I'm just back from Bandon and played Bandon Trails twice.  Its a very special place and a wonderful addition to the resort.  

My expectations were very high, and in hindsight almost unrealistic.  If you are expecting another Friars Head or Sand Hills (which I was) then you may be disappointed.

I'll post more later.

Ed, just sent you an IM.

Joel,
   I would love to hear more of your thoughts on the course.

I'm not sure what you want me to say and I don't want to spoil it for you or the others that are heading up.  Its obviously very-very good but I don't think its as good as Pacific or Bandon Dunes.

There are 4 or 5 world class golf holes.  The par 3's are brilliant.  A few of the par 4's are also brilliant and a few are just OK.  The par 5's although pretty and well bunkered are disappointing and almost forgettable.  Every par 5 plays straight (although 16 is straight up a hill) and each is reachable in two if you hit it well and in the right place.  The fairways are over 100 yards wide in spots, almost excessively wide.  The course like Bandon and Pacific Dunes is all fescue  including the greens.

The course is well thought out and every detail is executed nearly perfect by Bill and his staff which is what you would expect.  Bill Coore takes his time and does everything the right way.  The shorter holes have smaller greens and the longer holes have larger greens.  Most of the greens give you many different options on how you want to approch.  The greens have some interesting undulations but not as severe as Sand Hills or Friars Head.  The greens are currently running at about a 5 on the stimp because they are new and not being rolled.  Most of the people in our group ended up putting with 3 woods to help offset the slow speed.  The greens at Pacific and Bandon Dunes are rolling at about 8 or 9 so the entire resort is not about speed.

All in all its spectacular and I'm still in a buzz.  Its probably not a Golf Digest Top 100 course but if Trump International and Rich Harvest can make it then why not Bandon Trails.

Well stated Mike...

I'll answer quickly because my kids are yelling at me to take them to the pool.

Anthony:
The entire course is a mix of fescue made up mostly of slender creeping red fescue.

Michael:
I agree and trying not to pass judgement.  These are my first impressions.  The course is generally cut through trees and sand dunes so there is not a lot of maturity except for the grass.  7 of the holes have been finished for over a year.

Alex:
You can see the ocean from a few holes.  The first hole is directly to the right (up the sand dune) of the 18th hole on Bandon Dunes.  The view from the black tee on the first hole is amazing which shouldn't be missed.  The view from the tee on the 14th is also pretty nice.

Joel,
  Thanks for the feedback. As for the par 5's even though they are straight, do they play straight, or is there bunkering that forces you to move around on your way to the green?
   I'm not expecting Sand Hills, but given your first impression where would you put it on the Doak scale?
    That pool is either heated or you are not in the Bay Area today.

Joel,

You mentioned the quality of the par 3's on the course.  I played the Preview 7 holes last year and was impressed by the three that I saw.  #'s 2,5, & 17  Are there any more par 3's on the course and how do they play?

Joel:

You initially said, "My expectations were very high, and in hindsight almost unrealistic.  If you are expecting another Friars Head or Sand Hills (which I was) then you may be disappointed."

Can you tell me why you would place any course -- particularly one you have not played -- in such a very high esteem thru self-created pre-spin? Might it be possible you were setting yourself up for a lesser overall assessment?

Joel -- if you had 20 rounds at the facility how would YOU divide them up for play?

Thanks ...

P.S. One last question -- how much of the layout is more a testament to what is created for the "eye" as opposed to the intrinsic qualities of high caliber shotmaking?

Joel,

     I actually think it was very refreshing for someone to post their honest opinion  about a highly hyped and highly anticipated golf course that doesn't come off as butt kissing.  Expectations play an important part in these  things and what makes a golf course great is open to opinion. In fact I think the word great gets thrown around way too much.