Random Bandon Thread

[Edaw68]

47 minutes ago, cjblake09 said:

We are going in Aug/Sept from DFW and we have some people in our group that want to fly into Portland and drive over Eugene as the flight options and times are better.  It is really 4:30 from Portland to Bandon?  I am fighting to fly into Eugene but am currently losing that battle.  Only 1 nonstop flight into Eugene vs 4 into Portland is their reasoning. 

Yes it’s really 4.5 hours to drive from Portland to Bandon, perhaps closer to 5 depending on traffic and getting out of PDX.   PDX is a busy airport with the usual time to deplane, get bags, get to car rental, blah blah blah. Eugene is a small airport and you can be on the road in around 10 minutes with minimal traffic leaving.

 

Unless your PDX flight lands a good three hours or more before a Eugene flight, it doesn’t get you to Bandon any quicker.

[doc52]

10 minutes ago, Edaw68 said:

Yes it’s really 4.5 hours to drive from Portland to Bandon, perhaps closer to 5 depending on traffic and getting out of PDX.   PDX is a busy airport with the usual time to deplane, get bags, get to car rental, blah blah blah. Eugene is a small airport and you can be on the road in around 10 minutes with minimal traffic leaving.

 

Unless your PDX flight lands a good three hours or more before a Eugene flight, it doesn’t get you to Bandon any quicker.

Golf bags at PDX are taking 20-30 minutes to come out these days as well. 

[graveydellic]

3 hours ago, cjblake09 said:

We are going in Aug/Sept from DFW and we have some people in our group that want to fly into Portland and drive over Eugene as the flight options and times are better.  It is really 4:30 from Portland to Bandon?  I am fighting to fly into Eugene but am currently losing that battle.  Only 1 nonstop flight into Eugene vs 4 into Portland is their reasoning. 

 

I prefer to fly out of Eugene, but their reasoning is understandable.  Flew out of PDX in December, it's a long tiring drive after a tiring golf trip.  Played Pac/Trails the day before and then woke up at 7am to drive...needless to say my body was very stiff getting to the airport.  Can't imagine how I'll feel after playing 72 in the solstice and then doing that drive the next day, but I lost the same battle with my dad who prefers the convenience of a direct flight vs a shorter car ride.  

[jrg75]

6 hours ago, cjblake09 said:

We are going in Aug/Sept from DFW and we have some people in our group that want to fly into Portland and drive over Eugene as the flight options and times are better.  It is really 4:30 from Portland to Bandon?  I am fighting to fly into Eugene but am currently losing that battle.  Only 1 nonstop flight into Eugene vs 4 into Portland is their reasoning. 

I'm a DFW guy and been to Bandon a number of times, used Portland, Eugene and Medford.  Without question, Eugene is the easiest and quickest and the nonstop on American is a dream.  Literally land at EUG and you are southbound 15 min later and it's the best part of the drive if you take 126 over to Florence and head south on the 101, very enjoyable.  Portland is a slog, especially the drive back.

[jpdx]

8 hours ago, cjblake09 said:

  It is really 4:30 from Portland to Bandon?

how fast do you want to drive? If you’re not speeding bordering on reckless, yes. About 4-4:30ish

 

i know someone who made it in under 4…he left portland a little before 5am and made our 9am tee time, even had time to hit some balls on the range. 
 

i wouldnt advise it. 

[spud3]

12 hours ago, cjblake09 said:

We are going in Aug/Sept from DFW and we have some people in our group that want to fly into Portland and drive over Eugene as the flight options and times are better.  It is really 4:30 from Portland to Bandon?  I am fighting to fly into Eugene but am currently losing that battle.  Only 1 nonstop flight into Eugene vs 4 into Portland is their reasoning. 

Another option to check out is flying DFW to SeaTac, then getting a flight to Eugene.  Alaska has 4 direct flights every day for around $100.

[spud3]

And my personal record for the drive was 4 hours on the nose.  That was leaving at 5AM on a Tuesday, being massively paranoid of OSP encounters on I-5, hitting almost every traffic light green through Reedsport and Coos Bay (that alone can save 30 minutes), plus not getting behind an RV on 101.  Not recommended...

 

4.5 to 5 hours is much more the norm, longer if you get jammed up on I-205 or I-5 leaving Portland.

[cjblake09]

6 hours ago, spud3 said:

Another option to check out is flying DFW to SeaTac, then getting a flight to Eugene.  Alaska has 4 direct flights every day for around $100.

Their main beef is they want a direct flight.  We have tons of options on Southwest for cheaper but all include a stop in Vegas or Denver.  

[spud3]

16 hours ago, cjblake09 said:

Their main beef is they want a direct flight.  We have tons of options on Southwest for cheaper but all include a stop in Vegas or Denver.  

So let them take the flight to PDX and pick you up in Eugene... it's on the way....🙃

 

Or tell them that sure, we can do the flight to PDX, but they're driving between PDX and Eugene. 

 

Both ways.

[rx1232]

If you're in DFW couldn't you fly to Denver or SF and connect to OTH (15m from bandon)?

 

I'm going in July of 25 but I'm in Seattle. Not really looking forward to the long drive 

Edited February 26, 2024 by rx1232

[jvincent]

10 hours ago, rx1232 said:

If you're in DFW couldn't you fly to Denver or SF and connect to OTH (15m from bandon)?

 

I'm going in July of 25 but I'm in Seattle. Not really looking forward to the long drive 

 

If you are shipping clubs, the Denver to OTH flight is fine. Too many stories of clubs not making the trip due to weight for me to risk that connection. Not that it's really an option coming from where I am.

[Bsarosi]

On 2/24/2024 at 8:35 AM, cjblake09 said:

Their main beef is they want a direct flight.  We have tons of options on Southwest for cheaper but all include a stop in Vegas or Denver.  

Why not ship your clubs and fly to EUG? Savings on SW prob makes up for cost to ship and that's 2-2.5 hrs less driving each way. And you don't have to ship both ways since SW has free bags - you can ship them to Bandon but check them on the return flight. That's what most of our group is doing. 

 

We strongly considered PDX but we're on the east coast so that meant leaving at the crack of dawn, driving the 5 hrs to PDX, then flying across the country. We decided to fly in/out of EUG and the logistics are much easier as we can drive there after our last day of golf, spend the night and feel semi-refreshed from not driving 5 hrs in the morning followed by the cross-country flight.

Edited February 26, 2024 by Bsarosi

[cjblake09]

2 hours ago, jvincent said:

 

If you are shipping clubs, the Denver to OTH flight is fine. Too many stories of clubs not making the trip due to weight for me to risk that connection. Not that it's really an option coming from where I am.

Still undecided on shipping the clubs or not.  For some reason we can only connect through SF in the way there if we fly into OTH.  Coming home we go back through DEN though.  More than likely going to use SW and i can just meet them in Bandon.

[ws6]

It's worth the layover hassle to fly in and out of EUG over going to PDX.  Rental cars are off site at PDX; at EUG they're right across from baggage claim.  The traffic and airport logistics at EUG also make it worth it.  

[dcmidnight]

4 minutes ago, ws6 said:

It's worth the layover hassle to fly in and out of EUG over going to PDX.  Rental cars are off site at PDX; at EUG they're right across from baggage claim.  The traffic and airport logistics at EUG also make it worth it.  

 

I cant overstate how easy it is to fly in and out of EUG. Of all the traveling I've done over the years, its honestly one of my favorite airports.

 

Big enough for jets to fly into, small enough to be in your rental car ten minutes after you get off the plane. Definitely worth the layover in Seattle vs another two plus hour drive each way.

[Seamus_MacDuff]

1 hour ago, ws6 said:

It's worth the layover hassle to fly in and out of EUG over going to PDX.  Rental cars are off site at PDX; at EUG they're right across from baggage claim.  The traffic and airport logistics at EUG also make it worth it.  

Rental cars are no longer off-site at PDX. The rental car center has been in the airport’s parking garage since late 2021. 

[Caddy Woods]

On 2/21/2024 at 5:21 PM, jvincent said:

 

BD isn't a 3-4-5 mix, but a good selection of holes.

PD I'd go 11-12-13.

BT I'd go with 3,4,5

OM. Good choices

SR: If you want to get a par 3 in the mix, I'd go 6-7-8. Otherwise 10-11-12 is a good choice.

 

Good suggestions. I really like 3-5 on BT. Might have to switch that one up. #4 might be my favorite hole on the whole property. I like 11-13 because, even though it is a par 4-3-4, all the short grass between 12 and 13 looks like an alternate universe version of Amen Corner. 

[BG5]

Ive always went direct to Portland...I just dont trust connecting flights and when I fly into Portland from Chicago and Can always play the same day which is important to me.  I go in the summer so I get a late tee time and I always want to play the day I get there so direct for me is a no brainer.  There are no direct flights from chicago to Eugene that I have found so Portland is the best option for me

[EKB]

Just got back from 3 days at Bandon, my first time there.  
 

  1st Day:  Played Old Mac

        - I really liked the course as my intro to Bandon, particularly #s 3, 6, 7, 15 and 16

 

        - My caddie (Dan L - good dude) introduced my to Ghost Tree Hazy IPA and it became a staple of the trip

 

       - The Ghost Tree on #3 is now held up by cables, a lot of speculation on what they’ll do as a replacement but it’s the best selling merchandise (and logo IMO) so they’ll figure something out

 

        - Stayed at the Table Rock Motel in town, about 15 minutes from the Resort.  Room had been recently remodeled and they were nice with an ocean view and full kitchenette.  About a 2 minute walk down to the beach.  
 

2nd Day:  Bandon Trails in the am

                 Bandon Dunes in the pm

 

         - As most people on here know, Bandon Trails is a different animal altogether as it’s inland.  You really do get an appreciation how the land dictated the layout

 

          - Not sure you can beat the final holes (14-18) at Bandon Dunes for great layouts and better visuals.  We played them as the sun was setting and you could tell why it was the original course there

 

         - Stayed at the Inn at the Resort that night.  Rooms were a bit dated but roomy and it had an awesome shower complete with a shelf for beers (not sure that was the original purpose)

 

         - We had dinner at the Ghost Tree Grill (which is adjacent to the 18th green at Old Mac).  Excellent meal, great atmosphere with a bunch of happy people in a very happy place

 

3rd Day:  Pacific Dunes in the am

 

          - I got to the course an hour early so I could putt on Punch Bowl (it’s adjacent to #1 tee).  I had the place to myself as they reset the holes.  You can tell it must have a great atmosphere following a round (think Waste Management’s perfect putting complex complete with a drink truck and drink holders at each hole)

           - Pacific Dunes was visually stunning (particularly #s 2-4 and 10-14).  
 

Miscellaneous trip thoughts:

 

1.  A definitive bucket-list trip for any golfer

2.  Bandon is all about the golf

       - the holes take the prime ocean-front real estate not the accommodations (which are inland)

       - service and hospitality were exceptional!  My playing partner on Bandon Dunes dropped a pack of the Bandon Dunes Protein and Energy Balls on the 10th tee and he asked a Marshal if he could go back and grab them for him.  Much to my surprise, the Marshal went back, found the crows had already gotten to them but brought back a new pack from the snack bar for my partner gratis.  That about sums up the customer experience at Bandon!

3.  Bandon is its own ecosystem.  
         - Once you’re on property, you can catch shuttles to any course or restaurant with ease

         - Each course has its own shop with merchandise with the individual course’s logo.  You check in at the shop and meet your caddie about 15 minutes before you tee off

4.   Caddies

         - if it’s your first time there and you can swing it, I would highly recommend having one.  It’s definitely doable without one but getting the course/Resort history throughout your rounds in addition to the course management and club selection was worth it for me

         - Caddies will assist everyone in the group with green reads and club selection though their primary focus is you.  It’s typical for partners without caddies to tip the caddie at the end of the round for the extracurricular help.  NOTE:  If a caddie giving assistance to other players in the group gets you bent out of shape because you’re paying for the caddie, don’t get a caddie, it’ll ruin the group vibe.  Believe me, you’ll get your money’s worth out of the caddie

         - All that said, for my next trip back, I’m not sure I’d get a caddie.  YMMV but now that I have a sense of the layouts, how often you neeI to club up with the wind and the pace and breaks of the greens, I like figuring stuff out myself.  If you’re looking to score well, the caddies will definitely save you a few strokes 

 

In summation, I’m already planning my next trip to Bandon, it exceeded all my expectations 

[ND2005]

On 3/1/2024 at 8:45 AM, EKB said:

Just got back from 3 days at Bandon, my first time there.  
 

  1st Day:  Played Old Mac

        - I really liked the course as my intro to Bandon, particularly #s 3, 6, 7, 15 and 16

 

        - My caddie (Dan L - good dude) introduced my to Ghost Tree Hazy IPA and it became a staple of the trip

 

       - The Ghost Tree on #3 is now held up by cables, a lot of speculation on what they’ll do as a replacement but it’s the best selling merchandise (and logo IMO) so they’ll figure something out

 

        - Stayed at the Table Rock Motel in town, about 15 minutes from the Resort.  Room had been recently remodeled and they were nice with an ocean view and full kitchenette.  About a 2 minute walk down to the beach.  
 

2nd Day:  Bandon Trails in the am

                 Bandon Dunes in the pm

 

         - As most people on here know, Bandon Trails is a different animal altogether as it’s inland.  You really do get an appreciation how the land dictated the layout

 

          - Not sure you can beat the final holes (14-18) at Bandon Dunes for great layouts and better visuals.  We played them as the sun was setting and you could tell why it was the original course there

 

         - Stayed at the Inn at the Resort that night.  Rooms were a bit dated but roomy and it had an awesome shower complete with a shelf for beers (not sure that was the original purpose)

 

         - We had dinner at the Ghost Tree Grill (which is adjacent to the 18th green at Old Mac).  Excellent meal, great atmosphere with a bunch of happy people in a very happy place

 

3rd Day:  Pacific Dunes in the am

 

          - I got to the course an hour early so I could putt on Punch Bowl (it’s adjacent to #1 tee).  I had the place to myself as they reset the holes.  You can tell it must have a great atmosphere following a round (think Waste Management’s perfect putting complex complete with a drink truck and drink holders at each hole)

           - Pacific Dunes was visually stunning (particularly #s 2-4 and 10-14).  
 

Miscellaneous trip thoughts:

 

1.  A definitive bucket-list trip for any golfer

2.  Bandon is all about the golf

       - the holes take the prime ocean-front real estate not the accommodations (which are inland)

       - service and hospitality were exceptional!  My playing partner on Bandon Dunes dropped a pack of the Bandon Dunes Protein and Energy Balls on the 10th tee and he asked a Marshal if he could go back and grab them for him.  Much to my surprise, the Marshal went back, found the crows had already gotten to them but brought back a new pack from the snack bar for my partner gratis.  That about sums up the customer experience at Bandon!

3.  Bandon is its own ecosystem.  
         - Once you’re on property, you can catch shuttles to any course or restaurant with ease

         - Each course has its own shop with merchandise with the individual course’s logo.  You check in at the shop and meet your caddie about 15 minutes before you tee off

4.   Caddies

         - if it’s your first time there and you can swing it, I would highly recommend having one.  It’s definitely doable without one but getting the course/Resort history throughout your rounds in addition to the course management and club selection was worth it for me

         - Caddies will assist everyone in the group with green reads and club selection though their primary focus is you.  It’s typical for partners without caddies to tip the caddie at the end of the round for the extracurricular help.  NOTE:  If a caddie giving assistance to other players in the group gets you bent out of shape because you’re paying for the caddie, don’t get a caddie, it’ll ruin the group vibe.  Believe me, you’ll get your money’s worth out of the caddie

         - All that said, for my next trip back, I’m not sure I’d get a caddie.  YMMV but now that I have a sense of the layouts, how often you neeI to club up with the wind and the pace and breaks of the greens, I like figuring stuff out myself.  If you’re looking to score well, the caddies will definitely save you a few strokes 

 

In summation, I’m already planning my next trip to Bandon, it exceeded all my expectations 

I disagree with your second to last point. If you didn’t take a caddie and you’re asking someone else’s caddie for anything more than the occasional courtesy yardage or read, you’re a mooch. 

[spud3]

My rule for someone else having a caddie is never ask for anything.  If they volunteer a read, rake your bunker, etc., then I can decide if I want to toss in a tip.  I generally benefit enough from just overhearing their conversations with their guy(s), and most will hand me a nugget or two over the course of the round, so I will usually end up handing them a $20.  Not a certainty, though.  I've played the courses enough to already know most of what they will be telling their guy, and I've been in plenty of groups where the caddie basically ignored my existence; and that's fine, he's focused on his guy.  Just not getting a tip from me.

[EKB]

I guess I touched a caddie nerve - to clarify, none of my playing partners from any of the 4 rounds ever asked for reads or club selection assistance.  If I had already putted out, he would give them reads.  Did they benefit from him telling me to club up by a club or two?  Yes.  Did he help look for errant balls with the rest of us?  Yes.  But I never felt that I wasn’t the caddie’s primary focus.  
 

 

[Looper34]

Our threesome used one caddy for 5 days at Bandon. We were originally a foursome but one of our guys got sick and couldn't play and we went out as a threesome every round. The caddy carried 2 bags and the third guy carried his own and the next day we switch it around. He focused on whose bag he was carrying with yardage into the green but gave reads to everyone on the green. He also kept an eye on wayward tee shots for everyone. He was very helpful. Everyday he got the rate plus a tip for the 2 bags plus another tip from the third guy. He did okay and seemed happy with the arrangement. 

[spud3]

Probably timely to mention that they do offer forecaddie services at the resort, which is just one caddie doing everything for the whole group (green reading, tee aiming, bunker raking, etc.) except carrying a bag.  It's a great way to get the course knowledge, history and anecdotes, but only pay one bag fee plus tips.  Recommended for those who are unfamiliar with the courses and just like to carry their own gear.

[miss0033]

Curious about EKB's post for staying off property and playing 2 rounds in one day.  While I was there, last August, I was told only resort guests could book tee times before 10:00am.  Does that vary outside of the summer?  I was also told they could book more than 30 days out.  

 

Now while I was there, there were a few open tee times scattered around, so maybe day before or day of they make exceptions as well?  

 

We got paired up with a guy one day who was staying at an AirBNB and he said he couldn't book prior to 30 days out and couldn't book any tee times before 10:00am.  So he was having trouble playing 36 as he couldn't book prior to 10:00am rounds, and with the required 5 hour time between tee times (and the afternoons being full), even as a single.

 

EDIT: Nevermind.  Re-read the post and I see you stayed on-property that night.  Sorry.

Edited March 4, 2024 by miss0033

[jvincent]

1 hour ago, miss0033 said:

Curious about EKB's post for staying off property and playing 2 rounds in one day.  While I was there, last August, I was told only resort guests could book tee times before 10:00am.  Does that vary outside of the summer?  I was also told they could book more than 30 days out.  

 

Now while I was there, there were a few open tee times scattered around, so maybe day before or day of they make exceptions as well?  

 

We got paired up with a guy one day who was staying at an AirBNB and he said he couldn't book prior to 30 days out and couldn't book any tee times before 10:00am.  So he was having trouble playing 36 as he couldn't book prior to 10:00am rounds, and with the required 5 hour time between tee times (and the afternoons being full), even as a single.

 

EDIT: Nevermind.  Re-read the post and I see you stayed on-property that night.  Sorry.

 

Once you are inside the 3-week window you can move your tee times around if you are staying off property, including before 10AM.

 

I'll be there in about 4-weeks and have a reminder in my calendar to juggle my tee times.

[Golferclubs23]

On 3/3/2024 at 4:06 PM, spud3 said:

Probably timely to mention that they do offer forecaddie services at the resort, which is just one caddie doing everything for the whole group (green reading, tee aiming, bunker raking, etc.) except carrying a bag.  It's a great way to get the course knowledge, history and anecdotes, but only pay one bag fee plus tips.  Recommended for those who are unfamiliar with the courses and just like to carry their own gear.

What is going rate (with tip included) per golfer?

[knock it close]

3 hours ago, Golferclubs23 said:

What is going rate (with tip included) per golfer?

Base rates

4some 40/player

3some 50/player

2some 60/player

 

I am not sure the tipping expectation on forecaddie vs caddie. 

[Double Mocha Man]

1 hour ago, knock it close said:

I am not sure the tipping expectation on forecaddie vs caddie. 

 

If you break 80 tip the forecaddie $50.

If you break 90 tip the forecaddie $40.

If you break 100 tip the forecaddie $30.

If you shoot over 100 ask the forecaddie if he can loan you some money.

[Golferclubs23]

8 minutes ago, Double Mocha Man said:

 

If you break 80 tip the forecaddie $50.

If you break 90 tip the forecaddie $40.

If you break 100 tip the forecaddie $30.

If you shoot over 100 ask the forecaddie if he can loan you some money.

How much are caddies a bag (total). $150 bag?