Would you recommend Bandon Dunes?

[Bill_McBride]

...
I love Bandon but it's pretty much golf and golf only unless you want to take a nice drive up the coast or hang out in your room and read a book. ...

Maybe she's one that likes long walks on the beach at sunset.

And pina coladas?

Yeah well a long walk on the beach with either of you two would make playing golf alone sound ideal. Not to mention reading War and Peace in a locked room.

Ouch!   

[Carl Rogers]

I think the only issue at Bandon is the fatigue factor.  Does she play and walk a whole lot?  If not, she needs to start now.

[Garland Bayley]

I think the only issue at Bandon is the fatigue factor.  Does she play and walk a whole lot?  If not, she needs to start now.

Why would that be any different than Scotland or Ireland?

[Jonathan Mallard]

Thanks for the responses.

Actually, my brother is a friend of this woman and he asked that I call her this weekend to make a recommendation. Apparently, her interest is really to go to Scotland, but I was leaning toward an Ireland recommendation. Got me to thinking about Bandon as a possible alternative, which is why I started this thread.

So often we talk about things probably imagining a group of guys going somewhere. This is a different twist, I think.

Thanks again. If you have any further thoughts, that would be great.

Tim,

I think you've answered your own question. Being the same age, and having done all three, if I was going it alone, Ireland would be my first choice. There is nothing like the pub atmosphere in Ireland. The Scots are friendly, but you're not going to have long conversations every night with complete strangers like you are in Ireland.

I'd ask her if she has anything specific that she is looking to accomplish (Old Course, etc.) That answer will tell you a lot, and you can provide good recommendations around that.

[Lyne Morrison]

Tim,

I have travelled vast distances solo to see golf courses – it is not a problem.

If this lady is looking to have a hit, walk, engage with nature and take some time out she will be absolutely fine. She will no doubt find a nice spot to sit and read or write after golf and will enjoy soaking up the environment. I think people can sense if you would like to be alone and you can elect to join others if it suits the moment.

Cheers, Lyne

[Will MacEwen]

One thing about Bandon that I have always noticed is that they treat everyone very well.  I have been in winter ($) and summer ($$$) and the service is the same.  They don't give you the stinkeye for not taking caddies, and if you order a $10 burger in the pub or a $40 steak in the dining room they are warm and welcoming.

On one of my first visits, we had booked so far in advance that a college tournament was on Pac Dunes the same day.  They sent us out as the first group, and after that the course was closed down for the event.  Most places would have shunted us to one of the other courses, but they honoured our booking, and we teed off with all the college teams milling about.

Based on my experiences, I don't think she has to worry about being given second class treatment because she is on her own.  Off the top of my head, I can recall at least 3 times when I was paired up with someone who was visiting the resort on their own, and they all seemed to be enjoying themselves.

[Steve Lang]

   YES !

rent a dolly or use a caddy like the wussy men, she'll be smiling like any golf lover... one or two rounds a day


accomodations and food are great at resort, spend time in the library or head into town for better real people interaction..

chance to buy and test the best rain gear available, priceless

p.s. though Ms Sheila still prefers the Ballyneal Wind Gear hat



  

[Andy Shulman]

I actually went to Bandon as a single last August and was pleasantly surprised at how many other single golfers were there.  While mealtime could be lonely, I was fortunate enough to strike up a conversation with a pair of lawyers from SoCal at dinner the first night and to dine with one of the others singles with whom I got paired up for golf on the second night.  So, my answer is, "Yes."

Of course, I was there for three days and two nights, which seemed about right.  The one drawback I can think of to spending a week alone in Bandon is that there would be a great deal of downtime given how compact the resort is.  Driving into town and exploring the coastline would be a good diversion, but this person would have to really like solitude.  Scotland and Ireland, on the other hand, offer so much more in the way of non-golfing activities.

[Jud_T]

As with any Bandon visitor, single or otherwise, it comes down to how much golf they want to get in.  Bandon is wall-to-wall golf, the best resort of it's type on the planet.  I'd say the litmus test is whether she wants to play more than 18/day, at least on alternate days.

[Patrick_Mucci]

Andy,

You do know that there was a casino just up the road, don't you ?

[Mark Chaplin]

Bob Crosby - we often get single lady travellers staying with us, take the Telegraph crossword into our local and before long half the pub will be helping to solve the clues!

Mile Nuzzo - train from Edinburgh to North Berwick, stay there playing NB & The Glen plus the bonus of the train for culture/dinner in Edinburgh. You'd also be surprised to hear wifi is standard fare and we have mobile phones 😉

[Paul Gray]

....No easy wifi or access via phone in Scotland - which would be a positive I assume.......

Perhaps you'll be surprised to discover that they're actually quite advanced these days up there. One of them even invented the telephone (debate duly noted).

[Dan Herrmann]

There are also a number of trails at the resort that lead through the native dunes.  http://www.southcoastshopper.com/articles/TomsStories/7_12_12.html

[Joe Bentham]

Bandon Dunes golf resort has always done a great job of getting people to the resort.  And for the most part they do an even better job of keeping people there.  When your here the pull of the links and 36 hole days are hard to pass up.  I begrudge no one who comes here and plays golf from sun up to sun set, refuels with a pint or two and a meal in the pub and then heads to bed to do it again the next day.  That is the experience that has made this place what it is and it truly is one of the special experiences in our game.
I do take exception to the idea that there isn't much to do outside of golf on the southern Oregon Coast though.  The natural beauty of whole place is world class.  The hiking trails in Coos county alone would keep a person busy for a year.  There is world class fishing to be had year round, both on the ocean or on one of several rivers within 1/2 hour of Bandon Dunes.  Both Alloro in Bandon and Red Fish in Port Orford are good enough restaurants to get people who've never heard of links golf to come a long ways for a meal.  There are more art galleries in Coos County then gas stations.  There is a cool little museum in Bandon.  The world's largest wild animal petting zoo http://theoregoncoast.info/WestCoast/GameParkSafari.html is 15 minutes from the resort.  And I'd put the Arcade up against any Irish pub for atmosphere, shady locals and cheap libations.
So while most guests will continue to spend the entirety of their trip on the resort, those that wander into town or the surrounding area for more then a group meal at the Wheelhouse or lord Bennett's (mediocre IMO) won't be disappointed.   
   

[BCrosby]

Mark -

My "concern" about the single woman in Rye was no doubt attributable to US bar/restaurant culture. She got it that England was different. I didn't. She was looking forward to a day of solo touring without a worry in the world. It's one of the reasons I like Britain so much.

A story you will appreciate. Several years ago I was playing Walton Heath. My wife had our car and was to meet me at the club after my round. She arrived early, was graciously shown into the bar and offered tea. After we finished our round and my group entered the bar, we found my wife encircled by seven or eight men. She had been reading her Kindle, which was very new at the time, and the gentlemen in the bar wanted to see how it worked. She was in high spirits showing off her electronic device and, I think, a little disappointed that I showed up.

Bob

[William_G]

Jim Kennedy,

Waterford Castle is a wonderful old castle on a secluded island, BUT..the golf is  .


Bandon had the Curtis Cup there several years ago, and I'd have to guess all the galls loved it.

+1 to Joe Bentham

horse back riding on the beach from Bandon Stables
kayaking on the Coquille River with Bandon Kayak Rentals

I think if she's good with Goretex instead of Gucci, she's good to go

[Rich Goodale]

Tim

To get back to your opening question, I think that Scotland makes much more sense than Bandon for a single 40-something avid golfer woman.  As great as Bandon is, it is very much dominated by golfing parties full of beta-males, and to be honest there is no "there" there outside of golfing, eating and drinking.  On the other hand, Scotland (and England and Ireland and Wales too) have history, culture, mystery and a sense of adventure as well as great (and greatly varied--Bandon is a much of a muchness--golf).

It's a no-brainer, IMO.

Rich

[Mark Chaplin]

Bob - having dined with yourself and the lovely Mrs Crosby (and my lovely Mrs C) I can understand why the Walton Heath members were so attentive!

[BCrosby]

Mark -

There is no doubt the lovely Mrs. C would found herself in the same pickle.

Though I do think it was all about the Kindle.

Bob

[Mark Chaplin]

The only safe thing to say is we both did better than deserved!!

Any plans to visit our shores in the near future?

[BCrosby]

No plans for England, but will let you know if things change.

Bob

[Jason Topp]

I spent 3-1/2 days solo at Bandon after a trial ended early and loved the experience. 

I had the same caddy each round and we got along great - making the adventure more pleasurable than playing alone.  I was paired with a wide variety of people who loved the game and had interesting stories.  From a GCA geek perspective, I got to understand the courses from a very wide range of playing abilities.  It is also very nice to avoid checking in and out of hotels and instead just relax.

If she wants to meet men (or even women) it would be a good location for that as well.

Drawbacks would be expense for an entire week and a lack of other social things to do.  I hung out in a bar the caddies frequented that was basically a machine shed.   

[Bill_McBride]

I spent 3-1/2 days solo at Bandon after a trial ended early and loved the experience. 

I had the same caddy each round and we got along great - making the adventure more pleasurable than playing alone.  I was paired with a wide variety of people who loved the game and had interesting stories.  From a GCA geek perspective, I got to understand the courses from a very wide range of playing abilities.  It is also very nice to avoid checking in and out of hotels and instead just relax.

If she wants to meet men (or even women) it would be a good location for that as well.

Drawbacks would be expense for an entire week and a lack of other social things to do.  I hung out in a bar the caddies frequented that was basically a machine shed.   

At least they didn't drag you back to the caddies' apartment to party.  That would probably be quite an experience!

[Michael Essig]

Tim

To get back to your opening question, I think that Scotland makes much more sense than Bandon for a single 40-something avid golfer woman.  As great as Bandon is, it is very much dominated by golfing parties full of beta-males, and to be honest there is no "there" there outside of golfing, eating and drinking.  On the other hand, Scotland (and England and Ireland and Wales too) have history, culture, mystery and a sense of adventure as well as great (and greatly varied--Bandon is a much of a muchness--golf).

It's a no-brainer, IMO.

Rich

I am going to second this opinion.  I just came back from Bandon; literally, I was there last week.  I LOVE the place.  However, I think I would choose Scotland/Ireland. 

Most of my golfing life has been spent playing as a single, including a trip to Scotland many years ago, so I am very familiar with the situation.  When you are at a place like Bandon, where there are typically groups of players, they stay with their group.  I have found that people typically aren't as inclusive of others because they already have their group - their buddy or their wife.  To be clear, I am usually the one telling the foursome, "let's meet at the 19th hole for a drink," so it is not like I am waiting for someone else to make the offer.   

I am glad that Bill M. and Andy others have had enjoyable experiences at Bandon as a single (because that situation is not out of the question for me in the near future when my son goes off to college).  However, given a choice, I think the chances of enjoying yourself, or the opportunity for an experience (like getting invited to the B&B proprietor's golf club; happened twice in Ireland) are greater overseas.

On the nights she doesn't want to be alone, tell her to cozy up to a bar in Scotland/Ireland, and you are guaranteed to have an enjoyable evening chatting up the locals.  As friendly as everyone is at Bandon, it is different talking to a local in a pub than talking to the resort staff at the hotel bar.

[Jud_T]

Why are we assuming that she wants to meet men and sightsee?  Maybe she wants to be out at first light every day, get 36 in, hit the par three then sip scotch on the putting course, hit the sack and do it again.