Bandon Dunes · Hole 6
Blue
179
White
99
Gold
129
Red
129
The most photographed hole on the front nine, Hole 6 is a clifftop par 3 that plays directly toward the Pacific Ocean from an elevated tee. The green is perched on the bluff edge with ocean views in every direction — a breathtaking setting that also creates one of the most wind-affected tee shots on the course. The visual scale can be disorienting; the green appears closer than it is and the wind almost always plays a significant role.
Shot-by-Shot Strategy
Tee Shot
The entire challenge of this hole is selecting the right club and the right line. The prevailing southwest wind typically blows hard across the tee from right to left, which will push the ball off the green to the left if you don't account for it. Aim well right of the flag and let the wind bring the ball back. In strong conditions, starting the ball 15-20 yards right of the green is not excessive. Take at least one extra club over the flat yardage to account for wind and the visual illusion created by the ocean backdrop.
Putting
The green tilts gently from back to front with a slight right-to-left grain encouraged by the prevailing wind. First-time players consistently leave putts short on this green because the ocean backdrop distorts depth perception. Putts from the back half of the green move quickly toward the front. Read breaks from the low side of the green and commit to a firm stroke.
⚠Gotchas — What Kills Your Score
- •The ocean backdrop creates a powerful optical illusion that makes the green look closer than it is — most first-time players underclub.
- •The crosswind can be 20-30 mph stronger at the tee than it feels from the previous fairway, as the hole sits fully exposed on the bluff.
- •The front of the green has a steep bank that can send a slightly short shot back 20 yards into the rough.
- •The right-side bunker is deep and steeply faced — recovery from it is nearly impossible to get close.
Wind Intelligence
This is the most wind-affected par 3 on the front nine. The southwest crosswind hits the tee fully exposed on the bluff and can be measured in the 20-35 mph range on a typical afternoon. Aim toward the right edge or even right of the green and let the wind carry the ball back. On calm days, this is a straightforward mid-iron — in strong wind, it can demand a fairway wood for some players. Always check the flag direction and watch others' ball flights before committing to your line.
Hazard Map
- ▲Pacific Ocean bluffs directly beyond the green
- ▲Deep bunker on the right side of the green
- ▲Steep falloff on the left and front of the green
- ▲Fully exposed position on the bluff amplifying crosswind effects