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Bandon Dunes Golf Resort: Sheep Ranch
Bandon, OR•Public
Awards
Panelists Score
Bandon Dunes Golf Resort: Sheep Ranch
57744 Round Lake Road
Bandon, OR 97411
United States
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Overview
Sheep Ranch began life as a different Sheep Ranch in the early 2000s, a rag-tag, cross-country, 13-hole course with no irrigation built by Tom Doak on a bluff just north of what would later become Old Macdonald. It was a little-used recreation that only insiders knew about. Mike Keiser tapped Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw to convert it into Bandon Dunes’ fifth regulation 18-hole course and Coore and Crenshaw’s second. Spread across an open, windswept plateau, using many of the same greensites, Coore managed to triangulate the holes in such a way that nine now touch the cliff edge along the Pacific Ocean. Extremely wide fairways, large putting surfaces and sandless bunkers allow the exposed course to be playable in extreme winds. Though it's slipped behind its Bandon brethren in the rankings, Sheep Ranch nevertheless accomplishes the most difficult of feats for resort courses—distinction among equals.
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Golf Digest Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 Greatest / Best In State Scores
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Character
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Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
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Reviews
Review
“Arguably the most fun course at Bandon Dunes. While relatively short and straightforward on paper, the elements can make Sheep Ranch quite the challenge. Fun and unique layout from Coore&Crenshaw, with multiple holes against the cliffs, and the ocean not just a distant scenery, but directly part of sight lines (and even in play!) on multiple holes."
Read More2026
Review
“Very interesting and extremely well-routed golf course for such a small parcel of land. The holes didn't feel crowded, but every hole is fairly close to at least another hole. Also, the limited cliff holes were very interesting and well placed. The course is a great first course to play at the resort and especially appropriate for shorter-hitting players."
Read More2026
Review
“A lot of fun to play and incredible views from many different positions on the course. There are many "vanishing edge" green approaches on this course (I count 6) which add to both the beauty and the perceived difficulty of approach shots. Overall the course isn't as difficult as it looks as the fairways are wide and greens are large. The wind can really blow at the Sheep Ranch but the generous fairways and large greens make it playable for all levels of golfer. The fairways are in good condition but the greens are spongy and bumpy poa annua grass even right after they have been rolled as we teed off early in the morning. The greens are not in as good condition as they were when the course first opened. The course was designed on a relatively small site but it doesn't feel cramped in at all and you don't feel like other groups are right next to you except for a few tee areas which are somewhat close together and this actually adds to the comradery. The one drawback is that there are a few blind shots where the landing area has variable rolling terrain and you can be in a problematic spot which is just a few yards from a perfect lie and this isn't evident from the teeing ground. It might be the easiest of the 5 courses at Bandon Dunes but has the most postcard shots of any of the courses. Holes 16 and 17 are two of the best ocean views of any holes I have played. I don't think Sheep Ranch is my favorite course at Bandon Dunes but it is so different from the other four courses that it is a tremendous addition to the resort and pushes Bandon Dunes to the top golf experience of all resorts."
Read More2026
Review
“Coore & Crenshaw strong in aesthetics and fun. Uniquely not a single (sand) bunker on the course. Aesthetics are seen the whole way around with most holes framing the ocean. Notably the par 4 hole #6 with a blind tee shot over the cliff, par 3 hole #16 on the edge of the cliff & similarly risk/reward short par 4 #17 also runs along the side of the cliff. Unusually the wind was very mild which elevated the fun although it is said that can change very quickly."
Read More2026
Review
“Coore & Crenshaw strong in aesthetics and fun. Uniquely not a single (sand) bunker on the course. Aesthetics are seen the whole way around with most holes framing the ocean. Notably the par 4 hole #6 with a blind tee shot over the cliff, par 3 hole #16 on the edge of the cliff & similarly risk/reward short par 4 #17 also runs along the side of the cliff. Unusually the wind was very mild which elevated the fun although it is said that can change very quickly."
Read More2026
Review
“Beautiful views and different shot option/layout variety. Overall, a very enjoyable experience while not being overly difficult. The views and wind-blown property make for a very enjoyable walk."
Read More2025
Review
“Sheep Ranch at Bandon Dunes is great fun, offering variety for players to hit shots along the ground and through the air. The creative routing encourages imaginative play, with almost every hole boasting spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean. The dramatic cliffside setting amplifies the thrill of every shot at Sheep Ranch, and creates a venue that players can play differently each time around."
Read More2025
Review
“Wind-blown, wide, options, views, bouncy, quirky... All terms that equal FUN! Enjoy the walk."
Read More2025
Review
“Prevailing wind (direction and strength) make for some very difficult holes. Aesthetically quite a sight to see. Greens were not very good."
Read More2025
Review
“Sheep Ranch is one of the most unusual courses I’ve played, for two reasons: it has no sand bunkers, and it is perhaps the most open layout I’ve encountered in the United States. It felt like the most Scottish of all the Bandon courses — and that’s certainly not a bad thing. With some of the best views on the property, Sheep Ranch’s greatness lies in its ability to offer something for everyone. I played it with my mom, a discerning woman, and she absolutely loved it. That alone speaks volumes."
Read More2025
