Bandon Trails
Bandon, OR, United States • Public
Stephen Szurlej
Stephen Szurlej
Stephen Szurlej
Stephen Szurlej
Stephen Szurlej
Stephen Szurlej
Stephen Szurlej
Stephen Szurlej
Overview
The only one of Bandon Dunes' five 18-hole courses that isn't immediately adjacent to the Pacific coastline, Trails scores points other ways, taking players on a fantastic journey through three distinct ecosytems. The course starts in serious sand dunes then turns inward toward meadows and dense Oregon rainforest, climbing toward an upper section at holes nine through 13. Fourteen is a love-it or-hate-it par 4 to a thumb of a green personally fashioned by Crenshaw that can be driven with an unerring drive off a high bluff, dropping the holes back to the meadows and ultimately to the dunes at 17 and 18. Bump-and-run is the name of the game but the structure of each hole requires thoughtful bumps and targeted runs.
About
Awards
Ranking history:
100 Greatest: Ranked since 2009.
2023-'24 ranking: 65th.
Previous ranking: 67th.
Highest ranking: 63rd, 2011-'12.
100 Greatest Public: Ranked since 2007.
2023-'24 ranking: 11th.
Previous ranking: 13th.
Highest ranking: Current.
Best in State: Ranked third, 2011-'12, 2023-'24. Ranked fourth, 2013-'22. Ranked inside the top five, 2007-'10.
2023-'24 ranking (and previously): 4th.
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 Trails was designed by Coore/Crenshaw(2005), this course starts and ends in the dunes and is routes thru meadows and coastal forests. Each hole is separated by short walks and are nicely isolated from other holes. The course has numerous elevation changes, is extremely scenic and challenging."
Read More2024
Review
“It is the best course at the Bandon Dunes resort and one of the greatest walks in the game."
Read More2023
Review
“Course is so good it doesn't matter that only Bandon course not along the ocean."
Read More2023
Review
“Bandon Trails is unique amongst the courses on property as it is the only one not on the water, but don’t let that dissuade you from stopping by — it’s a gem of a course. Not only does it offer a unique experience compared to the 4 sister courses, but it also offers the least wind (a nice break from the open terrain on the others!). The stretch from 11-13 on the back 9 offers an “Amen Corner” type feel if you squint just right, and between 13 and 14 you have the plaque where the whole notion of Bandon Dunes golf resort was born — so make the pit stop for a gorgeous view. As for food, I’d suggest eating at the practice range BBQ truck over anything they have at this clubhouse — you won’t go wrong, but it was my least favorite of the lunch spots on campus."
Read More2023
Review
“Bandon Trails serves not only as an excellent compliment to the other courses at the Bandon resort, but could stand alone as a top course if it were located anywhere else in the country. Trails has a lot to compete with given the other 4 courses at Bandon all have extensive views and the benefit of jaw dropping settings. Trails though holds it's own though and even is ranked as some people's favorite course, maybe due to the lack of distractions present. The course features a wide variety of elevation changes in the forms of flat holes, holes with mounds to navigate, severely uphill and severely downhill holes. The course is extremely fun to play in this way, although the execution of some of the holes misses the mark in a few places including the polarizing 14th hole. The severly downhill, drivable par 4 features a narrow and elevated green that is extremely difficult to hold from anywhere if you miss the green with the tee shot. This causes the hole to be either a relatively straightforward birdie, or an extremly difficult par completely dependent on where the tee shot ends up. The opening and closing holes also lack some variety as on both holes, approach shots are very likely hit from the same area due to the contours of the fairway. Overall, the course is imaginitive and extremely fun but the execution of some of the holes can be questioned."
Read More2023
Review
“Wonderful routing through dunes and Oregon trees with extreme elevation changes. While the course is not on the edge of the coastline, it offers a great walk with glimpses of the ocean and the other Bandon Dunes courses. Coore and Crenshaw do not disappoint. Trails was a great change of pace."
Read More2022
Review
“Lovely transition from dunes to meadow to forest and a nice change of pace from the other courses at the resort. That being said, I was not smitten with the holes themselves. Many of them felt like standard Coore and Crenshaw designs that I've played at other major resorts across the country."
Read More2022
Review
“an amazing course to play, great variety of shot options on every hole, lay out varies between holes, makes the golfer pause to think before most shots. In great condition, a pleasure to play"
Read More2022
Review
“not as interesting or scenic as the other Bandon courses but still worth playing"
Read More2022
Review
“Probably the best course on the entire property. The lack of ocean views can be the only reason it is not ranked higher. Great flow, terrific elevation changes, beautiful inland setting, spectacular scenery. This course is fun and challenging, and the holes are distinctive. 16 great holes (only the last two are somewhat lacking). Make this a priority if you go to this resort."
Read More2021
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