Planning a Golf Trip to Bandon Dunes: Group Guide
Five 18-hole links courses and two par-3 courses on the southern Oregon coast. Walking only, with caddies if you want them. Golf here is built around groups who come to play 36 a day.
The courses to play
- Bandon Dunes: David McLay Kidd, opened 1999. The original course, on a bluff above the ocean. Hosts the 2028 Walker Cup.
- Pacific Dunes: Tom Doak, opened 2001. Runs from shore pines out to 60-foot dunes. The back nine has four par 3s.
- Bandon Trails: Coore & Crenshaw, opened 2005. Dunes, then meadow, then coastal forest, then dunes again. No holes on the ocean.
- Old Macdonald: Tom Doak and Jim Urbina, opened 2010. A tribute to C.B. Macdonald, with huge greens and holes named for his templates.
- Sheep Ranch: Coore & Crenshaw, opened 2020. A mile of ocean frontage and nine greens on the cliff edge. The 3rd and 16th share a green. Par 72 and 6,636 yards on the official hole-by-hole.
- Bandon Preserve: Coore & Crenshaw, opened 2012. 13 par 3s rolling down toward the beach, with the ocean behind every hole.
- Shorty's: Rod Whitman, Dave Axland and Keith Cutten. A 19-hole par-3 course between the opening holes of Bandon Trails and the ocean.
- The Punchbowl: Tom Doak with Jim Urbina, opened 2014. A free 100,000-square-foot putting course for resort guests' group bets.
- Charlotte's (practice course): David McLay Kidd's original 9-hole par-3 practice course from 2000, renamed when Shorty's took the old name. Free for resort guests.
Getting there
| Airport | Code | Drive to the golf |
|---|---|---|
| Southwest Oregon Regional (North Bend) | OTH | about 35 min |
| Eugene | EUG | about 2.5 hrs |
| Medford | MFR | about 3 hrs |
| Portland | PDX | about 4.5 hrs |
Check live flights to OTH on Google Flights →
Nonstop from 10 major U.S. cities: Chicago, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Portland, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle. Group flying from different cities? →
When to go
June through September is driest. Wind and rain the rest of the year.
Group tip
Before you book
- Lock the headcount in a multiple of four.
- Set the per-person budget with the cost calculator.
- Call the resort or golf desk directly and ask for group tee-time blocks, stay-and-play packages and the cancellation and rain policy.
- Collect deposits the week you book. Use the deposit tracker.
- Pick your format and build pairings.
Official resources
Heads-up before you book
- 2028 lodging is released by drawing. Registration for June to October 2028 is open November 9, 2026 to January 3, 2027, and the drawing is January 18, 2027. Summer groups should enter this window. source
- The November to December 2028 drawing opens January 18, 2027 and closes May 2, 2027. The drawing is May 17, 2027. April to May 2028 results were published November 9, 2026. source
- The resort takes regular lodging bookings through March 2028. Day guests (no room) can book golf for April to mid-November more than 21 days ahead at a premium rate. Those tee times must be after 10 a.m. source
- 2027 aeration dates: Bandon Dunes May 4 to 6 and Sept 28 to 30. Pacific Dunes Apr 27 to 29 and Oct 5 to 7. Bandon Trails Apr 20 to 22 and Oct 13 to 15. Old Macdonald Apr 13 to 15 and Oct 19 to 21. Sheep Ranch Apr 6 to 8 and Oct 26 to 28. Preserve Mar 29 to 30 and Nov 1 to 2. Shorty's Mar 31 to Apr 2 and Nov 3 to 5. Rounds within 5 days of aeration get a discount. source
- Flights to North Bend (OTH): United flies to San Francisco year-round, but only Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday in winter. The seasonal Denver nonstop ended October 25, 2026 and comes back in May. Off-season groups may be better off flying into Eugene. source
- Cancellation windows: for 2026 reservations, cancel or reduce rooms and golf at least 60 days before arrival. Golf-only bookings need 90 days. Groups of 16 or more sign a group contract with a 90-day cancellation policy. source
- The Bandon Dunes Cup (up to 70 two-person teams) runs May 16 to 19, 2027 on Pacific Dunes, Bandon Dunes, Sheep Ranch and Bandon Trails. Expect tight tee sheets that week. source
- The 2028 Walker Cup is September 9 to 10, 2028 on the Bandon Dunes course. Ask the resort which courses close around those dates before you pick September 2028. source
Checked November 9, 2026. Schedules change, so confirm with the resort.
Fun facts about Bandon Dunes
- Sheep Ranch was a wind farm in the 1970s. It shut down because the wind was too strong for the turbines of that era. Bring an extra layer. source
- On Old Macdonald's 16th, called Alps, the approach is often blind. Ring the bell after you putt out so the group behind knows the green is clear. source
- The Punchbowl is a free 100,000-square-foot putting course modeled on the Himalayas putting course at St Andrews. Tom Doak says you'll find every kind of putt there, plus a few you've never dreamed of. source
- Shorty's is named for Shorty Dow, the resort's first caretaker and its self-appointed “governor, mayor, and sheriff.” source
- Mike Keiser hired an untested young Scot, David McLay Kidd, to design the first course. Kidd's father was head agronomist at Gleneagles, and Kidd spent 18 hours a day studying the land. source
- On Pacific Dunes' 9th, the tee sign tells you which of two greens, upper or lower, is in play that day. source
Facts last checked November 9, 2026. How we check facts. Resort or tourism board? Send us updates for this guide.
Course details and access rules change. Confirm current tee-time policies and rates directly with each course before you book.
FAQ
When is the best time for a Bandon Dunes golf trip?
June through September is driest. Wind and rain the rest of the year. Best months: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep.
What airport do you fly into for Bandon Dunes?
Southwest Oregon Regional (North Bend) (OTH), about 35 min; Eugene (EUG), about 2.5 hrs; Medford (MFR), about 3 hrs; Portland (PDX), about 4.5 hrs.
What are the best courses at Bandon Dunes?
Bandon Dunes, Pacific Dunes, Bandon Trails, Old Macdonald, Sheep Ranch, Bandon Preserve, Shorty's, The Punchbowl, Charlotte's (practice course).
Is Bandon Dunes good for a group golf trip?
Best for: Golf-first groups willing to travel for the best walking golf in the U.S.. It works for groups of 4–12, 12–24, 24+ golfers.
How far ahead should we book Bandon Dunes?
For 8 or more golfers in peak season, plan 6–12 months out. Call the golf desk and ask about group tee-time blocks and package rates before you book rooms.
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