Random Bandon Thread

[dcmidnight]

8 minutes ago, me05501 said:

If demand continues at a high level we'll continue to see a lot of copycat offerings like the one closest to me. It's not the same pure golf vibe as Bandon but they're marketing to the same audience

 

I dont think all the copycats in the world are going to suppress the BD demand. Doesnt matter if they are in Pinehurst or Sea Island or Whistling Straits or wherever. You can build all the copycat offerings you want - and they will still be just that. They might work for the year in between when you book and when you go to BD - but people that really want to go to BD are still going to go.

[me05501]

10 minutes ago, dcmidnight said:

 

I dont think all the copycats in the world are going to suppress the BD demand. Doesnt matter if they are in Pinehurst or Sea Island or Whistling Straits or wherever. You can build all the copycat offerings you want - and they will still be just that. They might work for the year in between when you book and when you go to BD - but people that really want to go to BD are still going to go.

 

Fair enough. I hope we're both around to see how it goes over the next many years. 

 

[cer5059]

54 minutes ago, dcmidnight said:

 

I wouldn't do the Grove only bc I think the Lodge/Inn locations are better. Marginally better - I get it - but I like it better.

 

But the price difference kills it. $1400/nt for 4 Golf King singles in the Inn vs $2000 for the Grove or $1800 for the suites in the Lodge? No brainer to go with the single rooms.

Agree with the price difference killing it. Why pay that extra money when, if you're playing 36 a day, you barely spend any time in there.

[graveydellic]

I think when Rodeo Dunes, Wild Dunes, and Old Shores are established and open, it may take away demand or stress on Bandon.  Obviously you can’t replicate the ocean elsewhere, but people who love Bandon may ultimately branch out to other Dream Golf resorts for a change of scenery, and general ease of travel.  Rodeo Dunes IMO has limitless potential given its central location and that Denver is a very accessible airport for nearly anywhere in the country.  I personally could see myself going there as opposed to Bandon on numerous occasions. 

[dcmidnight]

12 hours ago, graveydellic said:

I think when Rodeo Dunes, Wild Dunes, and Old Shores are established and open, it may take away demand or stress on Bandon.  Obviously you can’t replicate the ocean elsewhere, but people who love Bandon may ultimately branch out to other Dream Golf resorts for a change of scenery, and general ease of travel.  Rodeo Dunes IMO has limitless potential given its central location and that Denver is a very accessible airport for nearly anywhere in the country.  I personally could see myself going there as opposed to Bandon on numerous occasions. 

 

Yeah I guess agree to disagree. Those places will surely be nice. But there are any number of great places *right now* that people could fly to and find 2-3-5 courses to play. But none of them are Bandon. 

[JK5413]

I got picked for the lottery, was 931 to start and now im at 482. Any planning advice? I assume October will be gone and potentially the good weekends in November are gone. Has anyone done december for bandon? Curious about your thoughts on the weather conditions and course conditions in december. I think I would go no matter what but still getting others to still want to go in that weather could be tricky. 

[spud3]

December weather is a crapshoot, leaning towards dismal.  Days are short, so 36 is not likely.  You will need to bring the heavy rain gear and lots of layers.  Having said that, you may get a day where it's sunny and 55, but never want to count on that.  They can get some ferocious storms in the winter.  You just have to assume the worst and be ready for it.

 

Courses play fine, as long as the rain stops for a day or so to let them drain.

 

There's a reason the prices in December and January are as low as they are...

[edgibson22]

5 hours ago, JK5413 said:

I got picked for the lottery, was 931 to start and now im at 482. Any planning advice? I assume October will be gone and potentially the good weekends in November are gone. Has anyone done december for bandon? Curious about your thoughts on the weather conditions and course conditions in december. I think I would go no matter what but still getting others to still want to go in that weather could be tricky. 

I’ve been multiple times in December. Can get 36 if you are first off and there isn’t a frost delay. If you are trying to get a foursome you’ll need the lottery but if it’s two or just one you can probably call a couple weeks or a month before and get times. Almost guaranteed. Rooms you never know but if you are flexible a twosome can get out there without the lottery. Friend and I just went in April. 4 nights in single rooms and 5 days of golf. 8 rounds. Booked 30 days out. Was awesome. It always is. 

[graveydellic]

What’s the word on early October weather?  That’s ultimately what I booked today for the late 2026 lottery.  Was angling for December per usual but they said it had filled up much quicker than October.  Debbie said the word is out on December, but she vouched big time for early October in regards to weather.  I’ve only gone in peak season and mid December (still my favorite), so I’m curious about October.  

[thechief16]

Went in October during COVID.  Temps were fine, but we got a good amount of fog -- 4 of our 8 rounds -- not socked in for the whole 18, but for 4 holes here and 4 holes there. 

[puttnforthe8]

Odd help needed here:  if anyone is heading to Bandon or there and staying in Lily Pond.  Can you look or ask someone if they know the brand of the ceiling fans they have installed.  Those are some of the best ceiling fans I have seen.  
 

thanks

[jvincent]

12 hours ago, graveydellic said:

What’s the word on early October weather?  That’s ultimately what I booked today for the late 2026 lottery.  Was angling for December per usual but they said it had filled up much quicker than October.  Debbie said the word is out on December, but she vouched big time for early October in regards to weather.  I’ve only gone in peak season and mid December (still my favorite), so I’m curious about October.  

October should be pretty nice.

 

I went in the first week of Nov one year and still managed to get in 36 per day. Temps were perfect for golf and we only had light rain for 3-4 holes in 4 days.

 

We paid for that on our way back in Portland. Played a round at Langdon Farms and got hammered with rain.

[mikedejong33]

We went in October 2023, and it was perfect. I wore shorts every day, and similar to above, we had the rain gear on for maybe 4 or 5 holes. It was perfect in October.

[pearls24]

Can someone list some of the better caddies you have worked with at Bandon?  We arrive on Monday and if there are a few that really stood out then I was going to see if we had time to still request them.  Thx!

[VNutz]

14 minutes ago, pearls24 said:

Can someone list some of the better caddies you have worked with at Bandon?  We arrive on Monday and if there are a few that really stood out then I was going to see if we had time to still request them.  Thx!

The good ones usually have their schedules mapped out well in advance.

[dcmidnight]

23 minutes ago, pearls24 said:

Can someone list some of the better caddies you have worked with at Bandon?  We arrive on Monday and if there are a few that really stood out then I was going to see if we had time to still request them.  Thx!

 

Have you alread booked one period? If not I'd be on the phone right now.

[pearls24]

Yes the other guy who was planning the trip already arranged caddies for the whole trip but didn't request anyone specific.  

[mikedejong33]

www.loopsforetroops.com 

 

We got Gabe Bornemann (Lunchbox) for our week down there, and we loved him. I couldn't recommend him high enough, great guy, worked his butt off and was a lot of fun.

[Double Mocha Man]

2 minutes ago, mikedejong33 said:

www.loopsforetroops.com 

 

We got Gabe Bornemann (Lunchbox) for our week down there, and we loved him. I couldn't recommend him high enough, great guy, worked his butt off and was a lot of fun.

 

Did he carry quadruple?

[aiyyer]

This guy - he was from Scotland and named Scottie. Worked on the construction of Bandon Crossing golf course and then moved to the resort. He caddied for the group I was paired with. Awesome guy. 

[truexbeliever]

Never got an email (yes, I checked spam) about the Oct - Dec 2026 booking window, but this morning got the text from reservations and an hour later got a phone call. Was able to book a trip over the first weekend in October for 8 guys with 36 on Friday and Saturday. They said I was somewhere in the 650 range and it took a little time to get everything booked, but was able to get back to back tee times every day across all courses and doubled up on pac. 

 

Apparently December is now popular as she said there was no December weekend availability for a group this big over the weekends unless I book around Christmas. 

 

This was a pleasant surprise and now have a 2026 trip to look forward to!

[WesternRacing]

Doing my first trip up there in June, playing four rounds in five days, which is going to be really tough on my decrepit back, but I’ve put off the trip too many times.  I get physical pain even reading about playing 36 in a day, much less 72 in two.  Crossing my fingers for some decent weather and a good caddie, but I’m gonna make the best of it either way.

 

Question for you veterans.  I have two bags I could bring.  A Jones Trouper single strap or a Titleist Carbon double strap.  I pack light either bag, but the Jones is two pounds heavier on the scale, though with a better strap in my opinion.  Which do you think a caddie would prefer to carry?

 

Edited May 18 by WesternRacing

[007iron]

Will you be with a group with the caddie double bagging or just you/single bag caddie? If a double bag situation the single strap is preferred I believe and the weight difference in the bag isn’t an issue (needs to be less than 25 lbs on the first tee). If they’re single bagging I do see some of the caddies use the 2nd strap. 

[Live Free7]

Take whichever bag you prefer.  If you are using a caddie, they may swap out your bag for a loaner that is lighter.

[jrg75]

26 minutes ago, WesternRacing said:

Doing my first trip up there in June, playing four rounds in five days, which is going to be really tough on my decrepit back, but I’ve put off the trip too many times.  I get physical pain even reading about playing 36 in a day, much less 72 in two.  Crossing my fingers for some decent weather and a good caddie, but I’m gonna make the best of it either way.

 

Question for you veterans.  I have two bags I could bring.  A Jones Trouper single strap or a Titleist Carbon double strap.  I pack light either bag, but the Jones is two pounds heavier on the scale, though with a better strap in my opinion.  Which do you think a caddie would prefer to carry?

 

Good luck man, I know you'll love it.  I think either bag will work fine, previous post had some good advice on single vs. double.  Keep it light with the extras and have fun!

[graveydellic]

Anyone know if they have shovels in the ground yet at New River Dunes?  Haven’t seen any news since an appeal back in November but thought they were clear to proceed on the new course near town.  Been quite the saga.  

[WesternRacing]

5 minutes ago, 007iron said:

Will you be with a group with the caddie double bagging or just you/single bag caddie? If a double bag situation the single strap is preferred I believe and the weight difference in the bag isn’t an issue (needs to be less than 25 lbs on the first tee). If they’re single bagging I do see some of the caddies use the 2nd strap. 

 

I’m going as a single and requested a caddie, so I assume it’s a single bag.  Can’t imagine they’d double bag me with someone I didn’t know, no?  I’ve done both before and much prefer the single bag.

 

I’m driving up so I may just throw both bags in the car and sort it out when I get there.

[CanFred]

43 minutes ago, graveydellic said:

Anyone know if they have shovels in the ground yet at New River Dunes?  Haven’t seen any news since an appeal back in November but thought they were clear to proceed on the new course near town.  Been quite the saga.  

Curious on this one too!

[puttnforthe8]

On 5/16/2025 at 8:37 AM, pearls24 said:

Can someone list some of the better caddies you have worked with at Bandon?  We arrive on Monday and if there are a few that really stood out then I was going to see if we had time to still request them.  Thx!

Do a search.  There’s a pretty good thread listing caddies and details.

[edub1321]

I’m doing a trip starting on Friday through Monday with a group of 8 for my dad’s 70th birthday.

Itinerary:

T: Land in Eugene late
F: Drive down from Eugene, Old Mac, Shorty’s

S: Bandon, Sheep

S: Pac, Trails, Punchbowl

M: Bandon, Preserve, drive back to Eugene (for flights T morning)
 

A couple of questions:

 

Night golf: my brother loves it and has a bunch of glow in the dark balls and headlamps. Is there a formal request to go play? Or is it wink wink kind of thing. We are staying at the Grove, and I believe someone mentioned doing a Bandon 1, 2, 3, 9 mini loop with glow in the dark balls. Is it more of a twilight thing? Or an after dark thing? I’ve read many people noting that when it gets dark it gets DARK. Is the Preserve an option? Maybe like 1, 2, 12, 13? 

 

The old Shorty’s: is that still a “thing?” I feel like you don’t hear about it anymore now that there’s a proper Shorty’s. But if it’s still open, I’d love to play it. (Is it still a donation thing, if so?)

 

Thanks for all the fun (and very concerned) comments and notes you guys have put in over the last couple of years. It’s really made me even more excited to go (didn’t know that was possible).