Bandon Dunes in December?

[rjsimper]

Just an update, I will be there from the 14th to the 16th, playing as much as possible each day.  Forecast so far is for snow and rain.  Are frost delays common?

Don't worry about the forecast...it's rarely right on.

[Charlie Goerges]

Man, I am jealous. Someday I'll get there. Hopefully by then I won't need to take out a second mortgage to do so! Take some cool pictures. Have fun!

Charlie

[Mark Smolens]

Having only made one trip to Bandon, I would wholeheartedly second the comment about not relying on the weather forecasts.  We were there in late October, and both intellicast and weather.com had me anticipating highs of 50 degrees and rain.  In our 5 days of golf, we had two of the 15 best days of the year (acc. to our caddies), one day when it was only 58 degrees or so, and never once needed to break out the raingear.

[ChipRoyce]

Thanks all, hopefully I'll be able to make it.  Two more questions:

How far in advance do I need to book lodging and golf?  If I want to play two rounds in a day, should I book both or just find a spot for my second round?

If I have 6 rounds to play, how would you distribute them among the three courses?

Depends on how many players, but for February rounds we had to book a solid 6 months plus in advance to get times that would allow us to play 36 with the short days. 

If you have a foursome, then you absolutely need a 2nd time for your nightcap.

6 rounds...if it's your first time, I'd play 2-2-2.  If youve been before, I guess you wouldn't be asking the question.  This is not to say I think the courses are equals to one another, but I don't think there's any reason to get too tricky to play Pac Dunes more just because everyone says it's the best.  They are all excellent and all worth multiple plays on your first visit.

If I was going back tomorrow and had 6 rounds, I'd do 3 pacific, 2 trails, 1 b. dunes...but I've played each of the courses multiple times.

Also, since Bandon is walking only, 2 rounds a day for 3 days can be hell on your feet (esp. with the climbing found on Bandon Trails). Would like to suggest that you find the most comfortable shoes and brush up on blister treatments.

I did 2 days of 36 holes each and did a number of my 'dogs' that took a week or more to heal.

[Will MacEwen]

Thanks all, hopefully I'll be able to make it.  Two more questions:

How far in advance do I need to book lodging and golf?  If I want to play two rounds in a day, should I book both or just find a spot for my second round?

If I have 6 rounds to play, how would you distribute them among the three courses?

Depends on how many players, but for February rounds we had to book a solid 6 months plus in advance to get times that would allow us to play 36 with the short days. 

If you have a foursome, then you absolutely need a 2nd time for your nightcap.

6 rounds...if it's your first time, I'd play 2-2-2.  If youve been before, I guess you wouldn't be asking the question.  This is not to say I think the courses are equals to one another, but I don't think there's any reason to get too tricky to play Pac Dunes more just because everyone says it's the best.  They are all excellent and all worth multiple plays on your first visit.

If I was going back tomorrow and had 6 rounds, I'd do 3 pacific, 2 trails, 1 b. dunes...but I've played each of the courses multiple times.

Also, since Bandon is walking only, 2 rounds a day for 3 days can be hell on your feet (esp. with the climbing found on Bandon Trails). Would like to suggest that you find the most comfortable shoes and brush up on blister treatments.

I did 2 days of 36 holes each and did a number of my 'dogs' that took a week or more to heal.

Do the old rugby trick - slather a bunch of vaseline on your feet before you put your shoes on.

You also get a curious look from your roommate when you unpack a jar of the stuff.

[John Kavanaugh]

Caddies are a complete waste of money given how straight forward the shots are at each course.  I walked an hour on the treadmill carrying my golf bag each day for a week to get in shape for my second trip.  Please do not bring your own push cart as the rentals are quite good and the sight of a guy with a personal push cart is quite disturbing to the other guests at the resort.

I made three mistakes on my first trip to Bandon.  First is that I paid a caddie as much as the cost of the golf. (I got a deal on the golf)  Two is that I did not visit the range and play the practice course for "free".  Three is that I did not drive up the Oregon coast.   Bandon Crossings was not open on my first trip but if it was and I had not played it that would have been the biggest mistake of all.  If you can not get as early a tee time as you desire at the resort go to BC and get in a quick round, or maximum number of holes, before your best tee time.

[Ian_L]

Man, I am jealous. Someday I'll get there. Hopefully by then I won't need to take out a second mortgage to do so! Take some cool pictures. Have fun!

Charlie

I'm lucky enough to be within driving distance (albeit 8 hours), which helps.  I'm sure I'll find something to post even though the courses have been analyzed to death here.

Chip, I've walked several rounds in a day a few times, so hopefully I'll be OK on that front... we'll see after the 3rd day though...

I'll keep my thoughts positive!

[Sandy Smith]

Ian , the money you save is worth the gamble. Play BD and PD as many times as you can with one round at Trails. Trust me

[Tim Bert]

I priced out a trip to potentially go to Bandon in feburary earlier this year.

For two of us, I priced out 4 rounds each, with 2 nights lodging and it came out to $370 each.  To go in primetime season, the same schedule would cost $910 each.  (Food and travel not included in either calculation)

If one decides on a longer stay of say 8 rounds this works out to $740 each in the off-season as compared to $1820 each in primetime.

Kalen,

Where your math breaks down is that you play your 8 rounds in only three days in the summer vs. the four days in the winter.  Two days of 54, with a 36 hole breather in between.  Assuming you added up the score correctly when you assessed the trip cost, the summer trip with eight rounds would only be $1365.