Since one way that seems to be popular to compare courses hole-by-hole is the match play method, let's instead talk about the 3 courses at the resort and determine on a 3-2-1 scale hole by hole.
1st
Trails - 3
Pacific - 2
Bandon - 1
While I like all three of these holes, Trails best fits my mind's eye as an opener. Not overly demanding off the tee (Pacific from the tips is an intimidating beast) and an exhilerating introduction to the layout.
2nd
Pacific - 3
Trails - 2
Bandon - 1
One of Doak's favorites easily beats out a rather ordinary par 3 at Bandon and a photogenic, solid offering from the Trails.
3rd
Trails - 3
Pacific - 2
Bandon - 1
A battle of 3-shotters, none of which in my opinion are particularly remarkable. I could probably be swayed in any direction on this one. Today I feel like Trails is the better of the three.
4th
Bandon - 3
Trails - 2
Pacific - 1
Wow - this was a tough one. Any one of these three holes, in my opinion, would be a hole that you could plan a course around. To me, Bandon is the best of the three, in part for the green site and the excellent back left pin, and in part because of the drama of the "reveal" of the ocean. It really works well here. I preferred the strategy and the deceptive tee shot on Trails to Pacific's 4th which, while one of the most beautiful holes I've played, seems to be an otherwise standard par 4. Bring back the lower tee and then my opinion changes.
5th
Bandon - 3
Trails - 2
Pacific - 1
Love this par 4, and the green on Trails edges the first one-shotter on Pacific
6th
Pacific - 3
Bandon - 2
Trails - 1
No doubt on this one. None whatsoever in my mind (at least as far as who wins)
7th
Pacific - 3
Trails - 2
Bandon - 1
The most difficult hole at Pacific wins this battle of left to right-ish par 4s.
8th
Pacific - 3
Trails - 2
Bandon - 1
No real remarkable offering from any course on the 8th hole. Pacific wins on the basis of having a pretty darn fun green with multiple ways to make your way onto the putting surface.
9th
Pacific - 3
Bandon - 2
Trails - 1
The lack of definition on the second shot on Trails drops it below Bandon in standing - not that the 9th at Bandon is anything special to me...but the 9th at Pacific to either green wins this one.
10th
Bandon - 3
Trails - 2
Pacific - 1
10 at Pacific is pretty, but that's it's best feature. Not a bad hole, but the merits of the others win out here. I enjoyed playing the 10th at Trails and 10 at Bandon, with the differing routes off the tee and how they set up for the approach, was the best.
11th
Pacific - 3
Bandon - 2
Trails - 1
While I like the 11th at Trails, the 11th at Bandon I find to be a very good par 4 and the 11th at Pacific is one of my favorite short par 3s that I've never parred...(4 tries...ouch).
12th
Bandon - 3
Trails - 2
Pacific - 1
A really really good (and pretty) par 3 wins out over a long, tough, but fun one on Trails and another cross-country par 5 at Pacific
13th
Pacific - 3
Trails - 2
Bandon - 1
Another no contest here - one of the great par 4s beats out a decent one at Trails and an average hole at Bandon
14th
Trails - 3
Pacific - 2
Bandon - 1
Until I play the hole a few more times, it still intrigues the hell out of me and more than any other hole, I keep wanting another crack at 14 at Trails
15th
Trails - 3
Bandon - 2
Pacific - 1
I liked this hole even though I butchered it at Trails - Bandon was a tough little par 3, and I thought 15 was one of, if not the weakest par 5 at Pacific
16th
Bandon - 3
Trails - 2
Pacific - 1
Loved 16 at Bandon, and I'm in the minority on that. 16 at Trails I was lukewarm on, but I've already said that the divot damage to the collection areas on Pacific 16 makes it too random for my tastes.
17th
Pacific - 3
Trails - 2
Bandon - 1
2 very good par 3s easily beat out an awkward little par 4. Pacific wins because I love big holes like this, and the scale here is enormous.
18th
Trails - 3
Pacific - 2
Bandon - 1
Neither the 18th at Pacific or Bandon really do anything to make it stand out - Trails, much like the first hole, provides a more exhilerating finish...back to the dunes feels like you've emerged from battle.
Final Scores for me
Pacific - 38
Trails - 38
Bandon - 32
Wow - I am honestly surprised by this since by the 10 round metric, I'd probably go 5-3-2 or 4-3-3 in favor of Pacific with Bandon bringing up the rear.
I think the difference is that in many cases where I awarded Pacific "3" above, in relative context to what it is beating out (9, 13, for example) it's probably more apt to award it 5 and declare victory by slaughter rule.
Plus, the ocean is pretty.