Pacific Dunes · Hole 1
Blue
368
White
288
Gold
218
Red
118
Pacific Dunes announces itself with a rollicking opener through the dunes that immediately sets this course apart from its neighbor up the hill. The fairway winds between towering dune ridges, offering a surprisingly sheltered tee shot for a links course — but don't be lulled into complacency. The approach to a small, firm green is one of the more demanding on the front nine, and the rough in the dune corridors is thick and ball-swallowing.
Shot-by-Shot Strategy
Tee Shot
Aim for the right-center of the fairway with a driver or 3-wood. The left dune wall is closer than it looks and the rough at its base is nearly unplayable. The right side of the fairway is more generous and opens the best angle to the green on the approach. Mid-handicappers who want control should opt for a 3-wood and accept a longer approach — the fairway is wide enough to reward accuracy over power on this opening hole.
Approach
The green sits in a natural dune bowl, which makes it appear lower than it actually plays. The prevailing wind becomes a factor as you clear the dune ridge — take one extra club as insurance. The green is open at the front and allows a bump-and-run approach in firm conditions, which is often the smartest play when the wind is blowing. Aim for the center and let the bowl shape of the surroundings funnel the ball toward the flag.
Putting
The green has a subtle bowl shape that helps gather putts toward the center. Most putts break less than they appear to, as the gentle hollow counters extreme side slopes. Read the green from behind the hole — the backstop effect of the bowl can be deceptive from the front. Speed is the primary concern here; the green can be faster than it looks in the dune environment.
⚠Gotchas — What Kills Your Score
- •The dune rough on both sides is absolutely penal — a ball in the base of a dune can easily be unplayable.
- •The wind that is blocked by the dune ridges on the tee becomes fully present on the approach — don't be caught underclubbed.
- •The green plays firmer and faster than the surroundings suggest — bump-and-run is often better than a high pitch.
- •The bowl shape of the green helps putts stay on the surface but can create unexpected redirects on longer putts.
Wind Intelligence
The dune ridges on this hole provide unusual wind shelter for a Bandon property course. The tee shot plays in relatively calm conditions while the approach is exposed to the full southwest wind as you crest the dune. This creates a two-club differential that surprises players every time. When the wind is particularly strong, add two full clubs to your approach from the yardage you see on the marker.
Hazard Map
- ▲Dune rough on both sides of the fairway corridor
- ▲Thick fescue at the base of the left dune wall
- ▲Wind exposure on the approach after dune shelter on the tee
- ▲Firm, fast green that can reject approach shots