Sheep Ranch · Hole 17
Blue
418
White
343
Gold
278
Red
178
The penultimate challenge at Sheep Ranch is a full-length par 4 that demands sustained quality of striking heading into the final hole. The hole plays along a ridge with ocean views framing the right side and the routing winds back toward the final green's direction. A two-putt par here positions you perfectly for the dramatic finale.
Shot-by-Shot Strategy
Tee Shot
Driver or three-wood depending on wind. The fairway runs along the ridge with a rightward lean toward the ocean-facing rough — aim firmly at the left-center of the fairway to account for this slope. A 250-yard tee shot to the left side opens up the best approach angle.
Approach
Mid-iron to a green that accepts running approaches from the left side of the fairway. The right approach angle is more tightly bunkered. In a crosswind, the bump-and-run played from left of the target line is most reliable — land the ball 20 yards short and let it run right toward the center of the green.
Putting
The 17th green has a dominant back-to-front slope with the familiar ocean-facing lean to the right. Left-side putts are the most manageable; right-side putts above the hole are the most challenging. Make your par putt with confidence — the 18th is a worthy final challenge and you want to arrive there with momentum.
⚠Gotchas — What Kills Your Score
- •The rightward lean of the fairway sends tee shots toward the ocean-facing rough — aim further left than usual to compensate for the slope.
- •The right approach angle is more penalizing than left — protect left on the approach even if the pin is on the right side of the green.
- •Mental fatigue in the closing stretch can lead to rushed pre-shot routines. Slow down on 17 — the same focused process that produced your best shots earlier in the round is what's needed here.
Wind Intelligence
Hole 17 runs in a direction that creates a quartering southwest crosswind from left to right across the ridge. In this wind, the fairway's rightward lean and the crosswind combine to move tee shots doubly right — aim aggressively left to compensate for both effects. The approach also plays in a crosswind; aim at the left portion of the green and let the wind bring it to center.
Hazard Map
- ▲Rightward fairway lean toward ocean-facing rough
- ▲Bunkers right of green approach
- ▲Ocean-facing rough right