Bandon Trails · Hole 1
Blue
393
White
318
Gold
253
Red
153
The opening hole at Bandon Trails plunges you immediately into the dense Pacific forest that defines the first eight holes. A tight tee shot between towering pines sets the tone for the entire round — accuracy off the tee is more valuable than distance, and the urge to throttle driver must be resisted from the very first swing.
Shot-by-Shot Strategy
Tee Shot
Three-wood or hybrid off the tee into the narrow forest corridor. The fairway is 30 yards wide at the landing zone — precise by any standard — and trees left and right mean a miss of even 10 yards can result in a blocked lie or an unplayable ball. Aim at the right-center of the fairway and keep it in play above all else. Par is an excellent score here for a first-time visitor.
Approach
From the fairway, the approach plays to a green tucked between trees with a bunker guarding the right front. Come in from the left side for the best angle. A mid-iron to the center of the green is the right call — there's no reason to chase a tight pin in the trees. The Coore & Crenshaw green complex is large enough to offer multiple quadrants; confirm pin sheet position before committing.
Putting
The forest-sheltered green tends to be softer and slower than the exposed heathland and dune holes later in the round. Don't be surprised if your first putt comes up short — the pace here is more muted. Slopes are subtle but the green pitches front-to-back; above the hole, pace down.
⚠Gotchas — What Kills Your Score
- •The forest corridor is the primary challenge — tree trunks are thick and branches low. A slight pull or push off the tee is a penalty stroke waiting to happen.
- •The green's right-front bunker catches the natural miss — most players instinctively aim right in a forest setting because left feels dangerous.
- •First-tee nerves in an unfamiliar forest setting often produce a pull — align right of your intended target to compensate.
Wind Intelligence
Hole 1 plays through dense forest that provides significant wind shelter. Even in a strong coastal wind, this hole will feel calm and quiet by Bandon standards. The wind is not a factor here — accuracy and control are. Take advantage of the shelter to find your swing before the course becomes more exposed in the heathland section.
Hazard Map
- ▲Dense Pacific forest both sides of fairway
- ▲Bunker right-front of green
- ▲Trees encroaching on approach from both sides