Bandon Trip Itinerary

[eboettne]

I got the go ahead from my wife to take a trip to Bandon Dunes in December with a golf buddy. So of course, I have already started planning because it's a mere 7 months away! I'm looking for experienced Bandonistas for advice on my planned itinerary(I may have already made a powerpoint with embedded budget spreadsheet). I've made tee times and room reservations for the following:

 

Lodging: Bandon Dunes Single

 

Sunday, December 2nd: Fly in to Eugene after 2 connections, drive 2.5 hours to Bandon. Arrive between 7pm-midnight depending on flight I book.

 

Monday: Bandon Dunes 8:40AM, Replay at Old Mac

 

Tuesday: Pacific Dunes 9:30AM, Replay at BP, Punchbowl/Drinking

 

Wednesday(Pacific Dunes closed for maintenance): Bandon Trails 8:30AM, Replay at BD

 

Thursday: Fly Home

 

My friend and I have both said we want to golf until we can't hold a club anymore. That being said, what are our chances of getting 36 holes in Monday & Wednesday with limited daylight? I was thinking Old Mac monday afternoon, Bandon Preserve & Punchbowl Tuesday afternoon(as morning tee time is later), Bandon Dunes Monday afternoon.

 

Is there anything you would change about our plan?

 

In addition, a few other random questions:

- Is the hot tub outdoors at The Lodge? Going to be hitting that up every night.

- McKee's Pub or Bunker Bar? We are pretty informal(not looking to spend a lot on dinners) and will eat whatever as long as the drinks are strong.

- What's the best way to book your replay rounds? Call around to each pro shop?

- Is there a shuttle or anything from Eugene airport to Bandon and vice versa? Not going to be leaving property all trip.

 

Appreciate all feedback!

[kaschreiber]

Granted I've only been once, but have scoured these threads pre- and post- (with round two next Fall). The itinerary looks good and glad you're hitting everything there. As far as daylight, it might be close, but depending on how quickly you can play, I think you'll be ok. We got 36 in in late Jan this year teeing off at 9:00 AM, so I don't see that being an issue. The resort is likely less crowded then anyways. Keep in mind the wind tends to pick up in the afternoon, although probably not terrible in Dec, and Old Mac can get the windiest of the 4 when it's really blowing. The afternoon round might be an interesting experience!

 

For other questions:

- The hottub is indoors, in the lower levels of the main lodge.

- Food in the bunker bar is more snacks/apps if I remember correctly. It's also super smoky, so if that's going to be an issue, head to McKee's- the food is great and reasonably priced. It's just north of the main lodge, a stone's throw away.

- For booking the replay rounds, I'd get those on the tee sheet now. There's no deposit required for a replay and I believe they try to keep 5 hours between your rounds. The earlier you can get them the better. If you don't get your preferred course for the replay, you can always check once you get in if anyone has moved/cancelled, or try day of depending on how the pace of play is.

- I haven't heard anything of a shuttle, but that doesn't mean one doesn't exist.

 

Other thoughts:

- If you can't get a replay in, Shorty's is a good option as well. Obviously not the same experience as one of the big boys, but if you're just interested in playing golf, for a short par 3 course it's not a bad option by any means, assuming you've already played the Preserve.

- I've heard conflicting stories, but the rate at the Preserve isn't open to a replay as it's a tax write off/proceeds go to a foundation. If you have time to replay a full course I would do so as a replay will cost the same as the Preserve. Replaying BD isn't a bad idea as only getting 9 in still spits you right back out at the clubhouse. There is also a short loop on the back 9 that the clubhouse can suggest if you have more time than 9, but not 18. Might consider earlier flights to play Preserve on arrival or on the day of departure. Definitely worth doing either way, but just be prepared to pay as much as you would for a replay on any other course.

- GET SOME RAINGEAR!!

[bigmoneyp]

I can't comment on the course itself but I've been on several destination trips. My suggestion to you would be to find 2 more guys so you are traveling and golfing with a foursome. Its so much more enjoyable to play golf with people who are already friends and you know you enjoy playing with than getting pair up with someone less desirable.

[spud3]

The itinerary looks good. I think it's a good thing to take it a little easier on Tuesday, as the first day after walking 36 is the toughest, body-wise, especially if that 36 was in heavy weather.

 

The jacuzzi is indoors, in the basement near the Bunker Bar. There's also a small sauna.

 

McKee's for dinner will have everything you need. Bunker Bar is for mainly for booze, cigars and cards.

 

You can book replay rounds now, just like morning rounds. As a twosome, you'll have some flexibility with the replays - just check with the pro shop of whichever course you're finishing up and if one course is crazy full, there's a good chance you can switch up with another. Each of the course pro shops can book any of the courses. Unless you're first out, it's unlikely you'll get a full 36 in due to daylight. No matter - each course has less-than-18 loops available. Play til there's no more light.

 

No shuttle from Eugene to Bandon. The resort shuttle can cover all your needs, but it's nice to have your own car.

 

The only other advice is the standard: got GoreTex?

 

And bonus Geek Points for the Power Point deck!

[duffer987]

With teetimes after 8am IDK you're correct in thinking finishing another 18 could be touch and go, that said, get replays booked right on the +5hr mark sooner rather than later.

If it's not busy you can definitely get 36 in, but it won't take too many groups in front for your replay to make that impossible. So don't worry about how many holes you will get in, just get right back out there and have fun.

 

Personally I'd skip playing the Preserve and since you are already at Pacific Tues, just turnaround and go back out there. It and Bandon are the best replay courses due to the mini-loops you can create.Just to give a few ideas...

 

On Pacific - assuming no one is behind you at that point you can go:

1-11, then go back to 5th tee and can go 5-10, 11 x 2, then 6, 7 and in

1-12, then 4-7, and in or any number of loops using those holes

1-6, 9-11, then 5,10-11, 6, 7 and in...

 

On Bandon 1-9 and hit the front 9 again or 1-8, 4-8, 4-8, then 9

 

Eugene to Bandon is easy. Car also let's you escape the resort for town one night for a meal/drinks if you so desire.

Don't really get the earlier posters, find a foursome thing - each to their own I guess, but you have way more flexibility that way and after 7 trips to Bandon and loads of rounds, met 1 guy who was a right d1ck. Otherwise everyone else has been lovely. The winter season Bandonites are salt of the earth folks really :)

[CMCSGolf]

I can confirm that the preserve is OK for a replay. I was at Bandon last week and one day we played BD in the morning (full rate), afternoon at the preserve ($75), another round at the preserve (free), and then 1-6, 10-11, and 7 on Pacific at sunset (free). As several people have mentioned, pretty easy to hop around for a few holes in the evening. The front 9s of the courses are vacant starting in the late afternoon.

[kaschreiber]

I can confirm that the preserve is OK for a replay. I was at Bandon last week and one day we played BD in the morning (full rate), afternoon at the preserve ($75), another round at the preserve (free), and then 1-6, 10-11, and 7 on Pacific at sunset (free). As several people have mentioned, pretty easy to hop around for a few holes in the evening. The front 9s of the courses are vacant starting in the late afternoon.

 

$75 at the Preserve would have been full price. Come Dec, OP will have the option to pay $50 and get on the Preserve or $50 to get on of the other 4 full courses.

[eboettne]

Thanks for the feedback everyone, thinking we should maybe try to play Pacific Dunes either Monday or Tuesday Afternoon as I don't like that we only play it once on the trip. Will have to book our replay rounds and keep trying to get earlier tee times as cancellations are made. And yes I will definitely be looking for deals on good raingear come October/November as all of our clubhouses, golf stores are trying to get rid of inventory. And ideally I would like to get in earlier and play the Preserve on the first day but flying out of North Dakota you're pretty limited and with a connection in Minneapolis and Seattle the earliest I can make it to Eugene is 430PM. Add 2.5 hours to that and you're nowhere close to seeing sunlight.

[lhahn]

I would play Old Mac Wed AM and Trails Monday replay

 

Soak up every second!

[eboettne]

I would play Old Mac Wed AM and Trails Monday replay

 

Soak up every second!

 

Now this is an idea, could get Trails done Monday afternoon as it's sheltered from wind. Then do Old Mac Wednesday AM then Bandon Dunes Wed Replay. I would like to have our last course of the trip on Bandon Dunes or Pac Dunes.

 

So updated would be:

Monday - Bandon Dunes

Replay: Bandon Trails

 

Tuesday - Pacific Dunes

Replay: Bandon Preserve/PunchBowl

 

Wednesday - Old Mac

Replay: Bandon Dunes

 

Another option is convincing my wife to let me leave a day earlier but chances are slim on that front!

[duffer987]

In my experience, Trails is easily the slowest round out there and one we don't replay, accordingly.

I can appreciate with 3 days onsite you cannot get an early morning round on each, so if you'd rather guarantee a full worry-free round on Old Mac that Trails, it makes sense though.

Definitely best option is to add a 4th day in there ;)

[Edaw68]

Agree with duffer, Trails is the toughest walk and thus rounds are typically the slowest, usually around 4.5 hours.

[eboettne]

In my experience, Trails is easily the slowest round out there and one we don't replay, accordingly.

I can appreciate with 3 days onsite you cannot get an early morning round on each, so if you'd rather guarantee a full worry-free round on Old Mac that Trails, it makes sense though.

Definitely best option is to add a 4th day in there ;)

 

Now that you say that, I'll leave Bandon Trails in the 3rd day morning slot. I actually want to get an entire day on Trails as I'm a big fan of those types of courses. I'm being presumptuous but my gut tells me Old Mac might be my least favorite, but a 4th day would really solve all these problems.

[lhahn]

The more I reminisce on my trip, the more I appreciate and like Old Mac.

 

Can't wait to read your trip report in December =)

[mallrat]

Old Mac is funny to me. I’ve had some trips where it’s my 2nd favorite course on property and other trips where it comes in at #4. I think both Old Mac and Trails really suffer from the little brother syndrome. Pacific and BD get the majority of the love.

 

And Trails is always #1 in my book.

[duffer987]

Old Mac is funny to me. I've had some trips where it's my 2nd favorite course on property and other trips where it comes in at #4. I think both Old Mac and Trails really suffer from the little brother syndrome. Pacific and BD get the majority of the love.

 

And Trails is always #1 in my book.

 

It's hard to compete with the ocean :)

Especially if you are only going their once or once a decade. Those of us fortunate to rack up a lot of rounds there, can let the golf take centre focus.

 

Maybe you've been already, but if you are well keen on Trails, you need to find your way to Sand Valley or better yet over to England and play some heathland courses!

Trails is awesome, but when playing a heathland track I do wonder WWCCD here ;)

[2bGood]

Lots of good advice here. But a few points to consider.

 

1. Upgrade your tee times to allow for more light and a better chance of getting the second round in. This takes a bit of work, but basically phone down a few times between now and your trip and check for cancellations. BUT where you really want to put some effort in is 6weeks out from your trip phone every few days until the 4 week deposit refund date has passed. Lots of people cancel between 4-6weeks out so better times open up.

 

2.Trails is the toughest walk /longest round. It works well to pair it up with the preserve

 

3.You are traveling a long way to get there - why compromise? Stay an extra day and play every course in the morning. This is also buys you some more time if you hit bad weather.

 

4. The practice facility is great, shorties is fun. Never any harm in just building in some time to spend there.

[eboettne]

Lots of good advice here. But a few points to consider.

 

1. Upgrade your tee times to allow for more light and a better chance of getting the second round in. This takes a bit of work, but basically phone down a few times between now and your trip and check for cancelations. BUT where you really want to put some effort in is 6weeks out from your trip phone every few days until the 4 week deposit refund date has passed. Lots of people cancel between 4-6weeks out so better times open up.

 

2.Trails is the toughest walk /longes round. It works well to pair it up with the preserve

 

3.You are traveling a long way to get there - why compromise? Stay an extra day and play every course in the morning. This is also buys you some more time if you hit bad weather.

 

4. The practice facility is great, shorties is fun. Never any harm in just building in some time to spend there.

 

Thanks, that's great information about the tee times. I will begin calling at that time to get earlier tee times especially on my Tuesday round. My current tee times are:

 

Monday: 8:40 BD, 1:40 PD

Tuesday: 9:30 PD, 2:00 BP/PB

Wednesday(PD Closed): 8:30 BT, 1:30 OM

 

Another thought I had was to fly in on different dates. Specifically November 28th - December 2nd. My reasoning was that due to extremely short connections at the 1st flight leaving @ 5AM that day we could potentially make it to Bandon by 1-2PM. This would give us an entire extra round without adding any days. The only issue I found when calling was that many of the earliest tee times are in the 10AM range for those dates. Seeing as how we'll be booking flights in the next month or two, I'm not sure if it would be realistic to expect that we'd be able to get earlier tee times than are currently available.

 

All that being said, would it be worth changing our reservation to get that extra 1/2 day and do you think we would have a chance of getting earlier tee times? I'd call Bandon Dunes and ask these questions but I have a feeling they are sick of me calling already haha

[Edaw68]

Lots of good advice here. But a few points to consider.

 

1. Upgrade your tee times to allow for more light and a better chance of getting the second round in. This takes a bit of work, but basically phone down a few times between now and your trip and check for cancelations. BUT where you really want to put some effort in is 6weeks out from your trip phone every few days until the 4 week deposit refund date has passed. Lots of people cancel between 4-6weeks out so better times open up.

 

2.Trails is the toughest walk /longes round. It works well to pair it up with the preserve

 

3.You are traveling a long way to get there - why compromise? Stay an extra day and play every course in the morning. This is also buys you some more time if you hit bad weather.

 

4. The practice facility is great, shorties is fun. Never any harm in just building in some time to spend there.

 

Thanks, that's great information about the tee times. I will begin calling at that time to get earlier tee times especially on my Tuesday round. My current tee times are:

 

Monday: 8:40 BD, 1:40 PD

Tuesday: 9:30 PD, 2:00 BP/PB

Wednesday(PD Closed): 8:30 BT, 1:30 OM

 

Another thought I had was to fly in on different dates. Specifically November 28th - December 2nd. My reasoning was that due to extremely short connections at the 1st flight leaving @ 5AM that day we could potentially make it to Bandon by 1-2PM. This would give us an entire extra round without adding any days. The only issue I found when calling was that many of the earliest tee times are in the 10AM range for those dates. Seeing as how we'll be booking flights in the next month or two, I'm not sure if it would be realistic to expect that we'd be able to get earlier tee times than are currently available.

 

All that being said, would it be worth changing our reservation to get that extra 1/2 day and do you think we would have a chance of getting earlier tee times? I'd call Bandon Dunes and ask these questions but I have a feeling they are sick of me calling already haha

 

If you do change flight times with the goal of arriving day before at 1 or 2, I wouldn't bother to make tee times that day. This allows for the possibility of delays, and worst case you can get a cheap hotel room nearby but off the resort property. You can still go there and check out the facilities if you arrive a little late. If you do make it by 1 or 2, there's a good chance you can just walk on to one of the courses. On a December trip I did a few years ago the afternoon was generally not very crowded, especially if you aren't concerned about which course you play. It's not like you can go wrong with any of them.

 

One caveat is that if you tee off at any of the big courses at 2, you're gonna have to hustle to finish 18 that time of year before dark. If it turns out you only have a couple hours, then the Preserve, the range and Shorty's, or the Punchbowl are all excellent options to kill time.

 

If it was me in your shoes I'd change the flights and shoot for the extra half day. Even if it doesn't work out exactly it still gets you there, and gives luck a chance to happen.

[2bGood]

Lots of good advice here. But a few points to consider.

 

1. Upgrade your tee times to allow for more light and a better chance of getting the second round in. This takes a bit of work, but basically phone down a few times between now and your trip and check for cancelations. BUT where you really want to put some effort in is 6weeks out from your trip phone every few days until the 4 week deposit refund date has passed. Lots of people cancel between 4-6weeks out so better times open up.

 

2.Trails is the toughest walk /longes round. It works well to pair it up with the preserve

 

3.You are traveling a long way to get there - why compromise? Stay an extra day and play every course in the morning. This is also buys you some more time if you hit bad weather.

 

4. The practice facility is great, shorties is fun. Never any harm in just building in some time to spend there.

 

Thanks, that's great information about the tee times. I will begin calling at that time to get earlier tee times especially on my Tuesday round. My current tee times are:

 

Monday: 8:40 BD, 1:40 PD

Tuesday: 9:30 PD, 2:00 BP/PB

Wednesday(PD Closed): 8:30 BT, 1:30 OM

 

Another thought I had was to fly in on different dates. Specifically November 28th - December 2nd. My reasoning was that due to extremely short connections at the 1st flight leaving @ 5AM that day we could potentially make it to Bandon by 1-2PM. This would give us an entire extra round without adding any days. The only issue I found when calling was that many of the earliest tee times are in the 10AM range for those dates. Seeing as how we'll be booking flights in the next month or two, I'm not sure if it would be realistic to expect that we'd be able to get earlier tee times than are currently available.

 

All that being said, would it be worth changing our reservation to get that extra 1/2 day and do you think we would have a chance of getting earlier tee times? I'd call Bandon Dunes and ask these questions but I have a feeling they are sick of me calling already haha

 

If you do change flight times with the goal of arriving day before at 1 or 2, I wouldn't bother to make tee times that day. This allows for the possibility of delays, and worst case you can get a cheap hotel room nearby but off the resort property. You can still go there and check out the facilities if you arrive a little late. If you do make it by 1 or 2, there's a good chance you can just walk on to one of the courses. On a December trip I did a few years ago the afternoon was generally not very crowded, especially if you aren't concerned about which course you play. It's not like you can go wrong with any of them.

 

One caveat is that if you tee off at any of the big courses at 2, you're gonna have to hustle to finish 18 that time of year before dark. If it turns out you only have a couple hours, then the Preserve, the range and Shorty's, or the Punchbowl are all excellent options to kill time.

 

If it was me in your shoes I'd change the flights and shoot for the extra half day. Even if it doesn't work out exactly it still gets you there, and gives luck a chance to happen.

 

In December you should have not trouble walking on a 2pm.

 

As for times opening up - I have had great success finding early times close to the date. So many people (including me) book a year out for more golfers than we will need. We typically book for 16, but as we get close to the actual trip we usually end up with 8-12 as life in gets in the way for some guys. Not saying we haven't had 16 before, but it is rare. This year we booked for 8 a year out and had to add 4 a month before the trip. I would not say I had "no" trouble getting the times as I was on a first name basis with the ladies that take reservations as I called every morning for a about week, but in the end the cancellations happened and we got the times we wanted.

 

If money is a major issue staying off site works the night before, but if not, it is nice to be on the property and not have to worry about driving.

[eboettne]

Sounds like I might need to move my trip up to the new dates as tee times should open up. I'd prefer this anyways as the prospect of getting their earlier and having a chance to play a course or at the very least Bandon Preserve as a warm up would be great. Then we'll have 3 more full days to play the other courses as much as possible.

 

I was just surprised when I tried to call for tee times for the Nov.28th - Dec. 1st dates that I couldn't even get a tee time before 11AM on Bandon Dunes or Pacific Dunes on any of the three mornings. That spooked me a little bit into keeping my reservation as-is but sounds like things should open up closer to the dates.

[2bGood]

Sounds like I might need to move my trip up to the new dates as tee times should open up. I'd prefer this anyways as the prospect of getting their earlier and having a chance to play a course or at the very least Bandon Preserve as a warm up would be great. Then we'll have 3 more full days to play the other courses as much as possible.

 

I was just surprised when I tried to call for tee times for the Nov.28th - Dec. 1st dates that I couldn't even get a tee time before 11AM on Bandon Dunes or Pacific Dunes on any of the three mornings. That spooked me a little bit into keeping my reservation as-is but sounds like things should open up closer to the dates.

 

We typically go in Feb and have been able to upgrade our times for the last 6 years. I will stress as the time gets close I will call every morning as I drive to work. The cancellations are guaranteed to happen, so it is just a matter of being the first person to call after they do.

 

Most years I switch just about every tee time we have as the goal is to have all the first tee times of the day and replay at 1ish. Believe it or not there is not too many people wanting that time, as lost of people like to have one round at 10amish and enjoy some fun at night.

[eboettne]

Sounds like I might need to move my trip up to the new dates as tee times should open up. I'd prefer this anyways as the prospect of getting their earlier and having a chance to play a course or at the very least Bandon Preserve as a warm up would be great. Then we'll have 3 more full days to play the other courses as much as possible.

 

I was just surprised when I tried to call for tee times for the Nov.28th - Dec. 1st dates that I couldn't even get a tee time before 11AM on Bandon Dunes or Pacific Dunes on any of the three mornings. That spooked me a little bit into keeping my reservation as-is but sounds like things should open up closer to the dates.

 

We typically go in Feb and have been able to upgrade our times for the last 6 years. I will stress as the time gets close I will call every morning as I drive to work. The cancellations are guaranteed to happen, so it is just a matter of being the first person to call after they do.

 

Most years I switch just about every tee time we have as the goal is to have all the first tee times of the day and replay at 1ish. Believe it or not there is not too many people wanting that time, as lost of people like to have one round at 10amish and enjoy some fun at night.

 

Changed my dates to Nov. 28th-Dec. 2nd for the trip, tee times are currently as follows but I will be looking to move them earlier(probably starting 6 weeks out) as you mentioned in your post:

 

Wednesday: Only tee time at Bandon Preserve was 1:00PM which we probably won't make so will have to wait for an opening closer to 2 or 3pm, then hit the punch bowl for drinks

 

Thursday: Pacific 9:00AM, Trails 2:00PM

 

Friday: Old Mac 7:40AM, Bandon Dunes 1:00PM

 

Saturday: Trails 8:40 AM, Pacific 1:40PM

 

I like having Trails in the afternoon slot and Old Mac in the morning slot the 1st 2 days to protect against wind as much as possible. Also got a lily pond room for these dates but on the waiting list to switch to The Lodge or The Inn.

[duffer987]

Think the protecting from the wind is an overplayed consideration. Either it's going to be windy or the day or it isn't IMHO.

With a 2pm Trails teetime you're not going to get anywhere near finished that round - unless you're the only ones on the course. Obviously if you cannot get anything earlier that 9am right now, that's how the ball bounces, but hopefully you'll be able to change that up before the trip.

[payerasjl]

February this year i went and a single and played with a group of 7 for the 3 days i was there. These guys were local, and the best thing i ever saw, which will be implemented without a doubt for my next Bandon trip (hopefully this december) is an ELECTRIC warming vest. The guy using it was warm and fuzzy and looked like he was ready for 54 holes that day!

[eboettne]

Think the protecting from the wind is an overplayed consideration. Either it's going to be windy or the day or it isn't IMHO.

With a 2pm Trails teetime you're not going to get anywhere near finished that round - unless you're the only ones on the course. Obviously if you cannot get anything earlier that 9am right now, that's how the ball bounces, but hopefully you'll be able to change that up before the trip.

 

I believe you, just happened to be how the rounds fell and some on here had mentioned it.

 

I figured that I need to shoot for an 8am/1pm at minimum for a shot at getting 36 holes in. So I'll definitely be calling early and often to change the Thursday and Saturday tee times to earlier times. Fingers crossed it works!

[duffer987]

^Oh sure you'll get something sorted :)

And at a minimum you've got 5 rounds sorted. We're there the week before you and even though it'll be trip #8, there is always still school-girl giddy anticipation.