I'm always game to add to a Bandon thread, since it's a place that's near and dear to my heart. Looking forward to getting out there next September for a bunch of rounds at Old Macdonald, which will, no doubt, be wonderful. But I always feel compelled to come to the defense of Bandon Dunes, which is a great (and I think undervalued here) golf course. Perhaps it's the less flamboyant style, particularly in the bunkering, that seems to bring it down. There's also the perceived lack of subtlty, or "finish work" complaint that gets thrown around on GCA when Bandon Dunes gets discussed. I don't really agree with either.
When I think hole by hole, I tend to look at it this way:
1: Best opener at the resort (pre-Old Mac, natch, because who knows about that one -- Tom Doak seems to like it quite a bit)
2: I really like the hole a lot -- don't really get the lack of love for it
3: A tad unspectacular, but a great tee view and a very enjoyable hole to play for me
4: Great, you guys know why
5: Great, see above comment
6: Terrific hole, great view, very solid
7: An oddball hole that I really like a lot. A very cool approach and green, with perhaps a bit of a mundane tee shot, although I like that you can't see where you're going all that well
8: Not my personal favorite, but still very solid and a wonderful linksy kind of tee view
9: A decent but unremarkable hole
10: Love this hole -- a favorite on the course and at the resort
11: A very, very stern hole that is understated and quite good -- the front bunker is a great feature that makes the hole for me, along with the low swale middle left in the green
12: Solid and very attractive par 3 -- again, it's nice how the bunker really makes the hole
13: Nobody seems to like this hole much, but I kind of do. Granted, it's a bit unfocused, but the giant scale of the undulations in the fairway tends to add something to the experience of playing the course
14: Terrific hole
15: A stern par 3 -- love the skyline green and the scary bunker
16: Put me in the absolutely love it category
17: Very solid hole, but the turn away from the ocean leaves me a smidge disappointed
18: A decent but unremarkable hole
I think that my descriptions for 9 and 18 are a big reason for the lower ratings (among this crowd, at least). Personally, although I think the Trails might be a better course, I probably enjoy playing Bandon Dunes a bit more. But I'll play the Trails twice and Bandon Dunes once when I go next year, just because I have less experience on it.
That's my $.02, anyway.
R