Bandon Dunes: 6 Wildly Beautiful Courses

Imagine standing on the lush green of a fairway. The salty Pacific Ocean breeze whispers tales of yesteryears. The rugged Oregon coastline creates a stunning backdrop. Bandon Dunes Golf Resort offers more than a round of golf. It’s a scenic adventure where nature and the game deeply connect. You’ll catch the excitement of the original Bandon Dunes course. It’s celebrating its 25th year of true links play, influenced by Scotland¹. Six unique courses invite you to explore golf’s wild side here.

The moment you enter the resort, you feel you’ve discovered something unique. Natural beauty and challenging play come together flawlessly. Each course reveals its character with panoramic vistas and bold layouts. Pacific Dunes offers a tough challenge with its longer par 4s, especially at the 4th, 7th, and 13th holes. Here, land and sea form a perfect dance¹. Sheep Ranch has no bunkers, offering a unique test in varying wind conditions². The Punchbowl’s joyful greens promote fun and fellowship among golfers².

Many golfers visit Bandon Dunes, flying into Portland International Airport for this adventure¹. As you walk the fairways, enjoy the big par-4s and the fun par-3s. Each swing takes you deeper into a golfing journey. It’s more than a game. It’s a chance to dive into the heart of links golf amidst Oregon’s beauty.

Key Takeaways

Bandon Dunes celebrates its 25th anniversary with six distinct courses¹.
The resort offers scenic golf adventures along the rugged Oregon coastline, attracting both local and international visitors¹.
Pacific Dunes challenges golfers with demanding holes and natural beauty¹,².
Sheep Ranch provides a unique no-bunker design and enjoyable play in various wind conditions².
The festive greens of the Punchbowl foster camaraderie among golfers².

Introduction to Bandon Dunes Golf Resort

Bandon Dunes Golf Resort is a true gem for golf lovers, set along the beautiful Oregon coast. It’s famous for its Bandon Golfing Experience, seen as a true pilgrimage for keen golfers. The resort was created by Mike Keiser, who dreamed of bringing genuine Links-Style Golf to life. He opened six world-class courses, starting with Bandon Dunes in the late 90s, followed by Pacific Dunes in 2001. Three more courses came into being in 2010 and 2012, enriching the golfing legacy³.

Howard McKee left a lasting impact on Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. With three degrees from Columbia University, he excelled in land use and urban design. Even though he passed away in 2007, his work lives on. He helped design courses that blend seamlessly with their natural surroundings³. This harmony with nature makes Bandon Dunes a top-notch Oregon Coast Golf destination.

Bandon Preserve, a 13-hole par 3 course, stands out for its commitment to giving back. Designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, it donates all its green fees to the Bandon Dunes Charitable Foundation. This foundation aids in conservation efforts and supports the local Southern Oregon Coast community³.

Booking a visit to Bandon Dunes Golf Resort is your ticket to experiencing legendary golf. You can make reservations up until September 30, 2025⁴⁵. If you’re not staying at the hotel, you can still book tee times from April to mid-November, 21 days in advance, but at a higher price⁴⁵. To dive into the Links-Style Golf journey, it’s best to book early. Make sure you’ve filled in all required details like contact and address for a smooth booking process⁴⁵.

Exploring Bandon Dunes Courses or the charitable Bandon Preserve offers exclusive insights into Oregon Coast Golfing. Each visit, whether it’s playing Pacific Dunes or enjoying the community spirit at the Punchbowl, adds a valuable story to your golfing journey.

Bandon Dunes: The Crown Jewel of Oregon’s Coastal Golf

Bandon Dunes is the top coastal links course and a scenic golf destination. It attracts players with its beauty and tough layouts. Here, golfers find a beautiful mix of nature and sport. The resort is known for its untouched coastline. Every course shows off simple design and care for the environment. This keeps the stunning landscape safe.

The resort boasts the Bandon Dunes Golf course, famous for its true links feel. It opened in 1999 and is known for its challenging holes. The 16th hole is a notable 363-yard par 4 from the Black tees⁶. Next came Pacific Dunes in 2001, offering golfers 6,633 yards to tackle. Its 13th hole is a tough 444-yard par 4⁶. Bandon Trails joined the lineup in 2005, featuring a diverse layout. The 14th hole, a 325-yard par 4, is well-regarded⁶.

There’s also the Old Macdonald Course, which opened in 2010. It blends historic design with modern golf over 6,944 yards⁶. All these courses together make Bandon Dunes a top scenic golf destination and Oregon golf resort.

The resort is also a popular spot for big golf events. It has hosted seven USGA championships so far. From 2022 to 2045, it will host 13 more major amateur events⁷. Some big names include the U.S. Junior Amateur and the U.S. Women’s Amateur⁷. Tyler Strafaci won the 2020 U.S. Amateur Championship here, too⁷. This success adds to Bandon Dunes’ fame as a top coastal links course.

Bandon Dunes is taking bookings until September 30, 2025⁸. Guests not staying at the hotel pay more for tee times from April to mid-November. They must book at least 21 days ahead⁸. Even though getting a tee time and room might be hard, the staff helps make visiting easy. They offer an availability calendar and a team to help guests⁸.

Bandon Dunes Golf is more than just golf; it’s a dive into nature. It’s about battling the elements and connecting with golf’s roots. Both new and returning players will enjoy breathtaking views of the Pacific. They’ll experience the challenge of the wind-swept dunes and the warmth of friendship on the greens. This makes Bandon Dunes a true gem among golf destinations.

The Diverse Courses at Bandon Dunes

Bandon Dunes Golf Resort is known for its wide range of golf courses. They offer everything from links-style courses to fun par-3 courses and large putting greens. Each course is designed to be a challenge and a joy for every golfer. Let’s dive into what makes each course special.

Pacific Dunes

Pacific Dunes has a par-71 layout and stretches over 6,788 yards. It was created by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw. Golfers face the natural land and shifting weather. The 4th hole is right next to the ocean, and the 13th is by big dunes⁹. It’s number 17 in the Top 100 Courses in the U.S., known for beautiful views and clever design¹⁰.

Bandon Trails

Bandon Trails was made by Tom Doak and Jim Urbina. It’s an inland course that opened in 2010. It’s a par-71 course covering 6,944 yards. The course goes through forests and dunes⁹. It’s ranked #46 in the 2022-2023 Top 100 Courses in the U.S., perfect for those who love nature and smart design¹⁰.

Sheep Ranch

Sheep Ranch Links is the newest at Bandon Dunes, with 13 par-3 holes. It was designed by Coore and Crenshaw. The course is 1,609 yards long with stunning ocean views and big greens without sand bunkers. It makes the challenge pure⁹. It’s ranked #10 among Top Resort Golf Courses in the U.S. for 2023¹⁰.

Old Macdonald

Old Macdonald honors C.B. Macdonald’s classic strategies and designs. It opened in 2001 as a par-71 course that’s 6,633 yards long. Signature holes include the “Sahara” and “Redan”⁹. This course is #4 in the 2023 Top Resort Golf Courses in the U.S¹⁰.

Bandon Preserve and The Punchbowl

Bandon Preserve is a Par-3, 18-hole course created by Tom Doak and Jim Urbina in 2014. It offers a fun challenge⁹. The Punchbowl Putting Green is a par-3 course by Dave Axland, Keith Cutten, and Rod Whitman. It’s 1,997 yards long, encouraging friendly competition and camaraderie⁹.

Conclusion

Thinking about the vast skies and soft sounds of the sea at Bandon Dunes, it’s easy to see its charm. Each step on its fairways is a journey through the sacred paths of golf, offering an unparalleled link-style play.

Bandon Dunes has grown a lot in popularity and success. Since 2010, golf rounds have spiked by 64%, especially the first three courses with a 19% upsurge¹¹. Guests now stay longer, from 2.4 days in 2009 to almost 3 days in 2014. This means they’re really enjoying their time at the resort¹¹. They spend about $561 each day, contributing close to $54 million a year in 2014¹¹.

This resort’s success helps the local area too. From 2009 to 2014, spending by visitors from places like California, Oregon, and Illinois jumped up big time¹¹. They also added 145 jobs in five years and became the biggest taxpayer in Coos County¹¹.

Ending your trip at Bandon Dunes is unforgettable. You leave with great memories of challenging games. And feelings like you’ve lived out a dream among the wild links. Every time you come back, you find something new. It makes each visit a key part of your love for golf.

FAQ

What makes Bandon Dunes Golf Resort unique?

Bandon Dunes Golf Resort is known for its six amazing courses. They mix natural beauty with challenging play. Located along the Oregon coast, it offers stunning views, bold layouts, and a deep links-style history. This makes it a must-visit for golf lovers.

What courses are available at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort?

The resort has four main courses: Bandon Dunes, Pacific Dunes, Bandon Trails, and Old Macdonald. You can also play at Sheep Ranch and Bandon Preserve. Plus, there’s The Punchbowl for communal putting.

How does the natural landscape influence the golfing experience at Bandon Dunes?

The natural beauty of the Oregon coastline and its challenges shape the golfing at Bandon Dunes. Each course blends with the environment, showing off the beauty of the dunes and forests.

Who developed Bandon Dunes Golf Resort?

Mike Keiser developed Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. He wanted to create a classic links golf experience. His focus on simple design and caring for nature stands out at the resort.

What is special about the Pacific Dunes course?

Tom Doak designed the Pacific Dunes course. It tests players with its natural shapes and windy conditions. Highlights include the ocean-adjacent 4th hole and the dune-surrounded 13th.

What kind of golfing experience does Bandon Trails offer?

Bandon Trails, by Coore and Crenshaw, is an inland course. It blends forests with dunes for a unique golfing path. It’s different from the coastal courses.

Can you describe the Sheep Ranch course?

Sheep Ranch is the latest at Bandon Dunes. It’s famous for breathtaking ocean views and big greens without bunkers. Its unique design challenges golfers in a pure way.

What makes Old Macdonald course unique?

Old Macdonald honors C.B. Macdonald’s design ideas. It has famous holes like the challenging “Sahara” and “Redan”. Each hole offers a different challenge.

What can I expect from Bandon Preserve and The Punchbowl?

Bandon Preserve is a fun, par-3 course that’s exciting to play. The Punchbowl is a big putting green for friendly competition and fun. It’s a social spot at the resort.