Bandon vs. Scotland

[John Kavanaugh]

I may be confused and have not played Old Mac but thought the courses within walking distance at St. Andrews are better than the courses at Bandon. Seems they were even covered under one fee. Hell, I'd take the Jubilee over any course at Bandon and TOC goes without saying. Raters have told us of the greatness of Bandon, history defines St. Andrews.

[William_G]

We're still comparing a small resort with four courses in an unpopulated state to an entire country.  Am i the only one who sees this?


Of course there are more courses  to see in Scotland than in Bandon.


Of course you'd have a better time spending a month in Scotland than you would at Bandon.


Of course Scotland has more great courses than Bandon.


Of course Scotland has more culture than Bandon.


Scotland isn't a remote golf resort, its a Country.....

LOL!

I'm sure that everyone involved with the success of Bandon is just happy to be in the conversation with the entire country of Scotland much less the centuries old town of St. Andrews, as Bandon Dunes is not yet 20 years old 

[Bill_McBride]

left hand drive, youthful, Manifest Destiny, Ring of Fire, the Pacific, 4 in 1 vs. right hand drive with lots of roundabouts, narrow roads, old universities, castles, pubs, Guinness and churches

 

I thought you might post some negatives about a golf trip to the UK!

I've been to Bandon a bunch, love the golf experience, but golf travel is way more the just the golf.  There's the craic too!

[Kalen Braley]

Bandon is good enough that people are comparing it to an entire Country, so that should tell you everything you need to know about Bandon.


The four best courses at Bandon are better than the four best courses in fife, so theres that, but I really have a hard time comparing a small town in Southern Oregon (or really just a golf resort in southern Oregon) to an entire Country.  Maybe thats just me


Dont settle, visit both places.

This is the best answer so far, from my perspective.


They are really different trips entirely.  No one flies from the US to Scotland for four days of intense golf.  If that was the comparison, Bandon would win.  But if you've got time to spend a week or ten days and see the countryside, and that appeals to you [or your significant other], than the calculus tips toward crossing the Atlantic.


Note this is also largely an East Coast bias centered argument.  Most of Bandon's business comes from the west, and the travel calculus [especially factoring in an 8-hour time change] is much different for those on the West Coast.

Tom,


I agree in principle, but the Oregon Coast line has many charms and places to discover.  Even though Bandon is a golf heaven, there is plenty to do along Hwy 101, even if you never set foot on the resort!

[Jud_T]

Honestly,

Bandon is the best golf resort on the planet.  For anyone west of, and including, Chicago and Dallas:  aside from the culture, tourism, history and GCA navel gazing, for those who want wall to wall top notch links golf with no jet lag, no passport, no driving between courses and no warm beer, Bandon is the sh*t, period.

[William_G]

left hand drive, youthful, Manifest Destiny, Ring of Fire, the Pacific, 4 in 1 vs. right hand drive with lots of roundabouts, narrow roads, old universities, castles, pubs, Guinness and churches

 

I thought you might post some negatives about a golf trip to the UK!

I've been to Bandon a bunch, love the golf experience, but golf travel is way more the just the golf.  There's the craic too!

there is no doubt that Google maps with a smart phone has recently solved many of the problems of touring in the UK, whether walking or driving

no Michelin guide needed anymore 

I could live in St. Andrews for sure

[Andrew Simpson]

Bandon is good enough that people are comparing it to an entire Country, so that should tell you everything you need to know about Bandon.


The four best courses at Bandon are better than the four best courses in fife, so theres that, but I really have a hard time comparing a small town in Southern Oregon (or really just a golf resort in southern Oregon) to an entire Country.  Maybe thats just me


Dont settle, visit both places.

This is the best answer so far, from my perspective.


They are really different trips entirely.  No one flies from the US to Scotland for four days of intense golf.  If that was the comparison, Bandon would win.  But if you've got time to spend a week or ten days and see the countryside, and that appeals to you [or your significant other], than the calculus tips toward crossing the Atlantic.


Note this is also largely an East Coast bias centered argument.  Most of Bandon's business comes from the west, and the travel calculus [especially factoring in an 8-hour time change] is much different for those on the West Coast.

2 votes for "The four best courses at Bandon are better than the four best courses in fife"
Must be worth a visit then

[Mark Chaplin]

The overnight 15% discount will have done British golf no harm at all. Several of our US based members have snuck in extra trips for this Autumn.

[Ronald Montesano]

I may be confused and have not played Old Mac but thought the courses within walking distance at St. Andrews are better than the courses at Bandon. Seems they were even covered under one fee. Hell, I'd take the Jubilee over any course at Bandon and TOC goes without saying. Raters have told us of the greatness of Bandon, history defines St. Andrews.

i SWEAR TO JESUS, IF I HAD READ THIS WITHOUT SEEING THE NAME, I'D HAVE SHOUTED (AS I AM) THAT THIS IS EITHER THE WORLD'S GREATEST MASTER BAITER, OR A NEW MEMBER TO THIS DISCUSSION BOARD. YOU'D TAKE THE JUBILEE OVER ANY COURSE AT BANDON? WHAT EXACTLY WOULD YOU DO WITH IT?

[John Kavanaugh]

The turf, bunkers, views, routing and architectural heritage are all superior. The greens are debatable. I think it is a no contest.

Saying that St. Andrews is better than Bandon is hardly headline news in Allcapsville.

[Tom_Doak]

The turf, bunkers, views, routing and architectural heritage are all superior. The greens are debatable. I think it is a no contest.

Saying that St. Andrews is better than Bandon is hardly headline news in Allcapsville.

I'll just limit my comment to one of the things I had nothing to do with:  the VIEWS on the Jubilee course are better than any of the courses in Bandon?  That's headline news.

[John Kavanaugh]

Isn't 10 tee on the Jubilee where you look up the Scottish coast? I could have my courses mixed up. As someone who doesn't take photos it's interesting how the mind processes views. It seems that views become in large part feelings and I love the feelings St. Andrews left with me.

[John Cowden]

A week in the country of Bandon for less than $3,000 is a consummate pleasures, as is two weeks in Scotland for less than $10,000, but not on the Jubilee. 

[John Kavanaugh]

I was only in country for 5 days and it was perfect. The Links Trust has 7 courses, go there and play and go home. No problems. I don't get this need to travel while traveling.

[John Cowden]

As for the golf, apart from the Old, Bandon has it all over the Links Trust, imho.  And you never need drive.

[Eric Smith]

We all see things differently (or at least we should see them differently). Listen to the podcast - Graylyn spells it out plainly - both are as good as it gets and we should all be lucky enough to experience them both in our lives.

Batman vs Superman was a terrible movie, just the worst. There is no good reason those clowns should have fought. Same for Ballyneal vs Red, Streamsong vs Bandon, on and on. Debating which is better seems to me to be a monumental waste of time. I get why we do it and I've done it with stupid threads of my own. But to try to prove one side or the other is bonkers. My post is bonkers but wth.

When I reach the age I cannot travel to see places like those mentioned above I hope that my memories of them have more to do with those I shared them with rather than how close to #1 they got on somebody's ranking list.

Peace and love,
No one special

[Ronald Montesano]

Peace and love,
No one special

but my momma says ...


e.e. cummings.

[John Cowden]

Peace and love back at you, Eric.  Thanks for a lovely reminder of our good fortune in this little  corner of the world, including the rather esoteric passion that enhances our fortune.   Ran's latest "cover photo" is pretty cool, too. 

[John Kavanaugh]

Life was so much simpler when homophobia ran rampant and our man crushes were limited to dead guys. When Hanse builds his course at Bandon we can all have a passport burning party.

[Mark Chaplin]

John Cowden it's possible to visit Scotland without Perry Golf or another company adding 100% to the bill.

A 7 day golf package is $550 add 7 nights in a B&B at $130 a night. Add a business class flight in May for $3400 to Edinburgh from JFK on BA or AA and there's a week for $5k. Fly zoo and knock $2k off the price.

[John Cowden]

It depends....

[BCowan]

Life was so much simpler when homophobia ran rampant and our man crushes were limited to dead guys. When Hanse builds his course at Bandon we can all have a passport burning party.

Jkava,

   I can see you retiring in Scotland.

[James Brown]

A week in the country of Bandon for less than $3,000 is a consummate pleasures, as is two weeks in Scotland for less than $10,000, but not on the Jubilee.

Golf at Bandon in summer is at least $700 per day with golf, food,mane lodging.  36 holes is more.  Caddies more. 


Bandon and Scotland are very similar in expense for an East Coast USA traveler. 

[Duncan Cheslett]

Out of interest, have any UK based GCAers ever been to Bandon?


Short of a lottery win, I can't see myself ever getting there.

[Niall C]

Duncan


I know at least one UK GCA'er who has been.


I'd be very interested in going but like you I'm put off by cost. Not only the flights but the golf/accommodation seems a bit steep. The golf alone is the equivalent of playing an Open rota course every day and while the additional round or day rate might bring the cost per round down a bit I'm not sure I'm into flogging myself too much just to do that.


One day though I'd like to play there.


Niall