Bandon Dunes

Playing Sheep Ranch feels like shades of what the pick-your-own-routing course used to be like, or at least as I imagine it. The front nine intertwines with the back throughout the routing sending you back and forth across the property... I loved it.

On paper, I feel like this is a very gettable course; however, the winds out there are real... when I played it was 2-3 clubs (my 175 club was a good 20 yards short on the 150 yard 16th hole... dead into the wind). I rated it "somewhat challenging" trying to anticipate the average day... but when I played it was quite the challenge (especially to a high ball hitter like myself).

People will talk about the fact that Sheep Ranch has no bunkers, I've even heard it criticized, but honestly I barely noticed. The course really relies on the elements to protect itself and my guess is that more often that not that's plenty.

I didn't use a caddy (none of my group did), if I had it to do over again, I probably would have... our group spent a good five minutes standing on the 14th tee debating which way to hit the ball, it's simply not obvious (at least from the back tees). There are other tidbits that would be helpful too.. like don't be long on three or you could wind up on the 16th green (actually a shared green between the two holes), I was about 5 feet from rolling all the way down.

The views out here simply don't quit... with every hole having an ocean view it's a very different look and feel than Pacific Dunes which I played in the morning. I've heard people say the routing is not really special and without the ocean views (i.e. if the course was somewhere else) it would not be nearly as great. To that I have two points... 1. there are some very special holes on this track and 2. it *is* by the ocean and absolutely should take advantage of that.

If you're playing other Bandon courses during your time there, you will notice the greens at Sheep Ranch are significantly slower then the other courses (even true of the recently punched Pacific Dunes course). As much as I like fast greens, it can be a welcome reprieve as well. Other than pace the relative new greens roll pure and should be terrific when they've matured a bit and pick up a little pace.

My favorite hole was probably either 6 or 16... both bring the ocean into play on your drive in very different ways. 6 is a choose your own adventure, all you can eat tee shot where the dogleg right lets you decide how much of the beach and cliff you want to take on (spoiler... I took on way to much on my firsts shot and had to reload.. oops). 16 is a par three firing straight into the prevailing winds (and the ocean left and behind)... the view is terrific and the whole is as well.

We played the afternoon at Sheep Ranch and this time of year you will finish a 1:30ish tee time right around sunset... my wife and I walked off the 18th tee directly over to the 12th tee box bench and took in the sunset from there. It was the perfect end to a perfect day.

I cannot recommend strongly enough getting out to Sheep Ranch. I don't often start making plans to return to courses that run $300 ($150 for re-rounds) right way... but I've got Bandon on my short list for a golf getaway next year as well.

Without a doubt this course is the most fun course I've played on. I played 2 rounds on back to back days - one with wind and one without - and the course plays completely different.

Greens are hard and landing it short and letting it roll is the way to go. Putter is ALWAYS an option and make sure you practice your low punch shot before you go out and play there.

Invest in a yardage book if you dont have a caddy. Trust me ... you'll need it. I am going to try and play this course once a year if I can.

Adding a fifth great course to the Bandon Dunes Golf Resort seems like a monumental task. But they may have done everything right to be the perfect compliment to the other four phenomenal courses.

The Sheep Ranch is a fabled piece of property that has existed North of Old Mac for years. The cliff line and views have always been utterly fantastic. So now to see it finally come to life with a full 18 holes golf course was amazing. Nearly 9 greens on the water and views of the ocean on almost every single hole including the clubhouse.

The course itself is still very young, the greens were slow but showing tons of promise. The routing and lack of sand bunkers make for a very fun round as this could end up being the easiest course at the resort. But there is a secret weapon for the Sheep Ranch, the wind can turn this course into the most difficult as there is zero protection and almost always wind of some kind.

You won't find too many courses that are more fun and and a course that compliments a resort that is already the best in the world.

Go play it. Just do it.

2nd trip to Bandon 1 st round on old Mac. Impressed. Great experience every die hard should do. Only beef is the cost, you have to save to go there.

It’s no big news to any player that the Bandon complex is a must play. Fabulous golf experience, customer appreciation par non. I am fortunate to live a 3 1/2 hr drive away. If I am timely, I can score a 3 round , 2 night winter round in some absolute gorgeous conditions. The variety of course selection, aesthetics, and off course food choices, including the ‘Cigar Bar’ enhance the experience. Get there!

Great conditions and perfect weather. Fantastic golf course in a beautiful, rugged part of the world. The only downside is the constant chorus of course marshals telling you to hurry up, when you are on top of the group ahead. I understand the desire to get as many players through the course as possible, but this was ridiculous.

Pacific Dunes is a breathtakingly beautiful course on the Oregon coast. You can go wrong with any of the courses at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. The deer roaming the course on the cliffs above the water will leave you speechless. The greens are incredible with sweeping views and challenging par 3’s. I highly recommend visiting Bandon Dunes and playing all of the courses.

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.

I played this to see if I'd enjoy the Scottish links-style of golf and I think afterward, I can safely say, I am an American.

The course is fun, challenging and hard, but the biggest difficulties come in terms of length, with the solid wind in your face, par fours play like par fives, and the greens resemble hard oak as opposed to greens.

It is an experience and to break 90 from the green tees, I felt very good. I would not view this as a leisure course and I feel you NEED A CADDY for this course.

For those going to Bandon OR this short course is not to be missed. Although the holes are fairly short, the green complexes mimic the regulation courses on site. The greens have lots of slope and are bunkered well. Just take a few clubs with you and let your imagination take over. The price seems a bit high, but the proceeds fund environmental concerns in the area. Each hole has multiple tee markers so you can vary the distance for each hole.

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!

Pacific Dunes deserves the top ranking, of all the Bandon courses (for now, Sheep Ranch to be better??)

The layout, shot value, and endless views of the Pacific Ocean...almost too good to be true! The greens were absolutely perfect and staff is beyond great.

Make sure you play Pacific Dunes (if you can't play them all) if it is your first trip to Bandon.

What a fun course! This course is stellar, and has such unique holes unlike what we normally play in the U.S.

Nice and forgiving off the tee, the rest is all challenging. Take a caddie! Tyler was my awesome caddie, who even convinced me to putt out of a bunker to a super-nasty pin placement (it was the right play and was able to stay on the green).

Combine the layout along w/ top notch service and Old Mac is amazing!

Shorty's was my first stop when I arrived at Bandon. It was the perfect introduction to the facility.

Great layout, gives you the chance to get a feel for how hard the championship courses will be, without being too difficult.

It just an awesome par 3 course! It is right next to the massive practice green (size of half a football field). The driving range is there as well.

Shorty's doesn't seem to get a lot of love, but lots of fun!

This course played a tiny bit easier for me than the other Bandon properties. The greens are larger and the fairways are generous. That is not to say this is not a test. Old Macdonald has some of the harder holes at Bandon. Enjoy, but do bring a caddy.

Some truly spectacular ocean views on a challenging links course. I enjoyed every hole. The greens were fantastic!

What can I say. I have played some great courses in my time, but this one rates as one of the best ever! Nothing disappoints on this true links course. Make the trip. I strongly recommend a caddy.

Every hole combines great design with spectacular views. The greens were pristine! I found myself wishing for five more holes! Don’t pass this up!

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.