Golf's New Mecca

Bandon Preserve ****½

The work of Coore and Crenshaw, this par-3 course is perhaps the most enjoyable stretch at Bandon and an absolute treasure. Comprising just 13 holes – because “that’s what was there” – with proceeds of each round going to preserve the nearby wetlands, the swirling winds and multiple tee boxes mean you can stay here a week and never play the same course twice. Every hole has Pacific Ocean views, and some overlook the Trails and Dunes courses.

Par: 39. Yardage: 1,468.
Designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw. 

"The Sheep Ranch" ***

An open secret among aficionados, this is a bunch of Tom Doak greens laid out just north of the main Bandon resort and not officially recognised as part of the complex. Built on a peninsula, there are 12 greens, each designated with a letter. It’s then up to you to decide what you want to do. There is no formal course routing, no distances (although there are a few 150yd markers), no limit on the number of holes you play – and no facilities, other than a portaloo! Fifty bucks gets you on, and only one group is allowed at a time.

Set on approximately one mile of beach front, and with an infinite number of possibilities, this is a unique experience for the golf connoisseur. Kaiser has stated that he’d like to develop this more, but other priorities are in the way. It’s also hard to see how to do anything to this without killing it’s uniqueness. Watch this space.

Par and Yardage: Variable.
Designed by Tom Doak and Nature.

In Conclusion

There are so many “must visit” golf destinations around the world and everyone has their “bucket list” of courses they want to play. Let me suggest you add Bandon Dunes to that list, very near the top. Is this the most luxurious golf resort? Absolutely not, but I haven’t enjoyed golf so much in my life. The ability to play so many magnificent courses in such proximity to one another is unique. The Oregon air itself is intoxicating, and at times I found myself standing over a shot, seeing the turf and bunkers, taking in the sun reflecting over the endless Pacific and simply laughing out loud at being in such a ridiculously rich golfing environment. It really doesn’t get any better than this. Visit Bandon just once and rediscover why you loved golf in the first place.