Photo by Wood Sabold

Pacific Dunes' fourth hole is bordered by the ocean.

If you make the terrible mistake of coming to Bandon, Oregon with only enough time to play one round on your Bandon Dunes golf vacation, your choice is Pacific Dunes.

Like Bandon Dunes, Pacific Dunes is a links course in the Scottish tradition. True to form, mighty winds can blow and a low running game is required. Walking is expected on your Bandon Dunes golf vacation, but an extensive caddie program insures that you won't have to carry your own bag.

Pacific Dunes surpasses even the lofty standards set by Bandon Dunes, the first course of this Pacific Northwest golfer's paradise. Architect Tom Doak capitalized on the dramatic elevation changes and varied terrain to create an epic test of golf.

At 6,800 yards, the par-71 layout varies widely from start to finish and requires diverse shot making. Pacific Dunes emerges from, and ultimately returns to shore pines, and in between, passes massive dunes, huge sand scapes and blow-out bunkers. There is also a stretch through formerly gorse-filled plains, making this round of your Bandon Dunes golf vacation quite a roller coaster ride.

Designer Tom Doak is a traditionalist who is not afraid to break with convention. His Pacific Dunes layout includes only one par-3 and one par-5 on the front, but compensates with four par-3's and three par-5's on the back -- the better half of the course.

The variety, challenge and setting of Pacific Dunes give it that intangible balance, rhythm and joy that set a world-class course apart and make playing it an indispensable part of your Bandon Dunes golf vacation.

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