Old Mac · Hole 6
Blue
392
White
317
Gold
252
Red
152
An Alps-inspired hole with a blind approach shot over a ridge — one of the most distinctive holes at Old Macdonald. The tee shot plays over open terrain to a wide fairway, but the approach to the green is played blind over a hill, the green hidden from view. Only experience or a good caddie tells you where to land the blind shot.
Shot-by-Shot Strategy
Tee Shot
Driver or three-wood to the center of the wide fairway. The tee shot is relatively straightforward — the challenge comes on the approach. Aim at the center of the fairway and land the ball past the 240-yard mark for the best approach angle over the ridge.
Approach
The blind approach requires a precise aiming point at the top of the ridge — trust your caddie's marker or the direction post at the top of the hill. The green is larger than it appears once you climb the ridge to check. Take one extra club — the uphill approach loses distance significantly. Aim at the center of the marked target above the ridge.
Putting
Once on the green, the hole opens up into a beautiful putting surface with views of the surrounding terrain. The green slopes gently from back to front. Most putts from the back half are straightforward; putts from the front require precise pace because the back-to-front slope can send the ball off the front edge.
⚠Gotchas — What Kills Your Score
- •Never try to see the green from the fairway — you cannot, and trying wastes time. Trust the directional marker, commit to the aiming point, and swing.
- •The uphill approach plays 15–20 yards longer than the yardage. Most first-timers significantly under-club here and end up short of the ridge.
- •The green is larger than the blind approach suggests — don't be greedy chasing a tight pin position. Center green is always correct on a blind approach.
Wind Intelligence
The ridge on this hole creates an interesting wind dynamic — the wind at the tee may be different from the wind at the green level behind the ridge. The ridge itself provides some shelter on the approach shot, but the prevailing southwest wind will funnel over the top of the ridge and affect ball flight in the descent to the green. Account for rightward drift in a southwest crosswind on the blind approach.
Hazard Map
- ▲Blind approach over ridge requiring directional marker
- ▲Uphill approach playing significantly longer
- ▲Bunkers hidden from view on approach side of ridge