Bandon Trails

All of Bandon's courses play along the water except Trails. That makes this experience an outlier, a different look and feel that many love. There are a few quirks along the way - tee shots over roads, an emergency shuttle ride up to the 14th tee and a 14th hole that might be too extreme for its own good. Despite these handicaps, it's one of the best rounds at Bandon. Don't miss it.

I played this course at Bandon Resort because it was a different style, parkland and mountainy compared to links style, than the other courses here. It is far more hilly than the rest. In fact, they have a cart to take you up a steep hill at one point. The fairways and greens were in superb condition but a few of the tee boxes are consistently in the shade so not in good shape. The layout is more straight forward than the links courses. The entire staff was super friendly. The highest point on the Bandon Resort property is on this course and you can see all the way down to the ocean. If you get tired of the links style do yourself a favor and play this course.

I can't see how anybody rates any Bandon course as anything less than 5 stars, they are literally some of the best golf courses in the world and maybe the best collection of 5 in one place on the planet. The only critcism I have of trails is that after playing it many times it is course that struggles the most with conditioning on the greens. often patchy and bumpy witch I attribute to lack of sunlight in some spots especially in the winter when I play. Very minor criticism however. Trails is is a spectacular walk amongst the trees and dunes and has some of the best topography at the resort. This is my 2nd favorite course at the resort. As I stated in the title I think Trails has the best collection of par 3's on property, just visually stunning. Looking forward to my next trip over New Years this year. pro tip (some of the best weather of the year can be found in December/February as well as the best rates only drawback is you can get some frost delays and with the shorter hours it's harder to play 36 holes in a day.

This course winds through a forested area and is somewhat challenging. Some sand bunkers were soft causing the ball to bury, while others had shrubbery growing in them making it difficult to find the ball. The fairways were mostly O.K. but some areas had no grass at all.

When your caddie says Bandon Trails is a mix of Pine Valley and Augusta National, you really pay attention to all details. Many people say Bandon Trails is the best course on property, I can totally see why. It didnt quite to it for me, I think the views of the rest of the place really set it apart for me.

Bandon Trails is amazing though, cut through the woods but the woods are never in play. They are just a beautiful back drop. The course is an outstanding conditions with some amazing views of the whole property, especially the special spot before hole 14 where Keiser was taken to see the property.

Trails is a great course to play in the afternoon because you are mostly blocked by the wind. Unless its out of the North then your all uphill into the wind on the last 4 holes.

I loved holes 5, 14, 17. Caddies said most of the odd holes are the best. Love Bandon Dunes because some could have Trails as the best or as the Worst, its all in the eye of the player.

Stunning course! Visual stimulating as you go from the ocean to forest inland. So many good holes on this course you can't keep track. I am partial to the middle of the round w/ massive bunkers waiting to gobble a mis hit to the green.

Something for everyone on this course. Wind kicked up on back 9. Part of the Bandon experience to play #16 to the teeth of the wind w/ 30mph gusts. I asked the caddie if it was playing 700 yards. He just nodded, giving the impression to just hit the best shot I could as many times needed to reach the green.

A round at Bandon Trails is a world apart from the other courses at Bandon Dunes. Set a little further inland than the other 4 courses, the Trails works its way through the forest. Most of the holes are framed by trees instead of tall fescue and gorse. While this course lacks ocean views, it offers plenty of spectacular scenery.

Bandon Trails is a big golf course with wide fairways and expansive bunkers. With the surrounding forest, the wind is a bit more subdued on this golf course. I really felt like I could let loose on several strokes instead of trying to work the ball low and shape the shot through the wind. I really enjoyed playing this golf course.

The long uphill climb (in a truck) to the 14th is so rewarding as you reach the tallest point on the property with a incredible view. From the top you will hit a spectacular tee shot down the short par 4 before facing a tricky shot up to a very difficult green. Bandon Trails offers plenty of tough holes like the long 11th, and a few fairly easy ones like the drivable 8th, making the whole round lots of fun.

A round on the Trails is not to be missed on your trip to Bandon Dunes, it will give you another chance to play an amazing course with a totally different style than the other 4 on property.

I absolutely loved this golf course. Even though there are no views of the ocean I think this was one of my personal favorites. The course layout was unreal and everyone who played in my group loved it. I personally loved the walk on the trails in between holes. Truly walking on a trail through the forest which is amazing. Must play on your Bandon Trip!!

This course is a gem. I suppose most might ignore it since it isn't on the coastline, but don't let it fool you, it has every type hole you could want.

When you birdie here you feel great joy, a triple bogey comes from simply a bad shot. It feels like an available Augusta, with tons of scenic shots.

I loved this course.

Our foursome made the pilgrimage to Bandon with much anticipation. If you are a serious golfer you know about Bandon but until you go there, you don’t know Bandon. Having been fortunate to play any of the top 100 golf courses in America I can without hesitation say that collectively Bandon is the Best! Each one of us had a favorite course and each one being different. If you can do it!!! JUST DO IT! Lastly, the 13 hole Preserve just might be the best golf course in the world!

Bandon sets a high bar with their slogan. This course did not disappoint! A caddy is a BIG help. Use one.

My favorite of the 4 courses. Did 36. take a caddie.

My round at Bandon Trails was one of the wettest rounds of my life, but I still had a blast. The course was challenging if you didn't hit your ball in a good spot off the tee. There was a lot of strategic bunkering to collect the better player's ball and more generous landing areas for lesser players. The greens were challenging, but were receptive to bump and runs. The change in scenery and wide variety of holes made this one of the best courses I've ever played. It's a tough walk, but it's well worth it!

I was waiting to play this course last and had heard varied reviews but I’m fan of Coore & Crenshaw courses. Teed off with my dad just the two of us and it was an amazing stroll through the forest. The par 3s are very strong, the start & finish coming back to the dunes felt natural. We asked every staff member we could what course was their favourite and at least 90% said Trails. (And many without hesitation). I had my best round of the trip so I’m sure that probably biases me a bit. Don’t snooze on this course, it’s great to play in the afternoon when the wind is up as it’s sheltered.

We played all four of the courses, as well as the wonderful par three. A Bucket List Experience, for sure!

Maybe the most "divisive" course at Bandon Dunes Resort. When people rank 1-4 the courses at the resort, I'd say this is usually either #1 or #4 with a few exceptions.

One reason for that is the shear variety of golf holes on this course and it's lack of coastal vistas. What this C&C track lacks in ocean views it makes up for in elevation changes and variety.

Bandon Trails is aptly named as it begins close enough to the water where you can smell it and as it goes along you go deeper and deeper into the woods on a golfing journey that lands you back where you started.

Whatever your opinion, it's sure to be an enjoyable walk in the woods.

First, get to the course early and try the breakfast sandwiches -- I ordered a chicken and rice breakfast wrap that was unbeatable. The next day a different breakfast sandwich but just as winning. And they make them to go! Just what you need before walking 18 on Bandon's hilliest walk. Loved the core-Crenshaw layout, particularly the picturesque par 3s. If it's a windy day at Bandon, your best bet is sheltered Trails. You'll run into caddies playing Trails-- it's many of their favorites, too.

Yeah, the 11th hole is funky and unfair in that no matter where you drive the ball it is near impossible to hold the green but it's a fun conversation except when you walk off with an unwelcome 5 or 6. Take a mental snapshot at 14.... looks like a lakeside hole in the mountains.

Bandon Trails doesn't have the ocean that Bandon Dunes and Pacific Dunes offer, but boy is it a stellar routing from Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw. I had the most fun playing this course of any at the resort. It's not as hard as the others, and it's scenic in its own right. The first two holes romp through the dunes like you're at Enniscrone in Ireland. From there, until the last hole back through the dunes to the clubhouse, the forest setting is pure Pacific Northwest.

The collection of par 3s rule the day - the 166-yard (green tees) second hole in the dunes, the biarritz green at no. 5, the driver/wood tee shot at the 235-yard 12th and the downhill 17th.

Be sure to stop at the plaque behind the elevated 14th tee, a demanding but short par 4. This is the view that prompted Mike Keiser to buy the land and eventually develop the resort. It's ground zero for all things Bandon Dunes.

I know a lot of groups who leave Trails off their rotation at Bandon in favor of an extra round at Pacific Dunes or Bandon Dunes. That is a huge mistake!!!!

To me Trails is the most complete golf course at the Bandon resort, yes it isnt on the ocean, but everything else at Trails is exceptional and the ocean is still in view on plenty of holes. No course at the resort is as tough and exacting a test of every part of your game as Trails is. It puts pressure on every club in your bag during the round and requires a plethora of different shots to truly score well. You cant beat it with two types of shots like, say Old Mac can be. The beauty of the walk is second to none perfectly combining dunes, rolling meadows and hill side golf.

We caught it on particularly windy afternoon, playing from the back tees and its as tough of test of golf as there is in Bandon.

A disclaimer: I had no expectations whatsoever for Trails. All I'd heard was that it "wasn't on the water" and that it was "different". After playing here for the first time, all I can say is this: If you're planning a trip to this area, make sure Trails is on your list. I loved it. All of it. Every hole. The par 3s, in particular, are terrific, a fun collection of short and long holes, even the brutish 12th, which was stretched out to 235 yards for us. (Made par!) What makes Trails such a treat is that it still plays like a links course, with plenty of bounce and roll and undulation, but it also winds through the forest. Visually, it is stunning. I can't imagine how beautiful it'd be to play here in the fall, with all of the leaves changing colors. We played this on the back-end of a 36-hole day and it was a hike -- there are several steep climbs and hills -- but it was well worth it once you got to the green. I would rank this as my second favorite course at Bandon, behind only the marvelous Pacific Dunes.