Bandon Preserve: Is it linksy?

[Ronald Montesano]

I hope that this thread gains a bit of traction afore spiraling off into the nether-pages. It will require the input of those who play The Preserve. I hope to count myself among you, although it might be a few years off (according to plan.)

How linksy is Bandon Preserve? Can runners, bouncers, wind-cheaters, punches and half-swings be played into the greens? What holes stand out as welcoming the ground game? Do any stand out as rejecting it? And, most important, can the course be played backward once a year?

[Ben Sims]

Ron,

I've walked it once and played it once.  I think you'll find that most holes give you whatever shot you wish to hit.  It might not be smart to use the ground, but it is there on all but two or three holes.  There's is blindness, large contours, great views, big sweeping putts, little delicate wedge shots, and full blooded mid-irons.  I was surprised at the variety in all honesty. 

[Scott Weersing]

Here is an article about Bandon Preserve, not to be confused with other courses named The Preserve such as the one in Vancleave, Mississippi, or Brandeton, FL, or Carmel, CA.

http://www.registerguard.com/web/sportsoutdoors/27936870-44/bandon-hole-preserve-course-golf.html.csp

[Matthew Essig]

This is actually extremely hard to answer... It is a links course to the core, but playability-wise, you could argue either way. On some holes there is no where short of the green to bounce it on while others it could be the preferred way to play. I am actually going to post a photo tour of almost every angle imaginable of the course (there has been photos of the course on other threads but not all the holes have been shown) later, so the pictures may help answer your question.

[Alex Miller]

This is actually extremely hard to answer... It is a links course to the core, but playability-wise, you could argue either way. On some holes there is no where short of the green to bounce it on while others it could be the preferred way to play. I am actually going to post a photo tour of almost every angle imaginable of the course (there has been photos of the course on other threads but not all the holes have been shown) later, so the pictures may help answer your question.

Please do! Looking forward to that.