8 Days at Bandon....Trip Review...."I Got Bandoned"

[BG5]

Sheep Ranch # 5 - Par 3

 

 

[BG5]

Sheep Ranch # 6 - Par 4 (pics do it justice)

 

 

 

Edited June 21, 2021 by BG5

[BG5]

Sheep Ranch # 9 - Par 3

 

 

[BG5]

Sheep Ranch...cannot remember which approach but its amazing.

 

 

[BG5]

Sheep Ranch # 16 - Par 3 (I putted this today from the forward tees 🙂

 

 

[BG5]

Sheep Ranch # 17 - Par 4 Approach Shot

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 21, 2021 by BG5

[BG5]

Day 3 - Round # 2 was at Pacific Dunes and the wind was blowing.  Pacific Dunes is an amazing course and one can see why its ranked so high.  It is a very tough course and the greens are fastest on property.  Its a championship course and we had a great time today.  I played it on a Sunday afternoon and we had the course to ourselves.

[BG5]

Day # 3 - Round 3 of 54 day was at Old Mac.

 

This is the first time I played Old Mac and it was amazing.  I was able to putt from over 100 yards and the couse has amazing bunkers that really make it a world Class golf course.  It is like sheep ranch as its just a blast to play but its a tough walk.  Be prepared or take a caddie

 

Hole 1 - Par 4 

 

 

[BG5]

Old Mac - # 2 - Par 3

 

 

Edited June 22, 2021 by BG5

[BG5]

Ghost Tree 

This tree can be seen on a lot of different holes....its amazing to look at in person.

 

 

 

Edited June 21, 2021 by BG5

[BG5]

Old Mac # 6 - Par 5 Approach Shot

 

This is like a fortress or something 🙂  Its looks wild in person.

 

 

 

 

Edited June 22, 2021 by BG5

[BG5]

Old MacDonald # 8 - Par 3

 

You dont realize how far this is elevated.  Pics dont do it justice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 21, 2021 by BG5

[BG5]

Final Thoughts on Day 3 after playing 54 holes

 

- In 3 days I have 7 rounds and I have played 47 and 54 holes on consecutive days.  Its easy to play alot of golf but you have to make sure to eact a big breakfast, drink lots of water and get plenty of rest

 

-Old Mac is very underrated.

 

-It seems that when I play the course it become my favorite

 

-Bandon Energy balls are amazing.  I went through 6 boxes and they were essential to a long day.  

 

Im tired....playing Sheep Ranch in morning,  Bandon Dunes in afternoon and maybe the preserve.

[buzlin]

Fantastic write up!  Great job with the pictures and notes/recommendations.  OM might be the most misunderstood course, myself being one of those who don't quite get it.

[Seamus_MacDuff]

9 hours ago, BG5 said:

Sheep Ranch - # 2 - Par 3

 

9 hours ago, BG5 said:

Sheep Ranch # 6 - Par 5 Approach Shot

 

 

This is like a fortress or something.  Its looks wild in person.

A couple of your photos above are labeled Sheep Ranch when they're actually Old Macdonald.

[Peter_G]

Great pics and write up.  Was just there 2 weeks ago!  Brought back all the memories again - thanks!  

[hh2nd]

Can you please let us know what the indoor dining restrictions are like right now?

[puttnforthe8]

3 hours ago, hh2nd said:

Can you please let us know what the indoor dining restrictions are like right now?

 

When I was there it was separated (fewer) tables; tent outside the Gallery;  We had no issues eating anywhere....except Pac because there were so few tables.  However, Trails End is a great restaurant these days.

[BG5]

Day 4 = 49 holes.  We played Sheep Ranch in the Morning and then hit the Preserve.  We ended the day playing Bandon Dunes

 

Another fantastic day and through 4 days I have played 10 rounds and 150 holes of golf.  I am pretty surprised how well my body is holding up but I have had caddies for 7 of those 10 rounds.

 

There are no pictures today but more will be coming.

 

I played 18 the first day, 47 holes the second day, 54 holes the third day, and today I went with 49 holes.

 

A few more things I have learned at Bandon.....

 

-Your putter can be used on most courses from 100 yards out.....consider using it anywhere near the green

 

- The proshop is crazy expensive.  I found two hats for $30 a piece (great buy) but shirts and other gear is nuts

 

-Having played a few courses multiple time I realize that they play different each day.  

 

-If there is no wind then there will likely be a fog

 

-If its sunny it will likely be blowing crazy

 

-I continue to stretch in the morning and in the evening

 

-Caddies are amazing at Bandon.....these guys are good

 

-Bandon is amazing

 

 

[BG5]

No issues with indoor dining.....its laid back and if you want to eat then you will not have a problem in the evening.

[jdorfman]

I'm heading up on the 27th for the upcoming  4 ball tournament and reading these reviews has me excited to get back out there.  I was there back in October and had a blast.  It truly is a golfers paradise.  I went in July and played Pebble, Spyglass, and Pasatiempo which I thought was an amazing trip.  Then after playing Bandon it was just a whole different level.

 

And the Bandon balls are addicting and amazing!

[CDM]

@BG5  Awesome thread.  Will be there this weekend / first of next week.  Love the pictures and the comments.

 

21 hours ago, jdorfman said:

I'm heading up on the 27th for the upcoming  4 ball tournament and reading these reviews has me excited to get back out there.  I was there back in October and had a blast.  It truly is a golfers paradise.  I went in July and played Pebble, Spyglass, and Pasatiempo which I thought was an amazing trip.  Then after playing Bandon it was just a whole different level.

 

And the Bandon balls are addicting and amazing!

 

Will be there 26th - 30th  also playing.  Not in the 4-Ball event though. 

[BG5]

Day 5 = We played 18 at Pac Dunes and then played the preserve for a total of 32 holes.  The other courses were not available because of the Soltice.  

 

Pacific Dunes 

We were lucky to catch it on a day where the wind was never more than 10 mph.  This was my 3rd time playing it and the first two times we had wind that was pushing 30 mph so it was great to have a good crack at scoring on this course.  I had 5 birdies on holes 1,3,6,12 and 18 and shot a 76.  The greens are by far the fastest at Bandon and were rolling great.

 

Preserve

WE played a 13 man scramble and had a blast.  This course is great for big groups and was a blast to play.  THe greens were pretty slow but overall not bad.

 

I have two days left at Bandon but my body is hold up pretty well.  We play Sheep Ranch and Old Mac tomorrow and end with Bandon Dunes and Bandon Trails.

 

I have more pics but will wait to post them.

[duffer987]

On 6/20/2021 at 11:52 PM, BG5 said:

Sheep Ranch...cannot remember which approach but its amazing.

 

 

#9 😉

[jrg75]

@BG5, awesome review and some great scores!  Have to admit, I was skeptical that you would hold up with as much golf as you had planned but not only did you do it but you added some!!!!!! BRAVO my friend.

 

What tees did you end up playing? I know you were debating but with the scores you shot, I would think that you could easily handle the greens.

Edited June 24, 2021 by jrg75

[Nard_S]

Nice write up. Makes Bandon all the more attractive.

[rooski]

Grew up 15-20 minutes from the resort and caddied out there for 7-8 years through high school and college, was a cool experience. All these pictures sure bring me back!

Edited June 24, 2021 by rooski

[BG5]

Day 6 = 36 holes - Sheep Ranch and Old Mac

 

Day 6 brought on another 36 hole day and to be honest this was the first day my body felt ok in the morning.  It almost seems like I am getting used to walking all these miles.  

 

My secret to playing as much golf at Bandon is as follows:

 

-Drink water all day every day (even if you are having cocktails) and stay hydrated.  I have pounded water this entire trip

 

-Eat a good breakfast each morning as its all about energy

 

- I eat at least 3-4 packs of Bandon Energy balls each day and they seem to keep me going

 

-Get a caddie - I have had one for most of my rounds and my guys have been great.

 

-Play the correct set of tees.  I have played mostly forward tees raning from Yellows to blues on some tees with the wind.  Tee it forward

 

 

Picture Update

I had plans to have pics of all the clubhouses, the best benches in bandon, the practice area etc but as one can imagine I just started to want to enjoy Bandon and take less pics.

 

Caddie Update

So far I have had 3 different caddies and they all have been amazing.

 

Dave - From Michigan in the U.P.  This guy is very professional and works his butt off and he is a master green reader.  The other caddies say he is one of the best in Bandon.

 

Nick - 20 year old college kid but works his butt off and did an awesome job working me around the course.  He is also excellent at green reading.

 

Hersch - Great guy and really fun.  He is excellent at reading greens and does a great job overall.

 

I have all 3 cell numbers and would use them in a heartbeat when I come back.  These guys are good.

[BG5]

Tomorrow is my last day and we are playing Bandon Dunes and Bandon Trails.

[spud3]

Great writeups!

 

Always love reading trip reports from first-time visitors