[Chris DeToro]

Reflecting upon my first visit to Bandon this past week, I was taken aback by Bandon Trails.  Going in, I hadn't heard the greatest things about the course--it's already been renovated, tends to be ranked lower and, compared to the other courses on the property, lacks the scenery of the others.  However, while it wasn't my favorite at the resort, I'd put that course up against any.

But what was most interesting to me is how the resort employees talk about Trails.  When pressed, every employee I talked to over the course of 5 days said that Trails was their favorite on the property.  Has anyone else had this experience?  The course was definitely less crowded than the others on a week where the temps were in the mid 60s and I just wonder if they truly believe it or if it was meant as more of a pitch.  

Just curious what others think on this topic and Trails in general

[John Kavanaugh]

It is their favorite because it is the most empty. I would also play it often because of the open tee times.

[Mike Wagner]

My favorite course on the property.  I can think of two different trips I played Trails only.

[Jordan Standefer]

But what was most interesting to me is how the resort employees talk about Trails.  When pressed, every employee I talked to over the course of 5 days said that Trails was their favorite on the property.  Has anyone else had this experience?

I heard people say the same thing.  I think John might be on to something about it being less crowded (and perhaps being shielded by the elements during bad weather).  Like you, it might not be my favorite at the resort, but I can't imagine a trip there that didn't include Bandon Trails.

[William_G]

Trails has the most "private" feel due to less play and it's secluded routing

it can be real quiet out there on the 13th tee with no one else in sight  

[Eric_Terhorst]

Haven't played OM, but I feel Trails has the best set of par 3s at the resort and that's saying a lot considering the competition.

Always liked #14, and feel those who don't are crybabies 

[Terry Lavin]

The Trails was a bit of an acquired taste for me.  I didn't like the transition from 13 green to 14 tee when it opened.  That has been alleviated with the transportation that is provided.  I never really liked the 18th hole; it didn't fit my eye off the tee or into the green.  It just felt like it was shoe-horned into the land.  I also felt that BT suffered by comparison to the other two that were there when it opened because the others had much more dramatic eye candy in the form of the ocean holes.  But after a few trips, the course really grew on me, when I started paying attention to the very deft routing, the amazing par-3 holes and the tremendous greens.  I was also consistently impressed by the generous fairways and the great variety of holes.  But most of all, I found myself drawn to the magnificent setting of the forested holes.  To me, this is the most "Oregon" looking of the four courses because of that factor.  It has a real sense of place where the others look like they could be just about anywhere on the coast.

As for the various revisions, I think it's commendable that Mike Keiser and his staff really listens to its customers.  It was the constant conversations about unhappiness with various holes (14, 16 and 18 mainly) that led them to consider and to implement changes.  I think a lot of resort owners might have stuck with the original design, especially since the resort has been so extraordinarily successful.

[Greg Taylor]

I'm with everyone here in terms of the calibre of Trails.

I'd heard somewhere that Trails was the least played purely because there is no ocean view, and that's what the paying customers want most on their trip.

I do agree that the 18th felt shoe horned in, and the first drive too appears to be a lot tighter than it is. That all said walking off the second green to the third tee more than makes up for the downsides.

Even with the ocean holes, I would still put Trails above Bandon Dunes as a golf course.

[Tim Pitner]

I like Trails very much, but thought some of the middle holes (in the ##7-12 range) and the long, finishing slog of #16 and #18 (when played into the wind) to be relative weaknesses.

[Matthew Lloyd]

Also a big fan of Trails.  Love the par 3s, and agree with previous posters stating they are the best set of par 3s at the resort.  I'm sure this will put me in a very small minority, but I am a huge fan of #13 and #14 -- I can't get enough self-punishment on diabolical short par 4s apparently.

[William_G]

Trails gives you that sense that you are in that special place that could not be anywhere else

[Jud_T]

The only problem Trails has is that it sits next to Pac Dunes and Old Mac and is somewhat overlooked as a result.  I find little justification beyond history and the photo ops for it to be ranked below Bandon Dunes.  I also find it more playable than many and a great afternoon round to get away from the strong ocean winds for a few holes.

[Chris DeToro]

I totally agree that the lack of oceanfront holes impacts its play at the course.  I also found there to be more polarizing holes than some of the other courses.  Looking back over the week, I loved Trails but did find there to be more holes, such as 18, that I walked away with a negative feeling towards than I felt at the other courses.  

[Adam Clayman]

Trails is the most artistic. It's journey through varied environs ranks up there with a Mackenzie.

[Ronald Montesano]

I loved Trails but did find there to be more holes, such as 18, that I walked away with a negative feeling towards than I felt at the other courses.  

Chris, if you don't mind, could you elaborate on "negative feeling" and which holes and was it the same feeling for each? This is very interesting to me.

Ron M.

[Chris DeToro]

There were just more holes that I really didn't like at Trails such as #13 and 18.  I also wasn't a huge fan of #11.  My feelings towards 18 may change with another round since I was going at it totally blind.  Compared to the other courses at Bandon, I just had more polarizing feelings towards some of the holes at Trails which I didn't have at the others.  Granted, each course has better holes and weaker holes, but the weaker holes at Trails stood out to me more when compared to the others

[Will MacEwen]

There were just more holes that I really didn't like at Trails such as #13 and 18.  I also wasn't a huge fan of #11.  My feelings towards 18 may change with another round since I was going at it totally blind.  Compared to the other courses at Bandon, I just had more polarizing feelings towards some of the holes at Trails which I didn't have at the others.  Granted, each course has better holes and weaker holes, but the weaker holes at Trails stood out to me more when compared to the others

Chris,

What was it about BT #13?

It's one of my favourite holes on the property.

[Chris DeToro]

Just something about the hole doesn't quite fit my eye.  I found the slope on the left side of the green to be a bit too severe as well especially for the front pin that we played on that day.  

That being said, I love the 14th hole which I know gets a lot of criticism.  

[Andy Troeger]

Trails was my favorite course at the resort, by a small margin over Pacific Dunes. I don't get the criticism of the finishing stretch, although I admittedly played in the winter wind when many of those holes are downwind. I wasn't a big fan of 18, but I thought 13-17 was a great stretch.

[Chris DeToro]

Trails was still probably my number 3 course, but by a much smaller margin than it seems for other people.  Totally agree that the stretch of 14-17 is a beautiful, difficult stretch with a nice variety of holes and shots required.  I also played it in the winter wind albeit a very light wind, but still found this and the opening stretch to be some of my favorite holes anywhere, let alone at the resort

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