Some time in the last couple weeks there was a comment to the effect that the writer did not see the big deal in holes where you could not see the bunkers when looking back down the line of play from the green. In general, I find myself agreeing with the notion, with one major exception.
The 3rd hole at Bandon Trails serves as a key link in the routing, bringing the player out of the dunes and into the lower "meadow" area of the course. The course has additional transitions as you climb into the forests surrounding the holes in the middle of the round, before revisiting both the meadow and the dunes.
At the 3rd, on the tee the player sees a myriad of sandy areas, a look that fits seamlessly with the surrounds of the first two holes. But when viewing the hole in reverse, the high backs of the bunkers cause the fairway to appear as a sea of grass, emphasizing the fact that you have moved into a new area of the course. This feature, combined with the subtle effects of the visuals provided by the massive dune off to the right of the hole and the large bunker behind the green, make what could be a rather disjointed journey a walk that flows smoothly through its varied surrounds.
Are there other natural features, visual effects or subtleties you can think of that serve a similar purpose on other courses?
Sven