Bandon Dunes · Hole 7
Blue
399
White
319
Gold
249
Red
149
A dogleg right that bends toward the ocean, Hole 7 is a strategically rich par 4 that rewards players who can shape the ball off the tee. The corner of the dogleg is guarded by a cluster of pot bunkers that catch drives that try to cut too much off the corner. Lay back too far and the approach angle to the green becomes awkward. The green itself is angled to reward an approach from the left-center of the fairway.
Shot-by-Shot Strategy
Tee Shot
The ideal drive carries the left edge of the fairway bunker cluster (230-250 yards) and leaves a short iron to a receptive green. Aggressive players who try to cut the corner must carry 255 yards to clear the pot bunkers — if in doubt, don't try it. For mid-handicappers, a 3-wood aimed at the left-center of the fairway sets up the most comfortable angle. Drives pushed right will find a ridge that feeds the ball into the rough above the green complex.
Approach
Approach from the left-center of the fairway with a short to mid iron. The green is angled left-to-right — an approach from the left gives you the full depth of the green to work with. From the right side, the green is effectively cut in half and the back-right bunker comes into play. The front of the green has a subtle slope that rejects underhit shots. Play to the center and let the natural tilt of the green do the rest.
Putting
The green has a mild left-to-right tilt toward the ocean side. Putts from the left side of the green are more straightforward; putts from the right side tend to break more dramatically and require a gentle touch. The speed is consistent across the green — focus on line rather than pace here.
⚠Gotchas — What Kills Your Score
- •The pot bunkers at the dogleg corner catch aggressive drives that don't quite carry enough — recovery from them is very difficult.
- •The ridge on the right side of the fairway that deflects drives into the rough is hidden from view on the tee.
- •The green's angle means that the approach distance varies significantly depending on where you end up in the fairway.
- •A back-right pin position is nearly unapproachable from the right side of the fairway.
Wind Intelligence
The prevailing southwest wind helps players turn the corner of this dogleg, effectively acting as a tailwind through the right side of the fairway. However, in stronger conditions, this can push even a well-struck tee shot too far right. When the wind is blowing hard, take less club and aim further left than feels comfortable. The approach benefits from a slight tailwind in standard conditions, so take one less club than the measured yardage suggests.
Hazard Map
- ▲Pot bunker cluster at the corner of the dogleg
- ▲Back-right greenside bunker
- ▲Ridge on the right side deflecting balls into rough
- ▲Native fescue rough lining both sides of the fairway