Bandon Dunes Golf Resort

Bandon Dunes is quite arguably the most remarkable and acclaimed golf course complex to open anywhere in the world in decades, and is probably best explained in Stephen Goodwin's excellent 2006 book "Dream Golf: The Making of Bandon Dunes."

Bandon founder Mike Keiser chose Scotland's David McLay Kidd to design the first course here (Bandon Dunes), and after it opened to worldwide acclaim, Keiser chose "retro-traditionalist" Tom Doak to design a second course, Pacific Dunes. Bill Co... [more]

Bandon Dunes is quite arguably the most remarkable and acclaimed golf course complex to open anywhere in the world in decades, and is probably best explained in Stephen Goodwin's excellent 2006 book "Dream Golf: The Making of Bandon Dunes."

Bandon founder Mike Keiser chose Scotland's David McLay Kidd to design the first course here (Bandon Dunes), and after it opened to worldwide acclaim, Keiser chose "retro-traditionalist" Tom Doak to design a second course, Pacific Dunes. Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, another pair of traditionalist-leaning architects who are justifiably famous for Sand Hills GC in Nebraska, designed Bandon's third course (Bandon Trails), while Tom Doak and close associate Jim Urbina did the fourth course, Old Macdonald -- a tribute to architect C.B. Macdonald that opened in 2010. A fifth course, the 13-hole, par-3 Bandon Preserve opened in 2012 with a design by Coore and Crenshaw.

How respected is this collection of courses? The USGA held the 2011 men's and women's U.S. Amateur Public Links Championships here.

  geoffdavis - 5/10/12
Golf, Golf, Golf and more Golf. No spa or shopping or other reason for a spouse to want to come along. Awesome!

  windowsurfer - 4/29/12
I played Pacific Dunes and Trails. I found Trails OK, but not up to Pacific's high standard. I believe Dunes, Old Mac and Preserve are all Pacific grade and will return for those. Staff was uniformly friendly and competent, well-trained and equipped. The unique tightmown fairway springiness/firmness is addictive. Loved playing low running 8-irons along the ground. No discernible boundary fw to green - very cool. Food + bev on the course was reasonable $, but clothes and resort rates are a little spendy. Practice facility is awesome and adds huge value. At least one caddy per group is wise. The caddy will cleave to the guy paying his tab, but everyone will generally benefit by his directions. If you are well-heeled get yer own and enjoy the walk -- I will budget for it next time. $80-100. You will score best by leaving your approaches and putts SHORT. Going for it will run you off the back/sides and into bunkers, or leave you stupid-ass downhill putts. Play it smart and use the firmness of the fairway and the contours to shape your shots. It is a wonderful golf experience. McKee's pub - top drawer!!

  lukestevens - 2/13/12
Golf courses themselves are awesome, but what makes it worth the trip is the hospitality. Everyone there seems genuinley happy to serve and take care of the customer. Its wonderful.

  Alusna - 12/8/11
Simply the best golf resort on the planet.

  lbgutman - 10/24/11
We played all four courses and had fabulous weather. If there were a golf nirvana, this would be in the top-3! A golfers' bucket list must!

  tlindsa - 4/3/13

  shaunmarsh05 - 10/22/12

  tequila4kapp - 10/12/12

  hp - 9/30/12

  schieferd - 7/30/12