⛳️ Bandon Dunes OR dominates Golfweek’s Top 100 with 5 of top 15 public golf courses

[AJ Wong]

Golfweek published their top 100 US Public Golf Courses last month and one-third of the top fifteen courses are in a single Southern Oregon town - with more on the way. This week Bandon Dunes is hosting The 126th U.S. Women's Amateur golf championship from August 4-10, 2025. Check it out for a glimpse of the views - the rankings below and full article here.  The Courses success is not by accident. The architects of Bandon Dunes had a vision for the pinnacle of golf and have created 'Disneyland' for golfers without disrupting the local environment and community. 

1. Pebble Beach Resorts (Pebble Beach Golf Links) 

2024 ranking: 1

Average rating: 8.74

Location: Pebble Beach, CA

2. Bandon Dunes Golf Resort (Pacific Dunes)

2024 ranking: 2

Average rating: 8.53

Location: Bandon, OR

3. Pinehurst (No. 2)

2024 ranking: 3

Average rating: 8.29

Location: Pinehurst, NC

4. Kohler Whistling Straits (Straits)

2024 ranking: T4

Average rating: 8.13

Location: Mosel, WI

5. Bandon Dunes Golf Resort (Bandon Trails)

2024 ranking: 6

Average rating: 8.08

Location: Bandon, OR

6. Bandon Dunes Golf Resort (Old Macdonald)

2024 ranking: T4

Average rating: 8.06

Location: Bandon, OR

7. Bandon Dunes Golf Resort (Bandon Dunes)

2024 ranking: 7

Average rating: 8.04

Location: Bandon, OR

8. Bethpage State Park (Black)

2024 ranking: 9

Average rating: 7.99

Location: Farmingdale, NY

9. Shadow Creek

2024 ranking: 8

Average rating: 7.98

Location: North Las Vegas, NV

10. Kiawah Island Golf Resort (Ocean)

2024 ranking: 10

Average rating: 7.96

Location: Kiawah Island, SC

11. Pasatiempo

2024 ranking: 11

Average rating: 7.81

Location: Santa Cruz, CA

12. Sand Valley (Lido)

2024 ranking: 15

Average rating: 7.76

Location: Nekoosa, WI

13. Pebble Beach Resorts (Spyglass Hill)

2024 ranking: T13

Average rating: 7.71

Location: Pebble Beach, CA

14. TPC Sawgrass (Players Stadium)

2024 ranking: 12

Average rating: 7.67

Location: Ponte Vedra Beach, FL

15. Bandon Dunes Golf Resort (Sheep Ranch)

2024 ranking: T13

Average rating: 7.66

Location: Bandon, OR

There is a meme-ish real estate investing strategy to 'follow the Starbucks..' but what about 'follow the greens?' As in - luxury golf developments and destinations? I've noticed that many of the very top performing STRs on the Oregon Coast and beyond cater to large golf-oriented guests and destinations and I often joke with clients that Bandon is the next Pebble Beach...

What do you think? Is following the 'green' a viable RE investment strategy? 

[Bradley Buxton]

@AJ Wong

This is an interesting strategy and niche. I'm in the Tahoe area and for summer, the golf experience for a STR would appeal to many people. Even families that stay there, there is always time for a round, right? Corporate retreats, C-suite people staying in town. You might be on to something there... Chase the greens