The 1st Holes at Bandon
The beginning of an exploration on the Bandon courses.
My first few posts on this Substack were copying The Fried Egg’s conceit of a “Dream 18” at Bandon. That is, taking the best first hole, the best second hole, etc. across the five 18-hole courses. For reference, those are these posts:
One of the things that kept sticking out to me was that certain numbered holes were really good across the property, and while there aren’t really BAD holes anywhere (some differ with this opinion) there were other numbered holes that were much, much weaker across the board.
So while I could easily go back and re-do my Dream 18 (I have issues with it, as I anticipated immediately upon publishing it), I’m gonna do something different. I’m going to use posts to talk about the first hole on property (and second, 3rd, etc. in future posts) and rate the Best, “Worst” and Most Underrated for each one. My goal is that once I’ve done this, I can also come up with a “Best 10 holes at Bandon” but I need to go through this exercise to get there.
Yes, I’m a golf dork. What Substack did you think you were on?
So, without further ado - The First Holes at Bandon Dunes.
BEST 1ST HOLE:
As noted in the Dream 18, this one is pretty easy. Sheep Ranch is not only the best opening hole on property, it’s not even close. And it’s almost certainly a contender for my “Top 10” golf holes on property. Why? There’s something about a “gentle handshake” to start off a round. Make it easy enough for most golfers to get their tee shot into the fairway, have a chance at getting on the green in regulation (or, in this case, maybe one stroke earlier as it’s a short par-5). I hate when courses start you off with a punch to the crotch. (I mean, who wouldn’t hate that?) Plus, when you turn the corner and start walking down the fairway and the green reveals itself …oh, baby.
“WORST” 1st Hole
As noted, there aren’t really bad holes at Bandon. But for the reasons above, my least favorite opening hole is the first at Bandon Dunes. On the card, from the green tees its a totally reasonable 352 yards. But the hole has buildings running down the right side which encourages you to play down the left which extends the length (the hole bends to the right). Also, the green is always so much more elevated than I remember, which makes it play at least 20 yards longer even if there isn’t any wind. Oh, and it’s guarded by a few pot bunkers! It’s a VERY hard hole to get to in regulation, and a strong challenge to start with.
Most Underrated 1st Hole
I love the starting hole at Bandon Trails. It’s a simple tee shot (you can literally use anything from a 6-iron to a driver), and while the green is uphill, you’re almost always hitting a wedge or something close up into it. It’s the ultimate gentle handshake, but it loses a few points with folks because it teases as if the course is going to be in the dunes along the oceanside like all the other courses - and then heads inland immediately.
As for the others, I like them both. Old Mac is another fairly straightforward hole - just avoid the MASSIVE bunker down the right side (I got wind dumped into it last time and it was anything but a good time) and you’ll have a relatively simple shot to get onto the green in 2. What you do on that tricky green after that is up to you.
On Pacific Dunes, there’s a world out there where there isn’t a strong headwind on the tee, and that would mean for longer hitters to not use driver. That’s a weird way to start a round, so it loses some points, but for me it’s an easy drive and short iron onto a well bunkered green. It can be an easy way to start a very tough course, but knowing that for many golfers it means keeping the driver in the bag is tough. (Yes, this can be true with Trails but you can hit driver there fairly easily most of the time.)
What’s your favorite opening hole at Bandon? Disagree with any of the above? Leave a comment.
Next week, we tackle the 2nd holes at Bandon.