Bandon for the first time

Looks like I will be going in early April. I just wanted some help as far as what to pack. What should i expect the weather to be like? Should I take a caddy on every course? Should I take tennis shoes or golf shoes? Whatever tips you guys can give me I would really appreciate it.

I played with a caddie and it was an awesome experience . It's really hard to tell where to hit it without them on some holes. As far as weather I have no idea I was there in Sept and the forecast changed by the hour .

Good rain gear, great golf shoes for walking and have fun! BD is all about the golf!

didn't use a caddy and got along fine with my skycaddie. Having said that I know that anyone who did have a caddie raved about the experience when we were there...

No need for a caddie - unless you just want one or don't want to sling or push your own bag.
With only a couple exceptions all the holes are clearly laid out in front of you.

Other than that SEARCH. EVERYTHING you could possiblly want to know is in a handful of excellent and comprehensive threads or just bump them with a question and make it easier for everyone to find good info
Enjoy the trip.

Go to the Northwest subforum. There is a ton of threads in there on Bandon. I have been able to iron out almost every detail I want in there.

So should i try to book tee times first or lodging first?

[quote name='snkstaff' timestamp='1408553121' post='9973367']
So should i try to book tee times first or lodging first?
[/quote]

You have to book lodging first. Golf for non lodging guests is only 21 days in advance.

[quote name='snkstaff' timestamp='1408553121' post='9973367']
So should i try to book tee times first or lodging first?
[/quote]
Just call the resort and tell them when you want to go. They'll do lodging and book tee times at the same time.

[quote name='cassel191919' timestamp='1408562261' post='9974553']
[quote name='snkstaff' timestamp='1408553121' post='9973367']
So should i try to book tee times first or lodging first?
[/quote]

You have to book lodging first. Golf for non lodging guests is only 21 days in advance.
[/quote]

You can book a tee time as a non resort guest more than 21 days in advance, you just pay a premium for it. They wont let you book earlier than 10am that early either if you are non resort guest. However, they are super accomodating once inside the 21 days and can easily change up your times if they are available.

[quote name='Tremaine' timestamp='1408593516' post='9977643']
[quote name='cassel191919' timestamp='1408562261' post='9974553']
[quote name='snkstaff' timestamp='1408553121' post='9973367']
So should i try to book tee times first or lodging first?
[/quote]

You have to book lodging first. Golf for non lodging guests is only 21 days in advance.
[/quote]

You can book a tee time as a non resort guest more than 21 days in advance, you just pay a premium for it. They wont let you book earlier than 10am that early either if you are non resort guest. However, they are super accomodating once inside the 21 days and can easily change up your times if they are available.
[/quote]

I was just posting what it says directly from the website, I have never actually tried it.

See my trip report for March 2014, which is close to your timeframe: http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/995313-bandon-dunes-trip-report-32014-to-32414/
I also went in April 2013, weather was good then too. Pack everything, and check the weather that morning on what you'll take on course.

I didn't think Skycaddie had mapped Bandon. My impression was rangefinders are not allowed.

[quote name='GoStars' timestamp='1408981026' post='10003247']
I didn't think Skycaddie had mapped Bandon. My impression was rangefinders are not allowed.
[/quote]

I was there last August, and SkyGolf had not mapped the courses. Not sure if they have since, but I doubt it. I never heard anything about a policy regarding no rangefinders. but it would seem rather odd to ban them, as a) it would be nearly impossible to police, and b) would set up awkward encounters with the staff and guests.

Socks. Buy good runner's socks w/o internal seams, and change them between rounds if you play multiple rounds a day.

I used a caddy for the morning rounds on OM and PD, and used a rickshaw for my afternoon rounds on BT and BD. I can't imagine lugging my clubs around for 4 rounds over 2 days.

[quote name='Argonne69' timestamp='1408996162' post='10005445']
[quote name='GoStars' timestamp='1408981026' post='10003247']
I didn't think Skycaddie had mapped Bandon. My impression was rangefinders are not allowed.
[/quote]

I was there last August, and SkyGolf had not mapped the courses. Not sure if they have since, but I doubt it. I never heard anything about a policy regarding no rangefinders. but it would seem rather odd to ban them, as a) it would be nearly impossible to police, and b) would set up awkward encounters with the staff and guests.
[/quote]
Definitely no ban on rangefinders out there, unless there is some unwritten rule. Also don't know about Skycaddie/SkyGolf but all the courses were mapped in my GolfshotGPS app.

[quote name='jchungum' timestamp='1408629616' post='9979335']
See my trip report for March 2014, which is close to your timeframe: http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/995313-bandon-dunes-trip-report-32014-to-32414/
I also went in April 2013, weather was good then too. Pack everything, and check the weather that morning on what you'll take on course.
[/quote]

I would also add that if you don't walk a ton be aware that you need adjust the way you dress.

I walk more than my father and he was overdressed the first morning we went out as he didn't account for the heat he would generate while walking.

[quote name='snpcrk121' timestamp='1408996468' post='10005503']
[quote name='Argonne69' timestamp='1408996162' post='10005445']
[quote name='GoStars' timestamp='1408981026' post='10003247']
I didn't think Skycaddie had mapped Bandon. My impression was rangefinders are not allowed.
[/quote]

I was there last August, and SkyGolf had not mapped the courses. Not sure if they have since, but I doubt it. I never heard anything about a policy regarding no rangefinders. but it would seem rather odd to ban them, as a) it would be nearly impossible to police, and b) would set up awkward encounters with the staff and guests.
[/quote]
Definitely no ban on rangefinders out there, unless there is some unwritten rule. Also don't know about Skycaddie/SkyGolf but all the courses were mapped in my GolfshotGPS app.
[/quote]

GolfshotGPS uses satellite images, so there's no need to walk the course. SkyGolf actually walks the course, provided they course allows them, which Bandon has not.

Call in for deals. They can pkg you up w/ lodging and rounds w/ free comp'd meals. We got 1 free dinner anything on the menu + free breakfast buffet everyday.

If you opt to not have a caddie make sure you buy the yardage books. It's a better deal to buy all 4 courses at once (It's 4 for the price of 3). They have every hole drawn up like a pro yardage book, it was really useful on a lot of blind shots.

*ps my avatar is on the 2nd hole at Pacific Dunes! You'll have a blast.

[quote name='GoStars' timestamp='1408981026' post='10003247']
My impression was rangefinders are not allowed.
[/quote]

I have to ask, where the heck did you get that from?

I thought I read it somewhere (obviously I must have pulled that out of my arse), a notion reinforced by the fact that there are no sky caddie maps.

I used a rangefinder with zero issues. What an amazing experience. Played 36 four straight days and 18 on the final day. We were scheduled for another round but were all gassed. Great weather except for one round when the wind blew 30+. I never have experienced playing in wind so strong and sustained.

Thank goodness it didn't rain. That would be a tough day. Enjoy, I'm jealous.

I went in Sept 2013, and I think all will agree if you are going to play 36 a day, make sure you get the most comfortable shoes you can play golf in, I actually wore a pair of my Nike running shoes the last 3 days. The amazing thing is how hard the ground is out there. I promise you will love that place, i would also recommend you read the book "Dream Golf" before you go."The Making Of Bandon Dunes". I hope the weather is nice and the golf demons stay away, even a year later I still think about how nice and the mystic of the Ocean. To me, Ocean courses add a whole different element to the game. Gold Luck, I know you guy's are excited.

Be prepared for everything!