Bandon Golf Report

geauxtigers777 · July 14, 2018

Just got back from a great trip to Bandon. It was my first time out. I want to return the favor from all the great advice I got here.

Trip overview:

Day 1: Flew into PDX and drove down to Coos Bay on the first night. Stayed at the Mill Casino and everyone in our group won money. Good start to the trip. Hotel was very nice and reasonably priced.

Day 2: drive from Coos Bay (30 min) for 920 tee time on Pac Dunes. Practice facility is great, and we couldn't have asked for better weather. My favorite round of the trip. Finished up, ate lunch at Bandon Dunes, and went back out around 330 pm at Bandon Dunes. The wind was howling. 30 mph sustained wind with 40 mph gusts. The ball would literally roll away from you when you placed it down to putt. The wind would knock you off balance while swinging/putting. Ate dinner at the pub and crashed.

Day 3: rise and shine to a 7 am tee time. A couple of balls at the range prior. We again played pacific dunes. Great course and a bit tamer conditions than the day before. The views cannot be described. Finished up that tee time and hustled over to Old Mac for a 1150 tee time. One of my favorite rounds of the trip. Wind was howling again. We played green tees on the front and gold on the back. I can't describe the contours on the fairway and greens. Truly a unique place. Finished up the day with a 2 hour punch bowl fest. Fantastic. Ate at the pub again for dinner.

Day 4: played old Mac at 7 am and Trails at 1150. Trails was a blast with some very memorable shots in my group. Outshined my expectations. We ended the day again at the punch bowl and the pub.

Day 5: our group of 8 went off the preserve for the last hurrah. What a blast.

Course rankings: our group was very split with each course having it's supporters (speaks to the greatness of the courses)

For me personally my rankings were:

1. Pacific Dunes

1.5 Bandon Trails

2.5 Old Mac

4 Bandon Dunes

If someone is on the fence of going, Go! One of the best trips of my life.

Recommendations: take multiple socks per day, take bandaids for blisters. Have 2 pair of shoes. Have multiple different options for jackets. Pants are never too hot. Learn how to lag putt and choke down on shots (driver included). Take a couple dozen balls (you'll take a dozen back home with you). Factor in a couple of hours for the punch bowl (it was one of the best memory making moments for our group).

Sorry for the long post, but it was a blast.

spud3 · July 14, 2018

Nice write-up!

eboettne · July 15, 2018

Sorry for the long post? I wish it was longer! Never get sick of hearing Bandon trip reports, 4.5 months until my trip and can't wait. Great pictures!

geauxtigers777 · July 15, 2018

Sorry for the long post? I wish it was longer! Never get sick of hearing Bandon trip reports, 4.5 months until my trip and can't wait. Great pictures!

Ha. If anyone has any questions or wants more details, feel free to ask. I didn't want to babble on forever, but happy to answer any questions.

Edaw68 · July 15, 2018

Good write up, and never apologize for long Bandon posts.

spud3 · July 15, 2018

Please, babble away...!

geauxtigers777 · July 15, 2018

Please, babble away...!

Regarding caddies, we had a bit of a mixed bag. We took a group caddie for first two rounds. After that, 3 people had solo caddies and the rest went caddy less. Personally, I just want a line off the tee. After that, I like choosing my own clubs, reading my own greens. I feel it allows me to get in the flow a bit better. When playing a new course with a player that had a solo caddie, I would just ask for lines off tee and then give them $20 at the end of the round. They seemed appreciative as it really didn't add much work to them.

If you are going to get a carrying caddie, I definitely recommend not doing double bag. It slows the pace of play immensely. Especially if people are spraying in opposite direction. One guy in our group had Jared the entire trip, and I cannot give him enough props. He was obviously a good golfer, good guy, clubbed him correctly, and was willing to help out. I truly enjoyed spending time with him during the round even though he was not my caddie.

Regarding accommodations, we stayed in Lilly pond. Great big rooms with great layout. Worked perfectly. My only complaint would be the price. A little steep at $420 a night for what you get. On the flip side, it was Uber convenient and a blast.

All in all, we walked close to 60 miles in 4 days. If I had to do it over again, I would probably try and stay 2 more days with an off day between the two days of playing. This would allow to play each course twice with off day between. I ran 3 miles a day 4 days a week in preparation. I thought this was plenty leg conditioning, but my feet and calves were not conditioned properly. I think the only way to do this is to walk a lot of golf in terrain with Sandy elevation change. This isn't a real option in my area.

Regarding playing shots, always play front center of the green and let it chase on. Nothing will check up (not even a full 60 degree)

Our group shots of the week.... Jarring the pin on 17 on trails for an almost hole in one on a tucked pin. Multiple 350+ yard drives. Multiple incredible hybrid shots from the rough. A few wedges to inches.

Sushiyoshi · July 16, 2018

Thanks for the write up. Trails is so underrated, possibly my favorite there. Glad you liked it.

duffer987 · July 17, 2018

Good to hear you had fun!

Yes it's not cheap, but there are so many worse places you could have spent your money ;)

Funnily enough my current faves list is the opposite of yours, but that's the great thing about the place is there is a lot of variety between the courses to find something that distinctively stands out for each person.

What is the casino like, relative to other places? Pretty modest?

I'm not a gambler, but a couple guys I go with don't mind sitting at the tables and we usually stay further north day before playing, but if it's not the worst place maybe I'll suggest it as a goodwill concession on my part, ha.

geauxtigers777 · July 17, 2018

Good to hear you had fun!
Yes it's not cheap, but there are so many worse places you could have spent your money ;)
Funnily enough my current faves list is the opposite of yours, but that's the great thing about the place is there is a lot of variety between the courses to find something that distinctively stands out for each person.

What is the casino like, relative to other places? Pretty modest?
I'm not a gambler, but a couple guys I go with don't mind sitting at the tables and we usually stay further north day before playing, but if it's not the worst place maybe I'll suggest it as a goodwill concession on my part, ha.

Casino is better than average. Ventilation is not Vegas, but ok. Have craps, blackjack, roulette, slots, 3 card poker. I was pleasantly surprised. Nice little casino that is not too crowded.

mallrat · July 18, 2018

I love all the courses at Bandon but the way I look at it is if I could only play one of them everyday it would be Trails. If Trails has the ocean views I think it would jump up a LoT of people’s favorites list.

I also don’t know what to do with Old Mac. It’s so different and seems kind of bland at times but I have never had a round on that course that I didn’t leave with a HUGE smile on my face.

geauxtigers777 · July 19, 2018

I love all the courses at Bandon but the way I look at it is if I could only play one of them everyday it would be Trails. If Trails has the ocean views I think it would jump up a LoT of peoples favorites list.

I also dont know what to do with Old Mac. Its so different and seems kind of bland at times but I have never had a round on that course that I didnt leave with a HUGE smile on my face.

I agree completely with both points. Old Mac is just a fun course. Our conclusion was match play, old mac might be the best course on property. Stroke play, pacific and trails are better.

adschus · July 21, 2018

Thanks everyone! I switched my second round at Bandon to Pacific. Pacific back to back on day 2. Trying to work in Ghost Creek, too

NCgolf135 · July 27, 2018

How much did it cost? Any caddies?

ebrasmus21 · July 27, 2018

Going in September. Can't wait.

If you have time or interests please expand on the trip and include as many pro-tips as possible. Thank you!

geauxtigers777 · July 28, 2018

How much did it cost? Any caddies?

We used group caddie for two rooms rounds ($40 a piece). We played 6 full rounds and one preserve round. Ate at the resort for all meals (lunch on course). Stayed on site. Final cost was just over $2,000 plus flight (points in my case). 100% worth it.

geauxtigers777 · July 28, 2018

Going in September. Can't wait.

If you have time or interests please expand on the trip and include as many pro-tips as possible. Thank you!

What specifically of you want me to expound on?

Biggest tips would be focus on being able to hit some me knockdown shots if you can off thin lies, play as straight of a ball as possible (wind wildly exaggerates spin). Don't skip the punchbowl. Take pictures. Play the preserve, the views the self make it worth it. Walk inclines if you can... Will help get your shins and feet in shape. Bring stuff for chaffing and blisters. Bring snacks for on the course. Bring a water bottle. Use a zinc based sunscreen for wind protection. Have a blast.

2ball · August 29, 2018

Just got back from a great trip to Bandon. It was my first time out. I want to return the favor from all the great advice I got here.

Trip overview:
Day 1: Flew into PDX and drove down to Coos Bay on the first night. Stayed at the Mill Casino and everyone in our group won money. Good start to the trip. Hotel was very nice and reasonably priced.

Day 2: drive from Coos Bay (30 min) for 920 tee time on Pac Dunes. Practice facility is great, and we couldn't have asked for better weather. My favorite round of the trip. Finished up, ate lunch at Bandon Dunes, and went back out around 330 pm at Bandon Dunes. The wind was howling. 30 mph sustained wind with 40 mph gusts. The ball would literally roll away from you when you placed it down to putt. The wind would knock you off balance while swinging/putting. Ate dinner at the pub and crashed.

Day 3: rise and shine to a 7 am tee time. A couple of balls at the range prior. We again played pacific dunes. Great course and a bit tamer conditions than the day before. The views cannot be described. Finished up that tee time and hustled over to Old Mac for a 1150 tee time. One of my favorite rounds of the trip. Wind was howling again. We played green tees on the front and gold on the back. I can't describe the contours on the fairway and greens. Truly a unique place. Finished up the day with a 2 hour punch bowl fest. Fantastic. Ate at the pub again for dinner.

Day 4: played old Mac at 7 am and Trails at 1150. Trails was a blast with some very memorable shots in my group. Outshined my expectations. We ended the day again at the punch bowl and the pub.

Day 5: our group of 8 went off the preserve for the last hurrah. What a blast.

Course rankings: our group was very split with each course having it's supporters (speaks to the greatness of the courses)

For me personally my rankings were:
1. Pacific Dunes
1.5 Bandon Trails
2.5 Old Mac

4 Bandon Dunes

If someone is on the fence of going, Go! One of the best trips of my life.

Recommendations: take multiple socks per day, take bandaids for blisters. Have 2 pair of shoes. Have multiple different options for jackets. Pants are never too hot. Learn how to lag putt and choke down on shots (driver included). Take a couple dozen balls (you'll take a dozen back home with you). Factor in a couple of hours for the punch bowl (it was one of the best memory making moments for our group).

Sorry for the long post, but it was a blast.