The Punchbowl at Bandon Dunes

The Punchbowl at Bandon Dunes

August 24, 2020 Off By BBF

We debated if “The Punchbowl” should get a standalone post on Big Ball First, as it’s technically not a golf course. It’s golf adjacent, and in many ways would be more comparable to a miniature golf course than a world class bucket list golf course. That said, we came down on the side of posting about The Punchbowl Bandon Dunes because it’s a critical part of getting the full Bandon Dunes experience, and the price is certainly right… it’s free! Moreover, it will likely be the spot on the Bandon campus where (if done correctly) the deepest belly laughs will happen during your trip. 

Punchbowl Bandon Dunes

Bandon Dunes Punch Bowl is a 100,000 square foot putting green adjacent to the Pacific Dunes clubhouse, designed by Tom Doak and Jim Urbina. On it, they have built an 18 hole putting course, plus an additional 9 hole putting course. These are no ordinary putts you will be making. The 100K sf area is outfitted with more moguls than a double black diamond ski run on the back side of the mountain. And the Bandon team does a great job of changing the layout of the course on a regular basis so that even local knowledge will not help you out. If you make a “hole in one” on this course it is quite an accomplishment. 

Here’s the trick to incorporating The Punchbowl into your trip: Find an hour out of your day to play it. Our suggestion would be the hour before you have dinner at the Pacific Grill above the clubhouse for Pacific Dunes. You don’t need to make a tee time, you and your possy just show up with putters, golf balls and a cocktail of your choice and get in line. If you have 8 guys in your group, no problem you can play as an 8-some. If you don’t have a cocktail to bring, don’t worry about it, cocktail waiters from the restaurant at Pacific Dunes will come take care of you. 

Punchbowl

The name “The Punchbowl” is actually lifted from a concept in links-style green golf course architecture, and it does not disappoint. The concept is that it’s a collection of natural hollows, and if it were made from concrete it would make a very fun skateboard park. In fact the number 18 green at Old Macdonald is created with the concept of being a punchbowl. The undulations throughout this area are crazy and, for sure, a lot of creativity will be required in order for you to get your ball even remotely close to each hole. We suggest you play dollar skins. You will find the number of pushes will drive the skins up to some real money, and sometimes rolling a putt the opposite direction of the hole might be an option. You will want to pay keen attention to the backstops and sidehills you can use to get your ball close. 

Bandon Dunes Punchbowl is literally a hoot and a holler, and we can’t stress enough the importance of including it in your itinerary. 

Best Buddies Golf Trip Rankings:

  • Bucket list rank (from 1 to 5 buckets): 4.25 buckets 
  • Caddies: NA- if you can get a caddie to help you read the putts more power to you. 
  • Location: 9
  • Spectacle/ visual: 7
  • History: 5
  • New/ancient: modern
  • Playability : 8
  • Memorability : 9
  • Buddy-a-bility : 10
  • Service/etc: 10
  • Value: 6
  • Shopping: 10
  • Warm up facilities/Range: 10
  • Food & Drink: 9
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About The Author

BBF or “Big Ball First” comes from a golf saying for hitting a shot fat. Or hitting the “big ball first” in that you hit the ground (the big ball) before hitting the golf ball. In the BBF blog, it’s a metaphor for traveling the planet, soaking in exclusive experiences, and pointing people to the Awesome, the Great, the Good, and the not so good out there. We’re hitting the big ball running with tales from international golf courses, with fine wine, fine food, did I mention golf…well, especially the ‘buddies bucket list golf trips’. The hope is that like minded people will enjoy the stories, and hopefully use it as a reference point. If this blog helps people prioritize the experiences they want to have on our planet then we will have succeeded on our mission. We only have so many go’s at “bucket list” travel experiences. Especially the bucket list buddies golf experiences. My hope is you can refine your experience based upon my learning, and take your “big ball first” experiences to the next level.