Bandon - solo - late February

[Steve_Lovett]

Perhaps this has been covered (a hundred times) in the past, but please indulge me.


I'll be visiting my daughter who recently moved to Ashland, OR in late February and am considering tagging a few extra days onto the trip to visit Bandon. My visit would be during the last week of February and I'm interested to know what I should expect re: availability of golf and accommodations, course conditions (I'm familiar with the uncertainty of late Feb weather), recommendations about any aspect of the place, and anything else a solo first time visitor should know.


Thank you in advance for the advice.


- Steve

[Emile Bonfiglio]

50/50 you will get any rooms as the resort. I'm booking some rounds now for Feb and one weekend has rooms the next doesn't, plenty of rooms/vrbo in bandon if needed. I doubt you will be able to get 36 a day in this late in the booking game so shoot for 18 and the preserve or 18 and then as many as you can play before it gets dark on another course. Also you could spend a whole afternoon at Shorty's and the Punchbowl.  BD gives the best chance for complete round if you go out after 1pm as it has the most light on the last holes.


Condition will be great, Grandma's meatloaf at McKee's is my favorite dish, buy lots of merch, try and find the bidden box near the 10th green,  the resort will be packed and it will be the time of your life. 

[Scott Weersing]

I will be at Bandon from February 24 to 27, 2019. Let me know if you want to meet up for dinner or a drink.


The midweek should be less crowded than the weekend. This time of the year is very popular. When I was there in 2017, the resort was at 98% occupancy. Why? Enough light for 36 holes and lots of big groups come down from the NW. In fact, I had to book this in January of 2018. If you want February of 2020, it is already too late as the groups have already booked this time.



I concur that you can get a second 18 at Bandon Trails any of the afternoons. As a single, you may find openings in the mornings on any of the big three, Dunes, Pacific, Old Mac. There will probably be a group with a threesome.


You can even get in 36 holes if you tee off at 930 am if you head over to Trails afterwards. I once teed of at Bandon Dunes at 230 pm and played 18 holes. I did not catch a group until the 13th hole. Another time, I played the Preserve and then teed off at Trails at 4pm and played 15 holes. I am not a big fan of the Preserve because of too many short holes, less than 100 yards. But the scenery is some of the best on the property.


Course conditions should be good. In 2017, there was a lot of rain and some bunkers at Pacific Dunes had water in them. And there was a pond in front of no. 7 tee.  There could be frost delays. We had one but still was able to get in 36 holes beginning on Trails at 9am and then Bandon at 130 pm.   If you only play 18 holes, Shorty's is lots of fun to play in order and then play it cross country where the winner picks the next flag.


Another option, play the Preserve in the morning and then tee off at 1130 am on one of the other courses.

[Steve_Lovett]

Thanks for the advice and suggestions... This little detour will be an awesome add-on to visiting my daughter in Ashland!


So..... I was able to secure a room at the Inn and was told that, as a single, I will have plenty of flexibility as it relates to golf.


Scott, I'll reach out privately and would enjoy catching up for a drink or dinner.


I'll be grateful for any other suggestions about any aspect of the resort, golf, caddies, town, or whatever from those who have been there.

[Joe Sponcia]

Steve


Pre-book (now) your early rounds.  When I went at the end of October, I barely got in my 2nd round due to atrocious pace (4.5 one day, nearly 5 at PD)...so I'm not sure If I would ever pre-book the afternoon (Caddy's make people play amazingly slower than usual - not caddies fault, it's the people). 


I didn't stay on the property...nothing really for a single without forking over a ton of money, but drove about 12 mins each morning and was perfectly happy.  For a group, I would have stayed on-site. 


Play Old Mac in the morning if you can, wind in the afternoon is brutal.  Everything you don't care a ton about will be exceptional:  Service, food size/pricing, shuttles, ship sticks drop off, gargantuan size of beers, but other things may annoy you: pace, long green to tee walks, if you walk, those rickshaw things are awful.


Don't skip the preserve.  It's worth the time!

[Scott Weersing]

Pace of play has been very good when I have visited in February. Why? People who come this time of year are serious and want to play 36 holes. Those who do not, they tee off at 11 am for their one round.  Also the large groups have the peer pressure of holding up a group behind them is someone they know from home. Final reason, lots and lots of marshalls. At Bandon and Pacific, there is a marshall every three holes monitoring groups and pace of play.


Yes, it may be slow on no. 16 at Bandon Dunes as you have to wait for a group to clear the green and that causes a backup on no. 15. But the view is amazing. And after all the walking, it is nice to sit and rest just for a minute.

[Steve_Lovett]

For the convenience, the on-site accommodations weren't outrageously expensive. Maybe better than October?


I play fairly fast (3:30 walking) and am accustomed to caddies. Do you recommend them, or think they add the value to the experience for what I'd spend?


I'll book morning rounds at each of the main courses and may play a second-18 at Trails or Preserve or a replay at one of the others, pending availability. I won't miss The Preserve - thank you.

[Scott Weersing]

Yes, caddies had value to the experience. If you have not played the courses before, then you will have a guide. For example, where to hit on No. 4 and No. 6 at Trails.


But if you have played the courses before, then a caddie is not needed.


I would probably not have a caddie as I would rather strike up a conversation with the other golfers in the group.

[James Brown]

Thanks for the advice and suggestions... This little detour will be an awesome add-on to visiting my daughter in Ashland!


So..... I was able to secure a room at the Inn and was told that, as a single, I will have plenty of flexibility as it relates to golf.


Scott, I'll reach out privately and would enjoy catching up for a drink or dinner.


I'll be grateful for any other suggestions about any aspect of the resort, golf, caddies, town, or whatever from those who have been there.

Can’t imagine February would be more crowded than July.


Make sure to hike the trails and walk the maze and happy to send you a great caddie recommendation via PM. 


You will not regret playing Bandon Trails.  Or the Preserve, which can be played in 45 minute as you are waiting on the shuttle to the airport, 


And walk the courses after sunset. 

[William_G]

pro tip, book/plan your return trip before you leave Bandon


read the book "Dream Golf"


Sven Nilsen is a caddie who is here on GCA



James, there is no maze, that is a Labryinth made out of white marble and designed after the one in Chartes in honor of Howard Mckee


have fun

[James Brown]

pro tip, book/plan your return trip before you leave Bandon


read the book "Dream Golf"


Sven Nilsen is a caddie who is here on GCA



James, there is no maze, that is a Labryinth made out of white marble and designed after the one in Chartes in honor of Howard Mckee


have fun

Oh yeah?


Here is the Oxford Definition of the term Labryinth: 

[/size]Labryinth:  “complicated irregular network of passages or paths in which it is difficult to find one's way; a maze.”[/color]


And I love the British Open!

[Sven Nilsen]

Can’t imagine February would be more crowded than July.

Last year there were just shy of 11,000 rounds on the books for the month of February and about 500 more for July.  Factor in the three extra days in July and the amount of daylight in each month and you can figure out which month was busier.


Bandon is playable year round.  There are plenty of folks who come out here in the winter because their home course is either soaking wet or covered in snow.


Sven

[Sven Nilsen]

I'll be visiting my daughter who recently moved to Ashland, OR in late February and am considering tagging a few extra days onto the trip to visit Bandon. My visit would be during the last week of February and I'm interested to know what I should expect re: availability of golf and accommodations, course conditions (I'm familiar with the uncertainty of late Feb weather), recommendations about any aspect of the place, and anything else a solo first time visitor should know.

- Steve

Quick answers:


1.  The earlier you book, the better your odds of getting the times you want.  We get a ton of last minute bookings if the weather aps are showing a sunny stretch.  Weekends are always busier, so your odds are much better mid-week.


2.  The courses will be fast and firm.  They pretty much always are unless its in the middle of a deluge, and even then they're very playable.


3.  You can get 70 degrees and sunny or 40's with rain that time of year.  So far this winter there have been way more nice days than rainy ones.


4.  Play the big courses first.  Unless you're in a time crunch, I wouldn't hit the Preserve, the Punchbowl, Shorty's or any other activities if it means not getting to play one of the main four.  They're the highlights of the resort. 


5.  Plug into the search engine.  There are a ton of conversations on the site about the courses, the resort and the town.


6.  36 shouldn't be a problem, there's enough daylight.  Had a replay round this past weekend that started at 1:30 and we got all 18 in.  Despite what others are saying here, the average round at the resort is right on 4:20 (they track every round and keep the stats).  If you're out early chances are it will be quicker.  For your afternoon rounds chances are Old Mac or Trails are going to have less play, and will be easier to get around (any differences in the amount of light at each of the courses is negligible).


7.  The hidden box is on 10, but its no where near the green.


8.  Play Old Mac whenever you want.  You won't have the summer wind and any comments about playing in the morning this time of year are off base. 


9.  Even if you take a caddie, you can still strike up conversations with other players.


10.  Have fun.


Sven

[John Kavanaugh]

If you do decide to take a caddie be sure and brush up on your Tommy Chong quotes: https://www.brainyquote.com/authors/tommy_chong

[Sven Nilsen]

If you do decide to take a caddie be sure and brush up on your Tommy Chong quotes: https://www.brainyquote.com/authors/tommy_chong

If you ever get to play with Kavanaugh, be sure to pack a couple of Hostess Cupcakes. 


If he doesn't get his snacks he gets a little grumpy.

[Kalen Braley]

[John Kavanaugh]

I will be at Bandon from February 24 to 27, 2019. Let me know if you want to meet up for dinner or a drink.

A few years back I was lucky enough to join Scott's group for a long outing. It was one of the best golf trips of my life. Is this the same group and how many years have you been at it now?

[Ira Fishman]

If you do decide to take a caddie be sure and brush up on your Tommy Chong quotes: https://www.brainyquote.com/authors/tommy_chong

If you take a caddie, book Sven. He carried all four days for my wife and me. It was terrific.


Ira

[Jim Nugent]

Ira, did you learn about GCA from Sven, or was it the other way around? 

[Ira Fishman]

Jim,


Other way around. I ran across several of Sven’s posts when planning our Bandon trip. One of fun parts of him carrying for us is that he knows several regular posters, and I have not met any.


I first found GCA when poking around on line about Pine Needles. Glad I did.


Ira

[William_G]

pro tip, book/plan your return trip before you leave Bandon
read the book "Dream Golf"
Sven Nilsen is a caddie who is here on GCA
James, there is no maze, that is a Labryinth made out of white marble and designed after the one in Chartes in honor of Howard Mckee
have fun

Here is the Oxford Definition of the term Labryinth: 

Labryinth:  “complicated irregular network of passages or paths in which it is difficult to find one's way; a maze.”

LOL you are pretty smart apparently but at Bandon you will not get lost in the Labryinth but maze could be the right question on jeopardy as to Labryinth as the answer, woohoo



https://thegolfnewsnet.com/golfgetaways/2017/03/17/walking-labyrinth-bandon-dunes-103813/
https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/labyrinth-chartres-cathedral


less than 1% of the golfers at Bandon have seen the Labryinth or walked it's path


a must see if you have a few minutes for anyone visiting as it is a tribute to Howard Mckee


cheers

[William_G]

just hanging with a glass of red watching 30 pieces of wood flaming in the fireplace outside Mckees


a little rain but no biggie


kind of bored but life is good


cheers

[James Brown]

just hanging with a glass of red watching 30 pieces of wood flaming in the fireplace outside Mckees


a little rain but no biggie


kind of bored but life is good


cheers

No such thing as bored at Bandon!

[William_G]

No such thing as bored at Bandon!



exactly

[Steve_Lovett]

Many thanks. You guys have been over-the-top helpful! I think I have a good sense of the must-do's. Feel free to add to the thread or PM me if there's anything that's been missed. I'll report back, post-trip.


- Steve