I played Bandon Trails three times this last month. I think I like it better than the average GCA contributor, perhaps now a "9" in my book, versus a rating of "8" a couple years ago.
I learned something important during my last round there. From the green tees, I used 3-wood off the tee on holes #1, #4, #6, #13, #14, #15 and #18. I found that it was ideal because it a) left me just short of trouble and/or b) was enough club to easily clear a ridge and reach the downhill slope. On #4, #6 and #18, I cleared the trouble and had a gap wedge and two sand wedge approaches. On #13, it went far enough to leave a 6-iron on #13. On #14, 3-wood to the right side leaves a full sand wedge, one's best chance of making par or bogey.
I shot a stress-free 80, going 0 for 7 on birdie putts inside 25 feet. It made the round easy.
I can even see using 3-wood on #3, #10 or even #11. Also, #12 is often a 3-wood par-3 hole. I was able to swing freely and positively at the ball. The 3-wood sprays the ball much less.
The greens at Bandon Trails were kept very fast this fall, perhaps 11 feet on the Stimpmeter. This course has some of the hardest to read and most difficult downhill putts I've ever seen. Staying below the hole and wide of the big trouble is essential to an enjoyable day.
Another thing I saw. The bunker sand is very soft, and less than aggressive efforts with the blade wide open go nowhere. It takes a couple rounds to learn to hit these shots harder, with a less lofted approach.
Along with Pacific Dunes, Bandon Trails is the most beautiful course in Oregon, and one of the ten most beautiful courses I've ever seen.