Bandon September 2018 - First Timers Report

[ebrasmus21]

I wish getting to Bandon was easier for me. Getting there from Charleston, SC was not the easiest. I have heard nothing but good things about the place! I just got back from a week golf trip in Pebble which was much easier getting to. Hopefully sometime next year I bite the bullet and go. It would more than likely be a solo trip.

I wish getting to Bandon was easier for me. Getting there from Charleston, SC was not the easiest. I have heard nothing but good things about the place! I just got back from a week golf trip in Pebble which was much easier getting to. Hopefully sometime next year I bite the bullet and go. It would more than likely be a solo trip.

 

It was a complete cluster f*** getting there for us. Took 17 hours by car. I have absolutely no regrets it was so worth the effort.

C'mon :)

You had the largest wildfire in California history to contend with though right? That's a pretty big asterisk.

That said. I agree with anyone coming from East of Denver, it can be quite the faff.

 

My comment was to speak to Bandon's greatness. Even though getting there was tough for us it was 100% worth the effort in every way possible.

[Edaw68]

Sounds like I need to take a March trip just to get lunch in, lol.

That said, there have been a few times where the weather has been so crap, we've not gone back out for the second round, but I cannot remember what/where lunch was.

 

Duffer -- for *not peak season* what month do you recommend for a Bandon trip?

 

I know you asked Duffer, but I'll chime in. I've done November, December, January, and February. I've got March in 2019. It's hard to pick a specific month as best. You're basically weighing cost versus daylight hours available and chance of decent weather. In all four months I've experienced epically bad weather (except for some extraordinary good luck in January 2015), and in all four had days of great weather (except for some extraordinary bad luck in December 2015). For me November and February were both mixes. The problem is it's essentially impossible to predict weather with any certainty, you're playing averages.

 

Based on averages you're most likely to get good weather in February, but it could be anytime for any month. So you have to prepare for the worst no matter what.

 

Daylight and cost are easier. From late November to February, 36 a day requires serious advance planning, and you can't be someone who thinks a 4 hour round is fast. If you aren't as concerned about that, then it's much easier. Cost in December and January is one of the best bargains in golf, especially if you catch one of those balmy coast days. (not raining and mid 50's)

 

I've thought February was the best combo of cost versus available daylight versus chance of good weather. However, I wasn't alone in this, and the February cost has creeped up steadily. That was the main reason my Bandon group (mostly Spud3) moved to March for the next round. The cost is barely over February and there are some comfortable gaps between tee times for 36 hole days. Hopefully it pays off. I also am looking forward to my Bandon trip not being the first time I've swung a club in 5 months this year.

[ebrasmus21]

Sounds like I need to take a March trip just to get lunch in, lol.

That said, there have been a few times where the weather has been so crap, we've not gone back out for the second round, but I cannot remember what/where lunch was.

 

Duffer -- for *not peak season* what month do you recommend for a Bandon trip?

 

I know you asked Duffer, but I'll chime in. I've done November, December, January, and February. I've got March in 2019. It's hard to pick a specific month as best. You're basically weighing cost versus daylight hours available and chance of decent weather. In all four months I've experienced epically bad weather (except for some extraordinary good luck in January 2015), and in all four had days of great weather (except for some extraordinary bad luck in December 2015). For me November and February were both mixes. The problem is it's essentially impossible to predict weather with any certainty, you're playing averages.

 

Based on averages you're most likely to get good weather in February, but it could be anytime for any month. So you have to prepare for the worst no matter what.

 

Daylight and cost are easier. From late November to February, 36 a day requires serious advance planning, and you can't be someone who thinks a 4 hour round is fast. If you aren't as concerned about that, then it's much easier. Cost in December and January is one of the best bargains in golf, especially if you catch one of those balmy coast days. (not raining and mid 50's)

 

I've thought February was the best combo of cost versus available daylight versus chance of good weather. However, I wasn't alone in this, and the February cost has creeped up steadily. That was the main reason my Bandon group (mostly Spud3) moved to March for the next round. The cost is barely over February and there are some comfortable gaps between tee times for 36 hole days. Hopefully it pays off. I also am looking forward to my Bandon trip not being the first time I've swung a club in 5 months this year.

 

Excellent insight. Thanks for the detailed response! I already want to plan my next trip.

[Edaw68]

It’s usually on my last day there I’m thinking next year...

[duffer987]

"Back in the day"... or till 2014 I think, going at Thanksgiving was $75 + $40 replay for crazy $115 days it's more now, but still great value.

Eda covered it pretty well there, but not to jinx us, we've had way more good days than bad days playing in late November.

I've also gone in Feb a couple times - back when it was cheap - and also had good weather. Importantly for Feb, you get an extra hour of daylight compared to late Nov, which makes 36 much easier. And having Presidents Day in there gives you a free PTO day if you're the typical office worker type.

 

But as Eda says, when you look at their pricing now, it is easy to slippery slope yourself down to March. Go the last week, and that's a lot more light and potentially warmer (still not balmy) temps. It's the PNW so rain, no rain, isn't the question, but temps which in the winter can lead to frost delays and amount of light are the important bits.

[spud3]

It’s usually on my last day there I’m thinking next year...

 

I'm already thinking about the 2020 trip...

[spud3]

"Back in the day"... or till 2014 I think, going at Thanksgiving was $75 + $40 replay for crazy $115 days it's more now, but still great value.

Eda covered it pretty well there, but not to jinx us, we've had way more good days than bad days playing in late November.

I've also gone in Feb a couple times - back when it was cheap - and also had good weather. Importantly for Feb, you get an extra hour of daylight compared to late Nov, which makes 36 much easier. And having Presidents Day in there gives you a free PTO day if you're the typical office worker type.

 

But as Eda says, when you look at their pricing now, it is easy to slippery slope yourself down to March. Go the last week, and that's a lot more light and potentially warmer (still not balmy) temps. It's the PNW so rain, no rain, isn't the question, but temps which in the winter can lead to frost delays and amount of light are the important bits.

 

Frost delays are an issue Dec-Feb. They don't happen a lot, but they do happen. And prices for February have steadily climbed. There was about three years in a row where we had unseasonably warm and mild February weather, and word got out about the cheap rates. It's gotten tougher to schedule a trip in February as a result (gotta be right on top of when they open up the reservations or you can get shut out). Hence our decision to go to March. As Edaw said, not much more (~$200 for four days) gets a lot more daylight and marginally warmer temps, but a lot lower risk of frost delays.

 

I went in April my first time and seems like there was more rain, but less wind. The other nice thing about going into the spring months is the gorse is in bloom and the courses are even more visually stunning.

[duffer987]

"Back in the day"... or till 2014 I think, going at Thanksgiving was $75 + $40 replay for crazy $115 days it's more now, but still great value.

Eda covered it pretty well there, but not to jinx us, we've had way more good days than bad days playing in late November.

I've also gone in Feb a couple times - back when it was cheap - and also had good weather. Importantly for Feb, you get an extra hour of daylight compared to late Nov, which makes 36 much easier. And having Presidents Day in there gives you a free PTO day if you're the typical office worker type.

 

But as Eda says, when you look at their pricing now, it is easy to slippery slope yourself down to March. Go the last week, and that's a lot more light and potentially warmer (still not balmy) temps. It's the PNW so rain, no rain, isn't the question, but temps which in the winter can lead to frost delays and amount of light are the important bits.

 

Frost delays are an issue Dec-Feb. They don't happen a lot, but they do happen. And prices for February have steadily climbed. There was about three years in a row where we had unseasonably warm and mild February weather, and word got out about the cheap rates. It's gotten tougher to schedule a trip in February as a result (gotta be right on top of when they open up the reservations or you can get shut out). Hence our decision to go to March. As Edaw said, not much more (~$200 for four days) gets a lot more daylight and marginally warmer temps, but a lot lower risk of frost delays.

 

I went in April my first time and seems like there was more rain, but less wind. The other nice thing about going into the spring months is the gorse is in bloom and the courses are even more visually stunning.

Ya our 2016 (IIRC) Thanksgiving trip had a bunch of frost delays. The thwack sound the balls make hitting the greens on Trails was funny stuff. The best was the blind approach on 4:

Swing... listen... thwack... nice shot! Swing...listen...thwack... hey you too!

If our Nov trip gets shelved for a year or two for kid duty, I'm going to take a look at March, as IMHO it really is end of Nov or Mar for best deals now.

[Sushiyoshi]

Thinking of going between Xmas and NY as I have the week off since I can't wait for the annual trip in Feb. Looking at almanac, weather looks ok with a couple more days of rain than February and temp just a tad cooler. Wonder if it will be crowded.

[Edaw68]

"Back in the day"... or till 2014 I think, going at Thanksgiving was $75 + $40 replay for crazy $115 days it's more now, but still great value.

Eda covered it pretty well there, but not to jinx us, we've had way more good days than bad days playing in late November.

I've also gone in Feb a couple times - back when it was cheap - and also had good weather. Importantly for Feb, you get an extra hour of daylight compared to late Nov, which makes 36 much easier. And having Presidents Day in there gives you a free PTO day if you're the typical office worker type.

 

But as Eda says, when you look at their pricing now, it is easy to slippery slope yourself down to March. Go the last week, and that's a lot more light and potentially warmer (still not balmy) temps. It's the PNW so rain, no rain, isn't the question, but temps which in the winter can lead to frost delays and amount of light are the important bits.

 

Frost delays are an issue Dec-Feb. They don't happen a lot, but they do happen. And prices for February have steadily climbed. There was about three years in a row where we had unseasonably warm and mild February weather, and word got out about the cheap rates. It's gotten tougher to schedule a trip in February as a result (gotta be right on top of when they open up the reservations or you can get shut out). Hence our decision to go to March. As Edaw said, not much more (~$200 for four days) gets a lot more daylight and marginally warmer temps, but a lot lower risk of frost delays.

 

I went in April my first time and seems like there was more rain, but less wind. The other nice thing about going into the spring months is the gorse is in bloom and the courses are even more visually stunning.

Ya our 2016 (IIRC) Thanksgiving trip had a bunch of frost delays. The thwack sound the balls make hitting the greens on Trails was funny stuff. The best was the blind approach on 4:

Swing... listen... thwack... nice shot! Swing...listen...thwack... hey you too!

If our Nov trip gets shelved for a year or two for kid duty, I'm going to take a look at March, as IMHO it really is end of Nov or Mar for best deals now.

My first trip was mid November. Other than a round on Pacific that had bad weather, it was great for four days. Now March and November prices are about the same, except after thanksgiving.

[Lexicographer]

April being the same price as November looks to be a good value. More daylight. March might be the best deal right now, as duffer mentioned.

[duffer987]

April being the same price as November looks to be a good value. More daylight. March might be the best deal right now, as duffer mentioned.

Ya going in Nov before Thanksgiving isn't great value, but they have to put the date cut offs in somewhere.

Thanksgiving works as an easy marker, but conditions wise another week earlier would be more indicative of conditions I'd think.

[Kernel]

I've been once in April and going again next April. Only other time I was there in May.

 

For me, April is the sweet spot re price and weather. There's a pretty dramatic drop off in average rainfall between March and April and you are usually past the point of big, nasty storms rolling through - what rain you get lacks the gale force winds of winter. By the end of the month, you are down to about 25% chance of a precipitation on a given day, on average. And the afternoon winds are tamer than in summer.