Bandon Dunes golf course - No. 4
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Bandon Dunes golf course - No. 4
No. 4 at Bandon Dunes: Your first look at the Pacific Ocean on the first course built on property. As you come around the bend and assess your approach, you can't help but be distracted by the endless blue backdrop. Matt Ginella/Golf Advisor
Bandon Trails golf course - No. 17
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Bandon Trails golf course - No. 17
No. 17 at Bandon Trails: When thoughtful routing and architecture starts looking a lot like art. Matt Ginella/GolfPass
Bandon Trails golf course - No. 14
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Bandon Trails golf course - No. 14
No. 14 at Bandon Trails: It's a polarizing hole, but you can't argue the merit of the view from one of the highest points on property. Matt Ginella/Golf Advisor
Bandon Trails golf course - No. 13
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Bandon Trails golf course - No. 13
No. 13 at Bandon Trails: If you opt to walk to the 14th tee instead of taking the shuttle, don't miss this view of the 13th green and one of the most underrated holes on property. Matt Ginella/Golf Advisor
Bandon Trails golf course - No. 5
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Bandon Trails golf course - No. 5
No. 5 at Bandon Trails: They've cleaned it up and softened the short tee shot since I took this picture, but you can't help but think Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw also knew they had something special when they found this tee and green. Matt Ginella/Golf Advisor
Bandon Preserve golf course - No. 6
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Bandon Preserve golf course - No. 6
No. 6 at Bandon Preserve: Preserve was supposed to be 12 holes until Bill Coore found this tee and green. Misses high and right will often roll down off the mound and make its way toward the hole. Let the cheering and jeering begin. Matt Ginella/Golf Advisor
Bandon Preserve golf course - No. 5
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Bandon Preserve golf course - No. 5
No. 5 at Bandon Preserve: One of my favorite spots on property, it's at this point you know Preserve is more than just a short course, and I especially love the distant view of my favorite tree in golf. Matt Ginella/Golf Advisor
Pacific Dunes golf course - No. 18
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Pacific Dunes golf course - No. 18
No. 18 at Pacific Dunes: As you walk to Pacific Dunes' first tee, you can't help appreciate the clearing that's been done to reveal more of what is going to be your fun finish. Matt Ginella/Golf Advisor
Pacific Dunes golf course - No. 17
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Pacific Dunes golf course - No. 17
No. 17 at Pacific Dunes: Some fun options standing on this tee, especially with this pin placement. I strongly suggest you play to the right and try to get out of there with a two-putt. Matt Ginella/Golf Advisor
Pacific Dunes golf course - No. 13
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Pacific Dunes golf course - No. 13
The approach shot on No. 13 at Pacific Dunes is up there with the eighth at Pebble Beach in terms of test and treachery. Matt Ginella/GolfPass
Pacific Dunes golf course - No. 12
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Pacific Dunes golf course - No. 12
No. 12 at Pacific Dunes: As I made my way to the Pacific Dunes' fourth tee, I was treated to this sunrise spotlighting the 12th green. Matt Ginella/Golf Advisor
Bandon Dunes golf course - No. 5
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Bandon Dunes golf course - No. 5
No. 5 at Bandon Dunes: One of the toughest par 4s on property, it always seems to play into the wind and the approach pinches into a treacherous corridor of double bogeys. Matt Ginella/Golf Advisor
Pacific Dunes golf course - No. 11
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Pacific Dunes golf course - No. 11
No. 11 at Pacific Dunes: Given the quality of looks and variations in yardages and shot values, no one can take issue with Doak starting Pacific Dunes' back nine with back-to-back par 3s. Matt Ginella/Golf Advisor
Bandon Dunes golf course - No. 6
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Bandon Dunes golf course - No. 6
No. 6 at Bandon Dunes: It's listed as a par 3, but most amateurs would take a 4 and move right on to the seventh tee. Matt Ginella/Golf Advisor
Bandon Dunes golf course - No. 16
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Bandon Dunes golf course - No. 16
No. 16 at Bandon Dunes: Standing on this epic stage, very few make sweet music as they try to drive the flirt of the 16th green. Matt Ginella/Golf Advisor
Bandon Dunes G.C. - No. 18
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Bandon Dunes G.C. - No. 18
No. 18 at Bandon Dunes: A fun finish that leads you back to the main lodge and a cold drink as you take a seat and reflect on how much fun you just had. Matt Ginella/Golf Advisor
Old Macdonald golf course - No. 7
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Old Macdonald golf course - No. 7
No. 7 at Old Macdonald: Not only does the green give you a sweeping view of the course you're on, but I especially like the peek around the corner to the back of Pacific Dunes' 13th green. Matt Ginella/Golf Advisor
Old Macdonald golf course - No. 15
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Old Macdonald golf course - No. 15
15th at Old Macdonald: Yet another expanse of Doak and Urbina's homage to Charles Blair Macdonald. Matt Ginella/Golf Advisor
Pacific Dunes golf course - No. 4
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Pacific Dunes golf course - No. 4
No. 4 at Pacific Dunes: I can't walk off the this green without climbing into the dunes and look back to the tee. It never disappoints. Matt Ginella/Golf Advisor
Pacific Dunes golf course - No. 10
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Pacific Dunes golf course - No. 10
10th at Pacific Dunes: Yet another spot on property in which there's a great reveal of a distracting and intimidating view of what you need to do to make par. Matt Ginella/Golf Advisor
Bandon Dunes - Bunker Bar
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Bandon Dunes - Bunker Bar
Money has been known to exchange hands over card games in the Bunker Bar at Bandon Dunes. Matt Ginella/Golf Advisor
The Labyrinth
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The Labyrinth
The Labyrinth can be found along one of the many walking trails at Bandon Dunes. Matt Ginella/Golf Advisor
Bandon Dunes - Shoe
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Bandon Dunes - Shoe
Bob "Shoe" Gaspar: one of the many personalities that make Bandon Dunes so hospitable. Matt Ginella/Golf Advisor
Bandon Dunes - The Tree
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Bandon Dunes - The Tree
Sunset at Bandon Dunes makes for some stunning scenery. Matt Ginella/Golf Advisor
Punchbowl at Bandon Dunes
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Punchbowl at Bandon Dunes
The Punchbowl putting course is one of the newest additions to Bandon Dunes. Matt Ginella/Golf Advisor
25 Images

In photos: The 20 best holes at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort

Although there are poems written about Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, the pilgrimage to get there is anything but poetry. That being said, I go on a moment's notice. And over the years, I have been fortunate enough to have several moments in which I dropped everything to make the tremendous trek. And the reason why I keep going back is not that complicated. In fact, it's the simplicity with which Mike Keiser and his team presents the golf, lodging, amenities and service that is the simple answer as to why Bandon is so special.

"Golf as it was meant to be," is their slogan. But what they deliver is so much more. By doing so much less.

Confusing, I know, but Bandon allows you and your group -- whatever size that might be, and whatever weather you might endure -- the breathing room to discover what it is that you love about the place and the people you're with, without forcing you into corporate traps or commercial slaps to the wallet.

From the snappy shuttle service and the comfy confines of the Bunker Bar, to multiple fire pits and the subtlety of the spiritual hike to the labyrinth, these ancillary options and outposts for buddies-trip camaraderie, most of which are free (see Punchbowl and Shorty's) is why Bandon has emerged as the greatest pure golf destination in America.

Keiser gets a lot of credit, and deservedly so, but he has had, and continues to get, invaluable support. Howard McKee was one of his original partners on the project, and it was McKee who worked diligently on helping acquire the land and then put together a plan with an emphasis on soft visuals and high efficiency.

Buy-in from management, staff and caddies, especially in such a remote destination, was and continues to be paramount to success. Kemper Sports and president Josh Lesnik has been with Keiser and Bandon from the beginning, and along with Hank Hickox (GM), Jeff Simonds (Director of Golf) Ken Nice (agronomy), Bob "Shoe" Gaspar (Director of Outdoor Happiness) and veteran caddies, there is thoughtful leadership around every corner. Oh by the way, the golf, all of it, is very good.

And at the top of every hump or bump that those minimalist architects made sure to maximize, there's an opportunity for a picture. Especially early in the morning or late in the day. Which brings me to my latest blog on Bandon. Going back through the collection of memorable moments roaming Oregon's linksland and tree-lined trails, I've put together a slideshow of my 20 favorite photogenic holes, as well as some of the people and places throughout the property that pluck the heartstrings of your soul.

Matt Ginella is Golf Advisor's Editor-at-Large and host of Golf Advisor Round Trip travel series on Golf Channel. Matt serves as resident buddy trip expert and captains a collection of VIP trips called Golf Advisor Getaways.
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In photos: The 20 best holes at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort