Bandon Dunes Planning

[jvincent]

30 minutes ago, richakn said:

Any thoughts on staying off property? I'm trying to book for 2024 and am told they have limited accommodations for the time we want to go - I noticed some nice Air bnbs nearby. Anyone have experience staying offsite and have any feedback? 

 

I understand you can still book tee times pretty easily if you stay off property? 

 

Thanks

 

 

I've stayed off property my last two trips. I stayed in Coos Bay, so 30 min from the resort.

 

It was pretty easy to get tee times at the last minute since one trip I was a single and the other was just a twosome.

[jvincent]

2 minutes ago, Seamus_MacDuff said:

I'd advise checking carefully with the resort before you commit to off-site lodging, as if you do stay off-site you can't book tee times prior to 10am and you'll be paying a $50/round premium over the resort guest rate.

 

 

The $50 premium only applies if you are booking more than 30-days (?) in advance I believe.

[Seamus_MacDuff]

14 minutes ago, jvincent said:

 

The $50 premium only applies if you are booking more than 30-days (?) in advance I believe.

From the greens fees page on the website:  "*Non-hotel guests may book tee times for April thru mid-November over 21 days in advance at a premium rate. (tee times must be after 10:00 a.m.)"

[Kernel]

54 minutes ago, richakn said:

Any thoughts on staying off property? I'm trying to book for 2024 and am told they have limited accommodations for the time we want to go - I noticed some nice Air bnbs nearby. Anyone have experience staying offsite and have any feedback? 

 

I understand you can still book tee times pretty easily if you stay off property? 

 

Thanks

 

I've stayed off property all 3 trips I've made and have not had an issue getting tee times booking three weeks out. There are far more tee times available than beds on property. Though that's with a twosome. If you are more than two, I would expect it to be difficult if not impossible to get morning times and play 36. 

 

 

 

[Kernel]

54 minutes ago, richakn said:

Any thoughts on staying off property? I'm trying to book for 2024 and am told they have limited accommodations for the time we want to go - I noticed some nice Air bnbs nearby. Anyone have experience staying offsite and have any feedback? 

 

I understand you can still book tee times pretty easily if you stay off property? 

 

Thanks

 

I've stayed off property all 3 trips I've made and have not had an issue getting tee times booking three weeks out. There are far more tee times available than beds on property. Though that's with a twosome. If you are more than two, I would expect it to be difficult if not impossible to get morning times and play 36. 

 

 

 

[snakano]

5 hours ago, richakn said:

Any thoughts on staying off property? I'm trying to book for 2024 and am told they have limited accommodations for the time we want to go - I noticed some nice Air bnbs nearby. Anyone have experience staying offsite and have any feedback? 

 

I understand you can still book tee times pretty easily if you stay off property? 

 

Thanks

 

 

I'll share my experience doing this, hope you find it helpful.

 

I've stayed on property once and in town twice, soon to be a third time but we'll get there in a second.

 

While staying on site is a completely different experience, and an exceptional one, it's never a deal breaker for me deciding whether or not to make the trip.

 

I've booked as a single twice, very easy to get tee times, and I just booked a last minute trip for a buddy and I a week or so back for the end of the month. Tee time will be a bit tight on day 1, but no problems for rounds two and three on the weekend. I can't say for sure, but it feels like scoring anything other than a twosome might be difficult.

 

It's worth noting you may not get your top picks of courses, but any round at Bandon is a gift so it's not worth not going if you can't get your top course(s). This upcoming trip I couldn't sniff a time at Pac, but there's also the option to change a round at any of the clubhouses day of if there's an opening. I've had success doing this.

 

One last consideration, call early that first day you can book. I rang at 8a local Bandon time to reserve and wish I'd called earlier just to see if there was more flexibility day 1, but alas.

 

I've only ever stayed at the Bandon Inn in town and can't imagine needing to look elsewhere for lodging unless it was fully booked, although there are some solid airbnbs in the area. There are a few decent bars in town and, more often than not, end up chatting and drinking with other golfers playing BD.

 

It's one of the best golf experiences on earth, Bandon is always worth it.

[richakn]

Thank you - with 8 of us going, it seems we'll be best placed to stay onsite, given approach to booking tee times. 

 

Any thoughts on the accommodations? It looks like we should prioritize  the Suites in the Lodge or perhaps the Grove cottages, as that would give us a 2*4 bed configuration, and if we can't get those we are into all the more typical hotel type rooms (2 Queens in a smaller room). 

 

Any perspective on which of the other locations are better (Lilly Pond, Chrome, The Inn or Round Lake), or are they very similar? 

[spud3]

If it's important to have a common room to congregate and play cards, etc. then the suites are probably where you will want to look first.  But you'll pay a premium for that, and if you're really only looking for a good crash pad any of the accommodations there will serve that purpose very well.

 

And yes, with a group of eight, you will need to stay on site to get any coherent tee time schedule.  One or two guys going down, staying offsite and trying to get tee times 21 days out is usually not a problem.  Eight guys who want to play together(-ish) would not be likely at all.

 

Main thing to determine is does your group want to share sleeping rooms or not?  If yes, Lily Pond is the most cost effective, followed by Chrome lake units.  If not, The Lodge and Grove suites are the most expensive rooms, but everyone gets their own bedroom.

 

An alternative is some combination of (single) rooms in the Lodge and single or double rooms in the Inn, if you don't mind being spread out a bit.  Round Lake is more expensive than the Lodge or Inn, but new and super nice.  Prices are all listed on the Bandon site, and depending on what time of the year you're booking, those prices will vary dramatically.

 

[dazedniteman]

If you stay off property, is it recommended to rent a car?

 

I'm considering a last minute trip in early March but lodging is sporadic which would require that I stay off property a few nights. Trying to determine if I need a car or if the shuttle would be able to take me to/from the hotel.

[Edaw68]

28 minutes ago, dazedniteman said:

If you stay off property, is it recommended to rent a car?

 

I'm considering a last minute trip in early March but lodging is sporadic which would require that I stay off property a few nights. Trying to determine if I need a car or if the shuttle would be able to take me to/from the hotel.

The shuttle is on property only.  I'm not sure what the Uber/Lyft scene is like in Bandon, but I'd rent a car if off property.

[spud3]

Definitely rent a car if staying offsite

[VNutz]

12 hours ago, dazedniteman said:

If you stay off property, is it recommended to rent a car?

 

I'm considering a last minute trip in early March but lodging is sporadic which would require that I stay off property a few nights. Trying to determine if I need a car or if the shuttle would be able to take me to/from the hotel.

If you're offsite a rental car is a necessity IMO. There is very little in the Uber/rideshare scene in the town of Bandon. There's a place called Fairway Shuttle that I used previously to get around for one night prior to staying onsite, but he's a one man show and you can be SOL if he's got other rides.

[dazedniteman]

Thanks for all the great replies and info about the lack of Uber. 

[Looper34]

Great thread, thanks for all the info. Trying to figure out if we should rent a SUV in Eugene or get a car service to bring us to the resort. Four of us are going in August, flying into Eugene and staying at the resort for 5 days. We won't need a big 12 passenger van just a SUV to pick us up at the airport, bring us to the resort and then bring us back to Eugene when we leave. The idea of renting a bigger car/van that'll sit the majority of the time seems to be a waste of $. It would be 4 passengers, 4 bags and 1 set of clubs (the rest will be sent via SS). Any info and ball park pricing would be appreciated.

[eboettne]

7 hours ago, Looper34 said:

Great thread, thanks for all the info. Trying to figure out if we should rent a SUV in Eugene or get a car service to bring us to the resort. Four of us are going in August, flying into Eugene and staying at the resort for 5 days. We won't need a big 12 passenger van just a SUV to pick us up at the airport, bring us to the resort and then bring us back to Eugene when we leave. The idea of renting a bigger car/van that'll sit the majority of the time seems to be a waste of $. It would be 4 passengers, 4 bags and 1 set of clubs (the rest will be sent via SS). Any info and ball park pricing would be appreciated.

Just based on the on quotes I got for our February trip, renting a van cost us  about $440. Getting a shuttle round trip from Eugene was about $1k. 

[spud3]

Assuming you're all playing the same courses/days, that van can be a mobile locker room.  Plus, you won't need to wait for a shuttle anywhere.  The shuttle system is great, but if you've got your own wheels, use 'em!  The resort is very simple to get around, and all the courses are within just a few minutes drive of each other (possible exception: Sheep Ranch is about ten minutes drive from the Lodge).

 

Also allows for making a trip into town for a dinner or two.

[lurkinghobbit]

On 2/4/2023 at 11:25 AM, Looper34 said:

Great thread, thanks for all the info. Trying to figure out if we should rent a SUV in Eugene or get a car service to bring us to the resort. Four of us are going in August, flying into Eugene and staying at the resort for 5 days. We won't need a big 12 passenger van just a SUV to pick us up at the airport, bring us to the resort and then bring us back to Eugene when we leave. The idea of renting a bigger car/van that'll sit the majority of the time seems to be a waste of $. It would be 4 passengers, 4 bags and 1 set of clubs (the rest will be sent via SS). Any info and ball park pricing would be appreciated.

 

For 4 people, renting and driving yourselves would likely be best.  For 8 or more I'd say use a service.

Then again, I don't 'enjoy' driving so am usually looking for someone else to do it.  Take that for what it is worth 😄

 

[Sweet-Lou]

I have my first trip up to Bandon coming up at the end of next week, and couldn't be more excited. But...I have a golf ball question for y'all. 

I am a pretty average spin player with wedges and irons, and tend to get too much on long shots, so I have been playing the ProV1x Left Dash. But, I am considering switching to the ProV1 to get the ball to launch a bit lower in Oregon's coastal winds, and to help around the greens...oh and softer feel in the cold weather. 

BUT...I am wondering if a week of solid rain, and spotted rain conditions forecasted while I am there, will make me wish I had less spin. 

Do Bandon's greens and fairways get muddy and overly spinny?
Am I going to wish I had more spin for those tricky pitch shots or less?  

Edited March 21 by Sweet-Lou

[VNutz]

@Sweet-Lou Don't overthink it. And that's not a slight at you, we've all been guilty of overthinking this great trip. A golf ball IMO will not make or break your experience IMO. Go out there, enjoy the course, the coast, and just play golf.

 

From a play perspective, all the caddies recommend avoiding the higher lofted wedges as the turf tends to play tight and grabby, not very conducive to high or spinny loft wedge play. Putters and low running chips are more the play there, in my experience the ball did tend to run out and not check up as much. The only time I can recall a ball spinning back there (aside from false fronts) was on Trails #5, you'll understand when you see it.

 

If you're not certain just bring them both and decide on the day, but I think you'll be fine regardless. Enjoy your trip, very jealous.

[cassel191919]

52 minutes ago, Sweet-Lou said:

I have my first trip up to Bandon coming up at the end of next week, and couldn't be more excited. But...I have a golf ball question for y'all. 

I am a pretty average spin player with wedges and irons, and tend to get too much on long shots, so I have been playing the ProV1x Left Dash. But, I am considering switching to the ProV1 to get the ball to launch a bit lower in Oregon's coastal winds, and to help around the greens...oh and softer feel in the cold weather. 

BUT...I am wondering if a week of solid rain, and spotted rain conditions forecasted while I am there, will make me wish I had less spin. 

Do Bandon's greens and fairways get muddy and overly spinny?
Am I going to wish I had more spin for those tricky pitch shots or less?  

you're overthinking this big time lol, play what you normally play and enjoy the trip.

[jvincent]

2 hours ago, Sweet-Lou said:

I have my first trip up to Bandon coming up at the end of next week, and couldn't be more excited. But...I have a golf ball question for y'all. 

I am a pretty average spin player with wedges and irons, and tend to get too much on long shots, so I have been playing the ProV1x Left Dash. But, I am considering switching to the ProV1 to get the ball to launch a bit lower in Oregon's coastal winds, and to help around the greens...oh and softer feel in the cold weather. 

BUT...I am wondering if a week of solid rain, and spotted rain conditions forecasted while I am there, will make me wish I had less spin. 

Do Bandon's greens and fairways get muddy and overly spinny?
Am I going to wish I had more spin for those tricky pitch shots or less?  

 

Piling on with the don't overthink it crowd. Play the ball you normally play.

 

The biggest difference for most people who have never played links courses is what club to use when you miss a green. Putter or a low running chip off of the super tight lies will save you a lot of headache as @VNutz points out. Unless you have to hit one over a bunker, which will probably happen at some point, keep it on the ground around the greens.

[spud3]

What they all said ^^^^^ ,,,,,

[Jeff58]

22 hours ago, Sweet-Lou said:

BUT...I am wondering if a week of solid rain, and spotted rain conditions forecasted while I am there, will make me wish I had less spin

 

IMO bring your standard ball and a “wind ball”. The typical choice is the Bridgestone BX. A softer option is the AVX. Not as effective with irons though. The current model V1 is no longer significantly lower trajectory vs. the V1x.