Hole 3 at Bandon Dunes Resort (Old Macdonald Course)
- Par
- 4
- Yardage
- 375 yds
- Stroke index
- 9
- Hazards
- 2 bunkers
Aerial source not provided
Green size: 44 yds deep × 37 yds wide
Scorecard yardage is for Championship tees. The aerial shows its labeled reference position; distance rings measure to the green.
Championship tees · Par 4 · 375 yards
The plan for No. 3
The legendary "Ghost Tree" hole at Bandon Dunes Resort (Old Macdonald Course) stands as one of golf's most iconic and photographed par 4s. This 375-yard masterpiece presents a dramatic visual challenge where golfers must carry their tee shot over a towering 30-foot dune crowned by the course's famous dead tree sentinel. The elevated tee shot requires both courage and precision to clear the imposing sand hill, after which balls tumble down into the fairway below. Known officially as "Sahara," this hole has become Old Macdonald's signature attraction, inspiring the resort's Ghost Tree Grill restaurant. The small green demands an accurate approach shot, but the real test lies in conquering the psychological challenge of that haunting tree standing guard over one of golf's most memorable and story-laden holes on the Oregon coast.
Off the tee
The tee shot strategy revolves entirely around the ghost tree and its surrounding dune. You must carry this imposing obstacle, which sits about 200-220 yards from the tee, to reach the fairway beyond. The key is selecting enough club to clear the dune with confidence - typically a driver or strong 3-wood depending on conditions and your carry distance. Target the center-left portion of the fairway beyond the dune, as this provides the best angle into the small green. Anything short of the carry results in a buried lie in the dune face, while shots too far right can kick into rough or uneven lies. The Pacific winds common at Bandon can significantly affect carry distance, so factor conditions into your club selection.
Approach & recovery
Once you've successfully navigated the ghost tree, you'll face a short to mid-iron approach to a small, well-defended green. The downhill lie from the fairway can add distance to your shot, so take at least one club less than the yardage suggests. The green's compact size demands precision, and missing in the wrong spots can leave difficult recovery shots. Favor the center of the green regardless of pin position, as the small target makes pin-hunting extremely risky. The prevailing wind often affects approach shots significantly, so pay close attention to wind direction and strength.
On the green
The small green features subtle but tricky contours that can confound even experienced putters. The putting surface tends to be firm and fast, typical of links-style courses, so speed control is crucial. Focus on getting your first putt close rather than being aggressive with longer putts, as three-putts are common here due to the green's size and slope combinations.
Watch for
- Crossing center (crossing)
- Greenside center (greenside)
- Fairway right (fairway)
Hole 3 Green Complex
Mapped green boundary
Green size: 10,957 sq ft
Course coverage
Tournament and creator videos about Bandon Dunes Resort (Old Macdonald Course) — shared course coverage, not hole-specific clips.
Featured by these creators
Creator videos about this course
YouTube creators who filmed or featured Bandon Dunes Resort (Old Macdonald Course). · Stats as of Oct 12, 2026 · 6d ago
Our Stroke Play Competition At Bandon Dunes Got Off To A Hot Start! (Bandon Belt Episode 1)
Maintaining Bandon Dunes: Oregon's Links Golf Mecca | All Grass Is Local | Pres. by Toro
The Evolution of Maintaining Bandon Dunes Resort | All Grass Is Local
PGA Professional Championship 2026 at Bandon Dunes.
PGA Professional Championship 2026 at Bandon Dunes
PGA Professional Championship 2026 at Bandon Dunes.
How did Hole 3 play?
How did this hole play today?
Frequently asked questions
Yardage reference: Championship tees · 375 yards.
What's the best strategy off the tee?
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For this 375-yard par 4, most players will hit 3-wood or driver to set up a comfortable approach.
How difficult is hole 3?
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This hole is a good scoring opportunity for most golfers. Key challenges include: large green requiring good lag putting.
How big is the green on hole 3?
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The green is large and can play quite long. Three-putt territory if you don't manage your approach distance well.
What's a good score on hole 3?
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This hole is a medium-length test where par is a solid result. A straightforward par 4 where course management pays off.