Bandon Trails at the Bandon Dunes Golf Resort: A course you should play at least once

BANDON, Ore. -- It can't be easy being Bandon Trails, one of four outstanding golf courses at the Bandon Dunes Golf Resort.

All four are on Golfweek's list of best resort courses for 2012, but Bandon Trails pulls up the rear -- at No. 11.

Pacific Dunes is No. 1, Old Macdonald is No. 2 and Bandon Dunes is No. 6. And who knows where the fifth course (Bandon Preserve) will land on next year's list. Bandon Preserve is set to open in May 2012.

But Bandon Trails, which opened as the third course at the resort in 2005, is just as much as slice of heaven as the other courses at the Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. Beginning atop a massive sand dune, Bandon Trails opens up into sprawling meadow and coastal forest before finishing back in the dunes. The Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw design plays 6,765 yards from the back tees, and you'll enjoy every one.

Bandon Dunes Golf Resort - Bandon Trails - clubhouse

Bandon Trails at the Bandon Dunes Golf Resort is No. 11 on Golfweek's list of best resort courses for 2012.

Oleg Volovik/TravelGolf

Bandon Dunes Golf Resort - Bandon Trails - hole 1

With the wind likely at your back, you may not need driver at the par-4 first hole on the Bandon Trails course at the Bandon Dunes Golf Resort.

Oleg Volovik/TravelGolf

Bandon Dunes Golf Resort - Bandon Trails - irrigation

A look at morning irrigation on the Bandon Trails course at the Bandon Dunes Golf Resort.

Oleg Volovik/TravelGolf

Bandon Dunes Golf Resort - Bandon Trails - logo

A butterfly is the logo of the Bandon Trails course at the Bandon Dunes Golf Resort.

Oleg Volovik/TravelGolf

Bandon Dunes Golf Resort - Bandon Trails - hole 2

Elevation change and wind are factors with club selection at the par-3 second hole on the Bandon Trails course at the Bandon Dunes Golf Resort.

Oleg Volovik/TravelGolf

Bandon Dunes Golf Resort - Bandon Trails - hole 3

The tee shot at the par-5 third hole on the Bandon Trails course at the Bandon Dunes Golf Resort is over the road, so watch out for cars.

Oleg Volovik/TravelGolf

Bandon Dunes Golf Resort - Bandon Trails - trails

Trails covered by wood chips is a signature touch on the Bandon Trails course at the Bandon Dunes Golf Resort.

Oleg Volovik/TravelGolf

Bandon Dunes Golf Resort - Bandon Trails - hole 3

Beware of the third green on the Bandon Trails course at the Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. The back drops off abruptly.

Oleg Volovik/TravelGolf

Bandon Dunes Golf Resort - Bandon Trails - hole 5

The 133-yard, par-3 fifth on the Bandon Trails course at the Bandon Dunes Golf Resort isn't long, but don't let that fool you.

Oleg Volovik/TravelGolf

Bandon Dunes Golf Resort - Bandon Trails - hole 17

The par-3 17th green is surrounded by bunkers on the Bandon Trails course at the Bandon Dunes Golf Resort.

Oleg Volovik/TravelGolf