Bandon Dunes Best Holes: Expert Debate
Bandon Dunes: A Golfer’s Paradise on the Oregon Coast
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Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, a sprawling golfing mecca on Oregon’s southern coast, offers a veritable smorgasbord of golfing experiences. With five championship 18-hole courses, two shorter courses, and a dedicated putting course, the resort caters to every level of golfer. However, securing a tee time here is akin to getting a seat at a popular restaurant – reservations book up fast, and the demand is consistently high.
The Bandon Dunes Tradition: All-Day Golf and Post-Round Debates
once you’ve secured your spot,the Bandon Dunes experience is one of unadulterated golfing indulgence. Days are spent from sunrise to sunset, embracing the resort’s tradition of “all-day feasts” of golf. As dusk settles, the focus shifts from the fairways to lively discussions with fellow golfers, dissecting the merits of each course and debating which holes stand out as the absolute best.
Ranking the Courses: A Matter of Opinion
The practice of ranking the Bandon Dunes courses is as ingrained in the resort’s culture as the golf itself. Every visitor has their favorite, and while opinions may vary, the consensus frequently enough aligns with established ratings. According to GOLF magazine’s system, the hierarchy is as follows: Pacific Dunes, Bandon Dunes, Bandon Trails, Old MacDonald, and Sheep Ranch.
Going Granular: Ranking the Holes
For those who truly want to dive deep into the Bandon Dunes experience,the tradition extends to ranking individual holes. This is precisely what unfolded during a recent episode of the Destination Golf podcast, which dedicated its entire airtime to the magic of Bandon Dunes. The podcast featured a spirited back-and-forth between hosts, highlighting their personal favorite holes.
Host’s Picks: A Deep Dive into Favorite Holes
One host’s list leaned heavily towards the strategic brilliance of short par-4s. The 6th hole at Pacific Dunes, with its narrow, angled green perched precariously on a dune and guarded by imposing bunkers, was a standout. Equally lauded was the 16th at Bandon Dunes, a breathtaking seaside hole that has rightfully earned its place among the game’s most iconic. The par-5 3rd at Bandon Trails also made the cut, a hole that begins at the edge of the dunes and meanders through what feels like an enchanted forest, its fairway dotted with strategically placed bunkers, perfectly embodying golf as a journey through a captivating landscape.The other host, Simon, contributed his own cherished selections. His top pick hailed from The Preserve, the resort’s older par-3 course. Simon expressed a particular fondness for the 9th hole,a 130-yard challenge where the green is set against the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean,with the imposing shoulder of a dune casting a shadow on its left side.
Listen and Share Your thoughts
You can immerse yourself in the full Destination Golf podcast episode on Bandon Dunes here. We encourage you to listen and then share your own commentary and favorite holes.
The Director of Instruction’s viewpoint
When asked about his favorite hole at Bandon Dunes, Grant Rogers, the resort’s longtime director of instruction, offers a refreshingly simple yet profound answer: “Whatever hole I’m on.” This sentiment perfectly captures the immersive and all-encompassing nature of the Bandon Dunes golfing experience, where every moment on the course is a cherished one.