Sheep Ranch · Hole 18
Blue
388
White
313
Gold
248
Red
148
The dramatic finishing hole at Sheep Ranch overlooks the Pacific Ocean with the most sweeping vista of any closing hole at the resort. Played from a tee perched above the ocean toward a green framed by the Pacific horizon, the 18th is one of the great finishing experiences in golf. Every element of the Sheep Ranch experience — the wind, the terrain, the ocean, and the pure links challenge — converges on this final hole.
Shot-by-Shot Strategy
Tee Shot
Driver from the elevated finishing tee. The ball carries further on the downhill grade — club accordingly. Aim at the left-center of the broad fairway and let the natural slope bring the ball into position. The ocean is below and ahead — the most dramatic backdrop of any tee shot at the resort. Breathe, pick a target, and commit to a smooth, confident swing.
Approach
Mid-iron to the finishing green that is visible from the ocean bluff below. The bump-and-run is the perfect finishing shot — play the ball low, bound it through the natural links terrain, and watch it find the putting surface one final time. This is exactly how golf was meant to be played. Center green, full commitment.
Putting
The finishing green has the most dramatic setting of any putting surface at the resort. With the Pacific Ocean directly behind the green and the course spread behind you, every putt here feels momentous. The surface slopes gently from left to right toward the ocean. Make your read, feel the pace, and hole it if you can. This is what you came to Sheep Ranch for.
⚠Gotchas — What Kills Your Score
- •The elevated tee and downhill grade give the tee shot more distance — account for the extra carry and run. Driver can run through the ideal fairway landing zone in favorable wind conditions.
- •The ocean backdrop behind the green creates depth perception challenges on the approach — trust your yardage and not your eye when selecting club.
- •The final putt at Sheep Ranch, overlooking the Pacific Ocean, deserves to be savored. Stand over it with full awareness — you're on one of the finest closing greens in golf.
Wind Intelligence
The closing hole runs at an angle that typically plays in a favorable quartering wind from the southwest — a rare gift at Sheep Ranch after a round of headwinds and crosswinds. The elevated tee amplifies the tailwind effect. In the most common conditions, the finishing hole at Sheep Ranch plays faster and more accessible than any other hole on the back nine. Use it, enjoy it, and finish strong.
Hazard Map
- ▲Pacific Ocean below and behind the green
- ▲Fescue rough both sides of fairway
- ▲Rightward lean on green toward ocean