Bandon Dunes
Bandon, OR, United States • 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
“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
Review
“The only reason I didn't give a 5 star rating is so they don't think I don't want more courses from them. Only St Andrews can top the experience at this point. And they say Bandon is hard to get to... Bandon has 5 courses that touch each other, and every course has views of the Pacific Ocean! The focus is golf, with health and pure enjoyment close behind. Don't be afraid to book a trip a year out, you'll find buddies to accompany you!"
Read More2023
Review
“Bandon Dunes is a course for all adding an excitement of different terrains, but also fun for all golfers. The backdrop of the ocean makes you feel transported to another world of golf as it was supposed to be. The greens were true and fast."
Read More2023
Review
“I love being at Bandon, I like the other course much more than this one. I appreciate what the original course means to the resort and what the resort has become. But I don't need to play this one again. It feels manufactured with fake dune shaping and catch basins. The greens are made up of multiple circles conjoined together. There is little strategy involved where taking a riskier line results in no advantage gained. Of course these comments do not apply to every hole or spot on the course."
Read More2022
Review
“an amazing course, Great design offering many shot options on every hole, forcing the player to decide which shot to play. Visually stunning, a pleasure to play."
Read More2022
Review
“Very fun and a good test of golf in the wind, with nice views of the ocean"
Read More2022
Review
“Probably no better golf resort destination. Course is challenging but fun; and ocean views are magnificent. They have removed a lot of gorse to make it more resort friendly and enjoyable experience."
Read More2022
Review
“Nice to see Bandon again after Kidd did some tune ups for last year’s US Am. Some good changes to the green site on 1, the driving area bunkers on 8, 9 and 14 requiring more strategic thought and execution than the original simpler paths. Still has a good share of great holes: 2,3,4, and 5 which is so unique, 11,12, and 15 which is maybe the most difficult hole on the whole property, 16 "
Read More2021
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