Old Macdonald on GSPro: Golf's Golden Age in Your Sim

Old Macdonald on GSPro is a masterclass in how to translate Golden Age architecture into simulation. Tom Doak and Jim Urbina built this course as a tribute to Charles Blair Macdonald, the father of American golf course architecture, and the GSPro version captures the template-hole design philosophy that makes this course unlike anything else at Bandon Dunes.

The Template Hole Design

Old Macdonald is built around Macdonald’s classic templates — the Redan, the Biarritz, the Eden, the Punchbowl, the Road Hole, the Alps, and the Short. Each hole is a direct nod to a famous hole from a classic British course, reinterpreted through the lens of Oregon dunesland.

The GSPro version shines on the template holes because their defining features are architectural, not topographical. The Biarritz green with its central swale, the Redan green that slopes hard from right to left, the Punchbowl that collects approaches from every angle — these all translate to simulation better than courses that rely on scenery.

The Biarritz 7th hole is the standout. The 218-yard par 3 plays over a waste area to a massive green divided by a deep swale. In the sim, you can see the swale clearly in the putting grid, and approaches that land on the wrong side leave a 40-foot putt that must navigate the dip. This is the kind of strategic depth that keeps you coming back.

Course Quality Assessment

The Old Macdonald greens are enormous, and the GSPro version does a good job representing them. Some of the internal contours — the Punchbowl depression, the Biarritz swale — are well captured in the LiDAR data. Three-putting is a constant threat because the greens are large enough to create 80-foot putt distances between pin positions.

The fairways are generous, which was intentional in the original design. Macdonald believed in giving the golfer a chance to recover. The GSPro version reflects this — you can miss fairways and still have a playable approach. The challenge is on the greens and in the approaches to them.

The one criticism is that the course plays flatter in simulation than it feels in person. The real Old Macdonald has subtle undulations that are difficult to capture in LiDAR. It is still a strong build, but you lose a dimension of the ground game that makes the real course special.

How to Access Old Macdonald on GSPro

Old Macdonald is a free community-built course on the GSPro course server. Search for “Old Macdonald” in the SGT course library and download it through the GSPro client. No Patreon required.

It completes the Bandon Dunes quintet alongside Bandon Dunes, Pacific Dunes, Bandon Trails, and Sheep Ranch. Having all five courses in your library gives you a Bandon Dunes trip without leaving home.

FAQ

Is Old Macdonald available on GSPro?

Yes. Old Macdonald is available as a free community-built course on the GSPro course server. It is included with any GSPro subscription at no additional cost.

How realistic is Old Macdonald on GSPro?

The template hole features are well represented, especially the Biarritz swale and Punchbowl depression. The course plays slightly flatter than the real version due to LiDAR limitations on subtle undulations. Green contours are good.

Can I play Old Macdonald on other simulator software?

Old Macdonald is primarily available on GSPro. It is not currently listed on E6 Connect or FSX Play. Community versions may exist on TGC 2019.

Is Old Macdonald beginner-friendly?

Yes. The wide fairways and large greens make it one of the most forgiving courses at Bandon on GSPro. High handicappers will enjoy it because they can make contact and keep the ball in play. The putting is the challenge.

What wind setting should I use for Old Macdonald?

Medium wind is ideal. The course is exposed to the ocean but protected slightly by its position behind the foredunes. High wind makes the greens almost unplayable due to their size and contour.

How do I download Old Macdonald on GSPro?

Open the GSPro course server, search “Old Macdonald,” and click download. It appears under O in your course library. Free with any GSPro subscription.