welcome Kent!

go to page 2, there's a thread about halfway down on Sheep Ranch started by Joel Stewart

pt

I continue read posts that refer to the Sheep Ranch as a "golf course." I think I even read someone suggest that it should be ranked.

What constitutes the minimum requirements to be a "golf course." To me the Sheep Ranch appears to be nothing more than 13 greens scattered across the land. More of an elaborate practice area than "golf course."

Kent, the Sheep Ranch is a great experience, but don't get your expectations too high for the golf course.  Really, it's a collection of 13 greens spread around the property.  There are no 'defined' fairways or routing plan, it's just a matter of choosing the next green you want to play to and hit away.  Conditions are very, very rough and the terrain is pretty flat and lacks the dramatic movement found at the two resort courses.  But it's a great experience . . . . you're playing everything by feel since there are no yardage markers, match play is really the only way to play it, and the view from the 'E' green is nothing short of spectacular.    At least, that's the way it used to be a couple years ago when I played it last.  We had to drive around the course in a Suburban just putting flagsticks out and were the only ones on the course.  Now I understand you can make tee times and somebody posted something a week or two ago about scorecards being used for the Sheep Ranch, so the experience may have changed completely.  If a bunch of groups are on the course at the same time, and if you have to play a pre-determined routing, much of the charm will be gone.  I don't know if that's the case, but I'll be playing the Sheep Ranch next Thursday, so I'll find out for myself.

This is what 80% of the course looks like.  There are dozens of white stakes which represents 150 yards to some particular green.  

I seriously doubt anyone else will be out there while you are there.  They don't have tee times.   You need to have your own transportation to get there as the Bandon Dunes staff will not drive you over.

Make sure you have your $75 in cash ready for Denny.  I doubt I would do it again but its an interesting experience.

My version of Heaven would be to have the Sheep Ranch as my back yard.  

I'd invite some friends over and we'd play all day long, or until eternity, whichever came first.

Bill Gayne asked what is the minimum requirements for a golf course.  Bill, I happen to believe the game is WAYYY over-complicated on many of our present courses and the Sheep Ranch is as close as one can possibly get to the game's origins.

I think seeing and playing Sheep Ranch really puts our game in the proper perspective - a game meant to be “funner” than it is now, meaning go out and pick a target (green) and play to it, regardless of overall score. NO or Less pencil and card golf.

No yardage, all feel (and at Bandon that’s interesting) and no defined line of play, greens that will accept an approach from any angle (except the ocean). Match play at its bet.

It is one of the most unique courses in the world and, I for one, would love to see never change ........

Problem is how to make it work financially.  I personally think it can be done but it would probably work after all the courses were built at Bandon, Sheep Ranch being “the special” place offered.

When asked for my opinion, I offered that the additional holes to round off 18 be built in the wooded area and that these holes could be added/subtracted from the original 13 at the whim of the ownership for either a more formal layout or using just the 13 as the special layout.  (Hi-Rollers Only - hah)

Kent,
  We will be at Bandon from 6/1-6/3 if you are there then and want to get together. Mike Erdmann will be there 6/1 evening and we are going to try to meet up.

This is the SI article on Sheep Ranch:











Enjoy.

This picture reminds me of the simpleness of many of the Scottish "munis" - Dunbar, Troon, etc. - and this is intended to be a compliment ...

now Dave, is that par 17 before or after cocktails......

 

Some secret this place is.  No one knows about it.  

Thanks, George (and Mike and David).

great photos Mike, thanks!