First time to trip Bandon arrival question - help!

shackmangolf · May 2, 2018

Hi All,

I really love all of the Bandon threads. They are getting me excited for the trip. I do have one logistics question that I hope people could help me with. Also any suggestions around this topic are also welcome.

We arrive in early June and are flying in via United from SFO. The entire group of 8 is on that flight. We arrive around 1pm at OTH and then have 3:00ish tee time at Bandon Trails.

We are using Aviation Transport to get from the airport to Bandon. We are staying at the Grove cottages.

Given that we will all be amped up to play, have to check in, have to find our clubs from Ship Sticks, will have a few beers in us, etc., are there any suggestions from the group to make this transition as easy as possible?

Given the timing and the general nature of a new place / great golf course, it will be a goat rodeo. Any suggestions on how to make it less of a goat rodeo would be MUCH appreciated.

For example:

- can we pre-check in?

- any suggestions on where to find our golf clubs from Ship Sticks?

- any suggestions on wearing certain clothes / shoes on the plane?

- what to tell the van driver?

- how/where to warm up?

- how much beer to drink on the van ;-) ?

wtoomey · May 2, 2018

So here’s my suggestion...

1) Wear your golf attire on the plane, don’t check any luggage if you can, that will save time at North Bend Airport.

2) Email Tera at Aviation and let her know you need to make a tee time, the drivers will pick up the pace on the drive in. You can probably get 3-4 beers down during the drive.

3) Your clubs will be out in a pavilion area right in front of the Main Lodge already, Bandon pulls them out and has them ready for you. You can open your travel bags, toss on your shoes and leave your luggage in the pavilion area while you play.

3) Ask the Bandon folks to call a shuttle (if there isn’t one already there), to take you to Trails

4) Your only warm up may be putting at Trails...no time for the range.

5) Check in to your rooms after your round.

Hope this helps.

Bill

puttnforthe8 · May 2, 2018

You will need to be dropped off at Bandon...that's where you check in. No pre-check in.

All clubs are shipped to the caddie shack at Bandon...you will have no issue finding them. The team will help you out.

There are shuttles that can take you to your rooms or you can tell your shuttle to wait until you have your rooms assigned.

I would make sure are ready with layers. Just drop your stuff off, call for a shuttle to the range right away and go. Then you call the shuttle to pick you up at the range and take you to the course.

duffer987 · May 2, 2018

You're flying from one potentially dodgy airport to another, with a 2hr window from landing to tee time?

I'd be dressed read to play golf (barring golf shoes and outerwear which is in your golf bag)

I'd go straight to bag drop/guest services beside the lodge, drop of your luggage, pick up your clubs and head to the practice range.

Tell the van driver to take you to the lodge.

You can checkin to your room after the golf, which is much much more important :)

I'd pass on the beers in the van, are open cans allowed in something that doesn't have a partition between driver and passengers?

shackmangolf · May 2, 2018

So here's my suggestion...
1) Wear your golf attire on the plane, don't check any luggage if you can, that will save time at North Bend Airport.
2) Email Tera at Aviation and let her know you need to make a tee time, the drivers will pick up the pace on the drive in. You can probably get 3-4 beers down during the drive.
3) Your clubs will be out in a pavilion area right in front of the Main Lodge already, Bandon pulls them out and has them ready for you. You can open your travel bags, toss on your shoes and leave your luggage in the pavilion area while you play.
3) Ask the Bandon folks to call a shuttle (if there isn't one already there), to take you to Trails
4) Your only warm up may be putting at Trails...no time for the range.
5) Check in to your rooms after your round.

Hope this helps.
Bill

Thanks for the reply. When you say "main lodge" you mean central bandon? We still need to take a shuttle to Trails after grabbing golf bags?

I think I might just wear the golf shoes on the plane with layers and have rain gear in my bag.

I think 4 beers should do it....

duffer987 · May 2, 2018

The lodge, as indicated in the map here:

Beside it is guest services/storage - that's where you can leave your luggage and where your clubs will be.

You could actually stretch your legs and walk up to Trails, but hopefully you have time to hit some balls on the range first.

wtoomey · May 3, 2018

Main Lodge = Central Bandon = Center of the Golf Universe

You can walk to Trails from Bandon, but you will be where they keep the Bandon Shuttles when not on a trip, so chances are they will have one right there. As mentioned, you could walk to Trails, but with all the walking you will end up doing, might as well save a few minutes and take the ride.

Really not sure if you can pull off a range session, that would depend on timing, but I’d say it’s probably a no. If you were able to get on to Pacific or Old Mac, I’d say you might have a chance because they are closer to the range.

And yes you can have beers on the shuttle from the airport, they actually have them in a cooler for you already!

shackmangolf · May 3, 2018

Last question:

What are the on course food/drink options on the courses?

- I assume there are halfway houses with food? Can someone list the options per course?

- Are there refreshment carts driving around (I don't assume so)?

- Do the carts/houses serve beer/booze? Just checking...

Thanks.

kaschreiber · May 3, 2018

- There's a snack shack on each course, including the Preserve. Bandon Dunes is the only course that returns you to the clubhouse at the turn and they have a snack shack for that purpose inside the main lodge. All others are accessible during the round.

Pac: After 3 and 12

Old Mac: After 7 and 15

Preserve: Middle of the property. Accessible from a number of holes

Trails: I believe only after 10

- No drink carts on any of the courses.

- The snack shacks do serve beer and booze.

OregonHack · May 3, 2018

Last question:

What are the on course food/drink options on the courses?
- I assume there are halfway houses with food? Can someone list the options per course?
- Are there refreshment carts driving around (I don't assume so)?
- Do the carts/houses serve beer/booze? Just checking...

Thanks.

We drive and bring as much as we want as drinking there is very pricey. Depending on how long you're on the resort, I'd consider taking a cab into Bandon (about 5 miles and $12 each way). Load up on drinks and snacks for room and course.

My opinion on arrival, assuming you'll be there a few days, play Preserve/Punchbowl/Shortys-get used to the terrain, relax, be ready to go the next morning. But I also understand wanting to get straight onto a big course.

As someone mentioned, SF and OTH are spotty airports. Have a plan if you're delayed or canceled.

Enjoy!

spud3 · May 3, 2018

You should have a backup plan in case your flight gets delayed. First option would be to play the Preserve if you get there much after 4:30 or so. Next would be some time at the range/Shorty's if you are too late to play the Preserve. Punchbowl if there's any light left.

The Trails snack shack is accessible after #7 and #10. All the snack shacks have basic stuff like pre-made sandwiches, hot dogs, snacks, beer etc. They are very well stocked. When you play Pacific, make sure you have lunch in the Grill there. The grilled cheese is great on a planetary level, and the hot dogs are also spectacular, though neither is a quick bite.

As has been stated, you can walk to the Trails clubhouse from the main lodge reception, but no destination point at the resort is more than five minutes from any other. You might be able to arrange for your luggage to be dropped at your Grove cottage, if you're able to check in before your round. Call the front desk to confirm. They are pretty accommodating. Tip accordingly!

Enjoy the trip - we expect a full writeup when you get back!