In the ever-evolving landscape of golf travel, Bandon Dunes remains perhaps the ultimate bucket-list golf experience for passionate golfers in the U.S. Yet that pilgramage can be a challenge, given the massive demand to visit the iconic Oregon coastal resort that ushered in a new era of destination public golf.

Now, Bandon Dunes is taking an innovative approach to match its distinctive status, introducing a random drawing system for those guests hoping to secure a coveted stay-and-play reservation — not in the coming year, but in 2026.

The approach comes as golf travel continues to surge to unprecedented heights. The National Golf Foundation noted earlier this year that more than 12 million U.S. adults were expected to take golf trips in 2024, a milestone that was first surpassed during two previous years. Perhaps more telling, NGF reports that golf travel is currently 20% higher than the historical average, which dates to the late 1980s.

Against this backdrop of heightened demand for golf travel, Bandon Dunes – home to seven courses along the rugged coastline in southern Oregon – has emerged as a favorite for buddies’ trips and beyond. The resort’s 210 on-property rooms are among the most sought-after accommodations in golf, leading management to seek outside-the-box approaches for a more equitable booking solution.

“It’s an honor that so many golfers want to visit Bandon Dunes,” said General Manager Jeff Simonds. “Over the past year we’ve been working on our future reservations processes. Our hold times for 2025 reservations were extremely long, and we’ve been working to adapt and improve the process for everyone.

“We tested a similar random drawing and outbound booking approach for the fourth quarter of 2025 and found that it saved guests and our team significant time. It’s all about striving to provide the best possible guest booking experience.”

It’s important to note the new system is not a sweepstakes. Instead, it’s a drawing for the opportunity to make reservations.

The approach represents a dramatic shift from the traditional first-come, first-served reservation systems typically employed in the hospitality industry.

The process allows potential guests to register online for free and select preferred travel windows to visit Bandon Dunes throughout 2026. The periods are divided into three segments:

· January to April (registration closing December 22, 2024)

· May to September (closing January 19, 2025)

· October to December (closing April 20, 2025)

Those selected will receive their place “in line” via email and the Bandon Dunes reservations team will follow up with a phone call when it’s their turn to book. If the call is missed, the reservations team will leave a message and make additional attempts throughout the day. Those who book a visit are required to pay a full deposit at the time of the reservation.

The unique and more equitable booking process certainly helps reinforce Bandon Dunes’ singular position in American golf. In many ways, Bandon really is in a category of one when it comes to U.S. golf resorts. The new unconventional approach for reservations is yet another example, but one that might shape and redefine the booking process for other popular golf destinations in the future.