Fairway Field Guide
Chapter 4

The Courses — All 7, Ranked & Reviewed

There are seven courses at Bandon Dunes — five regulation 18-hole layouts and two par-3 courses — and Pacific Dunes is the consensus #1. Here's what you need to know about each one, and — critically — when to play them.

#1

Pacific Dunes

Tom Doak · 2001 · Par 71

The consensus #1 course at Bandon and ranked #2 among all public courses in America. Doak's routing maximizes the ocean frontage brilliantly. The par-3 11th, perched above the Pacific, is one of the most photographed holes in golf.

★ INSIDER TIP

Play Pacific Dunes in the afternoon when the wind picks up. If you time it right, you'll finish as the sun sets over the ocean.

#2

Bandon Dunes

David McLay Kidd · 1999 · Par 72

The original. The course that started it all. The famous stretch from holes 4 through 7 along the cliffs is where most first-timers realize this place is different...

#3Sheep Ranch
#4Old Macdonald
#5Bandon Trails
+ 2 par-3 courses (Bandon Preserve & Shorty's)

Frequently asked questions

How many golf courses are at Bandon Dunes?

There are seven courses at Bandon Dunes: five regulation 18-hole layouts and two par-3 courses, Bandon Preserve and Shorty's.

What is the best course at Bandon Dunes?

Pacific Dunes is the consensus #1 course at Bandon and is ranked #2 among all public courses in America. The Tom Doak design (2001, par 71) maximizes the ocean frontage, and its par-3 11th above the Pacific is one of the most photographed holes in golf.

When is the best time of day to play Pacific Dunes?

Play Pacific Dunes in the afternoon, when the wind picks up. Time it right and you'll finish as the sun sets over the ocean.

What was the first course at Bandon Dunes?

The original Bandon Dunes course, designed by David McLay Kidd and opened in 1999 (par 72). Its famous stretch from holes 4 through 7 along the cliffs is where most first-timers realize the place is different.

What are the par-3 courses at Bandon Dunes?

Bandon Dunes has two par-3 courses: Bandon Preserve and Shorty's. They sit alongside the five regulation 18-hole layouts, bringing the resort to seven courses total.

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