Bandon Dunes
Bandon, OR • Public

Stephen Szurlej

Stephen Szurlej

Stephen Szurlej

Stephen Szurlej

Stephen Szurlej

Stephen Szurlej

Stephen Szurlej

Stephen Szurlej

Wood Sabold/Courtesy of Bandon Dunes Golf Resort
Overview
Chicago recycled-products mogul Mike Keiser took a gamble when he chose then-tenderfoot architect David McLay Kidd to design a destination daily fee on the remote southwestern coastline of Oregon. But the design Kidd produced, faithful to the links-golf tenets of his native Scotland, proved so popular that today Keiser has a multiple-course resort at Bandon Dunes that rivals Pinehurst and the Monterey Peninsula—or perhaps exceeds them given that all fve Bandon courses are ranked on our 200 Greatest, four in the top 100. None of that would have happened if McLay Kidd hadn’t produced a great first design that drew golfers into its orbit.
About
Awards



Ranking history:
100 Greatest: Ranked since 2001.
2023-'24 ranking: 40th.
Previous ranking: 37th.
Highest ranking: 28th, 2005-'06, 2011-'12.
100 Greatest Public: Ranked since the inaugural edition in 2003.
2023-'24 ranking: 8th.
Previous ranking: 7th.
Highest ranking: 5th, 2011-'12.
Best in State: Ranked second, 2011 to present.
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“Not much to say that hasn't already been said. A seaside links course with beauty, variety and, when the wind is blowing, serious challenge. Without the wind, the course is of average difficulty. Over the past several years, the greens have given way to poa annua which is essentially a native grass in the pacific northwest. They are now faster and just as true as they ever were."
Read More2024
Review
“A real masterpiece by David McLay Kidd, the initial course at this iconic golf destination resort. A magnificent representation of the majesty of golf and golf in this part of the world. It is a course that is very fun to play but make no mistake, errant and ill played shots will cost you. The wild Oregon Pacific Coast is visible and even in play on many holes. The variety in the holes and greens complexes puts this golf course in an elite class. Put this on your bucket list…..you will be happy you did."
Read More2024
Review
“The course that launched an industry, Bandon Dunes stands up against each of its peers on the Oregon coast and, truly, against another other destination course anywhere. It's hard to imagine a 20-something architect creating such a thoughtful routing and with such hole variety. There are no weak holes here and the standouts are world class."
Read More2024
Review
“The original course and namesake of Bandon Dunes opened in 1999 and it's hard to imagine a more impactful course to open in the last few decades. David McLay Kidd's design set in motion the beginning of likely the best golf Resort in the world, but also gave credibility to the idea of building public golf resorts in the middle of nowhere. You can argue that without Bandon Dunes in 1999, there would be no Streamsong, Sand Valley, or Cabot Cliffs. For this reason, it scores extremely high in character. The golf course itself is excellent and for me is the 2nd or 3rd best course at the Resort. Pacific Dunes is probably the more beautiful and cohesive course and Trails is tougher, but you could argue that some of the best individual holes at the Resort belong on Bandon Dunes. This includes the world-class stretch of 4-6, thought-provoking and very clever 10th and 14th, and breathtaking 16th. In terms of aesthetics, the short par 4 16th may be the prettiest hole I've ever played and offers numerous risk-reward strategic options."
Read More2024
Review
“The original course and namesake of Bandon Dunes opened in 1999 and it's hard to imagine a more impactful course to open in the last few decades. David McLay Kidd's design set in motion the beginning of likely the best golf Resort in the world, but also gave credibility to the idea of building public golf resorts in the middle of nowhere. You can argue that without Bandon Dunes in 1999, there would be no Streamsong, Sand Valley, or Cabot Cliffs. For this reason, it scores extremely high in character. The golf course itself is excellent and for me is the 2nd or 3rd best course at the Resort. Pacific Dunes is probably the more beautiful and cohesive course and Trails is tougher, but you could argue that some of the best individual holes at the Resort belong on Bandon Dunes. This includes the world-class stretch of 4-6, thought-provoking and very clever 10th and 14th, and breathtaking 16th. In terms of aesthetics, the short par 4 16th may be the prettiest hole I've ever played and offers numerous risk-reward strategic options."
Read More2024
Review
“Classic Bandon Dunes golf walk, wonderful finishing holes!"
Read More2024
Review
“A stunning oceanside course that definitely makes you feel like you are in Ireland. Bandon Dunes resort is a golfer's paradise."
Read More2024
Review
“Bandon Dunes Golf Resort is located on the western coast of Oregon, 2.5 hours south of Eugene, Oregon and 45 min south of North Bend. There are currently 5 championship courses and two short courses (The Preserve-a 13 hole par 3 course ) and Shorties (a 19 hole par 3 course). Bandon dunes was designed my David McLay Kidd, 1999. The course is on a bluff, high above the Pacific Ocean and has naturally formed dunes. The course is scenic and feels like Mother Nature shaped much of the course"
Read More2024
Review
“My personal favorite of the 5 full length courses on property, and the one I’d like to the play the most times on a return trip. I think it had the most fun layout, the most optionality offered on every shot, and some of the best views on property. Conditions were perfect. I could play this course every day, and would if I was located nearby. Make sure to check out The Forge for dinner, serving up excellent steaks"
Read More2023
Review
“A course laid out on a very similar piece of land to Pacific Dunes, yet much more thoughful and fun given the severe wind. Many tee shots are visually intimidating but have much more room in landing area than it appears. Greens are surrounded by colletion areas and runoffs instead of severe bunkers and gorse. The inland holes are Bandon Dunes are all extremely interesting and compliment the 5 or 6 ocean front holes extremely well. The reveal after turning the corner on the 4th hole is breathtaking. The signature 16th hole is one of the most exciting holes anywhere. The course offers a lot of risk-reward tee shots that won't end with lost balls, only more difficult recovereies. The course gives the opportunity to score well with well-executed shots and punishes you in for misses in ways that still allow you to recover and make a score."
Read More2023
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