I "got" the Sixth hole quite well.
Upon looking out from the tee, the surrounding tall fescue and reeds pinch the corridor to the green and suggests a deceptively narrow target, when in fact, it's just the opposite. Although visually disorienting (in terms of distance), it's actually very straightforward and provides a marvelous connector back to inland direction of the next few holes. The tee and green are both pocketed leaving our groups struggling with trying to gauge the strength and direction of the ever apparent winds. Yes, the green is, as Tom notes, a giant bowl with an equally giant tier and not easy to get a shot close any back pins. The lay of the approach and the cant of the green all but demand a shot that is effectively a well-placed bounce into the green. Most, if not all, flyers will find the bottom and even the wispy rough just beyond.
I'm certain this is neither the best par three on the property, nor one of C& C's greats, let alone tops in the world, but it is a very good hole that fits the routing and course perfectly and plays delightfully.
Ben,
That " giant dune in the armpit" at #2 is actually the world's largest Principals Nose bunker and the long approach shots you describe on #5 distinctly call for the ball to be bounced into the green. In four go-rounds, we went from bogies to birdies and pars once we figured this out.
One of the greatest features of Cliffs is that unlike a Pebble, CPC or PVGC, it demands a tidy ground game on a good # of holes. It reminds me very much of the great Sandbelt courses in that regard. It has a healthy mix of holes and approach shots that call for aerial precision, smart ground strategy, or a mix of both. When courses present themselves smartly in multiple dimensions, that impresses me and ramps the enjoyability level up greatly.