Travel bucket list idea:
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 110 miles south of Portland. 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
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.
