No. 4 Par 5 510 495 391 The 4th hole stands for one of the essential strengths found all over this Ross’ lay-out; in that the hole can be reasonably be gauged by the player seeking to follow a conservative, strategic line, but affords the more aggressive-minded a heroic path.
The sunbeam indicates the heroic path off the 4th, the first of back-to-back Par 5s (an arcane quirk that fits in perfectly at Siwanoy). As the hole doglegs away behind a copse of trees, the generous landing area shrinks until the longest possible drives must be shaped with a draw or risked out over the dense grove to remain in the fairway. Those who execute with a long accurate drive challenging this dogleg corner can shorten the hole significantly - by almost 50 yards or more. This brings it well within range of a two shot opportunity for the longer hitter.
Most second shots will contend with a semi-blind sunken landing zone (a flat diagonal cross bunker that Ross originally placed here was eschewed in the restoration) from which you will have to gauge the day’s pin, and yardage desired for that third shot. Any of the approaches into the green must navigate two small, hidden bunkers just short of the green’s right front and the potential of a pulled shot into a broad pit under the green surface on the left. The horizon of the visible green is deceptive as to its size and character. From more than 50 yards, the green looks like a sliver, largely flat and narrow, concealing its breadth and the character of its contours.
This older view from behind the 4th green shows how the trees (now removed) narrowed what is really a broad green site. The central crown that shrugs off shots to either side is sublime to the eye, but dramatic when balls all rolling.
This is Siwanoy’s largest green (nothing is really a close second) and it is dominated by a central lengthwise spine that tapers upward to the back of the green creating almost three distinct plateaus of hole location, a deep pocket in the right, a surprising more continuous slope to the left and a rear plateau across the back ¼ of the green.
Trying to navigate long chips and putts across or near that spine is an exacting exercise in trying to match speed to line. Just a six-inch error in line can mean 10 feet of missed target, if the greens are fast, maybe 15. At Siwanoy, it always goes more than you thought, and the fourth green is a perfect example of cunning, natural design that resists sheer power not matched with deft play.
No. 5 Par 5 520 505 419
The view of the tee shot is impressive, but does not present extraordinary demands. It allows for a big hit and doesn't punish error beyond the always lush and “spinachy” Siwanoy rough. In contrast to the oft-lamented absence of a strategically interesting second shot on many modern Par 5s, this hole - the second of back-to-back Par 5s - is all about the second shot.
This is due to a craggy thin creek that carves diagonally through the heart of most players' second stroke. The hole truly begins with this sober assessment of whether it's worth risking the creek for a semi-blind third shot under 100 yards, or to accept safety and not flirt with the hazard - but leave yourself around 140-155 "all uphill" carry yards to a small breezy hilltop. Those players going for the green in two shots have their own difficulties related to navigating the dangers near the green site with such a big uphill hit.
As the hole was originally shorter (various pre-1993 cards show it playing white tee distances of 470-486) that creek served its hectoring purpose very well, but as the tees moved back the creek got further from the second shot, thereby increasing the risk of carrying it, while providing less of a reward in proportion. There was no reason to risk it. Either you creamed your drive and were going for it in two, or you could hit a milque-toast mid -iron that left 115-135. In a successful effort to incorporate the longer tee distances into Ross' layout intent, Stephen Kay sharpened the angle of the creek to "11:00 to 5:00" while routing the entire creek 25-60 yards closer to the tee, thereby restoring the value of the shot. Once again, players can experience the "where" and "how far" questions that most generations of Siwanoy players got to enjoy.
Unlike the back nine, which saw significant changes to the water hazards on two holes (12 and 16) this is the only hole on the front that was altered in a similarly meaningful way - and it is a quality update that enhanced the strategic foundation for the hole as Ross located it.
The green site is a diminutive 24x24 circular pad, one of Siwanoy's smallest of the small protected on the left by a sunken bunker and in front by a small pot-like trap 20 yards underneath. It is accentuated by a knobby promontory that creates a thin tier shelf in the rear of the green. The tier face is fairly sharp in the center and combined with the general back to front slope it's imperative to stay well under any hole location near that shelf.
No. 6 Par 3 167 149 120 
This is the runt of the litter, but a wonderfully conceived (or found) hole that gives Siwanoy the elements of variety that are the bedrock of the interesting design. Here, the player must engage a broad somewhat imposing aerial shot across a deep valley, from one hillside to a long target benched into another.
Making this rare aerial requirement, with deep, blind-shot bunkers waiting to gather only a slight miss short or right, the Ross design still balances solvability by keeping the distance at or near short iron range and by creating a deep, flat green – the flattest on the course. You still have to play one good shot on the hole to achieve a par or better and the absence of contour gives you the ability to make it be a one-putt.
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