Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, located along Oregon's southern coast, is an experience like no other.

For someone who loves golf, this is the ultimate destination. 

Our journey in Oregon began when we landed at Portland International Airport. After renting a car, we embarked on a scenic four-hour drive, passing towering trees and occasional ocean views. While the drive was long, it was well worth it for what awaited us at Bandon Dunes. 

From July 4th to July 7th, we played golf and enjoyed ourselves at the resort. Our schedule was packed:
• July 4: Pacific Dunes golf course
• July 5: A full 36-hole day: the first round at Old Macdonald in the morning and the second round at Pacific Dunes in the afternoon
• July 6: Another 36-hole day: first round at Bandon Trails in the morning and second round at Bandon Dunes in the afternoon
• July 7: Sheep Ranch, an unforgettable final round before heading home

Playing six rounds in four days is the dream of any die-hard golfer like myself.

Each course offers a unique design; some have breathtaking ocean views, while others have tree-lined holes. 

My personal favorite is Pacific Dunes. It has the best overall design, blending natural beauty with tough course challenges depending on the set of tees you play. Every course offers something different, keeping each round fresh. 

For example, Bandon Trails stood out because of its forested setting, while Sheep Ranch provided the most spectacular views. Playing Sheep Ranch was particularly special. We had one of the first tee times that morning, and the fog was so thick on the first two holes that we had to rely entirely on our caddies. They pointed out where to hit, and we trusted their knowledge; it was an incredible experience. 

Speaking of caddies, having a caddy at Bandon Dunes is an absolute must. We had the same caddies for five of the six rounds, and by the second round with the same caddy, they knew precisely what clubs we needed and how to navigate the course. Their expertise made the entire experience even more enjoyable. They helped with the pace of play if we were getting too close to the group in front. 

This was a pure golf getaway. Our days revolved around playing, eating, and resting. Our 36-hole days followed a perfect rhythm: wake up, head to the course, play our first round, grab a snack at the refreshment areas, finish the round, enjoy lunch at one of the resort’s excellent restaurants, tee off for our second round, take another quick break, then return to the lodge to shower and change before indulging at a fantastic dinner. 

One evening, we dined at The Gallery, where we enjoyed a great meal while watching the sun slowly set over the course. It    was a picture-perfect ending to a great day of golf. The weather for the 4 days there was amazing in the morning. We just needed a light pullover, but when the sun went out and the breeze from the ocean, it was ideal; it was not too cold or too hot because of that breeze.  

Tips:
Make sure you have comfortable golf shoes you like to walk in, because it is a lot of walking.

We stayed in a two-bedroom cottage at Bandon Dunes, which was ideal for our trip. Staying on location for all of your meals also makes it much easier for the group, and having less travel gives a better time for relaxing after the rounds. 

Pack your golf bag light, or the caddies will have you switch out your bag for one at the course to make it easier for the caddies to carry. 

At the end of the day, enjoy the great experience and the time away in this perfect world with no worries besides how you hit the golf ball. 

This trip was everything a golfer could want: Golf. Eat. Sleep. Repeat. 

Bandon Dunes is truly a bucket-list destination; in my opinion, it doesn’t get any better.

Golf is Afalge33's favorite activity. He has had the pleasure of playing golf throughout his college years.: four years as an undergraduate at Le Moyne College and now a graduate year at Nazareth University. Golf has always been a significant part of his life, as he has been playing with his father since he was a young boy. He plans to continue playing for as long as possible and hopes to experience the game in as many different places as he can. To him, golf is an excellent sport that brings together people from all walks of life.

All photos courtesy and copyright Afalge33, published with permission