Bandon Trails · Hole 15
Blue
168
White
93
Gold
28
Red
28
A dunes par 3 where wind is the defining factor. Played from an elevated tee through a natural dune corridor to a green tucked among sand features, this hole looks short but plays to its full challenge when the Oregon coast wind is up. The sandy terrain surrounding the green means a slight miss in any direction leads to a difficult up-and-down.
Shot-by-Shot Strategy
Tee Shot
Club aggressively for the wind. The dune corridor can channel and amplify the southwest wind, making this 168-yard hole play 200+ yards in strong conditions. Land the ball on the green — anything short is plugged in the sandy rough or in a greenside bunker. The center of the green is always the correct target; chasing pins in the dunes on a par 3 is a punishable offense.
Putting
The dune green drains very quickly and can be the firmest putting surface of the round. Wind affects the putts here noticeably — on long putts, factor in a slight drift in the prevailing wind direction. The sand-based greens roll true but lack the slower cushion of grass-based greens.
⚠Gotchas — What Kills Your Score
- •The wind is the most variable on the entire course at hole 15 — the dune corridor funnels the southwest wind unpredictably. Take an extra moment to observe the flag and the grass before selecting club.
- •Short misses are the worst possible outcome here — bunkers and sandy rough short of the green produce some of the most difficult up-and-downs on the course.
- •Firm sandy turf means the ball runs considerably further if you fly it past the hole — back-green is rarely as safe as front.
Wind Intelligence
The dune corridor is the most wind-unpredictable location at Bandon Trails. The prevailing southwest wind is channeled and amplified by the dune ridges on either side of the tee-to-green line. Effective playing distance can vary by 40 yards depending on whether the wind is channeled into the corridor or deflected by the ridges. Trust the flag completely.
Hazard Map
- ▲Sandy rough and dune vegetation short and right of green
- ▲Bunkers framing both sides of the green
- ▲Wind channeling through dune corridor amplifying headwind effect