Bandon Caddies & Time of Year to Go

[BG5]

How much do the caddies at Bandon Dunes cost and what is considered a normal tip when you go? Additionally, when is the best time to go to Bandon? Is there a time when its less windy than others?

[edryer3]

Caddies will usually run around 100-120 per round with tip and as far as when to go its up to you. It can be a crap shoot anytime of the year obviously July/ August you have the summer winds and its very expensive. I always like to go in Dec, Jan or Feb. Its way cheaper and you don't have the winds usually. But you have a higher percentage of rain. Ive gone in the winter and it was 60 and sunny with no wind.

[wholeinwon]

Bandon caddies are paid what you feel they deserve. Going as a Professional when talking to the HP about what a fair rate was/is he said $60 was a pretty average price that the caddy receives per bag. He said things that change that $ figure are how much or little you feel the caddie is helping, weather and pace of play during your round, the way the guest is playing, and general relationship the caddie creates with the guest.

His "minimum" for us to tip as Professionals was $60 per bag.

Just curious of why you would want it to be "less" windy? It's a coastal property so it's almost always windy (except on Trials which is guarded) and personally I think the wind adds to the experience, and if you are playing the right tees the wind will rarely effect distance enough to make holes unplayable or too long. I played Old MacDonald in heavy wind, fog and rain and wouldn't of had it any other way.

As for when is the best time to go it all depends what you're looking for; June/July/August are PACKED! The resort is all hustle and bustle the range is jammed, the course has some long rounds but you also have the best chance to play 36+ in a day. It's also the most expensive time to go.

I personally think the best time to go is somewhere between Thanksgiving weekend and before the Masters. This is when I've gone the most, the weather is complete hit or miss, it could be 65º one day and 35º with hail and wind the next, but that's the appeal of Bandon you go to golf no matter what the weather is doing, you don't cancel!

I'd try to low season times and see how you like it before spending $300/round in the summer…being able to play for $75 in the winter is a a huge savings and the courses are still in phenomenal shape.

Bandon to me personally is a golfing Mecca for true golfers. It's somewhere you go to golf and that's it. There's no glitz, no glam, no tourists, it's just golf, as their slogan states "Golf as it was meant to be"



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[ws6]

In my experience, the warmer the season, the stronger the winds. I prefer to go in the winter.

I played Bandon Dunes last Thursday. It was low 50s and less than 5mph winds.

[odshot68]

[quote name='ws6' timestamp='1388973475' post='8405445']
In my experience, the warmer the season, the stronger the winds. I prefer to go in the winter.

I played Bandon Dunes last Thursday. It was low 50s and less than 5mph winds.
[/quote]

You suck. And I can't say that any nicer as I sit here in Arctic cold and snow in the midwest with no end in sight for months.

[ws6]

Agreed. I am very spoiled being able to day trip over there.

[BG5]

I am considering going in December because I have a lot of time off during that time of year. I guess sometimes you have to roll the dice

[njlam]

I was at Bandon in November and they have changed the caddie compensation methodology.

It used to be a required $55/bag fee with an expected gratuity in the $25 to $45 range.

Now they say the minimum fee is in the $80 to $100 range and you can tip more if you want.

Not a big difference, but they seemed to think it was a change.

I try to visit Bandon at least once a year, but honestly, at $250/round, I couldn't enjoy a long weekend there. I agree in the summers it is more windy than in the fall/winter. It can rain all year round.

We generally go in November when the rounds cost $75-$140 and we play try to play all the courses. This year we played at the $140 rate and had the place all to ourselves with great weather.

Generally the weather is hit or miss all year, so at least in November it isn't as crowded.

While I don't mind the wind (I think it adds to the experience), I don't like it when it rains sideways. The most important thing to see at Bandon is your shadow.....

[QMany]

I am planning a trip with some buddies over Thanksgiving. I can't wait.

[ws6]

I have played the week after Thanksgiving for the last 4 years. All of them have been beautiful weather.

[mringwelski]

Here's the scenario. You walk up to the loading dock, check in the shop, and a "Caddie Services Manager" will introduce your group to your caddies on the first day of your trip. The caddies themselves are technically not allowed to discuss payment with guests so the Caddie Services Managers will provide you all the info for payment. Caddies at Bandon Dunes average $80-100 a bag and that is for a job well done. Weather is typically better between Aug - Oct. I think mid Sept to end of Oct is probably the best weather but the peak season green fees reflect that.

I don't know what windy is to you but a 10-15 mph is mild to average.

My advice: Don't go to Bandon and hope for it not to be windy. Battling against the elements is one of the things that makes Bandon special. Golf is a game of adaptation and all four courses are great tests.

[QMany]

Excuse my ignorance, can you opt for a forecaddie? How much does that cost? What duties will a forecaddie perform?

I'm heading out there Thanksgiving weekend with a few friends. With off-peak pricing, it is not bad, but I can't afford $100/round for a caddie when I'm going to be playing 6-8 rounds.

[tonster]

I have been to Bandon twice and I do not believe they use forecaddies. My advice, use a caddie for the first round you play each course and go at it alone for the replays.

To the OP, the playing in the elements is part of the Bandon experience and the wind is what makes these courses wonderful. The winter months are more tame than others, but we're still taking a steady 10-15mph breeze at a minimum.

[mringwelski]

Forecaddies at Bandon Dunes generally make $30-40 per player. There aren't any caddies that only forcaddie as far as I know. The duties performed vary considering every group has different needs. They'll read putts, rake bunkers, give you lines and yardages asuch as they can. If you can't afford a standard caddie this is a great route to go!

[Chris_NH]

[quote name='mringwelski' timestamp='1389301427' post='8430057']
Forecaddies at Bandon Dunes generally make $30-40 per player. There aren't any caddies that only forcaddie as far as I know. The duties performed vary considering every group has different needs. They'll read putts, rake bunkers, give you lines and yardages asuch as they can. If you can't afford a standard caddie this is a great route to go!
[/quote]

+1

This is what we did last year, and what we'll do again this year. Best option for the budget-conscious.

[DandyDon]

my group paid between 80-100 for each of the caddies in Sept. I generally paid 100. i had a great caddy. I think i did a review somehwere in the forums of the caddies that were in my group. I strongly recommend Senior Looper Mike F. Great guy, great knowledge, and knows a lot of tricks.