Fairway Field Guide
Fairway Field Guide

Bandon Dunes

The First-Timer's Field Guide

Everything you need to plan, book, and play the best golf resort in America. 2026–2027 Edition.

Get the Guide — $29

Why Bandon

Bandon Dunes isn't a golf resort. It's a pilgrimage.

Perched on three miles of windswept Oregon coastline, 250 miles from the nearest major city, Bandon Dunes is the closest thing to Scottish links golf on American soil. There are no cart paths. No condos lining the fairways. There's just golf — raw, walking, wind-in-your-face, caddie-on-your-bag golf — played across seven courses that collectively represent the finest collection of public golf anywhere in the world.

Five of Bandon's 18-hole courses rank among Golf Digest's 100 Greatest Public Courses. No other resort in America can say that. Pacific Dunes, designed by Tom Doak, sits at #2. And yet, unlike Pebble Beach — where a single round costs $675 — Bandon remains comparatively accessible.

★ INSIDER TIP

The single biggest mistake first-timers make is trying to squeeze too many rounds into too few days. Architect David McLay Kidd, who designed the original course, says it himself: "All too often, newbies try to go 36–36–36. Take a pause. Breathe in. You're there to hang with friends."

What's Inside the Guide

1Why Bandon — And Why This Guide Exists
2The Lottery System (Step-by-Step)
3Getting There — Flights, Drives & Logistics
4The Courses — All 7, Ranked & Reviewed
5Old Macdonald Template Hole Reference
6Is It Really Like Scotland?
7Building Your Itinerary
8The Wind Clock Strategy
9Caddies — The Bandon Difference
10Tipping Cheat Sheet
11Lodging — Where to Stay & What It Costs
12Dining & Off-Course
13What to Pack — The Links Packing List
14Glossary
15The Budget Calculator
16Trip Templates (3, 4, 5-Day)
17The Day-of-Arrival Playbook
18Money Games for the Trip
19Common Mistakes First-Timers Make
20What's Coming to Bandon
21One-Page Cheat Sheet (Tear-Out)
22What's Next — Future Field Guides

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Get the complete guide

Lottery walkthrough, all 7 courses ranked, budget calculator, 3/4/5-day itineraries, caddie playbook, packing list, and insider tips.

Get the Field Guide — $29

Instant PDF + Calculator download

Fairway Field Guide

Bandon Dunes

The First-Timer's Field Guide

  • Lottery system explained step-by-step
  • All 7 courses ranked with insider tips
  • Budget calculator — peak vs. shoulder season
  • Ready-made 3, 4, and 5-day itineraries
  • Caddie playbook & packing list
  • BONUS: Interactive Budget Calculator included
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