Travel bucket list idea:
Bandon, Oregon, United States of America (USA)
The original course at Bandon Dunes resort is still a wonder – the infinity-view greens that stretch out into the Pacific merge dramatically into the blue of the ocean; an extraordinary combination of man-made and natural beauty.
It is less dramatic than the newer Pacific Dunes, but everything about this course works – the undulating fairways; the devilish bunkers perfectly placed to make you second-guess your shot selection; those perfect greens.
And the Pacific is everywhere; beyond the wild dunes and the wind-blown marram grass, which all serve to create the impression of playing golf in the middle of a beautiful wilderness. Which, effectively, you are.
Bandon Dunes is 220 miles south of Portland and it takes around 4.5 hours to drive there. You don’t need to book too far in advance – a week or so should be plenty, but you’ll usually get a tee time a day or two before.
September is the local’s favourite month to play, but February is a well-kept secret: it’s cold, but not nearly as busy and the off-season rates are in play. Try to play in the afternoon, finishing with a spectacular sunset.
Round-ups that include this experience
Multiple countries
Inspiration
Spectacular landscapes, impeccable fairways and greens, brilliantly-designed holes and plenty of golfing folklore – we asked golf expert and journalist Fionn Davenport to recommend his top 30 golf courses from around the world.