Sheep Ranch · Hole 6
Blue
382
White
307
Gold
242
Red
142
A rolling par 4 with a beautiful ocean backdrop that plays across undulating links-style terrain. The fairway rolls and tumbles in natural ground waves, creating uneven lies throughout and opportunities for the creative bump-and-run player. The ocean is a constant backdrop on the right as the hole moves through the heart of the promontory.
Shot-by-Shot Strategy
Tee Shot
Driver or three-wood depending on the wind direction. The rolling fairway creates uneven lies — placing the ball on the flattest portion of a wave is more important than maximizing distance. Aim at the center of the fairway and let the natural roll of the ground work the ball into position. In a crosswind, the ball will roll toward whichever side the wind pushes it — factor this into the aim point.
Approach
The uneven lies from the fairway make the rolling approach a variable experience. From a sidehill or downhill lie, the bump-and-run is often the only controlled option. Don't fight the lie — use it. A ball landing 30 yards short of the green and bounding forward through the rolling terrain is a legitimate and effective approach strategy at Sheep Ranch.
Putting
The rolling terrain of the fairway continues into the green complex — this is one of the most undulating putting surfaces on the course. Read putts from both behind the ball and from the low side; the internal contours are complex and reward careful observation. Trust your first instinct on the read; overanalysis leads to tentative strokes.
⚠Gotchas — What Kills Your Score
- •Uneven lies from the rolling fairway are the defining challenge — practice sidehill and downhill lies before the round because you will face them repeatedly on this hole.
- •The ocean backdrop distracts during approach shot setup — complete your pre-shot routine fully before allowing yourself to appreciate the view.
- •The undulating green is the most complex of the front nine — don't leave putts above the hole on the uphill portions, which can slope away more steeply than they appear.
Wind Intelligence
Running roughly parallel to the cliff and the ocean, the southwest wind hits this hole as a left-to-right crosswind that accentuates the rightward tendency of the rolling terrain. Both the ball in the air and on the ground will move right in a southwest wind — aim left on both the tee shot and approach, and be prepared for extra run to the right from uneven lies.
Hazard Map
- ▲Rolling fairway terrain producing uneven lies throughout
- ▲Fescue rough on undulating terrain
- ▲Complex putting surface with multiple internal contours