Bandon Dunes

Overview: Bandon Dunes is the course that started a revolution, proved that true links golf could thrive in America, and transformed a remote stretch of the Oregon coast into the world’s ultimate golf destination. Designed by a then-unheralded David McLay Kidd, the course is perched high on coastal bluffs, offering sweeping views of the Pacific from almost every hole. It is a "ground-game" masterpiece, where the fescue turf is kept firm and fast, encouraging players to bounce and roll their shots rather than flying them to the flag. With its massive dunes, deep bunkers, and the ever-present coastal wind, Bandon Dunes is a raw, authentic tribute to the ancient origins of the game.

History: The vision for Bandon Dunes belonged to Mike Keiser, who sought to create a "Dream Golf" destination that prioritized the game’s traditions over modern luxury. When it opened in 1999, it was a massive gamble; few believed that golfers would travel to a remote corner of Oregon to play a walking-only course in unpredictable weather. The gamble paid off spectacularly, leading to the creation of five more high-level courses at the resort and sparking a global movement toward minimalist, links-style architecture. It remains the spiritual anchor of the resort and a place of pilgrimage for every serious student of the game.

Did You Know? David McLay Kidd was only 27 years old when he was hired to design Bandon Dunes. His father, the head greenkeeper at Gleneagles in Scotland, helped him understand the true nature of links turf, which was essential for the project’s success. Today, the course is known for its finishing hole,a par-5 that drops toward the ocean and the clubhouse, providing a grand finale to what many consider the most important golf project of the last 50 years.