Bandon Trip March 9-13

[dutz]

2 hours ago, jmckito said:

debating dropping my second round @ sheep ranch in favor of a second round on pac dunes.

 

tough decision.  already have 2 booked on trails and bandon.
 

The conditions is what’s got me concerned about ranch. 

Was on site the week before the OP, we took a forecaddy the first time out to learn a bit more about it.  He said the constant play all day every day hasn’t allowed the maintenance they need.  I was not impressed with the course at all.  It’s the shiny new toy, but in my opinion is squeezed in, premature, and only defense is the conditions.  A lot of 300 yard par 4s, 120 yard par 3s and sub 500 yard par 5s.  Caddy referred to it as the property’s “feel good course.”  We skipped OM this trip, the group was in consensus that if on the next trip Sheep’s availability didn’t fit ours we wouldn’t be upset skipping it.  
 

If I had 10 rounds, not including the preserve, I’d play 3 on Bandon, 3 on trails, 3 on Pac, 1 on sheep. 

[payerasjl]

No issues with outside alcohol being consumed in your room. Atleast that’s been my experience 

[Dsevans8]

Hey guys let me answer some of your questions before I post about our Thursday rounds. First off the mornings were chilly. I usually wear leggings and long sleeve as base layer so I didn't find it to be an issue. Seemed to warm up pretty quick as the sun came out. The biggest factor is the wind, if it's whipping then you will feel that cold 100x more than a calm morning with sun out. As far as outside alcohol on the property, should be a non issue. I actually think they may have small ice chests you can request (don't quote me on that) but our rooms in Chrome Lake all had refrigerators, and you can buy a gas station Styrofoam ice chest if need be. Ice should be readily available for you to keep things chilled.

As far as Old Mac and Trails in the same day... I wouldn't say it's a rookie mistake per se, but those are the two longest walks.  Trails in the afternoon and Old Mac in the morning are definitely the right way to go though to avoid the worst winds. If you are in good shape, I wouldn't make a big deal about it.

Several guys in our group took caddies, I was not one of them. I actually brought my ewheels electric push cart, which was nice. I would say where I see the most value with a caddie is the green reads. A good caddie with some experience understands the greens better than you will and can save you shots on the greens for sure, plus the lines of the tee and carrying your bag are a nice touch.

And in my opinion I would not hesitate to switch a round from Sheep Ranch to any of the other courses. I am a big fan of Old Mac and never understand why some people just don't like. Sheep needs time to grow in and develop, but even then I just didn't find it that interesting as they others.

[codylowrygolf]

Thanks for the awesome reply! 

[jackbauer]

17 hours ago, codylowrygolf said:

In another thread, someone called out that OM and BT together were a rookie mistake. Already booked, but curious if you have a knee jerk thought on that. 

 

2 hours ago, Dsevans8 said:

As far as Old Mac and Trails in the same day... I wouldn't say it's a rookie mistake per se, but those are the two longest walks.  Trails in the afternoon and Old Mac in the morning are definitely the right way to go though to avoid the worst winds. If you are in good shape, I wouldn't make a big deal about it.

 

I said that in my February trip report and meant it as general advice. It shouldn't be a big deal for younger and in-shape people but if walking 36 is already a stretch for someone, I advise against it.

[Dsevans8]

1 minute ago, jackbauer said:

 

 

I said that in my February trip report and meant it as general advice. It shouldn't be a big deal for younger and in-shape people but if walking 36 is already a stretch for someone, I advise against it.

Agreed, I never do it but I wouldn't go to great lengths trying to change things or worry too much about it. I walked 36 4 straight days and could have gone another few. Your feet will be tired at the end of the day no matter what, but if your stamina is good and you do some recovery I think you can walk as much as you want. I bought some Epsom salts at the dollar general in town and used the tub in our room to soak my body every morning as the hot tub was not available. I also brought my theragun and foam roller and used them religiously. Also I paid a lot of attention to my hydration each day, really trying to drink enough Gatorade and water each day, especially in the evenings and mornings. I also made sure to hydrate well the week prior to going. I think those little things add up in a big way if you are trying to walk 36 everyday for several days.

[jmckito]

19 hours ago, dutz said:

Was on site the week before the OP, we took a forecaddy the first time out to learn a bit more about it.  He said the constant play all day every day hasn’t allowed the maintenance they need.  I was not impressed with the course at all.  It’s the shiny new toy, but in my opinion is squeezed in, premature, and only defense is the conditions.  A lot of 300 yard par 4s, 120 yard par 3s and sub 500 yard par 5s.  Caddy referred to it as the property’s “feel good course.”  We skipped OM this trip, the group was in consensus that if on the next trip Sheep’s availability didn’t fit ours we wouldn’t be upset skipping it.  
 

If I had 10 rounds, not including the preserve, I’d play 3 on Bandon, 3 on trails, 3 on Pac, 1 on sheep. 

thanks. I swapped out 2nd round @ sheep for Pac Dunes.  We shall see if it was right call. Freedom as a single to mix it up as I see fit. 

[Dsevans8]

Thursday March 11th-

8am Pacific Dunes---The course was in absolute perfect shape. Honestly this is the best that I have ever seen the greens on Pacific. They rolled true and quickish, very receptive to good shots. 2nd best greens on the property behind Trails in my opinion. I always have the debate about which course is my favorite. To me Pacific has more teeth than Bandon Dunes. I find Bandon Dunes to be the most playable, so if you aren't hitting it great there is some forgiveness. Pacific demands a little more from you in my opinion, so if you are hitting it well it really presents a great course and a lot of fun. There have been lots of times I didn't hit it well and Pacific kicked my teeth in. This trip I will say Pacific 1A, Bandon Dunes 1B. I realized that I didn't have any pictures of the course because I did a bunch of short video calls with my son who was dying to be there. So I decided to do a more hole by hole summary to try and paint a picture of the course, not sure if you guys really want to hear me relive my round but it's the best I can offer:

Again we had amazing weather all day. Was probably 48 degrees when we teed off, but the wind was so calm that it didn't really bother me. Couple hand warmers in the pockets and off we went. I'm not sure how most of you feel about Pacific, and I'm well aware of it's rankings, but I kind of have a love hate relationship with the course. I have played some of my best golf out there, but it seems like every hole is lurking with disaster. I personally appreciate the uniqueness on every hole, the design aesthetics, and the absolute grandeur that you feel out there. Few things I would say... take an iron or hybrid off the first couple of holes. They are short and simple and should ease you into your rounds with some pars, maybe a birdie if you can hit a nice wedge in there. Avoid going right at all costs. I see too many guys try and get aggressive with drivers on those holes and it just brings a lot of stress into play, just no need to do that in my opinion. Made a couple of easy pars with the driving iron on 1 and 2. Unfortunately I found the middle bunker on the 3rd hole and had to play sideways and couldn't get up and down for my par. 4 was playing wind into us and blowing towards the water. Tees were up so I aimed over the left bunkers and just wanted to avoid the Ocean. Lo and behold there is a sand trap over those bunkers and I proceeded to hit it in another bunker down the left side. Made an amazing up and down from there and knew I had stolen a stroke. Hit a good shoot into 5 to make par. The 6th hole always seems to be really good or really bad, my advice is to just make sure you go right. Nothing good happens down the left side. Hit a good driving iron and left myself 40 yards. Couldn't make the 10 footer and settled for par. The 7th hole always gives me trouble, hit it way right and made a 30 footer for bogey. Made another stupid bogey out of a divot on 8, then finally got to play the lower green on 9 and missed a 10 footer for birdie. I will take a +3 any day on the front 9. Started the back off in style and hit it to 3 feet on 10 from the upper box into the wind, managed to make that one. Made par on 11 after another good tee shot. Salvaged par at 12 as I couldn't get up and down for birdie . 13 was playing wind back into us and I hit a great drive and stuck my wedge to 10 feet and made the birdie. 14 was strait downwind and my tee shot found the back of the green and I made bogey on an ugly 3 putt. 15... Hit my drive into the fairway bunker and had to take my medicine and play a wedge out kind of sideways. Skipped a wedge up there and my ball ricochet off the stick and made a little 4 footer for birdie. 16th hole is just never good for me. It was downwind and everyone else was hitting driver. I know better, nothing good every happens with the driver if this hole is playing downwind. Well I roasted the drive and hit it into the rough behind the green next to a bunker. Ball was buried in one of those tufts of fescue and I thought I could stand in the bunker and get it out... long story short I didn't get it out and took an unplayable and carded a double. GUYS, JUST PLAY TO 50-60 yards out and hit a nice little wedge. 17 make sure you go right. I was dumb enough to challenge the flag and found the massive bunker to the left. Hit a great shot though to 5 feet and made a nice par. Hit it left in the bunker on 18 and ended up carding a bogey to finish of my best round on pacific, +4 75.

[Dsevans8]

19 minutes ago, jmckito said:

thanks. I swapped out 2nd round @ sheep for Pac Dunes.  We shall see if it was right call. Freedom as a single to mix it up as I see fit. 

You can't go wrong with another round on Pacific. I hate being that guy and saying anything negative about Bandon and the courses, but Sheep just didn't do it for me at all. In the afternoon the place was just congested and people going every which direction as things are very on top of each other. Now once things mature and change and the popularity dies down I will go back and play again to assess how I feel. As for now, I could go back to the resort and have zero interest to play the course. Your mileage may vary though, and as a single you will have no issue playing a second round there if you really enjoy the course.

Edited March 18, 2021 by Dsevans8

[jmckito]

What’s the general wind direction out there this time of year? YouTube vids show most of Pac is into the wind, but that’s  August. 

[jmckito]

32 minutes ago, Dsevans8 said:

You can't go wrong with another round on Pacific. I hate being that guy and saying anything negative about Bandon and the courses, but Sheep just didn't do it for me at all. In the afternoon the place was just congested and people going every which direction as things are very on top of each other. Now once things mature and change and the popularity dies down I will go back and play again to assess how I feel. As for now, I could go back to the resort and have zero interest to play the course. Your mileage may vary though, and as a single you will have no issue playing a second round there if you really enjoy the course.

It seems as more people play Sheep it ranks at the top or near bottom for them. 

curious if thats how people felt about Old Mac when it opened? Since Mac seems to be at the bottom of many lists.

[Edaw68]

40 minutes ago, jmckito said:

What’s the general wind direction out there this time of year? YouTube vids show most of Pac is into the wind, but that’s  August. 

Mostly from the south. The last two days have been hard out of the south. Another WRXer I played with yesterday said he actually got to experience the wind from the north last weekend.

[commoditybroker]

AWESOME thread, makes my wait ever harder...lol.

 

Heading out late May.  I am a first-timer and I'm going with a buddy who has done 15+ trips to Bandon, so I will be there with someone that has experience.

 

Any advice/tips/to do's for a Bandon virgin??  

 

Here is our schedule.  I'm driving up and back from Folsom, CA (about 8 hours).:

 

20th
trails
old mac

21st
preserve
sheep

22nd
pac dunes
bandon dunes

23rd
sheep
pac dunes

 

[dutz]

On 3/19/2021 at 4:38 PM, commoditybroker said:

AWESOME thread, makes my wait ever harder...lol.

 

Heading out late May.  I am a first-timer and I'm going with a buddy who has done 15+ trips to Bandon, so I will be there with someone that has experience.

 

Any advice/tips/to do's for a Bandon virgin??  

 

Here is our schedule.  I'm driving up and back from Folsom, CA (about 8 hours).:

 

20th
trails
old mac

21st
preserve
sheep

22nd
pac dunes
bandon dunes

23rd
sheep
pac dunes

 

Only thing I would change would be day 2, third round of the day is free and you’ll have plenty of daylight to squeeze the preserve in after 36.  You wouldn’t get a replay rate on your Sheep round, so it would actually be the same price to play 36 on the big courses and preserve would be free.   Of course that’s up to stamina but being your first time you’ll be so pumped it won’t matter.   But definitely don’t skip the preserve.  
 

first day is going to be the longest walk.  2 longest courses to walk, you’ll read a bunch about it on the different threads.  I don’t think it’s a major issue, but some try to stay away from that 36 loop.  But it is also your first day so should be fine regardless.   
 

live in the moment, have fun, take lots of pictures.