bandon thoughts, first trip

[golfernut78]

i just returned from my first (of what i hope to be many more) trip to bandon. so much fun, and so tiring. here are some of my thoughts:

 

- get in shape. i am definitely out of and overweight. that said, i did 121 holes in 4 days. it was manageable, but could have been better. i honestly did not prepare properly for this trip between work and kids

- maybe don't go straight from Coos Bay airport to tee box. i did that. landed a little before 1:00, and was off on 10 of bandon dunes at 2:30 (i was a single, paired with another single so they sent us off the back). that was hands down worst 18 holes ever for me. i got greedy on the golf and paid the price. i also didn't warm up going from 6 hours on an airplane (or for that matter having been up 11 hours already at that point).

- bandon dunes is the easiest walk of the 4 courses, and bandon trails is the hardest walk of the 4 courses. there is definite logic in playing trails in the afternoon, protecting yourself from the wind, but at the same time, its a rough walk if it is your 2nd 18.

- the preserve was free for me as my 3rd round of the day. i did not ask for it. i actually was charged and then someone from the pro shop caught up with me on the first green and apologized and said it was free.

- i did not play with a caddie, but 3 of my 6 rounds there was a caddie for someone. i see them as a big help, but they are not necessary.

- i would skip on a pull cart. a number of holes on all courses a pull cart is adding more to the hike. unless medically you can't carry, i would skip it.

- i don't know why, but i found myself a club shorter in bandon than at home, even without the wind. when i checked my ego, my play was much better.

- the meals are large, even grab and go items. i grabbed chips and a wrap at trails. i didn't eat the chips and could barely finish the wrap. dinners at mckees pub i had to roll back to my room. the only meal that i didn't feel like i was going to explode was a bowl of chicken soup at the lodge for lunch. and the food is good at that

- i stayed at the inn, and the rooms was great. it was a large room, really comfy bed and good shower. only comment would be, curved shower rod, make the shower feel even bigger

- i had a car (wife and i drove the coast after the golf portion of the vacation and it was cheaper to get car for full week than get car after bandon) on property and used it, but heard of others using the shuttle. while it is a great system, plan accordingly. my last day, the person i was playing with almost missed the tee time because of the shuttle because he was cutting it close, and it was busy that morning because of a golf digest outing on the property.

 

here is how i rank the courses:

1 - pacific dunes

2a - bandon dunes

2b - old macdonald

4 - bandon trails

 

i admit, if in better shape so the walk didn't beat me up, trails would probably differ in ranking

 

here is how i ended up hitting the courses:

saturday - fly in, play bandon dunes (that was a mistake on my part)

sunday - pac dunes at 7:10, bandon trails at 12:30, preserve at 6:00

monday - old macdonald at 7:10, bandon dunes at 12:30

tuesday - pac dunes at 7:20, left to pick up wife at coos bay

 

i really lucked out and did not get rained on and only had one round that was even overcast on the course.

 

i look forward to my next trip to bandon.

[wkuo3]

Very nice review and man, did you put yourself through the pace. 2-3 rounds a day for every day you stayed.

Even with good physical shape , to walk every round will be so challenging. I would not recommend your schedule for anyone not in shape or used to walk their rounds even those not so young with time.

 

Bet you'd be dreaming about these days in the future , and calling will lure you back to visit again.

[geauxtigers777]

Very nice review and man, did you put yourself through the pace. 2-3 rounds a day for every day you stayed.

Even with good physical shape , to walk every round will be so challenging. I would not recommend your schedule for anyone not in shape or used to walk their rounds even those not so young with time.

 

Bet you'd be dreaming about these days in the future , and calling will lure you back to visit again.

Thanks for the review. 4 weeks away, and I can't read enough information on it. I am currently running a few miles a day gearing up for it. Hopefully it pays off.

 

Any must take accessories that you thought "man I'm glad I brought that"?

[wkuo3]

Very nice review and man, did you put yourself through the pace. 2-3 rounds a day for every day you stayed.

Even with good physical shape , to walk every round will be so challenging. I would not recommend your schedule for anyone not in shape or used to walk their rounds even those not so young with time.

 

Bet you'd be dreaming about these days in the future , and calling will lure you back to visit again.

Thanks for the review. 4 weeks away, and I can't read enough information on it. I am currently running a few miles a day gearing up for it. Hopefully it pays off.

 

Any must take accessories that you thought "man I'm glad I brought that"?

 

 

Since all rounds will be walked, think from the bottom up.

Cushioned socks, golf shoes in good condition ( broken in but still has the cushioned sole ). Cloth medical tape ( for heel and fingers ), Sun Screen........

Beyond the obvious, a lighter golf bag whether you carry or push cart it. If you plan on a hefty schedule like the OP, a second pair of golf shoes is recommended, if you have room packed for travel, a dry pair of socks for each round is a comfort.

 

Ibuprofen ! Oh, if you're allergic to seasonal pollen, bring your medication.

[golfernut78]

Very nice review and man, did you put yourself through the pace. 2-3 rounds a day for every day you stayed.

Even with good physical shape , to walk every round will be so challenging. I would not recommend your schedule for anyone not in shape or used to walk their rounds even those not so young with time.

 

Bet you'd be dreaming about these days in the future , and calling will lure you back to visit again.

Thanks for the review. 4 weeks away, and I can't read enough information on it. I am currently running a few miles a day gearing up for it. Hopefully it pays off.

 

Any must take accessories that you thought "man I'm glad I brought that"?

 

- moleskin - i didn't have this, but the receptionist at the inn did and i used it two mornings

- waterbottle - my preference, it held more than a water or gatorade bottle

- make sure shoes are worn in, but not falling apart, two pairs. while it never rained, you could get morning dew which will eventually soak the shoe

- extra gloves - i do this typically anyways

- sunscreen - i failed on this and have a sunburn

- work on the bump and run and putting with hybrids. thats not a shot i have and can use locally as most greens are elevated here and they over water the greens in the summer, thus bumping a shot into the front of the green dies, or sometimes even plugs

[golfernut78]

Very nice review and man, did you put yourself through the pace. 2-3 rounds a day for every day you stayed.

Even with good physical shape , to walk every round will be so challenging. I would not recommend your schedule for anyone not in shape or used to walk their rounds even those not so young with time.

 

Bet you'd be dreaming about these days in the future , and calling will lure you back to visit again.

 

i'm definitely not in shape, but i think my one saving grace besides aleve was that i do, once a week walk a 16 story building, plus roof and basement. so while out of shape, i was used to walking, but was winded at some shots from the hill i climbed.

[Edaw68]

 

- i don't know why, but i found myself a club shorter in bandon than at home, even without the wind. when i checked my ego, my play was much better.

 

 

I've noticed the same thing. I attribute it partially to the elevation change, and partially to it never getting super warm.

[CMCSGolf]

- i don't know why, but i found myself a club shorter in bandon than at home, even without the wind. when i checked my ego, my play was much better.

 

 

I've noticed the same thing. I attribute it partially to the elevation change, and partially to it never getting super warm.

 

I've noticed this all the way down the coast in the PNW. Having calibrated my distances with fairly similar numbers in Ohio, Illinois, and Wisconsin. I've noticed I'm a club shorter in Seattle now compared to 2 years ago in Chicago. I attribute it to sea level elevation and the temperature rarley getting out of the 70s just like Edaw said.

[spud3]

- i don't know why, but i found myself a club shorter in bandon than at home, even without the wind. when i checked my ego, my play was much better.

 

 

I've noticed the same thing. I attribute it partially to the elevation change, and partially to it never getting super warm.

 

I've noticed this all the way down the coast in the PNW. Having calibrated my distances with fairly similar numbers in Ohio, Illinois, and Wisconsin. I've noticed I'm a club shorter in Seattle now compared to 2 years ago in Chicago. I attribute it to sea level elevation and the temperature rarley getting out of the 70s just like Edaw said.

 

Hmm. I just attributed it to becoming a geezer....

[kaschreiber]

Very nice review and man, did you put yourself through the pace. 2-3 rounds a day for every day you stayed.

Even with good physical shape , to walk every round will be so challenging. I would not recommend your schedule for anyone not in shape or used to walk their rounds even those not so young with time.

 

Bet you'd be dreaming about these days in the future , and calling will lure you back to visit again.

Thanks for the review. 4 weeks away, and I can't read enough information on it. I am currently running a few miles a day gearing up for it. Hopefully it pays off.

 

Any must take accessories that you thought "man I'm glad I brought that"?

 

https://www.amazon.com/Chamois-Buttr-Original-Anti-Chafe-Cream/dp/B000HZGTUS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1528732351&sr=8-1&keywords=butt+buttr

 

thank me later

[Edaw68]

Very nice review and man, did you put yourself through the pace. 2-3 rounds a day for every day you stayed.

Even with good physical shape , to walk every round will be so challenging. I would not recommend your schedule for anyone not in shape or used to walk their rounds even those not so young with time.

 

Bet you'd be dreaming about these days in the future , and calling will lure you back to visit again.

Thanks for the review. 4 weeks away, and I can't read enough information on it. I am currently running a few miles a day gearing up for it. Hopefully it pays off.

 

Any must take accessories that you thought "man I'm glad I brought that"?

 

https://www.amazon.c...ords=butt buttr

 

thank me later

 

I'm sure the NSA or someone will put me on a list for liking that, but good call.

[mallrat]

- i don't know why, but i found myself a club shorter in bandon than at home, even without the wind. when i checked my ego, my play was much better.

 

 

I've noticed the same thing. I attribute it partially to the elevation change, and partially to it never getting super warm.

 

I've noticed this all the way down the coast in the PNW. Having calibrated my distances with fairly similar numbers in Ohio, Illinois, and Wisconsin. I've noticed I'm a club shorter in Seattle now compared to 2 years ago in Chicago. I attribute it to sea level elevation and the temperature rarley getting out of the 70s just like Edaw said.

 

I’ve been told the the PNW is the worst place in the country for distance. Or if we travel we can always expect to gain about a club length

[CMCSGolf]

- i don't know why, but i found myself a club shorter in bandon than at home, even without the wind. when i checked my ego, my play was much better.

 

 

I've noticed the same thing. I attribute it partially to the elevation change, and partially to it never getting super warm.

 

I've noticed this all the way down the coast in the PNW. Having calibrated my distances with fairly similar numbers in Ohio, Illinois, and Wisconsin. I've noticed I'm a club shorter in Seattle now compared to 2 years ago in Chicago. I attribute it to sea level elevation and the temperature rarley getting out of the 70s just like Edaw said.

 

I've been told the the PNW is the worst place in the country for distance. Or if we travel we can always expect to gain about a club length

 

I believe it. I would say from Vancouver down to Monterrey, the ball just doesn't seem to fly. I'm sure some one technical like Dechambeau could give me the details, but I have finally accepted my new yardages (or old age if it is that..)

[golfernut78]

- i don't know why, but i found myself a club shorter in bandon than at home, even without the wind. when i checked my ego, my play was much better.

 

 

I've noticed the same thing. I attribute it partially to the elevation change, and partially to it never getting super warm.

 

I've noticed this all the way down the coast in the PNW. Having calibrated my distances with fairly similar numbers in Ohio, Illinois, and Wisconsin. I've noticed I'm a club shorter in Seattle now compared to 2 years ago in Chicago. I attribute it to sea level elevation and the temperature rarley getting out of the 70s just like Edaw said.

 

i live in Dallas/Ft Worth and for years made a yearly trip to the Charleston SC area (at sea level) and never had an issue with distance loss there, so i didn't think it was an elevation issue. i'll just blame the Pacific Ocean on this one.

[Edaw68]

Golfernut: how crowded was the resort? I've heard different things from it's booked solid in the summer to it's actually not crowded.

[mallrat]

I’ve heard it’s a combination of elevation (basically sea level), lack of humidity (ball actually flies further in high humidity) and lower then average temperatures. So basically all 3 combine to make a perfect storm.

 

Then you throw in the wetter fairways for the majority of the year and we don’t get the benefit of roll.

[spud3]

I've heard it's a combination of elevation (basically sea level), lack of humidity (ball actually flies further in high humidity) and lower then average temperatures. So basically all 3 combine to make a perfect storm.

 

Then you throw in the wetter fairways for the majority of the year and we don't get the benefit of roll.

 

I appreciate you guys trying to make me feel better, but I know it's simply because I'm getting old...

[kermitm]

Thanks for the summary. I am headed out to bandon in August and also have a tee time shortly after landing in Coos bay. What made this round so bad? Was there anything you could have done to make it better? Thanks for your help

[golfernut78]

Golfernut: how crowded was the resort? I've heard different things from it's booked solid in the summer to it's actually not crowded.

 

when i originally called, they sounded booked for rooms. i called back a couple of weeks later since the first call was really pricing, and i got a room in the inn, which is where i wanted to be. the place didn't feel crowded. i was the first or second group off the three morning rounds i played. my afternoon rounds i moved up my tee times to end up teeing off when most are at lunch or finishing their round. i only waited on another group of golfers one of the 6 rounds (not including the Preserve, but didn't wait for anybody their either) and that was an afternoon round on Bandon Dunes and it was the last 5 holes - so nice views to distract yourself with. my last day, it was a $h!t show when i left. golf digest was doing an event that had both bandon dunes and bandon trails closed so everyone was at pacific dunes and old mac. everyone said september/october is the time to go, but this felt good to me. not bust at, i thought.

[golfernut78]

Thanks for the summary. I am headed out to bandon in August and also have a tee time shortly after landing in Coos bay. What made this round so bad? Was there anything you could have done to make it better? Thanks for your help

 

1. this is the biggest issue - i haven't been playing much this year or going to the driving range. to go on this trip as i did was a little crazy - but so worth it - unfortunately my swing was a mess the first round because of it.

2. i flew from DFW that day, so was up at 5:00 am that morning central time for a 7:45 am flight to SFO, then to Coos Bay, getting in at 1:00 pm (3:00 pm my time, and teeing off 2:30 pm (4:30 pm my time). it was just a long day, and even though i wasn't flying the plane or doing much, but traveling just kind of takes it out of you.

3. one ear clogged on the flight and i couldn't get it unclogged, so i couldn't hear out of my right ear. i didn't think a lot of it at first, but noticed a little that my balance was a little off.

4. i went to the tee without warming up. i've done this numerous times, but having such little playing time this year, i should have warmed up.

4. this is the second biggest issue - i tried playing the course the way videos, and blogs and forums said you should play and not played the game i know. i'm trying to hit low shots and that is not my game. the next day i played my way, and it was much better.

 

these are more my problems than anything else.

[Edaw68]

Thanks for the summary. I am headed out to bandon in August and also have a tee time shortly after landing in Coos bay. What made this round so bad? Was there anything you could have done to make it better? Thanks for your help

 

1. this is the biggest issue - i haven't been playing much this year or going to the driving range. to go on this trip as i did was a little crazy - but so worth it - unfortunately my swing was a mess the first round because of it.

2. i flew from DFW that day, so was up at 5:00 am that morning central time for a 7:45 am flight to SFO, then to Coos Bay, getting in at 1:00 pm (3:00 pm my time, and teeing off 2:30 pm (4:30 pm my time). it was just a long day, and even though i wasn't flying the plane or doing much, but traveling just kind of takes it out of you.

3. one ear clogged on the flight and i couldn't get it unclogged, so i couldn't hear out of my right ear. i didn't think a lot of it at first, but noticed a little that my balance was a little off.

4. i went to the tee without warming up. i've done this numerous times, but having such little playing time this year, i should have warmed up.

4. this is the second biggest issue - i tried playing the course the way videos, and blogs and forums said you should play and not played the game i know. i'm trying to hit low shots and that is not my game. the next day i played my way, and it was much better.

 

these are more my problems than anything else.

 

I agree completely with this. While there are quite a few times when "linksey" shots are very useful, if you don't normally practice them, they won't help. If you've got a couple thousand repetitions pitching the ball with a sand wedge, and have never tried a 50 yard hybrid putt, the sand wedge is going to be better even if you aren't used to the tight grass. If you have no idea how to hit a low screamer below the wind, altering your swing to try it just for Bandon isn't going to be as useful as just playing your normal shot and accounting for the wind with club choice. A lot of people tend to overthink the links aspect of it, and don't remember that it's still golf. My first trip to Bandon my caddie quickly gave up on suggesting putter from a ways out and just gave me my lob wedge, knowing the distance control would be better since I practice that.

 

That being said, if you regularly practice the running shots, the results can be much better and more margin for error. But they do take practice.

[eboettne]

Thanks for the summary. I am headed out to bandon in August and also have a tee time shortly after landing in Coos bay. What made this round so bad? Was there anything you could have done to make it better? Thanks for your help

 

1. this is the biggest issue - i haven't been playing much this year or going to the driving range. to go on this trip as i did was a little crazy - but so worth it - unfortunately my swing was a mess the first round because of it.

2. i flew from DFW that day, so was up at 5:00 am that morning central time for a 7:45 am flight to SFO, then to Coos Bay, getting in at 1:00 pm (3:00 pm my time, and teeing off 2:30 pm (4:30 pm my time). it was just a long day, and even though i wasn't flying the plane or doing much, but traveling just kind of takes it out of you.

3. one ear clogged on the flight and i couldn't get it unclogged, so i couldn't hear out of my right ear. i didn't think a lot of it at first, but noticed a little that my balance was a little off.

4. i went to the tee without warming up. i've done this numerous times, but having such little playing time this year, i should have warmed up.

4. this is the second biggest issue - i tried playing the course the way videos, and blogs and forums said you should play and not played the game i know. i'm trying to hit low shots and that is not my game. the next day i played my way, and it was much better.

 

these are more my problems than anything else.

 

I agree completely with this. While there are quite a few times when "linksey" shots are very useful, if you don't normally practice them, they won't help. If you've got a couple thousand repetitions pitching the ball with a sand wedge, and have never tried a 50 yard hybrid putt, the sand wedge is going to be better even if you aren't used to the tight grass. If you have no idea how to hit a low screamer below the wind, altering your swing to try it just for Bandon isn't going to be as useful as just playing your normal shot and accounting for the wind with club choice. A lot of people tend to overthink the links aspect of it, and don't remember that it's still golf. My first trip to Bandon my caddie quickly gave up on suggesting putter from a ways out and just gave me my lob wedge, knowing the distance control would be better since I practice that.

 

That being said, if you regularly practice the running shots, the results can be much better and more margin for error. But they do take practice.

 

Already started practicing my hybrid "chip" from off the green at my home course in preparation for my trip to Bandon in November. It's amazing how much better you get at a shot when you consciously use it but the first time the ball came flying off the club face because I swung it like I would my putter.