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mnlefthanders golf's avatar

Never got below 55 and no rain?! I can't wait to compare my experience and rankings!

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Jonny Canuck's avatar

Great reviews. I played the Bandon courses in 2024 as well. My rankings the day I left the property were:

1. Bandon Dunes

2. Sheep Ranch

3. Old Macdonald

4. Pacific Dunes

5. Bandon Trails

Part of the reason I ranked Trails last is that I live near the Canadian Rocky Mountains. The best courses in my area are similar(ish) to Trails in layout and scenery (Banff Springs, Kananaskis, Stewart Creek, Silvertip).

In the months since my Bandon trip, I have realized I was too low on Pac. Many of the holes there, though frustrating at the time, have stayed with me in a way I didn't expect. I would probably put it ahead of Old Mac now. Pac is also the course I most want to play again.

I am higher on Sheep than most rankers because I appreciated the "choose your own adventure" nature of the holes and the awesome green complexes. The vista is also just incredible.

Regarding the original, Bandon Dunes, I realize that the routing isn't perfect and the opening and closing holes are very forgettable. However, the rhythm of that course is just better than almost any other course I have ever played. The par 3's and 5's come at exactly the right times. You head toward and away from the ocean in an incredible satisfying way. And I found it the most fair - it has a great mix of birdie holes and ass kickers.

Favourite holes - Bandon Dunes 5, 12, 16. Pac Dunes 3, 4, 11, 12. Old Mac 7, 16, 18. Sheep Ranch 1, 11, 16, 17. Trails 1, 2, 8, 14.

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