Hole 1 | THUNDERBOLT 14,003'
After taking in the beauty of Mammoth Rock and the Sherwin Range it’s time to tackle Sierra Star’s opening hole. While its length might not be intimidating, trouble lurks on both the tee shot and approach of this downhill par 4. Remember to adjust your club selection for the altitude, which is usually 1–2 clubs. Many a player has saved par from the trees on the right, not so much for the trees on the left. Note that there’s a small creek in front of the green and difficult bunkering behind it, so accurate distance control on your approach to the green is paramount.
- Par 4
- Red: 263 yards
- White: 293 yards
- Blue: 325 yards
- Black: 374 yards
Hole 2 | BLOODY 12,558'
Spin management for low handicappers, and clearing the environmental area in front of the green for higher handicappers, are the two keys to this short par 3. Anywhere long makes for a tough up-and-down. Short however, is very doable. Head pro Dave Schacht says “Punch a wedge to the middle of the green, take a few putts, and run to the next tee with your tail between your legs.”
- Par 3
- Red: 73 yards
- White: 81 yards
- Blue: 89 yards
- Black: 118 yards
Hole 3 | MOUNT RITTER 13,150'
Big hitters can aim a fade at the left fairway bunkers and run one up inside the 100 yard markers. If you're looking for a safe shot from the tee, look to place your shot in-between the fairway bunkers. The fairway is extremely wide and you'll be left with an approach shot from about 150–190 yards. Your approach shot will play downhill and in the afternoons, usually downwind, so club down. A deep, narrow green with three bunkers awaits your approach.
- Par 4
- Red: 328 yards
- White: 360 yards
- Blue: 370 yards
- Black: 413 yards
Hole 4 | BANNER 13,150'
If you can move the ball from right to left, sling one around the dogleg with a fairway wood or driver. If not, a long iron/hybrid should place you in the fat of the fairway with a 150–190 yard approach. It's hard to feel the wind but note it usually blows from left to right in the afternoon pushing tee shots towards the fairway bunker on the right. An opening in front of the green allows for shots to run up – a smart play if you've played your tee shot safe. Head pro Dave Schacht says “Even though I play a fade, this hole is a great opportunity to turn one over.”
- Par 4
- Red: 329 yards
- White: 367 yards
- Blue: 404 yards
- Black: 440 yards
Hole 5 | WHITE WING 10,003'
If you play a fade, try to bend one around the corner. Similar to the two preceding holes, putting a tee shot around the 160-yards away zone is a safe play. The approach is slightly uphill and usually into the wind. Greens here at the Star have a bit of grain running away from Mammoth Mountain, something to keep in mind while putting on this difficult 90’ piece of turf. Head pro Dave Schacht says “Focus is paramount on this difficult hole. I usually tell my group to quiet down for this one.”
- Par 4
- Red: 345 yards
- White: 369 yards
- Blue: 396 yards
- Black: 424 yards
Hole 6 | RED SLATE 13,140'
Grab your driver, swing fast and enjoy the ride on one of the more difficult holes in the Eastern Sierra. The fairway slopes to the right along with the afternoon breeze, so both tee and approach shots tend to leak away from the hole in that direction. The green is elevated, heavily guarded, and severely sloped from back to front. If you’re hitting more than a 7 iron in, consider laying up and leaning on your short game to see you through our #1 handicapped hole. Often referred to as a par 4.5, bogey isn't the end of the world on this one.
- Par 4
- Red: 371 yards
- White: 403 yards
- Blue: 438 yards
- Black: 469 yards
Hole 7 | BOUNDARY 13,146'
Finally, a reward for tackling the difficult stretch of holes you just played – a downhill, downwind par 3 with a fairly large green. If you're playing in the afternoon and a breeze is present, reducing upwards of 3 clubs may be necessary. “I just hit a 180 yard 9 iron!” will be your new social media status.
- Par 3
- Red: 145 yards
- White: 160 yards
- Blue: 177 yards
- Black: 203 yards
Hole 8 | DANA 13,061'
A reachable par 5 with a wide landing area off the tee framed by a fairway bunker to the right and a bear den to the left (no, really). It's wise to take a few things into consideration before going at this green in two shots – the wind, side hill lie, creek in front of the green, narrow landing area, inescapable trees along the left-side, and impossible downhill chip from the right. But let's be honest, you didn't come all this way to lay up did you? Note that bears often sleep in the culverts underneath the fairway, so keep an eye out if your ball happens to stray from the fairway.
- Par 5
- Red: 407 yards
- White: 428 yards
- Blue: 461 yards
- Black: 525 yards
Hole 9 | MORRISON 12,241'
Massive Jeffery pines frame the fairway, providing the perfect aiming points for your tee shot. The ideal play is a little left-to-right down the left-side of the fairway, but keep in mind the predominant wind direction can push big fades into the woods on the right, or even worse, into the Divot Café. There are two levels to this green, so attempt to hit your approach to the level that coincides with the pin.
- Par 4
- Red: 277 yards
- White: 349 yards
- Blue: 392 yards
- Black: 423 yards
