2nd Trip to Bandon

[James Brown]

Last year I did a first trip to Bandon over the July 4th weekend.  The wind was relentless at 25mph+ for 6 rounds and it was so strong it distorted our views of the courses.


This year we gave it another try for 7 rounds over 4 days and got much more normal conditions.  Basically a 2 club wind, maybe a little bit more all around. 


Observations:


Pacific Dunes and Old Mac are much more interesting in a 2 club wind versus survival conditions. 


Two very representative holes.  13 at Pac Dunes is the ultimate test for par, rather than a "please let me make bogey" hole.  Also, 7th at Old Mac was also much more interesting than before, with lots of options off the tee and into the green. 


Interestingly, Bandon Dunes was not much different in a moderate wind, versus a 4 club wind, given its width.


Trails was also much more interesting, especially the last 5 holes. 


I guess, my over generalizing verdict is that Bandon is a lot more fun in reasonable winds compared to a gail. And the architectural choices and features stand out a whole lot more.


This is a strong constrast to my views on most Scottish links courses, which seem to hold up a bit better under really strong winds. 


Agree?

[Mark_Fine]

Was out at Bandon a few weeks ago.  Every round was 3-4 club winds (we played 6 1/2 rounds plus the 13 hole par three course).  Loved it all.  Had it rained the whole time it would have been a different matter but the weather was beautiful and I happen to enjoy the wind having played literally hundreds of rounds in the British Isles.  I will say though if you don't know how to play in the wind it would not be fun for too long as it will wear you out.  A higher handicapper or even a single digit who only knows how to hit the ball high and doesn't have a knock down shot is in for a long day. 

[Tom_Doak]

I guess, my over generalizing verdict is that Bandon is a lot more fun in reasonable winds compared to a gail. And the architectural choices and features stand out a whole lot more.


This is a strong constrast to my views on most Scottish links courses, which seem to hold up a bit better under really strong winds. 


Agree?

My over generalizing response would be that nearly all courses are more fun and interesting in winds short of "survival conditions".  Very strong winds can be fun, but they almost negate the value of interesting features, because you are too busy just trying to keep your ball in play, especially [as Mark says] if you do not consider yourself a good wind player.


You are right that most Scottish links are much simpler, and therefore easier to enjoy in really tough conditions.

[Jud_T]

My next trip to Bandon will be in one of the shoulder seasons.  After battling them twice, I'd rather risk some rain than have 5 days of 3-4 club winds again, not to mention that we'll save a bit of money in the process...

[James Brown]

Was out at Bandon a few weeks ago.  Every round was 3-4 club winds (we played 6 1/2 rounds plus the 13 hole par three course).  Loved it all.  Had it rained the whole time it would have been a different matter but the weather was beautiful and I happen to enjoy the wind having played literally hundreds of rounds in the British Isles.  I will say though if you don't know how to play in the wind it would not be fun for too long as it will wear you out.  A higher handicapper or even a single digit who only knows how to hit the ball high and doesn't have a knock down shot is in for a long day.

I will say I got a kick out of one of my buddys on the trip who kept asking why some of the into the into the wind holes were 100 yards wide, like PD 12.  Hard to appreciate how much more difficult 25 mph is compared to 15 mph until you've seen it. 

[Scott Weersing]

My next trip to Bandon will be in one of the shoulder seasons.  After battling them twice, I'd rather risk some rain than have 5 days of 3-4 club winds again, not to mention that we'll save a bit of money in the process...

You should book for winter/spring of 2018 now as it fills up with large groups from the Northwest. We played in February and had 2 club wind for a few holes. It is colder but still fast and firm.

[JC Jones]

End of April/Early May this year was better than the early November trip I had made prior.  Temp was moderate, winds were 1-2 club and the resort was (relatively  [size=0pt])[/size] quiet.  No better place to stay than upstairs with a view of Bandon Dunes in the morning.

[Carl Johnson]

A little off the topic, but in thinking about a trip to the Resort (never been there), how is the town of Bandon doing?  Is it reasonable, as a resort visitor, to go into town for a meal or two, or whatever, rather than doing all hanging out at the Resort?

[Bill Vogeney]

A little off the topic, but in thinking about a trip to the Resort (never been there), how is the town of Bandon doing?  Is it reasonable, as a resort visitor, to go into town for a meal or two, or whatever, rather than doing all hanging out at the Resort?

I got a good meal at Angelo's Italy in Bandon 2 weeks ago. Not a fancy place, very much a family owned place and everyone else were locals.

[Kalen Braley]

I've been to Bandon a few times, both the resort and the town.


There are hundreds if not thousands of small charming and quaint sea side towns.


There's only one Bandon Resort.


Easy choice where to spend ones time!! 

[Tom ORourke]

My wife and I were there just before Memorial Day. 15 to 20 mph and very playable. We were wearing shorts by rounds 3 and 4. Probably 2 club wind on most days. I hit knock down 3 wood (usually 180-190 yards) on Pac Dunes #10 from 165 to pin high. I never thought any hole was unplayable or unfair, just difficult. Nice to play Trails in the wind as you finally get to play a first hole downwind! Drive, wedge, birdie. I thought most holes had enough room to give you a place to hit. More wind than that would give me pause as the ocean side holes into the wind could become really nasty. What I played in was fun and challenging and 60 degrees in May was a nice bonus.  The last weeks in May were very nice this year so I hope to try the same week next year. And we also did Angelo's Italy the night before and it was very nice.

[Sven Nilsen]

I've been to Bandon a few times, both the resort and the town.


There are hundreds if not thousands of small charming and quaint sea side towns.


There's only one Bandon Resort.


Easy choice where to spend ones time!! 

I live in Bandon. 

The Butterfish at The Loft by itself makes a trip in to town worth it.

No one I know goes to Angelo's.  Its a tourist spot.

There may be thousands of small charming seaside towns, but very few of them look like this:

[James Brown]

I've been to Bandon a few times, both the resort and the town.


There are hundreds if not thousands of small charming and quaint sea side towns.


There's only one Bandon Resort.


Easy choice where to spend ones time!! 

I live in Bandon. 

The Butterfish at The Loft by itself makes a trip in to town worth it.

No one I know goes to Angelo's.  Its a tourist spot.

There may be thousands of small charming seaside towns, but very few of them look like this:

It's hard to argue with the awesomeness of Bandon!

[William_G]

There may be thousands of small charming seaside towns, but very few of them look like this:

+1 Sven

Great sunrise pic

my family recently has raved about the food at Foley's, an Irish Pub in town

I think the tough decision to make is when to stop playing golf in the summer as the rounds get cheaper as the more you play during the day, and the days are long

[BCrosby]

Thanks Sven. Beautiful.


Bob

[Kalen Braley]

I've been to Bandon a few times, both the resort and the town.


There are hundreds if not thousands of small charming and quaint sea side towns.


There's only one Bandon Resort.


Easy choice where to spend ones time!! 

I live in Bandon. 

The Butterfish at The Loft by itself makes a trip in to town worth it.

No one I know goes to Angelo's.  Its a tourist spot.

There may be thousands of small charming seaside towns, but very few of them look like this:

Sven,


Nothing personal, Bandon is indeed a charming sea side town. 

[Brad Wilbur]

You can get that view plus some excellent nut-crusted halibut at Lord Bennett's in Bandon.  We would rather eat there than at The Gallery at the resort, when considering a more up-scale meal.