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If you are looking for the best golfing experience in Oregon, look no further than Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. This world-class resort offers some of the best golf courses in the country, and it is a must-visit destination for any golfer. In this blog post, we will take a look at each of the courses and crown a champion!

Disclaimer: I am not a golfer, however my husband golfs, and he is pretty good at it. His handicap is 7 for reference. This blog post was “dictated to but not read” by him to me (he is also a surgeon).

Getting a Tee Time at Bandon Dunes

Bandon Dunes Golf Resort is one of the most popular golf destinations in the world, and tee times can be hard to come by. However, there are a few things that you can do to increase your chances of getting a tee time. You can try to book a tee time for midweek or during off-peak hours; weekdays tend to be less crowded than weekends, and late afternoon tee times are often less sought-after than those during the morning and middle of the day.

If you are a large group planning to play multiple rounds per day or over the course of one weekend in peak season, plan on booking your tee times at least 6 months to a year in advance. Peak season is April to mid-November.

You get a discounted rate if you are staying at the hotel. Oregon residents also get a discounted rate. Non-hotel guests may book tee times after 10am for peak season over 21 days in advance at a premium rate.

However, as a single player I was able to call the week of (and once even the night before) with plenty of choices especially if I wasn’t too picky.

Getting to Bandon Dunes

Bandon Dunes Golf Resort is kind of in the middle of nowhere. It is just under 4.5 hours from Portland (airport code: PDX), 3 hours from Medford (airport code: MFR), 2.5 hours from Eugene (airport code: EUG).

You could also fly via private jet into Bandon State Airport or Southwest Oregon Regional Airport (formerly called North Bend Airport, code OTH). There are shuttles available from all of the private and regional airports, but if you are coming from Portland you should rent a car.

Warming Up at Bandon Dunes

Bandon Dunes Golf Resort is one of the premier golf destinations in the United States. The resort features two separate driving ranges, a large practice putting green, and a short course adjacent to the driving range. In addition, Bandon Dunes offers a shuttle service between the practice facility, on-site lodging, and all the courses; a quick phone call will get you a picked-up in 5 minutes.

These amenities allow golfers to get the most out of their Bandon Dunes experience by giving them the opportunity to warm up before their round or squeeze in an afternoon practice session. By taking advantage of all that Bandon Dunes has to offer, golfers can ensure that they are prepared to play their best golf.

Caddie vs No Caddie

Bandon Dunes is one of the most popular golf destinations in the country, and for good reason. The courses are challenging but scenic, and the experience of walking the fairways along the Oregon coast is unique. However, one of the conditions of playing at Bandon Dunes is that you must walk the course. Golf carts are only available for those with a medical condition preventing you from walking your round. So if you want to ride, you’ll need to provide medical documentation to the course and arrange everything prior to arrival.

Caddies are also available for hire, and while they are not required, they can be a great asset and experience. Caddies know the course well and can give you helpful advice on how to play each hole. They are well versed on the different conditions you may face, and can provide valuable insight when you encounter windy conditions, blind shots, and large elevation changes. Caddies also know the best resort food options depending on what you might be craving after your round.

If you want a caddie, you should let guest services know when you book your tee time so they can have it arranged to meet you at the first hole. The cost of hiring a caddie is $100 per round plus gratuity, and it must be paid in cash directly to the caddie. While it may seem like a lot, hiring a caddie can help you make the most of your Bandon Dunes experience. If you are playing multiple days you and always opt for a caddie you will most likely have the same one unless you request someone else. I’ve found this to be a good experience because the caddie becomes more accustomed to your style of play and there is more continuity and less introductory small talk.

Do you have to get a caddie when golfing at Bandon Dunes? No. It is not required and the caddies encourage you to hire a caddie if you want one and not to feel any pressure if you don’t. It is also not weird to be the only one with or without a caddie in your group. If you are on a budget, then this is a potential way to save money. However it is worth hiring a caddie at least once during your trip to Bandon Dunes as it does make your experience exceptional.

Interestingly, my thoughts on the best course at Bandon Dunes were independent of whether or not I had a caddie for the round. I actually did not have a caddie on either of my favorite two courses.

Best Course at Bandon Dunes

Wondering what best course is at Bandon Dunes? Let’s be honest, choosing the best course at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort is like picking a favorite kid. You can’t really go wrong with teeing it up anywhere here. However, I attempted to rank the courses at Bandon Dunes from worst to best based off of personal experience and anecdotes.

Sheep Ranch

Despite having the coolest logo and apparel, and some truly special views, Sheep Ranch was my least favorite course at Bandon Dunes. Not that this course is bad by any means, it’s just that I didn’t think it was as good as the other courses.

Sheep Ranch is the newest addition to the resort. The course layout is quite compact, and moreso than other courses I felt that some areas seemed crowded with people. That being said, the first hole at Sheep Ranch is one of the best at Bandon Dunes. From your second shot you are overlooking the green perched literally on the cliffs of the Pacific Ocean. It’s a great hole to start your round, and it sets the tone for the rest of the course.

If the wind is blowing, Sheep Ranch can be very difficult. Another quirk of Sheep Ranch is that there are no traditional sand bunkers, however there are bunkers with native grass. I’m told this was due to wind making sand bunkers hard to maintain. I felt the second 9 had a few unmemorable holes and in my opinion the finishing hole is the weakest out of all of the courses, playing as a short par 5. However, with stunning views of the ocean and the iconic 16th and 17th, Sheep Ranch is still an amazing course to play.

When I played this course there was mild to moderate wind but also some light rain. It was the third course at Bandon Dunes Resort that I played. I did have a caddie. However, I also woke up with a weird stye in my right eye the morning of my round which really threw my game off.

Bandon Trails

Bandon Trails is one of the Bandon Dunes Golf Resort’s most unique courses. Unlike the other courses at Bandon Dunes, Bandon Trails is not a traditional links-style course. Instead, it is a more wooded course with a decidedly different feel. This may be why I ranked it where I did.

Although not as scenic as the other courses at Bandon Dunes, Bandon Trails is still great golf. In terms of difficulty I think this one is near the top unless the wind is howling on the seaside courses. Because it is shielded by the trees, it may be the most playable course on a particularly windy day. The course is well-maintained and the staff is friendly and helpful. I would definitely recommend golfing at Bandon Trails if you are looking for a unique and fun golfing experience.

When I played Bandon Trails, there was minimal wind. It was the third course at Bandon Dunes Resort that I played. I did have a caddie. I didn’t play well.

Old Macdonald

Bandon Dunes is home to some of the most beautiful and challenging golf courses in the world. The Old Macdonald course, also known as “Old Mac”, is the most polarizing course at the resort. Players and caddies seem to either love it or you don’t, with little in between. I fall into the former category – I really enjoyed playing this course.

Old Mac is a more traditional links-style course, with less of the spectacular Pacific Coast views that can be found on other courses at Bandon Dunes. However, I found the layout to be both creative and challenging. Having a caddie on this course can be more helpful than on some of the other courses at Bandon Dunes, as there are a few blind shots and a decent amount of elevation change. The most well-known blind shot is the 3rd hole tee shot, where you are lined up right at the “Ghost Tree”. I had a caddie on this course and was glad that I did – he was very helpful in pointing me in the right direction on a number of occasions.

When I played Old Mac, there was mild wind, I played quite well. If you are looking for a traditional links-style golf experience, Old Mac is definitely worth checking out.

Bandon Dunes

Previously when referring to “Bandon Dunes” in this post, we were referring to the resort. However, one of the courses is actually named “Bandon Dunes”, making this a little tricky. In this paragraph, “Bandon Dunes” refers to the actual course, which was the first course created at the resort.

The Bandon Dunes course is a modern links-style course that winds its way along the coast of Oregon. It’s a beautiful course, and a great test of golf. I found the front 9 to be the easier of the two, but the back nine can get very difficult, especially when the wind picks up like it did when I played. Bandon Dunes is a great place to test your golf skills. It’s also a lot of fun. If you’re looking for a challenge, Bandon Dunes is definitely the place for you.

When I played Bandon Dunes, there was significant wind on the back nine. It was the first course at Bandon Dunes Resort that I played after learning about this place earlier in the week. I did not have a caddie.

Pacific Dunes

Of the five courses, in my opinion, Pacific Dunes is the best course at Bandon Dunes. Situated on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Pacific Dunes offers many dramatic views of the coastline. The Pacific Dunes course is also renowned for its imaginative design and challenging holes.

On the day I played, the weather started off a little rainy but by mid-round was perfect – not too windy and with just enough sunshine to make it feel like summer. I didn’t have a caddie, but I found the course to be fair and rewarding. Holes 10 and 11 are particularly memorable. They are both beautiful par 3’s located on the shoreline of the Pacific Ocean.

The course is quirky as it only has one par 3 on the opening nine holes. However there are 4 par 3’s on the back nine. The closing hole is a tough uphill par 5 that provides a great finishing challenge. Overall, I found Pacific Dunes to be a unique, dramatic, and enjoyable course that fully lives up to its reputation as one of the best courses in the world.

So You Still Want to Play?

If teeing off at any of the best courses at Bandon Dunes was not enough, you have options to keep playing after you are done. For starters, the second round of the day is steeply discounted once you have already played eighteen holes.

There is also the Punchbowl, which is a 1,000 square foot putting course near the Pacific Dunes clubhouse. Additionally, there is Shorty’s which is short practice holes near the driving range. Then there is Bandon Preserve – a 13 hole par 3 course located close to the Bandon Trails clubhouse.

When You are Done with Your Round

Bandon Dunes Resort is the perfect place to spend a relaxing vacation. In addition to its world-class golf courses, the resort offers a variety of other activities to keep guests entertained. After a day on the course, guests can enjoy a soothing massage from a professional therapist at the range.

Or they can head to one of the resort’s clubhouse restaurants for a delicious meal. For those who want to stay clean and refreshed after a day in the sun, Bandon Dunes also offers showers and locker rooms. No matter what your interests are, Bandon Dunes Resort has something for everyone.

What to do Around Bandon Dunes for the Non-Golfer

If you are not a golfer, there are still a few things you can do near Bandon Dunes. The Southern Oregon Coast is some of the most dramatic coastline in the US and certainly one of the best places to visit in Oregon.

Bandon State Park is a great place to hike, bike, or just enjoy the scenic views. The Bandon Historical Society Museum is also worth a visit, and it’s free to get in. For those who enjoy shopping, Bandon has several quaint shops selling everything from clothes to antiques. 

Best Course at Bandon Dunes

Bandon Dunes is an oceanfront golf resort located on the Oregon Coast. It features five championship courses, each with unique characteristics and breathtaking views. Which is the best course at Bandon Dunes? In my opinion, it is Pacific Dunes however you can’t really go wrong. Do you have a favorite course? Let me know in the comments.

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• Underrated Places to Visit in the Pacific Northwest
• 7 Best Spots on the Oregon Coast

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