Stanley Dollar Ranch Golf Course

The 18-hole 72-par Dollar Ranch course designed by Robert Muir Graves has moderate elevation changes & five sets of NCGA rated tees. The back tees at 6,075 yards has a course rating of 69.5 with a slope of 124. The white tees at 5,763 has a course rating of 68.3/121 for men and 73.0/131 for women. There is also a Combo of white and red tees that plays to 5,428 yards with a rating of 66.8/116. The red tees are 5,333 yards with a rating of 66.3/115 for men and 70.2/126 for women. The forward gold tees are 4,707 yards and are rated at 63.7/108 for men and 66.6/116 for women.

Director of Golf Mark Heptig’s hole-by-hole play tips for Dollar Ranch.

Hole 1

This is a very good short Par 4. As the opening hole it provides a wide landing area for the tee shot. However, a tee shot on the right side can be blocked by overhanging limbs. Low handicap players must decide to either lay up short of the fairway bunker or attack the green. The shot to the green from any distance is tricky because of the shape and contour of the putting surface. A miss to the left of the green looks more
manageable, but may actually be more difficult.

Hole 2

A great short Par 3 that provides a number of challenges. Avoiding the bunkers is any player’s first concern, but the green has several levels which makes putting very difficult. The creek lingers beyond the green along with a hidden bunker and a shot to the left brings out of bounds into play.

Hole 3

This Par 4 is one of the hardest holes on the course and in reality is played as a Par 5 by many because of its uphill nature and challenging hazards. You must avoid the right side where bunkers await a missed tee shot or shot into the green. However, left of the green lurks real danger with a tight out of bounds area along the hillside. If you are short or in trouble on the tee shot make sure to lay up short of the slope in front of the green for a relatively easy pitch onto the putting surface.

Hole 4

A par 3 to a deep green that is hemmed in by out of bounds both left and right. Be mindful of the wind here because it can switch around quickly and this hole sits high above the valley where the gusts can be most felt.

Hole 5

This beautiful par 5 is a great hole for all skill levels. Keeping the ball down the right side of the fairway is preferable. Long drivers must avoid the bunker on the right. The green is deeper than it first looks. Be aware of the knob in front of the green if the hole position is red. The back left portion of the green is one of the most difficult on the golf course to hold a shot and putt.

Hole 6

One of the prettiest holes on the course. This Par 4 offers several decisions for all skill levels. Higher handicaps must try to find a flat lie in which to attack the green on their second or third shots. Low handicaps must decide on the tee what club will give them the best angle to the pin. The two front bunkers are deep and unforgiving; better to lay up short if worried about reaching the putting surface. The green is a difficult read with a ridge on the left moving the ball decidedly to the right.

Hole 7

The hardest hole on the golf course, this Par 5 is full of trouble. It is not a long hole, but positioning is most important with each shot. If you can avoid the creek which comes into play throughout the hole, (first left then right) then you must negotiate the greenside bunkers. My suggestion… if you have more then a six iron to this green, lay up. Short left leaves a fairly easy pitch… Anywhere else is big trouble!

Hole 8

This is a straight away Par 4 that looks tame. However, the creek runs along the right side of the fairway and the green is well bunkered. The tee shot should be played to the left to open a better angle into the green. The green has more back to front slope then one would think, playing your approach short of the flag is desirable.

Hole 9

A very good Par 4 with a number of challenges. From the tee the average and high handicaps must play to the right side of the fairway setting up a decision to either go for the green or lay up to the left of the bunker fronting the green. This bunker must be avoided at all costs. Low handicaps may want to be aggressive and go over the fairway bunker leaving a much shorter approach. The green is one of the most severely contoured on the course running downhill back to front. It is more than desirable to be below the flag…it is mandatory. One key: there is more room over the front green side bunker than there appears.

Hole 10

One of the very best par 3 holes in the East Bay. Downhill, yet into a prevailing wind, it is a tough yardage to judge. My best advice is to aim for the center of the green and rely on your putter. Trouble surrounds the putting surface with out of bounds, water and sand bunkers all in play. Beyond the green is an impossible up and down waiting for the poor tee shot. Aim for center of the green and swing away.

Hole 11

Longest par 5 on the course. Getting the ball in play on the tee shot is important for having the chance to reach the green in regulation. Tee shots to the right have the best angle for the second shot. Second shots should also be kept to the right where there is a flatter lie and angle into the green. The green is very deep so if it is a yellow flag go with one extra club.

Hole 12

This is a dogleg right Par 4. A tight tee shot opens up to the left but you must avoid the tree line. It is difficult to get the ball close on this severely slanted right to left green. It is a beautiful hole that can be a menace. This hole represents the furthest point from the clubhouse. Now you start to work your way back home.

Hole 13

Short and beautiful downhill Par 4. Reachable for the low handicapper but can be big trouble if the shot is pulled left because of the tight O.B. and water hazard. The green is no picnic with same difficult breaks and bunkers surrounding the surface. Unless you are going to reach, it is better to lay up off the tee and hit a fuller shot into the green.

Hole 14

This very odd par 3 hole on the Dollar Ranch golf course is tricky. It demands a punch shot that runs up to the putting surface. Making a three and moving on is my usual goal. A chip from short right is not a bad miss.

Hole 15

Interesting Par 5 with a little bit of everything. Tee shot can be bounced off the hill on the left. A tee shot that is sliced will find the hazard on the right. On the second shot players must lay up or “go for it” over the center fairway bunker. The green is raised above the fairway and is surrounded by bunkers. A small slick surface awaits your putter. A golf hole where everything from eagle to double bogey is a possibility.

Hole 16

This par 3 is played back toward the Dollar Clubhouse and the picnic area. It is a very nice hole that asks for a well struck tee shot. Once on the green it is one of the flatter surfaces at Rossmoor.

Hole 17

This is a short uphill par 4. The tee shot must avoid the bunkers on the left and the trees on the right. The shot into the green is often played into the wind and an extra club may be necessary to reach the green. A shot hit left of the green may kick on to the surface but anything right of the green is trouble. The green is very quick from back to front.

Hole 18

A great finishing hole that can make or break a round of golf. The tee shot can be played to the right of the oak trees (and short of the bunker) or stronger players may tempt fate and try to drive it over the trees leaving a short route home. No matter what club you have in your hands, the final shot is difficult. Where the flag is on the green dictates how the hole should be played. The bunker short left and the two over the
green must be avoided. If you are not on the right level this green is a three putt waiting to happen.

Course Layout