Thanks to Johnny for adding this course to the database because it absolutely deserves its own page along with the four main Bandon Dunes courses. Some people might not be able to take a 13-hole par-3... Continue »

Thanks to Johnny for adding this course to the database because it absolutely deserves its own page along with the four main Bandon Dunes courses. Some people might not be able to take a 13-hole par-3 course seriously, especially at the lofty pricing, but it is a must-play if visiting the resort. The winter rate of $50 is a little bit more palatable, but still steep. I pretty much had the course to myself, teeing off around 10:00 and enjoying my own pace. The conditions were good and on par with the rest of the resort. Tight fescue throughout, but the greens were receptive enough. That helps on a par-3 course as you can fire at the pins on most holes. Tee boxes and bunkers good. This is such a fun course with a good mix of hole lengths and a few nice changes in elevation. It brings elements from the other Bandon courses and condenses it all down into a bunch of signature par-3s. This is probably the best course of the bunch for photographs. Not only is it situated on a great part of the property with nice ocean views, but the way it is all condensed really allows for nice pictures. All the big dunes, native grasses, mounds, etc. shape the course and frame each hole so nicely. Just a really fun and unique par-3 course that encapsulates what this place is all about. I'll make a quick note about Shorty's and The Punchbowl here, too, as the resort's other "short" courses. Shorty's is worth a stop when it's open (Thu-Sun and hours vary). It's free while you are at the resort and it's a solid little 9-hole par-3 course designed by David McLay Kidd. It's a good warm-up right next to the main range and it's a more legit layout than you might expect with a good mix of hole lengths. The Punchbowl was less fun than I imagined, but it was kind of a lackluster set up today. It's a massive green complex with all sorts of crazy undulations designed by Tom Doak and Jim Urbina. The holes move around daily. Today, most were kind of short and uninspired. I can imagine it would be much more fun if the holes were stretched out and you were making 100-foot putts over all sorts of insane humps and bumps. I think that's how it's supposed to be, but today they didn't seem to want to use the full space. It was fun and it is a good way to warm up before playing Pacific Dunes (it's right next to the first tee), but otherwise nothing to go too crazy about. It is also free while you are there.