Pacific Dunes · Hole 6
Blue
393
White
313
Gold
243
Red
143
A dogleg left par 4 where a massive gorse thicket dominates the inside corner of the turn and threatens any drive that tries to cut the corner too aggressively. The gorse at Pacific Dunes is among the most visually intimidating hazards in the game — a wall of spiky vegetation that is entirely unplayable. The hole rewards a disciplined tee shot down the right side followed by a precise mid-iron approach.
Shot-by-Shot Strategy
Tee Shot
Aim for the right-center of the fairway, giving the gorse a wide berth. The temptation to cut the corner is always present, but the gorse extends further than it appears and even a slightly pulled drive will find it. A conservative 3-wood down the right side leaves a comfortable mid-iron approach with a clear view of the green. Long hitters who want to use driver should aim well right of center and accept the longer approach angle.
Approach
From the right side of the fairway, the approach is a mid-iron over the corner of the gorse to a green that is set at a slight angle rewarding the left approach. The left side of the green is closer and more accessible from the right fairway; the right side is further away and guarded by rough. Aim for the left-center of the green and let the approach angle work in your favor.
Putting
The green at 6 has a gentle left-to-right slope across its entire surface. Putts from the left side break right; putts from the right are relatively straight. The overall speed is medium — not the fastest green on the course. Birdie opportunities are genuine here for players who have followed the strategy and found the correct approach position.
⚠Gotchas — What Kills Your Score
- •The gorse on the inside corner extends further than it appears — aim further right than feels necessary.
- •A ball in the gorse is effectively a lost ball — the penalty and re-tee situation can quickly add two or more strokes.
- •The approach from the left side of the fairway (after cutting the corner) is deceptively difficult — the gorse is now in the flight path.
- •In a left-to-right wind, the tee shot is pushed closer to the gorse — pre-compensate by aiming further right.
Wind Intelligence
The southwest wind is a left-to-right crosswind on this hole, which pushes the tee shot toward the gorse on the inside corner. This is the one hole where the prevailing wind makes the main hazard more dangerous, not less. Open your alignment significantly to the right and let the wind bring the ball back toward the center. In stronger conditions, consider a 3-wood or even a long iron to keep the ball lower and reduce the wind's effect on the drive.
Hazard Map
- ▲Massive gorse thicket on the inside corner of the dogleg
- ▲Gorse that extends further toward the fairway than it appears
- ▲Right-side rough on the approach if you have laid too far right
- ▲Left-to-right crosswind pushing the tee shot toward the gorse