Bandon Trails is the lowest-ranked of the four Bandon courses according to all reputable golf publications, likely because it is the only one without an ocean backdrop. That said, it is a dramatic and exciting coore/Crenshaw masterpiece that would be the featured offering at pretty much any other resort. Bandon Trails First and 18th holes play in large sand dunes while the rest of the course plays in a dense Pacific Northwest forest. However, like the three links courses at the resort the fairways and greens play firm and fast combining with dramatic elevation changes make it equal in challenge to the links courses, even if wind is less a factor. Par 3 2nd hole. I think the opening hole is the weakest opening hole on the property, but the second more than makes up for it. It’s a good length down hill par 3 that has some nasty bunkering short right, the extent of the bunkering is obscured from the tee box. I think I love this hole because it reminds me a par 3’s I played in the dunes of Scotland. This hole is also the transition out of the dunes and into the forest. After an excellent par 5 third (wish I took a picture) and par 4 4th come another strong par 3. The par 3 5th is an excellent short par 3 over a small canyon, the green is much bigger than it looks so it’s easy to to come up a club short when the pin is on the top tier. The picturesque par 4 7th plays longer than the yardage. The green sits probably 50-60 feet above the tee on this hole that often plays into a strong breeze. Par here is a good score. Like the 3rd hole, the ninth is another great par 5. A strategic 3 shot par 5 framed by forest. The hole seems to start nice and wide and tighten the closer you get to the green. The 11th hole is a great golf hole. A long par 4 that played over 450 yards on the day I played it. A drive down the left side is a must to avoid a deep complex of bunkers that prevent you from trying to cut the dogleg. A sufficient carry will hit the downslope and run down the hill leaving you with a manageable approach shot. A pond sits next to the green (one a the few actual water hazards at Bandon dunes) and will come into play if you slice. I hit driver, 7 iron and was happy to leave with a 2 put par. The 14th is easily the most controversial holes at the resort. Bandon Trails signature hole. It’s a short downhill par 4 with a dramatically sloping fairway that sends 80% plus of the balls bouncing to the right down the hill and into a bunker. If you find the right slot dead at the green or just left of it you have a chance to drive the ball up near the green and leave yourself a much more manageable second shot. Personally, I don’t really love this hole. I’m in the camp that thinks it overly penalizes good shots that aren’t within a narrow window. That said, It is a beautiful hole from the tee and elevated tee shots are always fun. It drives me crazy that this hole Is just not great, it feels like it should be. I believe the 17th is the best par three at Bandon trails, and one of my favorite par threes on the planet. A mid length par three, usually playing around 160-180 yards, the tee shot is slightly downhilL and must carry a rather dramatic and rough landscape and then navigate a tiered green complex with bunkering on both sides. A par is like a birdie on this hole IMO. It’s in Vogue by many golf course aficionados and Coore/Crenshaw fanatics to claim Bandon trails is the best golf course At Bandon Dunes. That is simply not true. That said, Bandon trails is a fantastic golf course without a weak spot (some argue the 14th may be). While it is my fourth favorite course on the property, it still makes my list of top 15 golf courses I’ve ever played.