Bandon Trails · Hole 2
Blue
591
White
516
Gold
451
Red
351
The first par 5 at Bandon Trails is a long and demanding challenge through the forest. At 591 yards from the tips, it plays into one of the tighter fairway corridors on the course. Reaching the green in two is only realistic for the longest hitters playing perfectly — for most, this is a three-shot hole that rewards patience and positional accuracy.
Shot-by-Shot Strategy
Tee Shot
Driver is appropriate here given the length, but the forest corridor demands a confident, controlled swing. Aim at the left-center of the fairway — the trees right of the 240-yard mark are the most punishing. A slight draw helps work the ball away from trouble right. Reaching 260 yards puts you in the best position for the layup decision.
Approach
The second shot layup zone is between 100 and 120 yards — avoid the temptation to go for the green in two unless you are in the fairway and conditions are calm. The third shot from 100 yards is a full wedge into a receptive green, and this is where birdies are made. A forced carry over the creek at 70 yards requires a precise landing zone short of the water.
Putting
The green is the largest on the opening forest stretch. Multiple shelf levels mean pin position dictates everything about the third shot approach. Confirm which shelf the pin occupies — a wrong side approach leaves a treacherous cross-shelf putt that virtually guarantees three putts.
⚠Gotchas — What Kills Your Score
- •The creek crossing at approximately 70 yards from the green catches layup shots that come up short — leave yourself 100 yards minimum to carry it cleanly.
- •Going for it in two from the rough is almost always the wrong decision — the approach is narrow between trees and the risk is a lost ball or unplayable.
- •The multi-tier green punishes the wrong approach angle severely. A back-shelf pin approached from the wrong side leaves a 40-foot cross-shelf bomb.
Wind Intelligence
The forest provides significant shelter throughout this hole. What little wind reaches the fairway is broken and unpredictable — gusts between gaps in the tree canopy can affect ball flight suddenly. On the third shot approach, the opening to the green can funnel wind unexpectedly. Pay attention to grass movement at the green entrance.
Hazard Map
- ▲Dense forest both sides throughout
- ▲Creek crossing approximately 70 yards from green
- ▲Multi-tier green creating cross-shelf putting situations
- ▲Narrowing fairway corridor between second and third shot