Played 6/4, walked as a single 7:30, not too many people on the course before 8.
Really liked this course, and could see this as my home course if I lived here.
Course is in great shape. Interesting course that meanders back and forth across a valley. Essentially sweeping elevation changes and the course goes up and down the valley. It has some great views of the Sisters and Broken Top peaks.
Greens stimped about a 10. I played the 6500 yd layout (second from the back), and if I could do it again, I’d play the Blue/white combo of about 6300. There are some really really long holes on the 6500 yd layout. A 616 par 5, some 200 yd par 3s.
Bottom-line, if you are looking for a reprieve from resort triple digit green fees, Juniper will give you a good time.
Reviewed by: Kristof, Melbourne
Loved this experience.
We contacted the local caretaker who gave us access for the day for a very reasonable price, about $100. Just 6 of us. So there’s this great expanse of proto golf course with greens dotted about and only very rudimentary fairways. You choose your tee ground and head for some flagstick, way in the distance.
We stayed for about 5 hours exploring the place -it was brilliant. The highlight was probably the coastal par 3 with the green perched on a ledge and jutting out over the ocean. As far as condition goes you would not rave about it when comparing to the Bandon courses across the road – it was quite dry in places although the greens were very firm and free rolling. Lots of untended rough to avoid.
If you go to Bandon, its a must play.
Editor’s Note: Known as the area’s Area 51 golf course. Not affiliated with the Bandon Dunes. (From www.golforegon.com)
Pacific Dunes is the pinnacle of public golf in the US. After playing 36 at Bandon Dunes and the Old Mac, I decided to head over to the only course on the property I had yet to play. Also, for anyone wondering the 3rd round is always free at any Bandon course.
Instead of heading over to the Punch Bowl putting course or to the Pub I decided I would play until sunset at Pacific. I was quickly blown away and immediately vaulted Pacific to my favorite track on the property.
The Course
Hole 1, a short par 4 has a great tucked green which, although nothing special, was my favorite opener on the property. Once you hike up to the second tee box, you know this is a special place. Holes 2 & 3 eventually route you adjacent to the ocean, with 3 being a monster Par 5 playing straight into the teeth which was my favorite par 5 on the property. All 3 times I played it it was playing close to 580 yards and offers absolutely zero room for error for the long hitter trying to get home in two. Once you finished hole 3 you turn the corner to what many regard as their favorite hole on the property, a cliff side par 4. Holes 5 – 9 take you off the ocean, including hole 7 which is a terrific long par 4 (#1 handicap).
Holes 10 – 13 prove to be the most scenic & difficult ocean holes you will ever find. This stretch will test you as they play directly north into the summer prevailing wind. If you can manage those holes at even par you’ve done well. Holes 14/15/16 a par 3, 5, and 4, respectively, give you your last real chance at birdie as 17/18 prove to be a difficult closing stretch.
My Thoughts
It’s amazing how people rank the courses at Bandon. You can talk to people all weekend long on what courses they thought were the best and you will get a different answer from everyone.
This is what makes Bandon such a special place. For me, Pacific and Trails were the clear cut winners and I would go with 1a) Pacific, 1b) Trails, 2) Old Mac, 3) Bandon Dunes. I heard many people rank Old Mac dead last and others had it number 1. Pretty awesome if you ask me. Quick note on the conditions at Pacific Dunes. They were perfect.
Finished up a 3 night/4 day golf trip to the Bandon property for Memorial Day weekend. I have a lot to review and many pictures to post.
Bandon Dunes (the property inclusive of all courses) is a world class golf destination that may not have many rivals in terms of number of top 100 courses all within a stones throw from each other. Places that come to mind that can compete include maybe Pinehurst & Pebble Beach. I will go into detail on each course on the property but I will say this, what makes Bandon perhaps the best golf destination in the world is the variety of golf they offer. From Bandon Trails to Old Mac & everything in between.
My Review
Bandon Trails was the first course we played on our weekend trip and I was blown away at the layout. Many visitors overlook Trails when coming to Bandon as it is not a true links golf course. But the demanding layout sits far away from any of the other golf courses on the property and has a very remote feel to it. I would argue Trails to be the toughest course on site or at the very least tied with Old Mac. Once you get past the 1st hole, the course slowly switch backs up to the highest point on the property, hole 14 tee box, which is also said to be the location for which Mike Kieser decided he would purchase the property some 25 years ago.
Trails is well protected by massive pine trees which make it a great option for the 2nd round of the day when the wind is picking up. There are a handful of driveable 4’s (8, 14) reachable 5’s (2 & 9) which can provide some chances at birdie/eagle. What makes Trails truly exceptional is Coore/Crenshaw’s ability to blend three distinct settings Ocean/Forrest/meadow and create what I think is a course without a single “bad” hole. Once you get into the forest section there is a stretch of 6-7 holes where you feel like you are the only people on the property.
Additional Thoughts
I wont dive much into course conditions at Bandon in my reviews but I will just say that all courses were in superb conditioning. This is links golf so the conditions vary significantly throughout the year. But one thing to note, the greens at Trails are getting heavily spotted with Poa and late in the day they do get bumpy. I heard from multiple people the Greenskeeper is planning to stop fighting the Poa and slowly let it take over. In no way did this impact my enjoyment of my second favorite course on site.
