[Jed Peters]

I just got the thought to rank the holes on the resort property, and thought it'd drum up some interest.

Here goes:

Hole #1: Bandon Trails--this moderate length Par-4 is the best of the three opening holes at the resort. The tee shot appears tough to the eye, but the generous fairway that runs balls to its center is forgiving and fun to play. The green is easy to hit and tough to putt--but still if you play it in regulation and 3 putt, you're feeling pretty good.

Hole #2: Pacific Dunes--After thoughts of where to hit one's tee shot (bail out left? Hard draw over center bunker hugging right side?) the golfer is left with this phenomenal green complex with that one damn center front bunker that just always seems to gobble golf balls

Hole #3: Bandon Trails--one of the best holes on the entire property. This hole is everything a golf hole should be--wide, sweeping, seemingly forgiving--yet can bite you in the butt if you're not cognizant of its hazards

Hole #4: Bandon Dunes--Although this is a tough one for me--all three courses' "fourth" holes are awesome, the fourth is a FANTASTIC golf hole--you hit your drive out there to a blind fairway, and then are presented with the most inspiring, coolest shots at the resort--the downhill shot into the fourth green.

Hole #5: Bandon Trails--This is the best short one-shotter on the property. Bar none. Yes, it's better than Pac Dunes' number 11. The green makes the difference, ocean or no ocean.

Hole #6: Pacific Dunes--I LOVE this short 2 shotter. I've seen 2s made here--and I've seen 8s. And that's all without a lost ball being seen on the hole! The tee shot provides options--hard over the right bunker, running the ball close to the small green, lay back leaving a full shot in, or hard to the left and having a short but blind pitch over that MASSIVE bunker.

Hole #7: Bandon Dunes--After much consideration, I have to go with this hole and it's awesome blind tee shot and killer uphill second. I'm not a fan of the punishing 7th at Doak's Pac or C&C's punishing uphill 7th at Bandon Trails. The tee shots on both those courses (pac and trails) are better than BD's 7th hole tee shot, but the second shot makes all the difference--as well as the flow to the hole--and the second on this hole and the green's "coolness" make this the winner.

Hole #8: Bandon Trails--Although I always seem to walk away from this hole "thinking" I could have done better, I think that's what makes it an awesome hole. So many options, so much fun--plus that green is menacing in such a way that it just keeps the damn ball out of the hole!

Hole #9: Pac Dunes (both of them!)--One of my fav. holes at the resort. I prefer the lower shot, but the upper is just as cool. The tee shot is to die for. The 9th at bandon is "blah" IMHO, and at Trails is pretty good--but the 9th at Pac is GREAT.

Hole #10: Bandon Trails--this is a tough one--the 10th at Pac and BD are both VERY good. I just love this hole at Trails though--the drive is super pretty, and the second shot into that HUGE green is very very good.

Hole #11: Pac Dunes--In spite of my LOVING the 11th at Trails, I have to go with this short one-shotter. A fantastic golf hole when played from the tee that is nestled back into the dunes.

Hole #12: Pac Dunes--this is so far my toughest decision in the "race". When I posed the though to myself "which would I want to play over and over" that eliminated the 12th at Bandon Dunes, which isn't that "fun" of a hole. Then I was left between the long one shotter at Trails and the short three shotter at Pac--and the choice was clear--I really like the Par 5 12th at Pac.

Hole #13: Pac Dunes--Interestingly enough, this was a tough one. 13 at the Trails is pretty damn good, with one of the finest complexes at the entire resort. But the Pac Dunes ocean hole's magnificence are really off-the-charts. One of the finest golf holes I've ever had the pleasure of playing.

Hole #14: Bandon Dunes--Hands down this hole wins. I just love this golf hole--so many ways to play it. Left with a good angle but longer approach, straight over the carry bunkers, or up the right hand side hoping for a close pitch.

Hole #15: Bandon Trails--To me, this is a great golf hole--especially compared to the one-shotter that exists at Bandon Dunes and the kinda bland three shotter at Pac. There is just so much going on and movement on this pretty-much straight away hole--and yet it looks like it just "belongs" there.

Hole #16: Bandon Dunes-- A tough call between this hole and the short drive and pitch at Pac. BUT I have to go with this superlative two shotter. Options abound--straight at the green or bail out? Play long or short? And don't get me started abotu the horizon green that looks like you're going to hit the ball straight into the ocean...it's fantastic--and fun!

Hole #17: Bandon Trails-- Again a tough call between this drop-shot hole and the fantastic hole at Pac Dunes. HOWEVER, I just love this golf hole--pretty much the only drop-shot par 3 on the entirety of the resort with any "real" drop (the upper tee on 10 really isn't THAT downhill) and the green is WICKED, but fun from all angles.

Hole #18: Pac Dunes--Right up there with the 3rd at Trails as the best Par 5s on the property.  Options off the tee, options on the second, and a third that will accept the ball flying it in or running it up. Allows for a 4, but you better hit 4 pretty damn good shots first--or an easy 6 after playing 35 holes previously.

So how's it come out?

Pac Dunes: Wins 7 holes
Bandon Trails: Wins 7 holes
Bandon Dunes: Wins 4 holes

Wow.

That says a LOT about those golf courses. What do you say about them?

[Michael Dugger]

Jed,

I've mulled thoughts such as these through my brain before.  It's always fun!

There are a handful of "givens" when doing this exercise, but in the end I think you'll find a variety of different responses make drawing any new conclusions difficult.

For example,

I favor PD's #7 over BT's.
I prefer #4 PD over your #4 BD
I prefer #8 BD over #8 BT
#10 PD has got to better #10 BT.  This is like the signature hole of the entire resort!!!
It's interesting to note all 3 of the #12 holes are somewhat less spectacular than the rest of the golf course.  Throw a hat over 'em I say

in the end it boils down personal preference

but I agree with you regarding 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 etc...

     

[Mike Boehm]

I went through this exercise on my flight back from Portland last year.  My results looked like this:

1 - Bandon Trails
2 - Pacific Dunes
3 - Bandon Trails
4 - Pacific Dunes
5 - Bandon Dunes
6 - Pacific Dunes
7 - Pacific Dunes
8 - Bandon Trails
9 - Pacific Dunes
10 - Pacific Dunes
11 - Pacific Dunes
12 - Bandon Dunes
13 - Pacific Dunes
14 - Pacific Dunes
15 - Bandon Trails
16 - Bandon Dunes
17 - Bandon Trails
18 - Bandon Trails

PD - 9 holes
BD - 3 holes
BT - 6 holes

Best hole not on the list above: 
#4 at Bandon Dunes.  Would make my favorite 18 holes of all time, but I can't give it the edge over Pacific.

Toughest decisions: 
#7 - Loved the 7th at Bandon Trails - great look off the tee and a really cool green.
#17 - Three spectacular settings, three great greens, one tough call.  Trails takes the day for me, all three are top notch holes.

Weakest Hole in Aggregate:
#14 - Cool green setting at Pacfic Dunes took it for me.  Can create a nightmare scenario if you find the wrong spot in the bunkers.  I was not overly impressed with the 14th at BD, and BT was a bit over the top.

I did this when all three courses were fresh in my head.  It surprised me that Bandon Dunes didn't take more holes when I did this, because I loved the course.

[Tim Bert]

I have it roughly 10-4-4 in favor of Pacific Dunes.  It appears I'm biased...

I think #9 surpasses #12 as the worst option amongst the thre courses.  I choose #9 BD for the selfish reason of my eagle.  Neither of the other two do enough for me to overcome that personal moment.

[Will MacEwen]

I really like 17 at BD, although they have taken some of the teeth out.  It is a pretty demanding hole, and the bets and presses are in full flight by then.  It is one of my favourites in the whole complex.

#18 PD is another stalwart.  A very exacting par 5 (never played it with a tailwind).

I need to do more field research.  I am booking tomorrow.

[Anthony Fowler]

I have thought about this very question before even though it is an odd one.

PD: 11 holes, BT: 7 holes, BD: 0

There is not a single hole at Bandon Dunes that I would rate above its sister holes on the other 2 courses.  In my opinion, BD is much weaker than both PD and BT but it gets a bump in people's minds because it was the first.  If anything, I would penalize it for this.  DMK had the whole site to himself and PD and BT demonstrate how much more could have been done with the first crack at the property.

The only two hole numbers that I would consider putting BD on this list is 5 and 14, but in both cases I would give the nod to BT. 

[John Kavanaugh]

I think the first at Bandon Dunes is the best first at the resort given the location of the tee box alone.  I also love the intimidation of the the class cupola knowing that with one poor swing you can become a legendary hack.

[Anthony Gray]

  This thread just confirms the greatness of the whole complex. In my opinion the greatest public golf experience in the world.

[Jed Peters]

Jed,

I favor PD's #7 over BT's.
I prefer #4 PD over your #4 BD
I prefer #8 BD over #8 BT
#10 PD has got to better #10 BT.  This is like the signature hole of the entire resort!!!

I too prefer PD's #7 over Trails. But BD's above all those.

RE: #4, hey, they're both phenomenal.

#8 Bandon Dunes? Hrm. We disagree there!

What makes #10 so good? I mean, really? Obviously the backdrop--no doubt about that--but....

[Michael Dugger]

I have thought about this very question before even though it is an odd one.

PD: 11 holes, BT: 7 holes, BD: 0

There is not a single hole at Bandon Dunes that I would rate above its sister holes on the other 2 courses.  In my opinion, BD is much weaker than both PD and BT but it gets a bump in people's minds because it was the first.  If anything, I would penalize it for this.  DMK had the whole site to himself and PD and BT demonstrate how much more could have been done with the first crack at the property.

The only two hole numbers that I would consider putting BD on this list is 5 and 14, but in both cases I would give the nod to BT. 

A. Have you read the book Dream Golf yet???  Kidd didn't exactly have carte blanche with the entire property.

B. I don't know how you cannot consider #16 at BD in any discussion of great holes.  It's my favorite amongst all the course.  The strategy changes so much from day to day based on wind.  In a headwind you seriously have to consider if you can clear the chasm and scrubby gunk.  Downwind the green is drivable, although based on where the pin is I've found myself to pop a 300 yard bomb only to face a 50 pitch over that hateful little potty and no green to work with between it and the pin.

Fabulous hole.  Epic setting.  Thrilling hazards.

A great great hole.

[Jed Peters]

Weakest Hole in Aggregate:
#14 - Cool green setting at Pacfic Dunes took it for me.  Can create a nightmare scenario if you find the wrong spot in the bunkers.  I was not overly impressed with the 14th at BD, and BT was a bit over the top.

How many times have you played #14 at Bandon Dunes? It does take many plays to discover its qualities I've found....

I just think it's a fantastic hole, whereas I always seem to make an easy par on 14 at Pac--It's a "throw-away" hole in my head in the many rounds I've played there--and the 14th on trails has always struck me as just plain dumb.

[Rob Rigg]

According to "Dream Golf" - Kidd has some design constraints on him that Doak and C&C did not have (mostly due to their experience, Keiser's respect for their prior work and the fact that BD had to meet certain criteria to put the resort on the map).

The distance, larger landing areas and more tame greens were all, supposedly, criteria that Kidd needed to adhere to.

That being said, I think C&C had the most difficult task on Trails. The fact that they produced something of immense quality is testament to their philosophy, commitment to the project and creativity.

Bandon is like a modern GCA Hall of Fame - truly amazing.

[Mike Boehm]

Weakest Hole in Aggregate:
#14 - Cool green setting at Pacfic Dunes took it for me.  Can create a nightmare scenario if you find the wrong spot in the bunkers.  I was not overly impressed with the 14th at BD, and BT was a bit over the top.

How many times have you played #14 at Bandon Dunes? It does take many plays to discover its qualities I've found....

I just think it's a fantastic hole, whereas I always seem to make an easy par on 14 at Pac--It's a "throw-away" hole in my head in the many rounds I've played there--and the 14th on trails has always struck me as just plain dumb.

Jed -

I have only played each course once.  My take on the 14th at BD was that I could basically drive it anywhere and leave not much more than a wedge.  I did like the green setting inside of the dune, but I cannot recall much interest within the green itself.  To me, one of the lesser holes on BD, but based only on one round.  I hope I can get there enough to find out you're right. 

I loved the green on the 14th at PD.  The bunkers are incredible severe, but that seems justified given the short shot.  I left it thinking that knowing how much trouble I could get into, I would be swinging less freely the next time I played it.

Mike

[Jed Peters]

Jed -

I have only played each course once.  My take on the 14th at BD was that I could basically drive it anywhere and leave not much more than a wedge.  I did like the green setting inside of the dune, but I cannot recall much interest within the green itself.  To me, one of the lesser holes on BD, but based only on one round.  I hope I can get there enough to find out you're right. 

Mike

Mike--you just have to play it all the way back, is all. There's a tee box that's seldom (if ever) used by the 18th hole tee that's pretty great.

Or if you play the standard tees, you don't think going directly at the green makes you want to try to drive it?

Or if you bail out way left, you're left with more than a wedge?

Regarding Pac's 14th--I was talking to Tom Huckaby about this today--I guess it's a fine hole, for sure--it's just that I always leave 13 thinking I shouldn't have done that poorly on the hole, and usually have a clear head for the tee shot. But yes, those bunkers left of the green and the pitching area right of the green are nasty!

[Mike Boehm]

Mike--you just have to play it all the way back, is all. There's a tee box that's seldom (if ever) used by the 18th hole tee that's pretty great.

Or if you play the standard tees, you don't think going directly at the green makes you want to try to drive it?

Or if you bail out way left, you're left with more than a wedge?

Regarding Pac's 14th--I was talking to Tom Huckaby about this today--I guess it's a fine hole, for sure--it's just that I always leave 13 thinking I shouldn't have done that poorly on the hole, and usually have a clear head for the tee shot. But yes, those bunkers left of the green and the pitching area right of the green are nasty!

Played the black tees - actually did pull he tee shot well left of target and only had a wedge.  But, I just pulled out the course guide and see the back back tee that you're talking about.  That does seem to bring the fairway bunkers much more into play than they were from the blacks and would creagte some decisions from the tee.

Didn't realize the green was potentially reachable when I was standing on the tee - I do recall walking away from the hole wondering how far right I could have gotten away with trying to hit it.

[Chip Gaskins]

1 - Bandon Trails
2 - Bandon Trails
3 - Bandon Trails
4 - Pacific Dunes
5 - Bandon Dunes
6 - Bandon Trails
7 - Pacific Dunes
8 - Bandon Trails
9 - Bandon Trails
10 - Bandon Trails
11 - Pacific Dunes
12 - Bandon Dunes
13 - Bandon Trails
14 - Pacific Dunes
15 - Bandon Trails
16 - Bandon Dunes
17 - Bandon Trails
18 - Pacific Dunes

Bandon Trails - 10
Pacific Dunes - 5
Bandon Dunes - 3

[Sean Leary]

1 - Bandon Trails
2 - Pacific Dunes
3 - Bandon Trails
4 - Bandon Dunes
5 - Bandon Dunes
6 - Pacific Dunes
7 - Pacific Dunes
8 - Pacific Dunes
9 - Pacific Dunes
10 - Bandon Trails
11 - Pacific Dunes
12 - Bandon Dunes
13 - Pacific Dunes
14 - Bandon Dunes
15 - Bandon Trails
16 - Bandon Dunes
17 - Bandon Trails
18 - Pacific Dunes

Bandon Trails - 5
Pacific Dunes - 8
Bandon Dunes - 5

[Anthony Fowler]

I have thought about this very question before even though it is an odd one.

PD: 11 holes, BT: 7 holes, BD: 0

There is not a single hole at Bandon Dunes that I would rate above its sister holes on the other 2 courses.  In my opinion, BD is much weaker than both PD and BT but it gets a bump in people's minds because it was the first.  If anything, I would penalize it for this.  DMK had the whole site to himself and PD and BT demonstrate how much more could have been done with the first crack at the property.

The only two hole numbers that I would consider putting BD on this list is 5 and 14, but in both cases I would give the nod to BT. 

A. Have you read the book Dream Golf yet???  Kidd didn't exactly have carte blanche with the entire property.

B. I don't know how you cannot consider #16 at BD in any discussion of great holes.  It's my favorite amongst all the course.  The strategy changes so much from day to day based on wind.  In a headwind you seriously have to consider if you can clear the chasm and scrubby gunk.  Downwind the green is drivable, although based on where the pin is I've found myself to pop a 300 yard bomb only to face a 50 pitch over that hateful little potty and no green to work with between it and the pin.

Fabulous hole.  Epic setting.  Thrilling hazards.

A great great hole.

Thanks for the comments and civil disagreement.  When I wrote down my preferences, I actually meant to include 16 as a hole where I would consider putting BD on top.  That makes 3 out of 18 (still not very good).  I gave BT the nod on the 16th, but I could certainly reconsider that one.  Even still, I think it says something when I am indifferent between the best hole at BD and one that nobody speaks of much at BT.  I do agree that 16 at BD is a special and memorable hole.  The wow factor might just put it on top.

[John Kirk]

OK, I'll give it a shot.

1 - Trails
2 - Pacific
3 - Pacific
4 - Pacific
5 - Dunes
6 - Pacific
7 - Pacific/Trails  -  very close
8 - Pacific/Dunes - pretty close
9 - Pacific

At this point I'm just giggling as each hole comes up, saying things like "Oh, dear!"

10 - Pacific
11 - Pacific
12 - Dunes
13 - Pacific/Trails - pretty close
14 - Dunes
15 - Trails
16 - Pacific
17 - Pacific
18 - Pacific

Sad.  I guess I really love Pacific Dunes.  When I finally get to go down and try Old Macdonald, I will spend a little more time at Bandon Trails.  The more I see new courses, the more I appreciate Bandon Trails.

2 for Trails and 3 for Bandon Dunes, that means 13 for Pacific Dunes.

I had to force myself to choose #15 at Trails over Pacific, which I also like a lot.  #1 is the weakest hole at Pacific, because the opening tee shot from the back box is too tough.  #12 and #14 are my favorites at Bandon Dunes.  #16 was a very hard choice, and I don't know Bandon Trails #16 well enough.  But I like the options off the tee at #16 Pacific, plus the exacting requirements of the second shot.

[Ian_L]

Interesting activity...

1 - Bandon.  Pictures don't show the severe uphill slope on the approach.  I was too far left my last round, but was able to bounce it off the hill right of the green.  One of many favorites at the resort.

2 - Pacific.  I like the other #2's but the strategy of PD's takes the cake.  I was on the right edge of the fairway both rounds on Monday.  I paid the price my first time around, bouncing into the long grass over the green.

3 - Pacific. All par 5's, and fun holes IMO.  I give it to Pacific because the green makes you think a lot more about your second shot to give you an acceptable angle for your third.  In my morning round, three of the players in my foursome (all pretty good players) found themselves long and left after what looked like relatively simple 90-yard shots to a middle pin.

4 - Bandon. Might have been my hardest decision.  The drive at #4 Trails is one of my favorites at the resort, and Pacific's is spectacular as well.  Bandon's reminded me of Lahinch #6 in the way it reveals the ocean.

5 - Trails.  I loved Pacific's par-3 as well, but the green at Trails makes the short hole spectacular.

6 - Pacific.  I love the strategy of this hole, even though it ate me up. 

7 - Trails.  I thought this was one of the weakest three overall, but I'd play them all again.  The green at Trails made the hole for me, though (especially the back portion).

8 - Trails.  I loved Pacific's 8th green, but I'm a sucker for good, short par-4's.  It must have been a challenge to blend all those bunkers in without making an eyesore.

9 - Pacific. I didn't get to play the upper green, but the drive to the lower green was fun, and the green itself was my favorite on the course.

10 - Pacific.  I liked the simplicity of the hole, although playing at 200 yards it was no pushover.

11 - Pacific.  Tough choice between Pacific and Trails, but those fronting bunkers are great (and scary as you walk off the 10th green).  I love short par-3's too... 

12 - Bandon.  I liked Trails' 12th as well, but the lone bunker at Bandon looks great and makes for a fun green complex.

13 - Pacific.  The ocean wins it for me here.  Trails' green complex was fun but a bit too penal for my tastes.

14 - Bandon.  Tough choice!  14 at Pacific was one of my favorites as well, a beautifully placed par-3.  The bunker placement at Bandon's hole made it a great strategic hole for me, with a beautiful green complex.

15 - Trails.  My favorite hole on the course.  The tee shot is interesting and the green complex is gorgeous.  The green itself is fun, with a severe back-to-front slope and several different sections.  I liked the other two 15's very much as well.

16 - Bandon.  Another tough one between Bandon and Pacific, both are great holes.  I'll go with Bandon here because every shot is guaranteed to be challenging and interesting.

17 - Pacific.  Trails' false front on 17 was too severe for my tastes, especially when the hole was placed 3 feet away from it.  I liked the idea of fairway behind the green rather than a hazard at Pacific.

18 - Pacific.  I liked Trails' tee shot, but Pacific's green was amazing.  I was happy to be able to bank my approach shot off the hill on the left.


Bandon Dunes: 5
Pacific Dunes: 9
Bandon Trails: 4

I don't think this reflects very well on the overall stature of each course.

[Joe Bentham]

#1-BT
#2-BD
#3-BT
#4-PD
#5-BD
#6-PD
#7-PD-very close call.  I like 7@Bandon a lot, I think its underrated.
#8-BT
#9-BT
#10-PD
#11-PD
#12-BD
#13-PD
#14-BD
#15-BT
#16-BD another close one for me, I really like 16@Pac
#17-BT-hardest call of them all for me.
#18-PD

par 70, 37 on the front, 33 on the back.

[Carl Rogers]

How in the world are you going to do this thread when Old MacDonald comes on line?

[Tom_Doak]

I am not going to take this on, because obviously I'm biased ... although John Kirk might have given more holes to Pacific Dunes than I would!

I was just amusing myself trying to think how many holes on Old Macdonald will eventually make the list.

Of the ten we've built so far, I would say five are strong contenders:  the Short 5th, the Ocean 7th, the Biarritz 8th, the Bottle 10th [which I think is the one sure-fire winner], and the Road hole 11th.

Of the eight hole left, I think every one of them might contend ... well, maybe not the Leven 13th, which wouldn't compete for raw scenery with the 13th at Pacific Dunes ... but it might wind up being the coolest short par-4 on the property.  Of course, that's just in my brain right now, we'll have to see how it works out.

[Jed Peters]

What a fun exercise when Old Mac gets done!

[Kalen Braley]

How in the world are you going to do this thread when Old MacDonald comes on line?

Golf course hole playoffs, thats how.. 

[Tags:]

Tags:

[Tags:]

Tags:

Call to undefined function theme_linktree()