Our first, definitely not last! Bandon trip...

[Flogolf]

So after hearing about it for years, myself and 2 Northern California buddies decided we just had to get up there to see what it was all about. Flew my small plane to Bandon State Airport in 1 1/2 hrs where our taxi was waiting..I had called him (Fairways Taxi Service) and told him we would be there about noon and I would call when we arrived. We arrived right at noon and he was already there waiting for us--good service! Gary told us stories about the town of Bandon, and the golf courses on our ride out there which took about 15 minutes. We were staying at the Inn, which was recommened on another thread here, and that is spot-on advice. Great way to go and when we do it again we will try to get a north-facing room because those rooms face right toward the 18th green at Bandon Dunes. We were on a 'surgical strike' mission here only staying one night because of other commitments so we had to make the best of it. We had a 1:30 tee time which we were right on time for. We decided not to get a caddy as we all agreed we wanted to discover the courses by ourselves. Maybe not the best way to go the first time out but we weren't really playing for scores, just wanting to enjoy ourselves. It was really windy out of the north and that made it tough on those holes into the wind but it was sunny so we didn't mind. We played Bandon Dunes the first afternoon, then Pacific Dunes the next morning. My gps clocked Bandon at 6.8 miles and Pacific at 5.6. We got lost at one point on the front nine of Bandon and a very helpful guy, Ranger Sam, saw us and pointed us in the right direction. He figured out we were new here so he ended up watching us and kind of took us under his wing, even drawing us a map. I have to say that everyone that works there, from the people at the Inn to the groundskeepers, were really nice. There weren't very many people playing out there and we felt like we were on this magical golf experience, all by ourselves. We all played decently and now know both courses so it would be a little easier the next time. Also, I had read 'Dream Golf' beforehand and didn't really pay much attention to the routing descriptions in the book but now would write some of that stuff down to bring along next time. Good advice in there! After our round we had just a short walk over a bridge over Cut Creek to our room then the same short walk later for dinner. We ate at McKee's Pub and it was scrumptious fare, just what was needed!

The next morning we walked across the same bridge for breakfast and discovered that they had an awesome breakfast buffet going which was quick and good. We had an 8:40 tee time at Pacific so we took the shuttle over there after checking out of our room and leaving our bags at the front desk for later retrieval. Again, great service, smooth and easy. They have shuttles going all over the resort and there is no problem getting one to take you anywhere on the site. So we made our tee time easily and had a fine time on Pacific. Being a little shorter and more tucked into the dunes and gorse, and also starting earlier so there wasn't as much wind, we all shot better scores. BTW, the gorse was blooming and really looked good. Fortunately nobody hit any balls in there because you will never get one out! Oh yeah, and Ranger Sam saw us out there again and gave us another map...at that point we all decided we better tip him something for being our ever-watchful caddy!

It was a toss-up as to which course we liked better. A lot of people we had talked to previously said they liked Pacific better but we liked both of them. Definitely something to put on your bucket list and I can't wait to get back there! Every good thing you have ever heard about the place is true and then some.

 

Hole 4 at Bandon Dunes:

[cdnrockies]

Glad you enjoyed your trip. It really is that fantastic.

[Argonne69]

'Nice write-up. Thanks.

When I filled out my survey after my 3 day visit last August, I noted that the lack of signs pointing you to the next hole was a real annoyance. Yes, they want to encourage the use of caddies, but come on, a few small signs, "To the next hole ==>>", wouldn't hurt.

[Chris_NH]

[quote name='Argonne69' timestamp='1397488324' post='9087651']
'Nice write-up. Thanks.

When I filled out my survey after my 3 day visit last August, I noted that the lack of signs pointing you to the next hole was a real annoyance. Yes, they want to encourage the use of caddies, but come on, a few small signs, "To the next hole ==>>", wouldn't hurt.
[/quote]

If you have a yardage book, it does have that information in there. I kind of prefer the lack of signage - it goes with the whole minimalist thing - no signs, ballwashers, yardage stakes.

[cdnrockies]

[quote name='Chris_NH' timestamp='1397490741' post='9087933']
I kind of prefer the lack of signage - it goes with the whole minimalist thing - no signs, ballwashers, yardage stakes.
[/quote]

Me too.

I totally understand the whole getting lost thing however. I walked off a couple greens and had to be called back in the right direction by my caddie...lol. I have always played with a caddie as I feel it adds to the overall experience...and I have zero chance of reading the greens correctly.

[Break68]

No yardage stakes? How does one know how far to hit the ball?

[Argonne69]

[quote name='cdnrockies' timestamp='1397495273' post='9088503']
[quote name='Chris_NH' timestamp='1397490741' post='9087933']
I kind of prefer the lack of signage - it goes with the whole minimalist thing - no signs, ballwashers, yardage stakes.
[/quote]

Me too.

I totally understand the whole getting lost thing however. I walked off a couple greens and had to be called back in the right direction by my caddie...lol. I have always played with a caddie as I feel it adds to the overall experience...and I have zero chance of reading the greens correctly.
[/quote]

Lol. I'm not looking for a 20' x 15' sign. Heck, a small, nondescript black arrow on a wood plank would suffice.

I played the morning rounds on OM and PD with a caddy, and BD anf BT without a caddy. BT was no problem, but there are a few places on DB where you can wander around lost. :-)

[Argonne69]

[quote name='Break68' timestamp='1397498446' post='9088889']
No yardage stakes? How does one know how far to hit the ball?
[/quote]

Sprinkler heads...sometimes. That was my 2nd pet peeve, not all sprinkler heads were marked with yardage.

Look, I get the whole caddy thing, and yardage book thing. However, after paying premium dollars for a round, I don't want to feel like I have to spend more $$$ to get yardage. If you're not going to allow SkyGolf to map the course for my SkyCaddie, at least put the yardage on all the sprinkler heads.

[snpcrk121]

GolfshotGPS has all the courses in there which was a great help during our stay...except when it was raining and I was afraid to take my phone out.

[av1084]

I actually thought there were plenty of yardage markers out there...

[spud3]

[quote name='av1084' timestamp='1397515826' post='9091353']
I actually thought there were plenty of yardage markers out there...
[/quote]

+1

Between the yardage books, the sprinklers and the occasional rangefinder shot, I was totally fine with yardages.

While I was playing PD, I did get a peek at one of the caddies' yardage guides, though, and really want to find a way to get a set of those. They have detailed maps of the greens. Now [b]that[/b] would be of some real value...

[Chris_NH]

[quote name='spud3' timestamp='1397546522' post='9094295']
[quote name='av1084' timestamp='1397515826' post='9091353']
I actually thought there were plenty of yardage markers out there...
[/quote]

+1

Between the yardage books, the sprinklers and the occasional rangefinder shot, I was totally fine with yardages.

While I was playing PD, I did get a peek at one of the caddies' yardage guides, though, and really want to find a way to get a set of those. They have detailed maps of the greens. Now [b]that[/b] would be of some real value...
[/quote]

Interesting. I don't think I've ever had any of the caddies pull out something (at least, not that I've noticed) like that. It would be interesting to see it.

I recall seeing a fair number of yardage markers on sprinklers, but I can't say whether it was sufficient or not, since I have a laser and generally rely on that.

[Chris_NH]

[quote name='Break68' timestamp='1397498446' post='9088889']
No yardage stakes? How does one know how far to hit the ball?
[/quote]

Yardage is on sprinkler heads. My point about yardage stakes is that, as one looks across the course, the lack of stakes is one more thing (as is the lack of ballwashers) that brings you back to a more pristine, natural state.

[Chris_NH]

[quote name='Argonne69' timestamp='1397508114' post='9090361']
[quote name='Break68' timestamp='1397498446' post='9088889']
No yardage stakes? How does one know how far to hit the ball?
[/quote]

Sprinkler heads...sometimes. That was my 2nd pet peeve, not all sprinkler heads were marked with yardage.

Look, I get the whole caddy thing, and yardage book thing. However, after paying premium dollars for a round, I don't want to feel like I have to spend more $$$ to get yardage. If you're not going to allow SkyGolf to map the course for my SkyCaddie, at least put the yardage on all the sprinkler heads.
[/quote]

The yardage guide is pretty cheap, though - $5 per course. While I get that that's technically "more money" - in the grand scheme of a golf trip, it's nothing. And, of course, on your return trip, you still have them and don't have to pay. They're also great to pass around amongst your group on the plane ride out - they're basically "golf porn" :-)

[Argonne69]

[quote name='av1084' timestamp='1397515826' post='9091353']
I actually thought there were plenty of yardage markers out there...
[/quote]

Yeah, except near my ball. :-) I swear, on one of the BT holes I walked around for 5 minutes looking for a yardage.

[spud3]

[quote name='Chris_NH' timestamp='1397558710' post='9094515']
[quote name='spud3' timestamp='1397546522' post='9094295']
[quote name='av1084' timestamp='1397515826' post='9091353']
I actually thought there were plenty of yardage markers out there...
[/quote]

+1

Between the yardage books, the sprinklers and the occasional rangefinder shot, I was totally fine with yardages.

While I was playing PD, I did get a peek at one of the caddies' yardage guides, though, and really want to find a way to get a set of those. They have detailed maps of the greens. Now [b]that[/b] would be of some real value...
[/quote]

Interesting. I don't think I've ever had any of the caddies pull out something (at least, not that I've noticed) like that. It would be interesting to see it.

I recall seeing a fair number of yardage markers on sprinklers, but I can't say whether it was sufficient or not, since I have a laser and generally rely on that.
[/quote]

It looked like a typical PGA caddie yardage book - no spiffy graphics, just pure info in a format that looked like a blueprint. Like it may have been taken from the design drawings. I suppose it could have been a homemade book, but it didn't look hand-drawn. And I only got a quick peek at it. Just enough to make me go "oooh..."

GolfShot also has the Bandon courses in it's library. Love GolfShot. $30 and it replaced a uPro and does a better job, IMO.

[mringwelski]

[quote name='Argonne69' timestamp='1397508114' post='9090361'][quote name='Break68' timestamp='1397498446' post='9088889']
No yardage stakes? How does one know how far to hit the ball?
[/quote]

Sprinkler heads...sometimes. That was my 2nd pet peeve, not all sprinkler heads were marked with yardage.

Look, I get the whole caddy thing, and yardage book thing. However, after paying premium dollars for a round, I don't want to feel like I have to spend more $$$ to get yardage. If you're not going to allow SkyGolf to map the course for my SkyCaddie, at least put the yardage on all the sprinkler heads.[/quote][quote name='Chris_NH' timestamp='1397558710' post='9094515'][quote name='spud3' timestamp='1397546522' post='9094295']
[quote name='av1084' timestamp='1397515826' post='9091353']
I actually thought there were plenty of yardage markers out there...
[/quote]

+1

Between the yardage books, the sprinklers and the occasional rangefinder shot, I was totally fine with yardages.

While I was playing PD, I did get a peek at one of the caddies' yardage guides, though, and really want to find a way to get a set of those. They have detailed maps of the greens. Now [b]that[/b] would be of some real value...
[/quote]

Interesting. I don't think I've ever had any of the caddies pull out something (at least, not that I've noticed) like that. It would be interesting to see it.

I recall seeing a fair number of yardage markers on sprinklers, but I can't say whether it was sufficient or not, since I have a laser and generally rely on that.[/quote]

The Old Mac caddie yardage book has a every green mapped out. The greens are so big its much easier to map out the pin on the green diagram to determine distance. If your playing Old Mac ask your looper if you can take a peek. Some of the caddies that have been there for a few years know the courses pretty well and don't even bother with the book.