How to Play Pacific Dunes: Tom Doak's Cliffside Masterpiece

Pacific Dunes is the course many golfers rank as their favorite in the world, and it's easy to see why. Tom Doak's design, opened in 2001 at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, weaves through towering dunes and along the cliffs of the Oregon coast with a natural, almost untouched feel. Rugged blowout bunkers, firm fescue fairways and greens that seem to sit naturally in the landscape make every hole feel like it was found rather than built.

It's not long by modern standards, at roughly 6,600 yards from the back and par 71, but it's full of strategy. The back nine breaks every convention with four par 3s, three par 5s and only two par 4s, and the result is a round full of variety. If you love creativity, natural beauty and a course that rewards thinking over power, Pacific Dunes will captivate you. It suits mid-handicappers well, because smart decisions matter more than length.

Before you go

• Book well ahead. As one of the most popular courses at the resort, Pacific Dunes fills up quickly. Staying on property gives you the best access to tee times.
• It's walking only. Carts aren't allowed except for medical needs. Take a caddie if you can; Pacific's greens and lines off the tee aren't always obvious, and local knowledge helps.
• Check the wind direction. The prevailing winds on this coast shift with the seasons, generally from the north in summer and from the south in winter, which completely changes how many holes play.
• Choose shorter tees on windy days. Doak's design is about angles and ground contours. You'll enjoy it more hitting short irons into the greens.
• Pack layers. Coastal Oregon weather can be cool, damp and windy at any time of year.

Hole-by-hole strategy

Holes 1–3: Getting a feel for the ground

The opening holes wind through the dunes and introduce you to Pacific's style: wide-ish fairways framed by sandy blowouts, with greens that respond to well-judged approaches along the ground. Spend these holes learning how the ball reacts on landing. The turf is firm, so expect your shots to roll farther than at home, and use slopes on the approaches to funnel the ball toward the hole.

Hole 4: Along the cliffs

The 4th is a strong par 4 that runs right along the cliff edge, with a long drop to the beach on the right side. It's one of the most dramatic holes on the property and demands a confident tee shot. Aim down the left-center of the fairway, away from the cliff, and accept a slightly longer approach. On the second shot, aim for the left half of the green as well. Being short and left is a much better miss than anything right.

Holes 5–9: Through the dunes

The middle of the front nine moves through dunes and blowouts, with holes that change direction often, which means the wind will hit you from different angles almost every hole. Pay close attention to the flag and the dune grasses before each shot. When a blowout bunker sits in your line, the smart play is usually to go around it rather than over it; these are natural, rugged hazards, and lies can be unpredictable. On the par 5s, think about angles: the best line into the green often comes from a part of the fairway you wouldn't naturally aim for, so plan your layup with the approach in mind.

Holes 10–11: Back-to-back par 3s

The back nine opens with two consecutive par 3s. The 10th looks back toward the ocean and asks for a well-judged mid-to-short iron, with the wind playing a big role. The 11th is short on the card, but it can play like a much longer hole into a stiff breeze. On both, take the club that gets you to the middle of the green. Many golfers underclub into the wind; take one more, swing easy and keep the ball low.

Holes 12–14: Cliffside drama

The 13th is one of the most anticipated holes on the course, a par 4 that runs along the cliffs above the beach. The fairway begins wide and gradually narrows toward the green, with a dune on one side and the ocean on the other. Place your tee shot in the wider portion of the fairway, then play a controlled approach to the center of the green. Don't get greedy with the flag. Around the 12th and 14th, continue to play for position, using the contours of the fairways and greens to feed the ball toward your target.

Holes 15–18: The finish

With three par 5s on the back nine, the closing stretch gives you chances to score if you've stayed patient. On the par 5s, lay up to positions that give you a clear look and a comfortable distance into the green. Pacific's greens are full of subtle contours, so the side of the green you approach from matters. The final holes often play into or across the wind, so plan your club selection carefully and favor lower trajectories. Finishing with pars here is a great way to cap off one of the best rounds in golf.

Scoring tips for mid-handicappers

• Think angles, not distance. Doak designed many holes so the best approach angle comes from a specific side of the fairway. Ask your caddie which side is best before each tee shot.
• Use the slopes. Fairways and greens are full of contours that can feed the ball toward the hole. Aim to use them rather than fight them.
• Master the knockdown. A low, controlled shot is your best friend in the wind. Practice it before your trip.
• Respect the blowouts. Natural bunkers can leave unpredictable lies. Avoid them rather than trying to carry them.
• Take your putter from off the green. The firm, tight turf makes the putter a reliable option from many spots around the green.
• Don't chase par on the hardest holes. On the cliffside par 4s, a bogey is a solid score. Avoid the big number by keeping the ball away from the edge.

Pacific Dunes is a course that rewards imagination, patience and an appreciation for natural beauty. Play smart, keep the ball low and enjoy every step of the walk, and you'll see why so many golfers call it the best course they've ever played.