which course is better old mcdonald or bandon trails

Out of the first four 18-hole courses, Pacific Dunes and Bandon Dunes offer the most stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. Old Macdonald is, by far, the most wide open. And Bandon Trails (pictured) presents the most intricate mix of risk-reward holes but is played entirely inland.

Full Answer

Is Bandon Trails the best course in the world?

Bill Hogan (Panelist since 1998; has played 62 of the World Top 100): This debate takes place at the end of every trip, and I’ve been there probably 10 or 11 times. There are no right or wrong answers, obviously, but for me the best course is Bandon Trails.

When did Bandon Trails begin?

When Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw began working in the sand to uncover our third course, they faced the challenge of following Bandon Dunes and Pacific Dunes. Opened in 2005, Bandon Trails begins atop a massive sand dune, then quickly opens into a sprawling meadow.

How many 18-hole courses does Bandon have?

Since you’ve all been there, done that, let’s get your ranking of Bandon’s five 18-hole courses. (If you haven’t played the newly opened Sheep Ranch, you can simply rank the other four.)

What are the best par-4 holes at Bandon Trails?

There are also four or five holes on The Preserve that are just as good as the set on Trails. For a par-4, there are really too many at Pacific Dunes to choose from, but pressed I would go for the eye candy on 4 or 10. The par-3 17th at Bandon Trails. Brown: My favorite is 16 at Old Macdonald — a 455-yard par-4 from the back tee.

Which course should I play at Bandon Dunes?

Trails is probably the best-designed course on the property, even though it is on a much more challenging piece of land. If I had 10 rounds to play, it'd be four on Pacific Dunes, three on Trails, two on Old Mac and one on Bandon Dunes.

Which Bandon Dunes course is hardest?

Bandon TrailsBandon Trails is also the hardest course at Bandon Dunes. There is not a lot of room for error, and it will challenge all of your shot making abilities.

What is the easiest course at Bandon Dunes?

But just how do you know which course is best? According to one caddie at Bandon, Pacific Dunes is the most spectacular. Bandon Dunes is the caddie favorite because it's the easiest to walk.

Is Bandon Dunes a tough walk?

In terms of walkability, Bandon Dunes is a strong 3.75 out of 4. With or without a caddie, this is an pretty easy walk even on the windiest day.

Is Bandon Dunes worth the money?

Short answer: all of them. Seriously, if you're making the trek, do everything you can to play all 6 courses (Bandon Preserve included). They are all much more different from each other than you'd expect, and are all very worth playing.

How much do you tip a Bandon Dunes caddy?

With a $25 gratuity per round, caddies can pull in $500 a day for a “dub-dub.” One of our caddies, a 25-year veteran who has looped in major championships, splits his time equally between Bandon and a premier, old money country club in the south. He happily earns two-thirds of his six-figure income in Oregon.

What is the best time of year to go to Bandon Dunes?

If you're playing the odds, that 90-day stretch through September is probably your best option. Our predominant wind changes in April and May, then back in October and November—you'll see stronger links conditions and a lot of people love that. IS THERE A PERFECT FOUR-DAY BANDON TRIP?

Do you have to use a Caddie at Bandon Dunes?

ASSIGNING CADDIES The Bandon Dunes way is to have your caddie stay with you for all scheduled rounds of your stay unless you choose to make a change. Our goal is for your experience to be enhanced by having a caddie and we welcome your feedback.

How long is the walk at Bandon Dunes?

around 12 milesWalking 36 holes at Bandon Dunes, a journey that can stretch to around 12 miles requires endurance and preparation. In the end, you don't want to be the player who fades down the stretch or worse yet, quits before the day's journey is complete.

What is the hardest golf course to walk?

WHISTLING STRAITS (Straits course) – Wisconsin, USA. ... CHAMBERS BAY – Washington, USA. ... KO'OLAU GOLF CLUB – Hawaii, USA. ... ERIN HILLS – Wisconsin, USA. ... PIKEWOOD NATIONAL – West Virginia, USA. ... JADE DRAGON SNOW MOUNTAIN – Yunnan Province, China. ... KAPALUA RESORT (Plantation course) – Hawaii, USA.

Can you use your own push cart at Bandon Dunes?

We have pull/push carts available ($5 per day) or you may bring your own. The sand and lack of paths can be difficult on motorized pull carts.

What is the longest golf course to walk?

Erin Hills stretches to a whopping 7,735 yards, a true major championship test, compared to Mayacama's seemingly short 6,787 yards - almost a full 1,000 yards shorter. But it's not that simple. Despite the yardage disparity, I took more steps at Mayacama than Erin Hills, according to my Fitbit.

Who designed the Macdonald golf course?

Inspired by Macdonald's iconic work, course architects Tom Doak and Jim Urbina crafted a course that seeks the answer upon vast greens, among myriad angles of play, and from the depths of fierce bunkers. By celebrating these classic concepts of design, we honor the traditions of this game we love.

What is the opening hole at Old Macdonald?

The opening hole at Old Macdonald can get you off to a good start. It’s a short par-4 with a wide fairway. Before you hit your tee shot, consider your distance to the bunkers and check the hole location to position yourself for the best angle into the green.

What side of the par 4 is the blind approach shot?

This can be a long and difficult par four. A big tee shot hit down the right side may leave you with a view of the green. If you are down the middle or left side you will have a blind approach shot into the green. After you have tapped in be sure to ring the bell so the group behind you knows the green is clear.

The Comparison

I lined the courses up side-by-side, hole-against-beautiful-hole. I ranked each first hole on the four championship courses against each other. Then I did the same with the second hole, all the way through all 72 holes at Bandon.

The Answer

The numbers are in. Now, put the two sides together and look at the big picture.

The Comparison

I lined the courses up side-by-side, hole-against-beautiful-hole. I ranked each first hole on the four championship courses against each other. Then I did the same with the second hole, all the way through all 72 holes at Bandon.

The Answer

The numbers are in. Now, put the two sides together and look at the big picture.

Who designed the Bandon Dunes golf course?

The fourth 18-hole layout to grace the Bandon Dunes property, Old Macdonald, has been built in the architectural spirit of Charles Blair Macdonald and Seth Raynor. Macdonald is widely regarded as the Father of American golf course architecture, designing the momentous National Golf Links of America on Long Island a century before, ...

What are the distinguishing qualities of Bandon Dunes?

One of the many distinguishing qualities of Bandon Dunes is that after experiencing the great courses there, golfers have a hard time choosing their favorite. This was easily apparent after a recent trip to Mike Keiser’s masterpiece resort. Old Macdonald was a strong contender for my personal favorite.

What is the 3rd hole in golf?

The 3rd hole, which dramatically plays over the dune ridge and “Ghost tree,” is an all-world thriller for any level player . The short par three 5th may seem like a pushover, but any shot which improperly uses the banks built into the green can lead to a massive score. The 16th was another standout that offers options.

Who designed the old Macdonald?

This review is centered on the qualities of Old Macdonald. The design is the handiwork of Tom Doak and Jim Urbina but others were also involved. The late George Bahto -- a man I personally knew and the foremost expert on the golf contributions of C.B. Macdonald.

Do you need coastline for Old Mac?

Doak’s presentation of such holes is superb, as is true of every hole at Old Mac. Just like at Ballyneal, you don’t need immediate coastline for a golf course to be great. Just like the inland holes at Cape Kidnappers or Pacific Dunes, you don’t need dramatic cliffs for a golf course to be great.

Is Bandon Dunes a modern golf course?

Generally accepte d as one of the best modern golf resorts in America, Bandon Dunes further enhanced an already stellar reputation with the unveiling of another world-class 18-hole layout in the summer of 2010. When developer Mike Keiser decided to expand his burgeoning Oregon golf complex, he turned to the tried and trusted Renaissance Design ...

When did Bandon Trails open?

Let me start this out by saying I've never played a Coore/Crenshaw course that I didn't like, and Bandon Trails, which opened in 2005, is no exception. I actually thought this might have been the hardest to walk with Old Mac a close second, which means there's a great deal of elevation change. And even though you can't see the ocean from most of the course, its presence is always felt, though the trees block much of the wind you feel on the other courses.

How many acres are there in Old Macdonald?

Old Macdonald. Old Macdonald, the newest of the four championship layouts at the resort, is one big golf course, including some of the biggest greens (6.2 acres total) and bunkers I've ever seen. No two holes are alike, and like Bandon Dunes and Pacific, there are some great ocean views, just not as many.

When did Pacific Dunes open?

Pacific Dunes. No disrespect to the original, but Pacific Dunes took the resort to another level when it opened in 2001. In a staff story we did a while back, I listed Tom Doak as the one whose golf courses I would be most willing to travel to, and Pacific Dunes is a major reason why.

Is Bandon Trails the best course at Bandon Dunes?

At the end of the round, Bandon Trails certainly impressed but not to the point to call it the best course at Bandon Dunes. Some have argued that if it weren't at Bandon Dunes up against three other spectacular courses (four if you count Bandon Preserve ), it would get its due.

Is Bandon Preserve a championship course?

Even though Bandon Preserve isn't a championship layout, it would be a serious omission not to mention what might be the best par-3 course in America. With views of the Pacific from every hole, there's never been anything like it. Best of all, the holes are interesting and way more challenging than most par 3s.

Is Bandon Trails a good golf course?

Still, Bandon Trails is a terrific golf course. It blends links elements with traditional target golf. It's unique but not as unique as Pacific and Bandon Dunes, which are the only regulation true links golf courses in the United States. And it doesn't have all those ocean views.

General Course Description

Old Macdonald is the fourth of the 18-hole public courses that are part of the Bandon Dunes complex in the central Oregon Coast. Old Macdonald is an open links course subject to oceanside weather, but does not embrace the ocean (although you can often see the ocean).

Course History

Built in 2010. Lots of awards since then as one of the best places to play in the country (in 2021 it was 12th on Golf Digest’s Greatest Public Courses in the country and the 3rd best course in Oregon; in 2021 it was 56th on Golf Digest’s list of America’s Greatest Golf Courses). The course hosted the 2011 U.S. Amateur Public Links and the U.S.

Why It Is There

Mike Keiser wanted to build a world class golf resort, and he got such a great response to Bandon Dunes, he kept going. Originally, Mr. Keiser wanted to build a replica of the (now gone) Lido Golf Club, designed by Charles Blair Macdonald, on the property. Tom Doak suggested that the course be designed to play homage to the designs of Mr.

I Wish I Would Have Known Before I Played

Although the course is wide open, there are seemingly more hidden dangers and access slots than any other course in the Bandon complex (e.g., Where do you drive on 3?; What’s best way to get up to the 7th green?; Where do you drive on 10?; and should I go left of the marker on 16?) and the greens can be very difficult to navigate.

Did You Know

Portions of some of the greens, for example the front of the Biarritz green on 8 and the upper left on 18, are never used for pin placement. In 2017, the OGA named the 15th hole as one of the most interesting holes in Oregon.

Good For Them

Lots. Received an award as one of the Best Green Workplaces 2016 by Oregon Business. The resort won the 2012 Golf Digest’s Green Star Award for its efforts in conservation and environmental protection.

Why Play This Course

Links magazine recently described the Bandon Dunes complex as one of the “no-brainer” golf resorts in the world that you have to travel to and play regardless of the cost (along with Pinehurst, Pebble, Kiawah, and St. Andrews). I agree.

BANDON TRAILS GOLF COURSE

When Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw began working in the sand to uncover our third course, they faced the challenge of following Bandon Dunes and Pacific Dunes. Opened in 2005, Bandon Trails begins atop a massive sand dune, then quickly opens into a sprawling meadow.

BANDON TRAILS VIDEO REEL

Almost packed and ready to experience Bandon Dunes? Check out our video reel to raise your excitement level up a notch!

Bandon Trails Hole-by-hole Photo Gallery

With the prevailing wind at your back, a driver may not be required. The fairway is much wider than it looks so relax and make a comfortable swing. Your tee shot should favor the right side of the fairway, as most shots will feed back to the center. The second shot is slightly uphill through a saddle of sand dunes.

50 Words or Less

Bandon Trails is the local favorite at Bandon Dunes . Even without ocean views, this Coore & Crenshaw masterpiece stands shoulder-to-shoulder with its coastal brothers.

Introduction

In the months leading up to my trip to Bandon Dunes, I consumed everything I could about the resort. One trend I noticed was that, among people whose opinions I respect, Bandon Trails was the choice as their favorite course. I found that sentiment shared by an even larger percentage of the locals.

Practice Facilities

A few steps from the clubhouse, on your way to the first tee, you’ll find a practice green. It’s a perfect mirror of the greens on the course, but your warm up should include all aspects of your game. Bandon Trails demands a lot from your iron play, so a stop at the Practice Center is strongly recommended.

Customer Service & Amenities

The clubhouse at Bandon Trails is home to another one of Bandon’s restaurants, Trails End. It’s open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and has its own unique menu items. On the recommendation of our caddie, Dane, I got the Wagyu Beef Sliders, which were excellent. Trails End also has a private gazebo for hosting large private dinners.

Beauty & Scenery

Bandon Trails is unlike any other course at Bandon Dunes because it’s not on the coast. However, just like Bandon Dunes, Pacific Dunes, and Old MacDonald, Bandon Trails has a routing that tours a variety of landscapes and leaves you in awe of the diversity of its natural beauty.

Tee Shots

Though Bandon Trails is the least windy of the courses, it still gives golfers very wide fairways . That generosity is balanced against the fact that most holes are tree-lined, so you can lose balls with wild drives.

Approaches

Our caddie, Dane, said that Bandon Trails is his favorite course because of the way it “rewards good shots and punishes bad shots.” This applies primarily to the approach shots, especially on the back nine. Holes 11, 13, and 15 have some of the best-protected greens on the property, utilizing sand, water, and aggressive slopes.