Jason Lusk
March 14, 2023 7:00 am ET
Bandon Preserve, the 13-hole par-3 course that opened in 2012 at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Oregon, ushered in a trend of high-end resorts adding short courses that far exceed the experience of many afterthought par-3 layouts that came in preceding decades. Real holes on stunning terrain make for an unforgettable experience that has become a major draw along the southern Oregon coast, and a new breed of par-3 course has evolved around the world.
And Bandon Preserve will soon have a sibling just a few hundred yards south along the coastline.
The resort officially announces today that it is constructing a new, 19-hole par-3 course, yet to be named and built by the WAC Golf team of Rod Whitman, Dave Axland and Keith Cutten. The layout was routed on dunesland between the first hole of the resort’s Bandon Trails course and the Pacific Ocean, and construction is already underway. Plans are for the course to be completed this year, with some preview play possible this fall and a full opening in 2024.
The layout for Bandon Dunes Golf Resort’s new par-3 course between the first hole of Bandon Trails and the Pacific Ocean (Courtesy of Bandon Dunes Golf Resort)
“This is just an incredible piece of ground, and we’re super excited about it,” said Cutten, the youngest member of the WAC design team who has worked in various roles with Whitman and Axland for more than a decade, most notably at Cabot Links in Nova Scotia, one of the top-rated public-access courses in Canada. “It’s quite a bit choppier, more severe changes in the dunes than some of the other pieces of ground out there, so it’s just perfect for a short course.”
The layout of Bandon’s new par-3 course has been in consideration for years, and architect Tom Doak had marker flags in the ground for a proposed routing last year. Bandon Dunes founder and owner Mike Keiser said plans changed, and the WAC team was given a chance to create a layout on what Keiser always believed to be a special piece of land.
“We called and said, ‘Why don’t you stop by and see what you can do?’ ” Keiser said. “They came up with, I think, a brilliant routing. I wouldn’t call it short, because our scorecard will have short, medium and long distances. They did a fabulous job and you’ll have to wait and see for yourself.”
Holes will range from just under 60 yards up to nearly 160, depending on the tees selected, Cutten said. Keiser said the plan is for each of the 19 holes to offer a chance to tee off with a putter, at least from the forward tees.
The layout will consist of 16 acres of maintained turf across lumpy, bumpy and sandy dunes, into and out of various natural bowls and across ridges. Cutten said the terrain was perfect for a par-3 course because there was no need to design landing areas for tee shots on par 4s and 5s, allowing the design team to instead focus on finding the most interesting and natural green sites full of interesting bounces and rolls.
“I think all but one of our greens were basically just sitting there” on the ground already, Cutten said. “The one (that’s not) that I’m referring to, the 10th, needs a little bit of sand in the middle but the edges are already there, so it looks like it’s already there. The rest of the greens are just found.”
The original WAC routing was 12 holes, but Cullen said the team kept finding interesting green sites and possibilities for additional holes. They finally settled on 18, playing down toward the ocean then back up in a series of loops. Keiser then added a 19th hole.
“It was 18 holes, and I was just out there with my son Chris, and we decided the walk from 18 up to the clubhouse was too arduous,” Keiser said of the process with his son, who along with brother Michael operates Sand Valley resort in Wisconsin. “So we put in another par 3 as the 19th hole there to take us back up to the great clubhouse site.”
Keiser said his one mandate is that each hole can stand on its own and would fit well on any of the resort’s five 18-hole layouts that rank among the best modern courses in the world. Cutten said that was no problem on terrain so naturally suited to golf.
Keith Cutten (from left), Dave Axland, Rod Whitman, Chris Keiser and Mike Keiser at the site of the new par-3 course at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Oregon (Courtesy of Bandon Dunes Golf Resort)
“It became a running joke as we toured Mr. Keiser around that we should be paying him for the golf course, because all the work was already done,” Cutten said. “It speaks well to the quality of the ground and the kind of golf we were able to put on it. …
“On a short course, you can get a little more bold with the decisions you’re making and the contours you’re using. A lot of the times the short courses can be a little more funky and dynamic and quirky, a lot of the things we try to do with our golf courses from the get-go.”
Keiser said he isn’t sure yet what that clubhouse will look like, possibly a “glorified mobile home.” Don’t be surprised if he decides to include some sort of food truck, a version of which has proved incredibly popular at Sand Valley’s par-3 course named the Sandbox.
Keiser anticipates the new course, which will raise the total number of par 3s at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort to 53, will complement the Preserve, designed by the team of Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw. The resort is also home to Shorty’s, a nine-hole par-3 course at the practice facility that is open only at select times.
“I think most people who have time will play both of them,” he said. “We’ll have to wait to see which they favor, but Preserve is awfully good, as is this new one.”
Keiser said that like the Preserve, the green fee will be $100, with all proceeds benefiting the Wild Rivers Coast Alliance to support communities along the southern coast of Oregon. The resort has contributed $7.3 million to the WRCA, with the Preserve now generating $800,000 a year for the charity.
Bandon Dunes Golf Resort
Site of the new par-3 course at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Oregon (Courtesy of Bandon…
Site of the new par-3 course at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Oregon (Courtesy of Bandon Dunes Golf Resort)
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Bandon Dunes Golf Resort
Site of the new par-3 course at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Oregon (Courtesy of Bandon…
Site of the new par-3 course at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Oregon (Courtesy of Bandon Dunes Golf Resort)
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Bandon Dunes Golf Resort
Site of the new par-3 course at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Oregon (Courtesy of Bandon…
Site of the new par-3 course at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Oregon (Courtesy of Bandon Dunes Golf Resort)
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Bandon Dunes Golf Resort
Bandon Dunes Golf Resort
Bandon Dunes Golf Resort
Site of the new par-3 course at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Oregon (Courtesy of Bandon…
Site of the new par-3 course at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Oregon (Courtesy of Bandon Dunes Golf Resort)
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Bandon Dunes Golf resort
Site of the new par-3 course at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Oregon (Courtesy of Bandon…
Site of the new par-3 course at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Oregon (Courtesy of Bandon Dunes Golf Resort)
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FAQs
Does Bandon Dunes have a par-3 course? ›
A unique experience in every way, Bandon Preserve is a 13-hole par-3 course that delivers a level of enjoyment matched only by the spectacular views.
What is the easiest course at Bandon Dunes? ›The Sheep Ranch is arguably the easiest course at the resort and it has the most dramatic views. It also has some of the most memorable shots like the tee shots on 6, 16, and 17. What is this? If you've been to Bandon but have yet to be back to play the Sheep Ranch, then it's a must-play on your next trip.
How did Mike Keiser make his money? ›Mike Keiser made his fortune in Chicago, co-founding a greeting card company that was sold for nine figures. Working from offices in Chicago, he then gained his fame as a golf course developer, constructing courses in Oregon, Michigan, Canada and Australia.
How many steps does it take to walk Bandon Dunes? ›Here's the math : 14,168 steps at Bandon Trails (walking); 10,465 steps at Bandon Dunes (with caddie); 13,386 steps at Pacific Dunes (with caddie); 5,500 steps at The Preserve, the 13-hole par-3 course (walking); and 11,804 steps at Old Macdonald (with caddie).
How long does it take to play a par 3 course? ›The USGA tells us there are specific time expectations based on par for the hole you're playing. Par 3's should take about 13 minutes, par 4's 15 minutes, and par 5's 17 minutes. A standard course has four par 3's, four par 5's, and twelve par 4's (an average of 15 minutes per hole).
How many clubs do you need for a par 3 course? ›Best Golfing Gear for Par 3 Courses
Of course, you'll need the essentials; golf balls, tees, gloves, etc. Instead of all 14 clubs, you'll most likely only need 4-6. We would recommend you bring your 7-iron, 8-iron, 9-iron, Pitching Wedge, Sand Wedge, and putter.
Bandon Trails is also the hardest course at Bandon Dunes. There is not a lot of room for error, and it will challenge all of your shot making abilities. Sorry if you can't handle that. Trails is full of risk/reward holes, but none quite like the signature hole, #14.
Is it easy to lose balls at Bandon Dunes? ›This is something we learned from experience: you don't need a lot of golf balls at Bandon Dunes. Yes, there are spots where you can lose a ball, but between the massive fairways and the skilled caddies, you won't go through too many. Golf balls are heavy. Bring the smallest amount you're comfortable with.
Is Bandon Dunes a hard course? ›Bandon Dunes is the least difficult course of the four on the property, but its palpable devotion to links style—with its rippled fairways, massive greens and challenging coastal holes—fuse together a vivid golf experience.
How much did it cost to build Bandon Dunes? ›So if Pacific Dunes, one of the four courses at the Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Oregon ranked inside the Top 100 you can play, and a course that cost roughly $2.5m to build, cost one quarter of what it took to create Typical Hills, should it not follow Pacific Dunes's green fee is a quarter the size?
How many courses are there at Bandon Dunes? ›
Six distinct links courses have been conceived in harmony with the natural environment. They combine with all the essential elements to reveal a new golf experience every time you play. The soul of the game resides here.
How many holes does Bandon Dunes have? ›| Club information | |
|---|---|
| Total holes | 121 90 regular holes 13 par-3 holes 18 putting holes |
| Website | bandondunesgolf.com |
| Bandon Dunes | |
| Designed by | David McLay Kidd |
The fee is $100 per round per player, plus tip. With a $25 gratuity per round, caddies can pull in $500 a day for a “dub-dub.” One of our caddies, a 25-year veteran who has looped in major championships, splits his time equally between Bandon and a premier, old money country club in the south.
What is ghost tree at Bandon Dunes? ›The “Ghost Tree” is a lone shore pine stripped bare by wind that stands hauntingly atop a dune ridge that must be hit over some 150 yards from the tee.
How much do you pay a caddie at Bandon Dunes? ›All caddie fees are to be paid by the guest directly to the caddie. The caddie fee is $100 per bag, per round plus gratuity.
What is the hardest par 3 on the PGA Tour? ›- The Masters, Augusta National: 3.255.
- PGA Championship, Southern Hills: 3.228.
- U.S. Open, The Country Club: 3.202.
- Arnold Palmer Invitational, Bay Hill: 3.193.
- Butterfield Bermuda Championship, Port Royal: 3.190.
- Honda Classic, PGA National (Champion): 3.188.
This does mean the par 3 course will be easy. You'll learn quickly that it's hard to make a birdie or par on many of the holes. It's a great way to improve your wedge game and putting, but a par 3 course can also be humbling.
What is the longest a par 3 can be in golf? ›On your average golf course the longest par 3 hole may be 215 yards or so in length. Some more difficult courses may have par 3 holes that stretch as far as 240 yards which is much further than a typical par 3 golf hole which can be as short as 90 yards.
How many strokes can you take on a par 3? ›Take no more than four putts. On par three holes, pick your ball up if you haven't reached the green in six strokes.
What is the hardest course to walk on the PGA Tour? ›WHISTLING STRAITS
More than 7,000 truckloads of sand—approximately 105,000 cubic yards—were brought in to create the rugged, windswept terrain seen today that's hosted three PGA Championships and the 2021 Ryder Cup.
What is the hardest PGA golf course to play at? ›
| Ranking | Course | Par |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oak Hill Country Club - East Course | 5132 |
| 2 | Torrey Pines Golf Course (South Course) | 3186 |
| 3 | Augusta National Golf Club | 3029 |
| 4 | Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead Course) | 4948 |
The largest of the greens is on the 181-yard 8th, the Biarritz hole (pictured). This green with a large swale in the middle is 75 yards long and 40 yards wide. Depending on hole location and wind, it might be possible to hit anything from driver to sand wedge—from the same tee box.
Should you get a caddie at Bandon Dunes? ›Yes. Taking a caddie is encouraged.
How do you get in shape for Bandon Dunes? ›This cannot be overemphasized. There are no carts at Bandon Dunes (except in the case of medical necessity), so you're going to be walking at least five miles a day, in the wind, on ground that is anything but flat. For at least a couple months before your trip, make a point of walking as much as possible.
Is it always windy at Bandon Dunes? ›The most consistent element at Bandon is the wind, which is present all year round. Calm periods are quite rare and apparently tend to occur around late September to early October.
How long does a round take at Bandon Dunes? ›Most travel days to Bandon Dunes are long and exhausting, and a round at Preserve, which takes less than two hours, is energizing and invigorating.
What are the windiest months at Bandon Dunes? ›The windiest month of the year in Bandon is December, with an average hourly wind speed of 9.5 miles per hour. The calmer time of year lasts for 7.1 months, from April 1 to November 4. The calmest month of the year in Bandon is September, with an average hourly wind speed of 7.1 miles per hour.
What movie was filmed at Bandon Dunes? ›Bandon-filmed 'The Rental': Director Dave Franco calls the thriller's Oregon location beautiful and 'ominous' Published: Jul. 23, 2020, 4:00 p.m.
Does Bandon Dunes make money? ›Bandon Dunes Golf Resort makes $104,110 in a day.
In a single month, Bandon Dunes Golf Resort normally makes close to $3.2M in revenue.
Bandon Dunes
Pacific Dunes, the second of the three, features some nontraditional routing which leads to the back nine having four par threes. The resort itself has become a hot destination spot for its golf and would definitely make for an interesting U.S. Open or PGA Championship.
What is the closest airport to Bandon Dunes? ›
Fly directly to Bandon State Airport (S05) or Southwest Oregon Regional Airport (OTH), 10 and 35 minutes, respectively, to the gates of the resort. Flights for groups may be arranged through StraightLine Private Air.
Can you play 9 holes at Bandon Dunes? ›Shorty's is a nine-hole par-three course at the Bandon Dunes Practice Center. It was designed by David McLay Kidd in 2000, the same Scottish architect who designed Bandon Dunes golf course.
How many people work at Bandon Dunes? ›Bandon Dunes Golf Resort has 525 employees.
Where is the punchbowl at Bandon Dunes? ›The Punchbowl is a complimentary golf amenity for resort guests. Where is it located? Adjacent to the 1st tee at Pacific Dunes and just northwest of the Pacific Grill patio.
What year did Bandon Oregon burn down? ›The residents of Bandon would not be so lucky on September 26, 1936. On that late summer day a forest fire burned several miles east of town, far enough away that the residents of Bandon were not particularly worried.
How old is Bandon Dunes? ›Bandon Dunes opened in 1999 to unprecedented reviews and remains one of the finest links courses in the nation.
How much should I tip my tour driver? ›The general rule of thumb is that you should tip your chauffeur between 15% and 20%.
How much do you tip a bag boy at a golf course? ›A standard tip is for a bag caddie attendant is roughly $3 per bag, however, a $5 dollar tip will go a long way to ensure your clubs are cleaned with a bit of extra care and attention after the round.
What is a typical caddie fee? ›Caddies that work at country clubs and golf courses and carry recreational golfers' clubs commonly make between $100 and $140 per bag they carry. Caddies for professional golfers, specifically those on the PGA Tour, make a base rate of $1,500 to $3,000 per tournament, plus a percentage of the player's winnings.
Why are they called ghost trees? ›Ghost Trees gets its name from the white and gnarly Monterey Cypress trees in the area which call to mind ghosts. One of the earliest known surfers of Ghost Trees was Fred Van Dyke, who bodysurfed the wave alone in the early 1960s.
What are the trigger warnings for the ghost tree? ›
Trigger Warnings: racism, slurs, murder, gore, violence, underage sex (incl. off-page sex between a minor and an adult presented as consensual), 18 year old dating a 14 year old presented as consensual, fatphobia, slutshaming.
What bird is on Bandon Dunes logo? ›Tufted Puffin—Bandon Dunes (Oregon)
An iconic species that nests on the Oregon coast, the tufted puffin looks like a cross between a parrot and penguin, with a very distinctive tangerine-colored bill.
Professional caddies earn between 5 and 10% of their golfer's winnings, which can vary significantly. Amateur caddies at country clubs start at $20 per hour and can go as high as $75 per hour, not including tips. But earnings can vary wildly from course to course and golfer to golfer.
Do Bandon Dunes rooms have refrigerators? ›Each room includes local Oregon crafted furniture and woodwork, a large fireplace, refrigerator, plenty of closet space, and locally inspired artwork.
How much do Liv tour caddies make? ›Traditionally, if the player wins the event, the caddie receives ten percent of the overall player earnings, for a top ten finish a caddie gets seven percent, and for anything else it's five percent. Caddies also have a base salary, which is typically around three thousand dollars per tournament.
What is pace of play at Bandon Dunes? ›Setting the pace
To keep up a pace of 4:20 throughout the day, the first rounds of the day must be played at an even quicker pace. A slow front group will have a cascading effect that slows down the course throughout the day.
There are close to 700 par 3 courses in the U.S., according to the NGF facility database, almost 10% more than the number of Red Lobster chain restaurants that can be found coast to coast.
What is the loudest par 3 in the PGA? ›Crowds of more than 200,000 turn up each day to watch the most bonkers week on the PGA Tour - but only 20,000 seats interest them. They surround the iconic 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale, a 163-yard par three, otherwise known as the loudest place in golf.
What is the hardest course at Bandon Dunes? ›Bandon Trails is also the hardest course at Bandon Dunes. There is not a lot of room for error, and it will challenge all of your shot making abilities.
How much money does Bandon Dunes make a year? ›Bandon Dunes Golf Resort revenue is $38.0M annually. After extensive research and analysis, Zippia's data science team found the following key financial metrics. Bandon Dunes Golf Resort has 525 employees, and the revenue per employee ratio is $72,380. Bandon Dunes Golf Resort peak revenue was $38.0M in 2022.
Can you use a driver on a par 3? ›
Do you need a driver for par 3? The vast majority of par 3s won't require your driver, but it's possible. Some par 3s are more than 230 yards in length. If you're playing a par 3 course, always check the scorecard to determine which clubs you should bring for your round.
What is the easiest par 3 in the US? ›1 Easiest: 3rd At Monterey Peninsula (Par 3)
This is a par three of 214 yards. There's the diagonally place green and a natural bunker. But most find these easy to navigate around. Negotiate your shot well from the left side and you should be able to make this hole in three at the very least.