GreenReader
Active Member
- Messages
- 247
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- Location
- Pebble Beach, CA
Just got back from a Bandon trip. Played all five courses (yeah, I know, lucky me). Pacific Dunes, Bandon Dunes, Old Mac, Sheep Ranch, and Trails. Trails was the one I almost skipped because everyone says it's the "worst" of the bunch. Big mistake to skip it, honestly. It might be my favorite now.
The thing about Trails is it doesn't have the ocean views. You start in the dunes, then you climb up into a forest, and it feels like a completely different course. The back nine is tree-lined and tight, then you come back down to the dunes for the finish. It's like playing two courses in one. The conditioning was perfect when I was there (late August). Firm and fast, which is how it should be.
I played Pacific Dunes the day before and got absolutely murdered by wind. That Pacific Dunes wind thread is no joke. I shot 92 and felt like I'd been in a fight. Trails the next day was way more sheltered. Still windy, but not the same beast. It was actually enjoyable. I could actually think about my shots instead of just praying.
As for Kiawah, I played the Ocean Course a couple years ago and thought it was a bit overhyped. There's a thread on that here: