Hole 1 at Bandon Dunes Resort (Old Macdonald Course)

Par 4 • 341 Yards • Bandon, Oregon

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Moderate

The opening hole at Old Macdonald sets the tone for C.B. Macdonald's masterful tribute to golf's greatest template holes from around the world. This strategic par 4 introduces players to the course's signature feature - massive, dramatically contoured fescue greens that demand precision over power. A welcoming yet deceptive start to one of Bandon's most intellectually challenging layouts.

Tees:

341y304y275y242y213y

Green:36y × 57y

Fairway @250y:80y wide

4 Bunkers dogleg

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Bandon Dunes Resort (Old Macdonald Course)

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Hole Stats

Par: 4
Yardage: 341 yds
Green: 12368 sq ft
Bunkers: 4
Course Slope: 138
Course Rating: 77.6

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Hole 2

Par 3 • 181y

Back to Bandon Dunes Resort (Old Macdonald Course)View Full Scorecard

Recommended Gear

Bunkers everywhere — a versatile wedge is your scoring club on this hole.

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Strategy Tips

tee shot

With the fairway maintaining a generous 80 yards width at both 200 and 250 yards, you can swing aggressively off the tee. This short par 4 at only 341 yards rewards bold driving, especially given Old Macdonald's philosophy of 'swing free from the tee.'

hazard warning

Three bunkers guard the approach zone between 260-297 yards from the tee. The bunkers at 294.5 and 296.8 yards are particularly dangerous for longer hitters, while the bunker at 260.1 yards can catch shorter drives that find trouble.

approach

At only 341 yards total length, many players will have wedge or short iron approaches into this massive 12,368 square foot green. The generous green size (36 yards by 57 yards) means you can be aggressive, but expect severe contours typical of C.B. Macdonald designs.

green

This enormous putting surface measures 57 yards in length, making club selection and distance control crucial. With Old Macdonald's signature 'menacingly entertaining' green contours including slopes, ridges, and plateaus, focus on getting below the hole rather than pin-hunting.

tee shot

Consider driving the green or getting very close - this 341-yard hole invites aggressive play off the tee. A well-struck drive that 'bounds in front of the green should run up and onto the green' for an eagle putt, making this a true risk-reward opportunity.

train this shot at home

This 341-yard par 4 is ideal for working on your driver accuracy. Launch monitors from $600 let you practice this exact shot with real course data from home.

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Scoring Tip

With bunkers guarding the green, pick the side with the most room and let the slope feed the ball toward the pin.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best strategy off the tee?

For this 341-yard par 4, most players will hit 3-wood or driver to set up a comfortable approach.

How difficult is hole 1?

This hole is a good scoring opportunity for most golfers. Key challenges include: heavily bunkered, large green requiring good lag putting.

What hazards should I watch out for on hole 1?

Key hazards include: 2 greenside bunkers. Plan your shots to avoid these trouble spots.

How big is the green on hole 1?

The green is large and can play quite long. The green is deeper than wide, so club selection is crucial. Three-putt territory if you don't manage your approach distance well.

What's a good score on hole 1?

This hole is a birdie opportunity if you find the fairway. This shorter par 4 rewards accuracy off the tee with a short iron approach.

Can I practice hole 1 on a golf simulator at home?

Yes — many modern launch monitors and simulators include real course data for Bandon Dunes Resort (Old Macdonald Course). You can play this exact 341-yard par 4 shot-by-shot at home. Entry-level options like the SkyTrak+ (around $2,500) and Garmin Approach R10 (around $600) support course play, while premium systems from Trackman and Foresight offer tour-level accuracy. Most systems pay for themselves in a season or two versus green fees and range balls. Shop home golf simulators →