Bandon Dunes

Ranking the courses at Bandon and necessarily picking which is the "worst" is a little like arguing who is the ugliest supermodel. There are no losers on this property.

But having that ...discussion ... with your buddies is part of the fun.

For me, the clear fourth place finisher (have not played the par three course but heard it is sublime) is Bandon Dunes. While it may have my favorite hole on the property in the 5th, as a group it lacks the excitement of the other tracks here. Let me be clear, the LAND is spectacular but in too many spots the golf course is not. Holes 9 and 18 are ordinary and tough to bestow greatness on a course with a pedestrian finish ( although Cypress Point is an exception ). In all, holes 1, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 18 feel like you have played them before at any number of courses. Holes 4, 5, 6, 12, 15 -17 are breathtaking due in large part to the scenery but also the quality and visual interest of the golf hole. The other holes fall somewhere in between. You don't want to skip it and the resort as a whole is well worth the trouble to get there. Best in the country for my money. But if I had 7 rounds, I'd play the others again before Bandon Dunes.

If you've never visited Bandon Dunes then you haven't experienced true links golf. Bandon is like Scotland except the staff members have better teeth and the food is better.

You've probably seen it rated as one of the top 2 or 3 publicly accessible courses in the US. Don't trust everything you read, but DO trust those ratings!
An absolutely phenomenal course on every level. The other three courses @ Bandon Dunes Resort - and the par 3 - are world class too. Great vibe, unbelievable golf, the ultimate golf "buddy trip" in the US.

I have to admit that I was a little disappointed on my first visit here. Other than a couple of the holes, I wasn't as impressed as I expected to be. The facility itself is first class all the way and we will be going back to play the other courses, but probably not the Dunes.
The one hole that is a definite exception is number 16. That is one of the coolest golf holes that I've ever seen. I could play that hole 18 times in a row and call it a great day of golf.
Caddies are available and the one we had in our foursome was borderline useless. Was glad that I wasn't paying him. I've talked to others who had much better experiences though. So, if you chose to use the service just keep your fingers crossed.

Have wanted to play Bandon since they first opened Bandon Dunes years ago. For a variety of reasons we never made it until this last Thanksgiving. We only got to play Bandon Dunes and Bandon Trails this time, but we intend to play Old MacDonald and Pacific Dunes this year.
It's a 4.5 hour drive from our home but it was worth every minute spent in the car. The Trails itself is worth the trip. The course is set back in the trees and is just flat-out gorgeous. We played it in 2.5 hours, which made it even better.
Dunes on the other hand didn't impress us as much. Maybe the 5 hour round had something to do with it. The highlight of the Dunes is number 16, a par 4 that runs by the ocean. That has to be one of the greatest holes I've ever seen. I could play that one hole 18 times in a row and I would call it an outstanding day of golf.

Often at Bandon Dunes you hear that Old Mac or Pac Dunes are the best, followed by Bandon Dunes, which implies that Bandon Trails is "4th best". Totally unfair ... Bandon Trails is a GREAT course and if located anywhere else in the world it would be a destination in itself! Also, I think it is the most scenic of all the Bandon courses ... so by all means play Bandon Trails!

I like it a lot, didn't love it though.

I think if I played it again I'd grow to love it more. There were just several blind shots that I thought were forced and unnecessary. They were there for the sake of it.

But it was another fun walk and it was the second round of a 36-hole day for me.

Played it for the first time during my 40th birthday trip. It was great, but I was well off my game that day and found the course extremely difficult - the most difficult course at Bandon Dunes Resort.

Felt that it played long and there seems to be a lot of trouble, both off the tee and around the greens.

The views are great too, but there are none of the ocean, which makes you spoiled because you see the ocean so much from both Bandon and Pacific.

Probably my least favorite of the 4 at Bandon, but it's still a solid track.

Only 13 holes, and you can take about 3 clubs with you, but it'll give you all the challenge you're looking for. You think it's going to be easy, and it is for better players, but for the higher handicapper you find yourself playing shots from distances you don't regularly hit.

Main tip: make sure you putt it off the 13th tee box down to the green below. It's a must. Hit a regular tee shot, then hit a putt. Play for skins too, because it's extremely cool.

Such a long trip from the East Coast but it's worth every single second.

The original course at Bandon never disappoints. Pacific Dunes is my favorite course on property, but Bandon is the one that I'd play every day if I could only play one.

I'll say the same thing I said about Pacific Dunes - I played here 10 years ago and thought I didn't remember much. But when I stepped on the first tee I immediately remembered every single hole as if I had played it a week prior.

Had played here 10 years ago and when I stood on the first tee again this time, I remembered every single inch of the place.

It's the best course at Bandon Dunes, although all four of them are fantastic. The ocean holes are all memorable especially 10-11, which are back-to-back par 3s.

Hands down the best resort experience in the United States.

Bandon Trails unlike Bandon Dunes and Pacific Dunes is completely inland. Although you don't get any ocean holes that doesn't limit this golf courses beauty. If it was by the ocean, it might be the best golf course on the property.

The golf course is incredibly, simply walking down #4 fairway and all of a sudden the ocean opens up is very picturesque. Definitely one of the best holes I have ever played. Holes #4 and #16 I could play every day.

Playing Pacific Dunes was a dream. The course was in outstanding shape and the layout was perfect. Not everyday can you just play golf and not worry about what par the hole is.

It took me a few years, and several rounds on each, but I finally figured out which course at Bandon is best. It's Pacific Dunes. And it came down to how designer Tom Doak utilized the land along the Oregon coastline. Holes 4, 11 & 13 are three of the best holes in the world. I don't love the first hole, and 18 is just OK, but everything in between fits the definition of true links golf. From a testy tee shot, to a well-protected and quirky green complex, the 7th hole is an underrated par 4. Bandon Dunes was a good start, but Pacific Dunes is why this secluded destination eventually passed Pinehurst and Pebble as the No. 1 golf destination in America.

Of the four championship courses at Bandon Dunes, I score the best on this one, and it's scenery and hole variety certainly holds its own with its prestigious neighbors. It's a lot of fun, particularly on the par 5s and the drivable, par-4 16th hole that feels a little like Pebble with the rock outcroppings above the coastline. Everything at Bandon is world class and it starts with the original course.

I score better on Bandon Dunes, but I think I still like Pacific more. There are just so many ways to play each shot. I've been fortunate enough to play it four times over the years. I can't wait to go back. Not a weak hole here.

This course has super features however, quite a few blind shots on your drive but typical of link style course such as St. Andrews old course. Beautiful ocean scenery that rivals Pebble Beach. All and all a very good experience. David M.kidd is an excellent golf course designer. The greens fees are much too high for the course and they really need to bring them down. Also, it would be nice if they gave you a bag tag similar to the other golf course like kapalua, Pebble etc.

One of the best courses you will ever play, anywhere in the world. The first of the Bandon courses is probably the most "gettable" and perhaps also the most scenic. Most memorable was the iconic and quirky short par four 16th. I can't wait to get back.