Bandon Dunes is the original and heralded headliner of this world class resort which showcases the innate allure of the ol’ game. Built in 1999, Bandon Dunes was designed by Scotsmen David McLay Kidd and easily provides as true and enchanting of a links experience as one can imagine. Mirroring the birthplace of golf in both climate and countryside, the construction completes the coastal linksland vision that was intended here. Surf, sand and sea breeze, amid the sloping grounds, provides the common elements to this traditional layout. Like the opposing ocean tide, Bandon Dunes flows back and forth to the shoreline, offering handfuls of stunning views. When you’re not staring at the choppy surf, one can find amusement in the waves of the earth that roll through this playground of golf. Local lore hypothesizes that they must’ve buried elephants here, where the terrain contains extreme undulations that ebb and flow like the neighboring Pacific. The truth is that little was changed in the creation of this masterpiece in which nature is the primary architect. This rugged coastal environment is a perfect haven for a pure links, in which Bandon Dunes captures the spirit of a timeless game and creates a golf heaven for the Northwest.
Bandon Dunes offers favorable opportunities for all skill levels to reach the large fairways. Putting your drive in play is user-friendly, as targets from the tee are roomy. With that said, there are a lot of mid-fairway traps that are detrimental if reached. The hole distances are manageable, of course, hitting into headwinds will devastate your net yardage, and quickly lengthen what appears average. Course forgiveness fades as the flagstick nears. Many of the greens are either blindingly elevated or require westward approach shots into the squalls of the sea. Studying the grounds and surveying the gales is at a premium here where knock-down shots range from favorable to mandatory. Playing the ground allows one to reduce the wind factor and work cooperatively with the rolling earth. Deep pot bunkers are a common theme here. Some of these traps are insignificant in size but remain well fed thanks to the surrounding slopes that funnel in seemingly decent shots. Some of the traps are not so small, including a greenside bunker on the Par 3 15th which could easily have you standing 30’ below the hole. Also present, typically around the perimeters, are long grasses and sprawling fields of impenetrable gorse. These true links greens are large, yet uninviting as they are heavily guarded by deep sand and steep slope. As expected, the contours are intricate, extreme and difficult to read, and 2-putts provide a greater sense of accomplishment than normal.
About Bandon Dunes Golf Resort
Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, on the southern coast of Oregon near Bandon, OR, is a world class golf mecca, and a defining piece of the puzzle regarding the quality and diversity of Northwest golf. Golf enthusiasts travel from all corners to experience this collection of nationally acclaimed golf. From the forested coastal inlands to the weather-shaped dunes of the ocean-front links, Bandon Golf Resort offers four captivating courses that are worthy of any golfers bucket list. Continuously topping the charts of many accredited golf rankings, Bandon is more than just a premier golf destination; it’s like a trip abroad to Scotland or a history lesson of golf and how it was intended to be played. Hand-crafted by nature, and plotted by man, Bandon Golf Resort has captured the spirit of the old game to the Northwest golfers delight.
