The Ultimate Bandon Dunes Resort Guide: 18-Hole Course Ranking
- Andrew Fazekas
- Aug 28
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 8
After you've made a trip to Bandon Dunes Resort, you won't be able to resist talking about your course rankings with fellow golfers who have made the pilgrimage. And almost everyone you talk to will have a different ranking. That's part of the magic of this extraordinary destination. I've adjusted and fine-tuned my rankings every time I go to Bandon, and I suspect you will too.
While this is a ranking 1-5, keep in mind that even my lowest-ranked course is still a top 100 public course in America. Each course has a unique quality that may appeal to you, and your personal ranking will depend on your playing style, the weather conditions during your visit, and what aspects of links golf you value most.
1
Bandon Dunes
The original course from David McKlay Kidd, and in my opinion, still the best. This masterpiece opened in 1999 and plays 6,732 yards from the championship tees. It's challenging but not as punishing as Pacific Dunes and Old Mac, striking a compelling balance between difficulty and playability.
What sets Bandon Dunes apart is its strategic design that rewards thoughtful course management over pure power. The routing takes advantage of the dramatic coastline, with several holes playing directly along the Pacific bluffs. The finishing stretch, particularly holes 15-18, provides some of the most memorable moments in golf.
2
Pacific Dunes
Designed by Tom Doak and opened in 2001, Pacific Dunes is remarkably different in character and shot-making requirements than Bandon's other courses. It's undoubtedly the most challenging course at Bandon, with tight fairways and dangerous approach shots that demand precision over power. Playing approximately 6,633 yards from the tips with a par of 71, it may be shorter than Bandon Dunes, but precise approach shots are a necessity, especially when the wind is blowing (as it usually does).
Pacific Dunes is consistently the highest-ranked Bandon Dunes Resort course in golf course rankings, and it's easy to see why. It feels more natural and raw than its siblings, as if it was carved directly from the coastal landscape. The dramatic elevation changes and spectacular ocean views create a mystical playing experience that many consider the pinnacle of American links golf. Make Pacific Dunes part of your itinerary on your first Bandon trip.
3
Bandon Trails
Bandon Trails is most well-known as the only course at Bandon Dunes Resort that doesn't include ocean views, but it has its own stunning beauty that shouldn't be underestimated. It's the most pleasant surprise for new Bandon visitors who set their expectations too low, and it's not uncommon to hear visitors say that it's their favorite Bandon course.
Between holes, you walk narrow dirt trails through the woods to get to the next one. Playing Trails feels like one challenging, picturesque hole after the next, each separated by a quaint walk in the woods. The course starts off in a dunes setting, then winds through dense shore pine forests and across rolling meadows, creating an entirely distinct but equally captivating atmosphere.
The course is protected from the wind, so it can be a great option in the afternoon when winds tend to be stronger on the oceanside courses. Bandon Trails offers a more traditional parkland feel while maintaining the strategic design principles that make Bandon special.
4
Old MacDonald
Old Mac is the most polarizing course on the property, and perhaps the most authentic representation of Scottish links golf in America. It's very challenging – especially when winds are high – with huge, deep bunkers that can swallow errant shots whole. Playing around 6,706 yards at par 72, Old Mac presents beautiful, vast expanses and feels like a beast to conquer.
Designed by Tom Doak and Jim Urbina as a tribute to Charles Blair Macdonald's template holes, this course features wide fairways but severe penalties for missing in the wrong spots. The massive scale and strategic complexity can be overwhelming for some players, while others find it to be the ultimate test of links golf strategy.
5
Sheep Ranch
Sheep Ranch was designed by Coore & Crenshaw and opened as the resort's fifth 18-hole course. It's the easiest and most approachable course at Bandon, but don't let that fool you into thinking it's not spectacular in its own ways. It offers stunning views of the Pacific on many holes and creates some of the most dramatic photo opportunities at the resort. The Par-71, 6,785 yard layout lacks bunkers (replacing them with grassy knolls), making it more forgiving than its siblings. It also feels the most condensed, with tee boxes and holes closer to one another, creating an intimate playing experience that stands in stark contrast to Old Mac.
Other Golf Activities
Shorty's
The newest par-3 course with 19 holes, none longer than 170 yards and one measuring only 55. Designed by Rod Whitman, Dave Axland, and Keith Cutten (together known as WAC Golf), Shorty's opened in 2024 and provides the perfect opportunity to work on your short game while enjoying ocean views. The variety of shots required across the 19 holes makes it an excellent warm-up or cool-down round, and it's particularly fun for groups looking for a more casual golf experience, usually before or after a full round at one of the 18-hole courses or on your arrival/departure day at the resort.
The Preserve
Built in 2012, this 13-hole par-3 design by Coore and Crenshaw captures the beauty of the property in miniature, with no shot longer than 150 yards and ground-game options that include the local custom of playing the final hole with only putter. The Preserve offers stunning coastal views and provides an excellent opportunity to practice your short iron play. Each hole presents unique challenges despite the shorter distances, and the course beautifully showcases the natural beauty of the Oregon coast.
The Punch Bowl
This 100,000-square-foot putting course designed by Tom Doak with Jim Urbina is next to the first tee at Pacific Dunes and is a must-do at some point with your fellow Bandon-goers. Similar to the Himalayas putting course at St. Andrews (which was the inspiration for the Punch Bowl), this course is a lot of casual fun. The massive, rolling green complex features dramatic slopes and multiple pin positions, making it perfect for putting contests and friendly competitions. After a round at Pacific Dunes, this is the perfect place to stop and putt around while sipping on drinks.
Practice Center
Not surprisingly, the massive range and putting area at Bandon Dunes is world-class, featuring multiple target greens, a large putting green, and a short game area where you can practice all aspects of your game. The practice putting green mirrors the conditions you'll find on the courses, making it essential preparation for your rounds. Stop here at least once on your trip.
Bandon Dunes Golf Resort represents the pinnacle of American golf destinations, offering an unparalleled collection of courses that each provide their own unique challenges and rewards. Whether you prefer the strategic brilliance of the original Bandon Dunes, the raw challenge of Pacific Dunes, the forest tranquility of Bandon Trails, the strategic complexity of Old Macdonald, or the approachable charm of Sheep Ranch, you'll find something that speaks to your golfing soul.
The beauty of Bandon lies not just in the individual excellence of each course, but in how they work together to create a complete golf experience. Combined with the outstanding practice facilities and the camaraderie that naturally develops among golfers making this pilgrimage, Bandon Dunes offers something that transcends a typical golf trip – it's a journey into the heart of what makes golf truly special.
Your rankings may differ from mine, and that's exactly as it should be. The conversations you'll have about these courses will last long after you've returned home, and they'll likely inspire you to return again and again to explore new nuances in these remarkable layouts.
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