by Bandon Trails takes its name very seriously. So seriously, in fact, that players walk a trail before they even see a golf hole.
Bandon Trails was built by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw in 2005, and it was the third golf course to open at the Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. But unlike David McLay Kidd at Bandon Dunes and Tom Doak at Pacific Dunes, Coore & Crenshaw were given a property that didn’t sit on the ocean. What resulted was as much a wilderness adventure as a golf course.
Bandon Trails takes players on a journey. The course starts in the type of dunescape seen elsewhere at the restort, but from there it climbs through a series of less familiar environments: first a meadow, then a forest, and back down again. Throughout, players are treated to thrilling shots, serene landscapes, spectacular views, and moments so quiet that you almost forget you’re playing a game.
Rarely does a golf course put as much emphasis on the non-golf elements as Bandon Trails does. Yes, the golf itself is great, but the diversity of settings, the beautiful walks between the holes, and the overall drama of the journey make Coore & Crenshaw’s design truly one of a kind.
In the second edition of Fried Egg Guides, Andy Johnson, Garrett Morrison, and Will Knights discuss what makes Bandon Trails so special.
Fried Egg Guides: Bandon Trails Roundtable
