Your Next Golf Trip Destination: A Guide to Bandon Dunes

Introduction:

Getting started on building your next golf trip can never come soon enough.  The United States is dotted with bucket list golf trip destinations and it can prove a challenge to narrow down your options.  That sounds like one of those good problems to have and this series of posts will offer deep dives into some of the premiere golf trip destinations in the United States 

Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Bandon, Oregon features five courses ranked in Golfweek’s 2023 Top 100 Courses You Can Play list and offers a taste of what can only be described as “Golfer’s Paradise.”  In addition to world-class golf courses, this elite golf destination offers guests excellent dining, lodging, spa, and leisure options.  Bandon Dunes is an absolute must-visit for any passionate golfer at least once in their life and we’ll share some tips and secrets on making the best of your visit.

Embark on an unforgettable golfing journey with our curated list of the best golf trip destinations. From lush fairways nestled in picturesque landscapes to world-class courses designed by golfing legends, our recommendations promise an exceptional experience for enthusiasts of all skill levels. Explore these destinations to tee off against breathtaking backdrops, indulge in luxurious amenities, and create lasting memories on the greens. Whether you seek challenging courses, stunning scenery, or a perfect blend of both, our selection ensures a hole-in-one adventure for every avid golfer. Elevate your golfing escapades with our top picks for the ultimate golf destinations.

Bandon Dunes Golf Resort

Perhaps the most visually stunning collection of golf holes you’ll find anywhere in the country, few golf destinations can consider themselves to be in Bandon’s weight class.  Each of Bandon Dunes’ five championship golf courses ranks in the top 100 golf courses in the US and offers a playing experience you won’t soon forget.  The courses (Pacific Dunes, Bandon Dunes, Old Macdonald, Bandon Trails, and Sheep Ranch) are nestled along the rustic Oregon coastline and offer cliffs-meet-the-ocean views that are hard to beat.

Opened for business in 1999, with just its original 18 holes of golf, Bandon Dunes has steadily grown over the last two decades and become a gold standard for the best golf Trip destinations anywhere in the world.

So you’ve decided to book your trip to Bandon, what’s next?  Once you have worked with the resort or a golf trip travel planner to book your tee times, it’s important to start nailing down your travel schedule.  Bandon Dunes is a lot of things but one thing it is not easy to get to, especially for those coming from the East Coast or in the Midwest.  Direct flights into Southwest Oregon Regional Airport (OTH) in North Bend, Oregon (roughly 35 minutes from the resort) are nearly non-existent from most parts of the country.  So plan on arriving in OTH by connecting through another city.  If flying into North Bend is not an option, plan on getting to Oregon by flying into Eugene (EUG), Medford (MED), or Portland (PDX), and anticipate another 3 hours in the car once you have left the airport.

But don’t let the intimidation of getting to Bandon Dunes deter you from booking the golf trip as the reward is one of the most unique golf trip destinations you could ever hope for.  From our experience, a trip to Bandon in July or August is the sweet spot.  Not only are you maximizing your daylight hours but that’s also one of the best windows for decent weather.  The Oregon coast is notorious for its unpredictable weather patterns.  Throughout the year it can be docile and sunny one minute and cold, windy, and rainy the next.  The late summer months offer your best hope for consistent sun and pleasant temps.

If you’re lucky enough to arrive at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort with a few hours of daylight to spare on your first day, consider booking a quick round on their fantastic 13-hole par-3 course, Bandon Preserve.  With breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean on every hole, Bandon Preserve is the perfect way to ease into the golf trip after a long day of travel.  Mapping out your schedule of rounds will be up to your group and your planning agent but, no matter your trip structure, Bandon has the process down to a science.  With shuttle buses servicing the entire resort, you’re a quick pick-up request and a 5-minute ride from everything inside the resort.

An in-depth review of each Bandon Dunes golf course is outside the scope of this article but know that each delivers a playing experience that’s difficult to find anywhere else.  From the magnificent coast-hugging holes of Pacific Dunes to the tree-lined holes of Bandon Trails, Bandon Dunes Golf Resorts lands as one of the best golf destinations in the United States because it overwhelms the senses.  The visuals are incredible, the smell of the ocean air, and the sounds of being surrounded by such rugged terrain and nature, it is a remarkable experience.

The Courses at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort

As you think about planning out your Bandon tee times, consider the following:

Pacific Dunes: Mostly along the rugged Oregon coastline and exposed to the wind.  Many consider Pacific to be the most challenging of Bandon’s five courses and it only gets harder if the wind is blowing.  A visual masterpiece.

Bandon Dunes:  A mix of inland and coastal holes, the original course at Bandon Dunes is a golf purist’s delight.  Hit it well on Bandon Dunes and it’s a round that will stick with you for long after your golf trip has come to an end.

Old Macdonald: Unlike few courses you’ll ever play, the natural scenery of Old McDonald’s makes it difficult to concentrate at times.  Deep bunkers, wild greens, and famous trees!

Bandon Trails:  This writer’s favorite round at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort was at Bandon Trails.  Perhaps because it came at the right time after being battered and bruised by the coastal Oregon winds for multiple days, Trails takes you on a spin through the inland forests and hills.  A true treat.

Sheep Ranch:  If you’ve ever imagined what golf on a different planet would look like, Sheep Ranch might offer the answer.  Without a single bunker on the entire course, Sheep still offers plenty of challenges if you decide to stop marveling at your surroundings and hit a golf shot or two.

Before and After Golf at Bandon

When you aren’t being tested by one of Bandon Dunes’ world-class courses, this incredible golf trip destination offers several excellent dining options throughout the day.  Each course features its clubhouse and grill should you need to grab a bite (or beverage) before and between rounds.  And for dinner, The Forge Steakhouse features excellent steaks and chops and a healthy wine list.  Meanwhile, at Pacific Grill, you can switch it up to a seafood dish while overlooking players testing their luck on the Punchbowl Putting Course.

Bandon Dunes Golf Resort is one of the most difficult golf destinations to get to but the payoff once you’ve arrived on the property makes the trains, planes, and automobiles all worth it and then some.  Easily one of the best golf destinations in the United States, Bandon continues to build and appeal to a larger crowd.  Their acclaim shows no signs of fading any time soon and a visit out to the Oregon coast comes with our highest recommendation.