Bandon Dunes: The Complete Golfer's Guide to Oregon's Greatest Golf Resort
There is a stretch of the Oregon coast, about 25 miles north of the California border, where the Pacific Ocean meets dramatic sand dunes covered in gorse and heather. Mike Keiser bought it in the early 1990s. He had a vision for building a golf resort without carts, without real estate development, and without any concession to convenience over the experience of walking 18 holes on dramatic terrain above the ocean.
What he built is the best golf destination in the United States.
The Courses
Bandon Dunes (1999)
The original course, designed by David McLay Kidd, opened in 1999. It was an immediate critical success — a genuine links course on American soil, built on terrain that would not look out of place in Scotland. Several holes run along the Pacific cliffs. The wind is a constant factor. It requires shot-making rather than power.
Pacific Dunes (2001)
Tom Doak's Pacific Dunes is widely considered the finest course at the resort and one of the top ten courses in America. The routing uses the natural terrain with minimal earthmoving — holes tumble through the dunes, drop toward the ocean, and climb back through the gorse. Hole 11, a short par-4 played into the prevailing wind with the ocean to the left, is one of the most beautiful holes in American golf.
Bandon Trails (2005)
Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw designed Bandon Trails as the inland counterpart to the oceanside courses. It plays through forests, meadows, and dune ridges rather than along the cliffs. It rewards accuracy over power and is considered by many returnees to be the most underrated course on the property.
Old MacDonald (2010)
Tom Doak and Jim Urbina designed Old MacDonald as a tribute to the golden age architectural style of C.B. Macdonald and Seth Raynor — featuring template holes inspired by their famous designs. The 3rd hole, featuring the Ghost Tree, is one of the most photographed holes in American golf: a blind tee shot over a hill, with a gnarled old tree silhouetted against the sky.
→ Old MacDonald Ghost Tree — Canvas Art Print
Sheep Ranch (2020)
The most dramatic course on the property, Sheep Ranch sits on the northernmost point of the resort's land with the most exposed ocean views of any course at Bandon Dunes. Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw designed it as a loop of 18 holes that constantly returns to ocean views. Access was previously limited; it is now bookable by all resort guests.
Shorty's / The Preserve
Bandon Dunes also features a 13-hole par-3 course called The Preserve — designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw — that is genuinely worth playing even for serious golfers. It sits on land overlooking the ocean and plays in about 90 minutes. At most resorts a par-3 course is an afterthought. At Bandon Dunes it would be the headline attraction anywhere else.
What to Know Before You Go
Bandon Dunes is walking only. No carts. This is not a compromise — it is the point. The walk between holes, through the dunes and along the cliffs, is half the experience. Caddies are available and strongly recommended for first-time visitors.
The weather is genuine coastal Oregon: wind, fog, occasional rain, and unpredictable sunshine. Pack layers. The resort sells rain gear on-site. The rounds are better in the fog than they look on paper.
Most serious visitors play at least three rounds in a trip. Many play five or six. The courses reward multiple visits — each one changes significantly depending on wind direction.
Planning Your Trip
The resort is a two-hour drive from the Rogue Valley International Airport in Medford, Oregon, which has direct flights from several major West Coast cities. There is also a small regional airport in North Bend (about 30 minutes away) served by United Express from San Francisco.
Accommodations are on-site — from basic rooms to cottages to houses that sleep eight. Booking well in advance is essential, particularly for summer and fall.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bandon Dunes worth it?
For any serious golfer, Bandon Dunes is unambiguously worth the trip. It is regularly ranked in the top five golf destinations in the world and the top golf resort in the United States. The combination of course quality, walking-only policy, and coastal setting is unlike anything else in American golf.
How many courses are at Bandon Dunes?
Bandon Dunes Golf Resort has six 18-hole courses (Bandon Dunes, Pacific Dunes, Bandon Trails, Old MacDonald, Sheep Ranch, and Bandon Preserve) plus a 13-hole par-3 course called The Preserve.
Do you have to walk at Bandon Dunes?
Yes. Bandon Dunes is a walking-only resort — no golf carts are available on the main courses. This policy is intentional and central to the resort's philosophy. Caddies are available for hire.
What is the best course at Bandon Dunes?
Pacific Dunes, designed by Tom Doak, is most frequently cited as the best course on the property. Old MacDonald and Sheep Ranch have passionate advocates as well. Most visitors find that the answer changes depending on the day and the conditions.
