Bandon very short notice for local?

[chavycha]

I live about three hours from Bandon and have never played there. I know, I know.  Anyway, looking to rectify that at some point in the not too distant future. 

 

Is it a complete fool's errand to call them a day or two in advance and see if I can get on a course as a single in the late morning or early afternoon? This would be in late November, early December when we have a stretch of not-monsoon weather. I don't really care what course, or whether I'm paired up with a group. 

 

Are they just going to laugh at me for even trying? 

Edited November 15, 2024 by chavycha

[Seamus_MacDuff]

16 minutes ago, chavycha said:

I live about three hours from Bandon and have never played there. I know, I know.  Anyway, looking to rectify that at some point in the not too distant future. 

 

Is it a complete fool's errand to call them a day or two in advance and see if I can get on a course as a single in the late morning or early afternoon? This would be in late November, early December when we have a stretch of not-monsoon weather. I don't really care what course, or whether I'm paired up with a group. 

 

Are they just going to laugh at me for even trying? 

I live four hours away and do the same thing multiple times per winter. You shouldn’t have any troubles at all getting out. Since you haven’t played there before, I’d recommend Bandon Dunes or Pacific Dunes ahead of the other courses. 

[Edaw68]

If you aren't picky about which course it's easy as a single.

[mallrat]

You will be very surprised at how many tee times are available. Also, this time of year there isn’t much of a discount so don’t be afraid to stay off property

[VNutz]

11 hours ago, chavycha said:

I live about three hours from Bandon and have never played there. I know, I know.  Anyway, looking to rectify that at some point in the not too distant future. 

 

Is it a complete fool's errand to call them a day or two in advance and see if I can get on a course as a single in the late morning or early afternoon? This would be in late November, early December when we have a stretch of not-monsoon weather. I don't really care what course, or whether I'm paired up with a group. 

 

Are they just going to laugh at me for even trying? 

This past weekend our group was joined on the Preserve by a twosome that had called 3 weeks prior on a whim and played all the courses. Meanwhile our trip was in the works for 18 months. It's very possible as a single or twosome on short notice, there are plenty of cancellations at the 30 day notice mark.

[ND2005]

I would call just inside 30 days of when you want to visit. As mentioned they have a decent number of last minute cancellations, as deposits become non-refundable at 30 days. 

 

You will certainly be able to get tee times, and you may even luck into lodging as well. If not, Bandon Inn is an easy 20 minute drive and works well. 

[graveydellic]

Public perception is that it’s nearly impossible to get a tee time at Bandon, but the opposite is true.  As a single you could show up almost any day of the year and get out, assuming flexible on time and course.  
 

Bandon has a lodging issue, not a golf issue.

 

hope you make the trek, you won’t regret it!

[Jeff58]

Stay in the Coos Bay Area and drive over in the morning. As a single, the spots are from no shows for the day.
 

This tactic is even more effective in the spring, when daylight approaches maximum. A significant number of week-long visitors sign up for 36 holes every day. By the third day or so, the percentage actually playing the second round drops dramatically.

[puttnforthe8]

No need to even call.  I just show up - check in at the main shop, then enjoy the day.

[chavycha]

Thanks everyone for the great info. I'm actually closer to 2.5 hours away per Maps so I won't need to stay overnight. 

 

I'm an Oregon resident, and it looks reasonable cost-wise, especially after Nov. 25th through end of January ($110 per round). 

 

I'm working on a few swing things and this will be a nice reward to look forward to once those changes are firmed up a bit. 

[chavycha]

18 hours ago, Seamus_MacDuff said:

I live four hours away and do the same thing multiple times per winter. You shouldn’t have any troubles at all getting out. Since you haven’t played there before, I’d recommend Bandon Dunes or Pacific Dunes ahead of the other courses. 

 

Roger that. I'm in the Eugene area (I'm guessing you're near Portland). It's great to hear this from someone who has done it on the regular. I'd still call the day before to make sure I can get a spot, but it's not a huge investment in time/money in the off-season.  Even if I were to get bumped somehow, I could always go over to Crossings or hit Florence on the way back home.  

[BG5]

No issue what so ever....I go in peak times in June and July as a single and never have an issue playing 36 holes a day.  Pac Dunes, sheep ranch and Bandon Dunes are three of the tougher tee times but I have never had an issue getting on either of those 3......you are all set bro.....make it happen.  If I can get those times in July you wont have an issue at all!

[Seamus_MacDuff]

33 minutes ago, chavycha said:

 

Roger that. I'm in the Eugene area (I'm guessing you're near Portland). It's great to hear this from someone who has done it on the regular. I'd still call the day before to make sure I can get a spot, but it's not a huge investment in time/money in the off-season.  Even if I were to get bumped somehow, I could always go over to Crossings or hit Florence on the way back home.  

That's the great thing about living relatively close to Bandon.  You can wait for a good weather window in the off-season and then make plans the day before, or even the morning of.  With rates at $110 between Thanksgiving and the end of the year, and $120 in January, it's an unbelievable bargain when you catch it on a good day.  You can even get days pushing 70 degrees in January, though that's not typical of course.  Living in Eugene, you can hit the road at 6am, be on the range a little after 8:30am, tee off an hour later and still be home for dinner!

[mallrat]

20 minutes ago, Seamus_MacDuff said:

That's the great thing about living relatively close to Bandon.  You can wait for a good weather window in the off-season and then make plans the day before, or even the morning of.  With rates at $110 between Thanksgiving and the end of the year, and $120 in January, it's an unbelievable bargain when you catch it on a good day.  You can even get days pushing 70 degrees in January, though that's not typical of course.  Living in Eugene, you can hit the road at 6am, be on the range a little after 8:30am, tee off an hour later and still be home for dinner!

That’s what we do. We will go down as between 4 and 2. Generally get split up but if we only want to play 18 we get out as a 4some pretty easy. We just keep an eye on the 2 week forecast and when a couple sunny days pop up about 10 days out we make plans. Had more just a pullover days than wow that’s a lot of rain days. Generally 1 gorgeous day, 1 serious rain day and a day of wearing rain pants and the rain jacket makes an appearance or 2 

[chavycha]

1 hour ago, Seamus_MacDuff said:

That's the great thing about living relatively close to Bandon.  You can wait for a good weather window in the off-season and then make plans the day before, or even the morning of.  With rates at $110 between Thanksgiving and the end of the year, and $120 in January, it's an unbelievable bargain when you catch it on a good day.  You can even get days pushing 70 degrees in January, though that's not typical of course.  Living in Eugene, you can hit the road at 6am, be on the range a little after 8:30am, tee off an hour later and still be home for dinner!

 

I may angle for a late time and see if I can get out as a single. I don't hate being paired up, but I think I'd enjoy it the most if I was able to take my time and not worry about how bad my game looks. 

I played over at Florence a few weeks back and showed up unannounced at about 3pm. I easily got 18 in before dark and didn't run into anyone until the 17th tee when I finally caught up with another single who was behind a foursome. The weather was nice, which was a bonus. 
 

[spud3]

Keep an eye on the weather about one to two weeks out, and if you see a few days where it isn't heavy rain, give them a call and see what is available.  You are also fine just showing up and asking which course's tee sheet is most open.  Don't expect to catch a tee time very early in the morning, but the later you look, the more chance you'll have of playing solo.  And playing any of the courses solo borders on a mystical experience.

 

Like the others, I do this a couple times per year from PDX in the off-season and never had an issue getting on a course.  I  occasionally luck into a room, but otherwise I stay in town at the Bandon Inn, which just means a 10 minute drive to the resort in the morning.

 

If you're a veteran, there are reduced rates that make a great off-season deal even better.

[chavycha]

5 hours ago, spud3 said:

Keep an eye on the weather about one to two weeks out, and if you see a few days where it isn't heavy rain, give them a call and see what is available.  You are also fine just showing up and asking which course's tee sheet is most open.  Don't expect to catch a tee time very early in the morning, but the later you look, the more chance you'll have of playing solo.  And playing any of the courses solo borders on a mystical experience.

 

Like the others, I do this a couple times per year from PDX in the off-season and never had an issue getting on a course.  I  occasionally luck into a room, but otherwise I stay in town at the Bandon Inn, which just means a 10 minute drive to the resort in the morning.

 

If you're a veteran, there are reduced rates that make a great off-season deal even better.

 

Thanks for the tips!

 

So maybe not for another few weeks. The next week looks...damp. 🤪

[spud3]

Heh.  You'll get the occasional bluebird day in the winter, but the norm is grey and drizzly, punctuated by what the locals call a Howler.  Goretex rain gear is an absolute requirement to have in the bag at all times.  And you'll be putting it on and taking it off a lot during a round.  Just part of the deal in the off-season.

 

The good news is that the courses play pretty much the same as mid-summer, unless it's really dumping and the pools form on the greens.

 

Yeah, next week looks pretty bad, but the following week much better.  Keep in mind that the forecast accuracy there is measured in hours, not days..