| Sim Software | GSPro annual | $249 |
| Net | GoSports 7x7 | $199 |
| Mat | Basic 5x4 | $79 |
| Total | ~$1,126 |
For better green-reading accuracy (critical on Bethpage’s crowned greens), step up to the Square Golf Launch Monitor ($1,699) or Rapsodo MLM2 Pro ($699). The GSPro grid view is your best friend for reading the severe slopes on the 5th, 15th, and 17th greens.
Simulator Playing Tips for Bethpage Black
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Keep the ball below the hole. The crowned greens reject approaches from above the pin. The speed differential is severe — a putt from above the hole breaks significantly more than the grid shows.
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Take the rough penalty seriously. Bethpage Black’s rough is the course’s primary defense. Missing a fairway by five feet costs a full shot. On a simulator, the rough penalty in GSPro and E6 is punishing — club up at least one club.
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Play the back nine conservatively. Holes 10-18 are the hardest stretch on the course. The 10th is a 502-yard par-4 uphill. The 12th is a 504-yard par-4. The 15th is 459 yards uphill. Accept pars and move on.
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The 18th hole is a gift. After the brutal back nine, the 18th is a 411-yard par-4 that plays downhill. The approach is to a green that sits below the clubhouse. It is the only real birdie opportunity on the closing stretch. Take it.
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Use the warning sign as your mindset. The famous sign at the first tee is not a joke. Bethpage Black is an extremely difficult course. On a simulator, the course plays exactly as advertised — every bad shot is punished, every good shot is rewarded. Play smart, not aggressive.
The Bottom Line
Bethpage Black is one of the most accessible major championship courses on simulators — seven platforms have it. Choose GSPro for the full Bethpage State Park experience (Black, Red, and Blue). Choose E6 or Trackman for an officially licensed standalone version. Choose TGC 2019 for a budget-friendly routing.
The crowned greens, the brutal rough, the warning sign, the 2025 Ryder Cup memories — Bethpage Black is the most famous public golf course in America for a reason. On a simulator, it is one of the most demanding and rewarding courses you can play.
And the best part? You can play it tonight. Just remember the sign.