Customer Reviews

Dream Golf: The Making of Bandon Dunes

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I am invited on a golf trip to Bandon Dunes later on this year, and my host sent me a copy of the book, with the thought that I might like to know something about the place. I took it on a weekend trip, with the thought that I might at least skim through it. I read the first few pages, and was hooked, read the rest over 2 days.
I was fascinated learning about what went on in the planning and building of the courses, the thought process of the people involved, the description of other courses, golf course architecture styles, all things that I had never thought about before. It is well written, and holds your interest well.
You probably need to be a golfer to really enjoy the book, but if you are a golfer, you will enjoy it. The author helped me realize that, as a golfer, I shouldn't be playing a course because of the architect, or where it is, or how it looks, but should be playing it because it makes me play golf, not just hit a ball around a series of 18 holes. You need to enjoy the journey, not just look forward to the score at the end. I will never look at a golf hole the same way again. I will examine it to try to determine the ways that the architect meant for the hole to be played, and there is usually more than one. A good architect designs the golf course to challenge both low and high handicap golfers.
I note that the Publishers Weekly review complained that the author didn't discuss the fact that golf courses wreak havoc with the land. I am sure that some do, but the people that purchased, designed and built Bandon Dunes obviously love the land. Without the courses and the resort, almost no one would ever see this section of the southern Oregon coast. Now, because of the resort, visitors get to experience the beauty and majesty of the area.

First let me say that I haven't read this book. I bought it for my husband who never reads books. Never. I gave it to him when we went on vacation so he'd have something to read while laying in the sun. He read every day until he finished it. He kept regaling me with interesting facts and bits of information from the book, and he has recommended it to several friends.

This is recount of passion for golf, from perspective of a successful greeting card company owner who wants to and does build a classical Scottish style course in America.

Starting in New Buffalo, Michigan, he through his associates finds just the landscape available in Bandon, Oregon. Then secures three architects to do three eventual courses, each of which has in common a shared approach to course design which is minimalist and takes what the land gives. Neat feature of this chronicle is that author plays each of the courses with architect and some of construction staff, so even if one hasn't played this yet, feel somewhat what it would be like. So makes one plotting to take trip west to check this out.

Result is three rising courses on places to play lists. Truly us golfers can appreciate his approach, away with frills and it's all about the golf, even in the accomodations.

How neat is it the approach that Keiser developed on his Dunes Golf in Michigan that there is set of tees with no deisgnation, and the golfer with the honors chooses the teebox, kind of golfing version of HORSE.

Keiser is certainly golfer's course owner who wants the game to be the dominant factor, not a resort catering to all wishes, just golf dominated.

Great read. Those who enjoyed this might also enjoy one of my favorites: "Driving the Green" and "Bury Me in a Pot Bunker."

This book is fantastic, and the only thing better than reading it was to experience Bandon Dunes in person a year ago! We were there just before Bandon Trails opened so we only got to play Bandon Dunes and Pacific Dunes. I've played Whistling Straits and have been to Pebble Beach. They're great but nothing compares to the pure golf experience at Bandon. Goodwin's fascinating story of how Bandon came to be is an incredible tribute to the vision and perseverence of Mike Keiser in building his dream.

It was a must read, if you enjoy golf on any level. I loved the way it taught you about the thought process of constructing great golf courses. You will be biten by the golf bug during the read. It is also a great story of a following your passions in life. Have a trip planned for Bandon! Can't wait!

great book on a great place...golfers everywhere owe mike keiser a debt of gratitude for fulfilling his dream..i've had the pleasure of visiting bandon dunes a few times and can't wait to return...dream golf..indeed!!

We purchased this book for our son for Christmas, and it was a big hit!! He's already finished it and is loaning it out to friends and family. It's a wonderful book for any golfer with a love of the game, whether he/she has been to Bandon Dunes already or is perhaps dreaming of the day....

THis is a great story even if you DON'T play golf!

It's great if you do, like my husband, but I really enjoyed how Mike Kaiser did his own thing and followed his passion doing it. Of course he was able to enlist some great talent along the way. A fine read and nice information about the area!

There is only one Mike Keiser. All he wanted to do was build a golf course that would last for five hundred years. There are few individuals in this world who have the vision, foresight, skill, and perseverance to carry out their dreams, but Mike is one of them. Following the example of the Knights Templar who initiated the design and building of the greatest cathedrals the world has ever seen with their tremendous organizational skills, wealth, and secret knowledge of architecture, he has made his mark in the golfing world by established a unique golfing experience unlike anything his competition has to offer. Buy the book and go play Bandon Dunes--you'll love it.
Martin Land Adoption Detective: Memoir of an Adopted Child

Really excellent account of the development of Bandon Dunes. I should have read more than the first 100 pages before actually going to Bandon Dunes and playing the three courses - that would have added even more pleasure to the three days I thoroughly enjoyed there.