| Few golfers get the chance to play a PGA Course | | | | by a cross bunker and trees. |
| for free. But now the USGA is giving players with | | | | Hole: Number 10 (508 yards) |
| any level golf handicap this rare opportunity using | | | | One of the prettiest holes on the course, this |
| their computers. You can play Bethpage Black, the | | | | par-4 veers away from the normal holes design |
| site of the 2009 U.S. Open Championship, for free | | | | into a links style hole. You face dunes on the left |
| until June 21 by going to the United Stages Golf | | | | and trees on the right, which outline the hole. The |
| Association's Web site (usgaopen.com) and clicking | | | | rough is deep, so if you end up there, you're in |
| on the Virtual U.S. Open link. All you need is your | | | | real trouble. Forget about a miracle shot. Just hack |
| browser. | | | | it out with a wedge and try to set up your next |
| Playing the Virtual Open is a great golf lesson. You | | | | shot. Your drive is the key to this hole. Keep it |
| get a chance to play Bethpage Black under | | | | out of the high grass and you'll be okay. |
| championship conditions. Plus, you get a chance to | | | | Hole: Number 12 (504 yards) |
| win a spot in the U.S Virtual Championship round | | | | Another challenging par-4, this hole will eat you up, |
| on June 22. The winner of the championship will | | | | if you're not careful. The tee shot's a killer. |
| be a guest of the USGA at the 2010 U.S. Open at | | | | There's a bunker on the left that players with low |
| Pebble Beach. The Virtual Open is free to enter, | | | | golf handicaps and professionals often try to |
| and you can play as often as you like. Below are | | | | carry. Again, be careful here. The bunker's deep, |
| some golf tips on how to play the course's | | | | so you may want to lay up. Fortunately, |
| toughest holes. | | | | groundskeepers have removed the rough |
| Hole: Number 4 (517 yards) | | | | between the bunker and the fairway that was |
| This hole isn't an especially long par-5, but it's | | | | there before. Now, it's all fairway to the green. |
| tricky. The drive isn't bad, but on your second | | | | Play it safe to the right of the green and you |
| shot, you have to deal with a huge diagonal | | | | have about 230 yards to the green. |
| bunker running from left to right and up the | | | | Hole: Number 15th (459 yards) |
| fairway. Plus, the hole's overall design creates a | | | | They call this hole, "Heart Attack Hill"-and with |
| blind shot to the green. Going for it in two takes | | | | good reason. What makes the hole so difficult is |
| nerve, because you have deep bunkers short and | | | | the long second shot to the green. It's all carry, |
| left. Over the green is a a five-foot drop to a | | | | then you're walking up 60 feet to the green. Stay |
| chipping area. Go beyond that and you're in no | | | | away from the front bunker. It's about 8 to 10 |
| man's land. So be careful! | | | | feet in elevation to carry the front lip. The bunker |
| Hole: Number 5 (478 yards) | | | | is a great place to hold a golf instruction session |
| This hole is a challenge-no doubt about it. The hole | | | | on how to get out of high-lipped bunkers. |
| isn't that long for a par-4, but for weekend | | | | There's a few golf tips to help address Bethpage |
| players with high golf handicaps, it's a good lesson | | | | Black if you play in the Virtual U.S. Open. Check it |
| in playing to an elevated green. You can see the | | | | out when you have a chance. Play it as often as |
| flag from the fairway, but not the green, | | | | you like and have fun with it. It provides a great |
| elevated some 20 to 30 feet and surrounded by | | | | mental golf lesson regardless of your golf |
| bunkers. The elevated green makes the approach | | | | handicap or how you do. And you never know, |
| shot a tough one. Also, you need a good drive. | | | | you might just end up at the 2010 U.S. Open as a |
| Pull it left and your angle to the green is blocked | | | | guest of the USGA. |