Going to Bandon--Seeking tips, tricks, udpated caddie suggestions, etc.

[Tom Allen]

I am lucky enough to be headed to Bandon (for the first time) in May.  As the headline reads, I am looking for any of our collected wisdom: Courses to play twice, travel suggestions, recommended caddies (new threat on that today, which is nice), anything, really.

Thanks, Tom

[Jud_T]

Tom,

There are numerous other threads on the topic if you use the search function.  We typically alternate 36 and 18 hole days.  Now I'd probably try to tack on an afternoon on the par 3 course or the putting course on the 18 hole days.  Depending on your age and fitness level, some guys try to do 36 and even 54 a day.  It's all personal preference as to the courses, IMO Bandon Dunes is somewhat overrated due to it being first and historically important, but you should certainly play it once if this is your first trip.  If I had 8 rounds, I'd go 3 OM, 3 PD and 2 BT, but this will vary greatly by poster.  If you're a strong player you may like BD and BT more than if you're a higher handicap.  BT is nice to schedule for afternoon rounds when the wind can be pretty brutal along the ocean, particularly in summer.  I'd make the connection into North Bend via Portland or San Fran.  Might want to consider booking a massage mid trip.  Finally, enjoy!

[John Kavanaugh]

I've been a couple of times and think the best value on site are the Trolleys. Don't fool yourself into thinking that the caddies are your friends. You can save the amount that you will spend on lodging by either carrying or pushing your own. For an added bonus the courses are designed and maintained to be played with 7 clubs.

Also don't avoid Bandon Dunes, just keep how much you love it to yourself. You don't need to book a tee time at Trails as it is wide open every afternoon. Forget about paying for the par three course, there is a free one on the back of the range. One last thing, do not expect much from the food, it ain't special. The best meal I have had is the steak and eggs up at the local casino. Order them two at a time.

[Michael George]

Tom:

I believe planning a Bandon trip is about planning the wind.  The wind usually is down in the morning and very wild in the afternoon.  Bandon Trails is the best course to play when windy as you escape from it on a number of holes.  Bandon Dunes is probably the 2nd best course as it is very wide.  Pacific Dunes and Old MacDonald are really challenging into the prevailing winds.  Use Bandon Preserve and Shorty's so that you are not playing 36 each day (if you need some rest)

My 4 day trip would be:

1 AM - Pacific Dunes, PM - Bandon Trails
2 AM - Old Macdonald, PM - Bandon Preserve
3 AM - Pacific Dunes, PM - Bandon Dunes
4 AM - Bandon Trails/Old Macdonald, PM - Shortys (free at the back of the range and well worth it)

If you love ocean courses, then play Old Macdonald in the AM on the last day as you get to the ocean on 7 and 15 with maybe the best views on the property.  If you want a great course, Bandon Trails.

Dinner - Pacific Dunes is the best restaurant (best food).  Tufted Puffin - 2nd (it is small lounge but just better feel and better menu).   McKee's - 3rd (typical bar/grille food).  Forget about the dining room in the Lodge.

Caddies - Harry Lusk is the best caddie there (my group had 14 caddies and he was heads and shoulders better than everyone else); if you want a female caddie, Sasha Duncan is the usual request.  However, the pull carts are very easy and you can save a lot of money.

[John Kavanaugh]

Take the money you save by not taking a caddie and purchase a George Carlin album and four pairs of $16 socks. At least you can turn the album off.

[Sven Nilsen]

Make it your own trip.  Why do you want to go on someone else's vacation?

Part of the joy of Bandon is figuring it all out for yourself.

[Jud_T]

Don't forget the Sheep Ranch option if you have time...

[Daryl David]

Eat a meal or two in town. Make sure the local merchants get some of your coin. They will really appreciate it and you will enjoy it much more than hanging around with the same dorks you saw on the course all day.

[Kevin_D]

Is the wind that bad in the afternoon?  I'm in early stages of planning a trip in September and was amazed that a lot of early tee times at Pacific Dunes and Bandon Dunes had been taken.  So, as of now, I am doing Trails and Old Mac in the morning with the others in afternoon.  Last day playing Preserve early and Pac Dunes late morning.

Also, I am obsessively thinking about the trip now.  Need to keep reminding myself I have at least 3 trips and all of golf season in between now and then!

[Jim Tang]

Not sure what airline you are taking, however, I suggest that you FedEx your clubs ahead of your arrival.   Bandon is very accustomed to accepting clubs that have been shipped by a private company.  The last time I was there the guy who helped me unbox my clubs said many, many groups arrive on site wanting to play immediately, only to find their clubs did not make the flight.

I can't imagine a worse fate; being at Bandon Dunes without your clubs.

It will cost more to ship the clubs, but, it's worth it.

[Will MacEwen]

Based on my experiences of meeting people there, it is always best to fly through PDX over SFO.  Even renting a car in Portland and driving is good.

The wind isn't that bad in the afternoon.

[Chris_Hufnagel]

Is the wind that bad in the afternoon?  I'm in early stages of planning a trip in September and was amazed that a lot of early tee times at Pacific Dunes and Bandon Dunes had been taken.  So, as of now, I am doing Trails and Old Mac in the morning with the others in afternoon.  Last day playing Preserve early and Pac Dunes late morning.

Also, I am obsessively thinking about the trip now.  Need to keep reminding myself I have at least 3 trips and all of golf season in between now and then!

For what it is worth, I have always booked my round (or two) on Trails for the afternoon - after a morning on one of the other courses and with a strong afternoon wind, Trails can be a nice respite...

+1 on Jim's recommendation on shipping your clubs in advance - the Resort is amazingly proficient at processing them both in and out of the resort.  Between the airline fees for checking them, the chances of them missing a connection, or being kicked-off the OTH leg due to weight - it is a very small incremental investment in the piece of mind in knowing they will be there when you are, plus any stuff you buy in one of the pro shops can be dropped in your travel bag and ship it home when you are done.

[RussBaribault]

I am going next week!! Very Excited. My only concern is rain and I havn't played golf in three months.

[Jordan Standefer]

I'll go against the grain and suggest that you play Trails in the morning (of a 36 hole day).  BT is the hardest hike of all the courses at the resort, so you may consider playing it in the morning and then having an easier walk in the afternoon.

[Garland Bayley]

I want to know when they are going to get stoppers for the sinks!

[Michael Underwood]

I have been to Bandon six times since 2005.

I do not agree with some on here on the caddies.  To me part of the experience is taking a caddie.  Ask for P K Devereaux and put P K in charge of putting together a caddie crew for your group.  He and his running mates are true professional caddies and worth the experience.

The Pacific Grill is probably the best restaurant on the property.  Also, enjoy the lamb stew at McKee's Pub along with the Fish & Chips.  If your plan is dinner at the Pacific Grill or Trails End you better make a reservation as seating is limited.  On the other hand you can usually go to McKee's Pub and the lodge without a reservation.

If you are going to Bandon play every course once as they are all excellent.

Allow more time than you would think on the shuttle.  Sometimes you get caught picking up others or dropping someone that is about to miss a tee time at an unscheduled course drop. 

[Matthew Lloyd]

I doubt I'll be adding anything new, but I will emphasize/concur with a few things:

(1) Try to play Trails in the morning -- in addition to being the toughest walk, the first few holes are just a lot of fun to play at daybreak, especially that first tee shot.  And if you get a cold, windy day the trees will help break it a bit.

(2) Play Old Mac at least twice.  In addition to being a lot of fun to play, I think this course requires the most "local knowledge" and your play will really benefit from a repeat round.  Lots of tricks to learn on this course, in a good way.

(3) Don't skip the Preserve.  You can play it in an hour and the holes are great.

(4) Prioritize the snack shop between #7 and #8 at Old Mac.  I wish I could helicopter in there every day for my lunch break.

[Bill_McBride]

Not sure what airline you are taking, however, I suggest that you FedEx your clubs ahead of your arrival.   Bandon is very accustomed to accepting clubs that have been shipped by a private company.  The last time I was there the guy who helped me unbox my clubs said many, many groups arrive on site wanting to play immediately, only to find their clubs did not make the flight.

I can't imagine a worse fate; being at Bandon Dunes without your clubs.

It will cost more to ship the clubs, but, it's worth it.

Delta lost my clubs for several days when flights were delayed en route to Cabot Links.  I had thought about shipping the clubs but the international shipment adds a whole new dimension with customs, etc, all possible delays. 

Thanks again to
Ben Cowan-Dewar and the Cabot crew, who loaned me great clubs until mine were found.   Yet another great reason not to miss a trip to Cabot Links!

[Steve Lang]

   i liked BT very much and laughed when the caddies called BT+OM the caddie killers day..the best




7 club bag is perfect and MS sheila used the big wheel carts very successfully

[William_G]

Don't forget the Sheep Ranch option if you have time...

not open in May 

[William_G]

Make it your own trip.  Why do you want to go on someone else's vacation?

Part of the joy of Bandon is figuring it all out for yourself.

+1

so many nuances

and it is different every time at every course, so one's experience from one day last year is not necessarily representative of what yours will be tomorrow or the next day, no doubt.... to infinity, and that is the best

Ben Crenshaw best described Bandon as "solitary beauty"

 

Alloro Wine Bar for sure

[Jud_T]

Don't forget the Sheep Ranch option if you have time...

not open in May 

is this correct?  From Shackelford's site:

You have to know about this place to arrange to play it. You phone Bandon Golf Supply, where they put you in touch with the course superintendent, Greg Harless. Scheduling is generally for weekdays, from November through June; there’s no irrigation on the fairways, so the course closes in the hot summer months. At the appointed date and time, Harless meets you at the course, collects a check for $100 per player, gives you a scorecard with a suggested routing for 18 holes, with a daunting par of 71, and shows you where to begin.

And then, literally, you’re on your own, for as long as you can play. Most days, your group, whether just two of you or 20, is the only group. You can follow the suggested routing to the greens that are lettered, not numbered, or create your own holes. You can bring a cooler, even a grill, and stop back at your car for lunch, and play some more; there’s no group pushing you at the turn, because there is no turn.

[John Kavanaugh]

Don't forget the Sheep Ranch option if you have time...

not open in May 

is this correct?  From Shackelford's site:

You have to know about this place to arrange to play it. You phone Bandon Golf Supply, where they put you in touch with the course superintendent, Greg Harless. Scheduling is generally for weekdays, from November through June; there’s no irrigation on the fairways, so the course closes in the hot summer months. At the appointed date and time, Harless meets you at the course, collects a check for $100 per player, gives you a scorecard with a suggested routing for 18 holes, with a daunting par of 71, and shows you where to begin.

And then, literally, you’re on your own, for as long as you can play. Most days, your group, whether just two of you or 20, is the only group. You can follow the suggested routing to the greens that are lettered, not numbered, or create your own holes. You can bring a cooler, even a grill, and stop back at your car for lunch, and play some more; there’s no group pushing you at the turn, because there is no turn.

Nice that Shack is more concerned about being pushed at the turn than waiting on golfers ahead of him.  Golfers in a hurry to get out of heaven make it hell on everyone.  Speaking of that no one has mentioned how to deal with the rangers at Bandon.  These over toked Dead Heads short term memories are so fried that you simply need to keep a pin wheel in your bag and make sure it is spinning as they approach. Upon first sight they instantly freeze like a ball pocked cactus in Arizona. You are free to move at your own pace.

[Wade Whitehead]

Another benefit to shipping your clubs: You won't have to stand behind a rope and watch TSA unpack them, empty the entire bag, drop each club (headfirst) onto the concrete floor to make sure the shafts aren't filled with contraband, then stuff everything back into two of the four dividers with your driver crammed into a hybrid headcover..

WW

[Tom Allen]

Thanks everyone for the great and helpful insights!  I really do appreciate everyone taking the time to post them.  (I had not had much luck getting relevant results with the search function, even though I tried).