Sheep Ranch: Elemental Golf on Bandon's Bluffs

Andrew Fazekas
Sep 8
3 min read

Bandon's newest 18-hole course delivers raw coastal beauty and strategic design in a distinctly wild setting.

Overview

For years, Sheep Ranch existed as Bandon Dunes' best-kept secret – a 13-hole course available only for resort guests seeking a quick evening round or practice session. But in 2020, the course received a complete transformation from designers Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, expanding to a full 18 holes and officially joining the pantheon of world-class tracks that have made Bandon Dunes Golf Resort synonymous with destination golf.

What makes Sheep Ranch special isn't just its dramatic clifftop setting – though the Pacific Ocean views are undeniably spectacular – but how it complements the resort's existing quartet of courses. Where Bandon Dunes feels classic and Bandon Trails ventures inland, where Pacific Dunes pushes boundaries and Old Macdonald celebrates tradition, Sheep Ranch offers something uniquely its own: golf at its most elemental.

Located on the resort's most exposed terrain, Sheep Ranch sits higher than its siblings, with several holes perched directly on bluffs overlooking the Pacific. The course takes full advantage of this dramatic real estate, with holes that seem to tumble toward the ocean and greens that appear to float above the crashing waves below.

Unlike the resort's other courses, Sheep Ranch feels wilder and less manicured – not in terms of conditioning, which remains impeccable, but in its overall aesthetic. This is links golf stripped to its essence, where the natural landscape dictates play and golfers must adapt to whatever Mother Nature serves up on any given day.

The course plays firm and fast, as all great links courses should, with wide fairways that encourage aggressive play but punish poor execution. Wind is your constant companion here, often more pronounced than on the resort's other tracks due to the elevated, exposed positioning. What might be a 7-iron approach on a calm day could easily become a 4-iron when the coastal breeze picks up.

Highlights

Hole 6: Par 4

The tee shot from the sixth hole is one of the most memorable at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. This dogleg right lets you decide how much of the beach and cliff you want to take on - it's a choose-your-own-adventure hole where aggressive lines can pay off handsomely. There are two gorse mounds just beyond the bend, and a drive between these will put you in the middle of the fairway. An angle off the tee too far to the left will leave you with a frightening approach, and any golfer suffering from a slice should be especially cautious.

Hole 11: Par 5

The "Volcano" hole starts with a generous landing area before an uphill path leads to a crater-like green complex. This Par 5 may be reachable in two for long hitters, but the second shot must be precise to avoid trouble on any side of green. Golfers will arrive back at the clubhouse after this hole.

Hole 16: Par 3

This par 3 is far more difficult than it looks because of its exposure to the wind. From the tee, you only see a small section of the massive shared green, but there's plenty of room behind and to the left. The view is terrific and the wind can be brutal - expect to take 2-3 extra clubs when the coastal gusts are up. In particularly fierce conditions, you might find yourself pulling driver and aiming 45 degrees left of the green (and towards the ocean), trusting the howling wind to carry your ball back to the target.

Hole 17: Par 4

This driveable par 4 becomes a nerve-wracking test from the tournament tee, perched on a cliff edge nearly 100 yards further back, where anything missing left will tumble down the cliff. From the regular tees, it becomes a scoring opportunity. The Gallow tree on the left side of the green rivals the Ghost tree on Old Macdonald's third hole as one of the most iconic landmarks at Bandon Dunes.

Verdict

Sheep Ranch offers a raw, natural experience that rewards creativity and demands you play the conditions rather than fight them.

Tips

Consider playing Sheep Ranch as your final round at Bandon. Its spectacular setting and challenging play make it the perfect crescendo to a Bandon golf pilgrimage.
The course is extremely exposed to coastal winds. Bring multiple layers of clothing and be prepared for rapidly changing conditions throughout your round.
Don't miss the walk from the 16th green to the 17th tee – it offers some of the most spectacular views on the entire property.
The course typically plays faster than the resort's other tracks due to its firm conditions and strategic design. Don't be surprised if your round takes less than four hours.
Stay for a drink at the halfway house after your round. The views from the clubhouse deck are worth savoring.