Bandon in January (pic heavy)

We were completely spoiled during two back to back trips to Bandon at the end of December and this weekend (got back last night). I'm very fortunate to live 4 hours away with the freedom to scout weather windows. There were people playing in shorts yesterday. What an incredible golf destination.

Nice!

This has definitely been a good year for Watch & Dash...

I gotta say Pebble ain't got nothing on Bandon.

Rating these courses against each other is extremely difficult. Pacific was my clear favorite but the other three are tied with a slight edge to Old Mac. Pacific and Bandon had the "best" greens, full poa and smooth/fast. Trails was great but difficult because I'm not used to fescue greens. Old Mac appears to be in transition so they were the bumpiest but it's such a cool layout. I agree with the common assessment that if Trails was on the ocean it would compete for the top spot, but I still don't think it beats Pacific. Pacific is a perfect golf course.

They're actively building Sheep Ranch. The heavy equipment is hard at work.

I scored that Sunice Apollo jacket at the pro shop for 50% off.

Time there goes way too fast.

On my next trip to Bandon, I'm going to take a close look at the "fossilized" tree behind you. I think it's made out of plastic. :)

Sorry to hear that I've missed my opportunity to play Sheep Ranch.

On my next trip to Bandon, I'm going to take a close look at the "fossilized" tree behind you. I think it's made out of plastic. :)

 

Sorry to hear that I've missed my opportunity to play Sheep Ranch.

Ghost tree is the proper term ? you would be amazed how much those things can sell for. We even have a couple at the course I work at that are attached to steel plates with rebar hooks so we can move them around.

Just did a search and came up with your thread. I have an opportunity to go in January 2020... just wondering if it is worth going as a first timer at this time of year? Or would it be better to go for your first time at a "better time of year" weather wise? I don't mind playing in wind and rain, and I know it is luck of the draw, but I think it could get extreme at this time? Any thoughts or opinions are welcome. We did a Scotland trip and got super lucky with weather: wore shorts everyday and hardly got any rain. I am just wondering what the odds are in January at Bandon. I think I will go either way, its somewhere I have to go at some point and this opportunity may not come up again.

Thanks,

Be prepared for possible frost delays. Bring proper rain gear, beanie, hand warmers, thermals, and man the f up. hahahaha. I think as long as you have enough days to play every course assuming only 18/day, it'll be worth the "risk". If you're aiming for 36/day and might miss a course due to a frost delay, then I'd wait. Bottom line, for your first trip, I think it's important to play them all. Unless of course you KNOW you'll be back another time.

The short answer: regardless, without question, yes, go.

As a native Oregonian, you are at risk for frost delay, winter storms. and high winds. January you can also have some of the best days of the year to visit the coast. Dead calm and sun whichof course brings the possibility of frost delay.

GO FOR IT!

Agreed with the above risks, the main one being frost delays. Don't think I've ever seen one go past around 11, though I have seen snow on the courses once. Temps can be chilly and wind/rain is always a high probability.

None of which are reasons not to go, even for your first time...

As someone who went in late January as a first timer, I have to say it was well worth the trip and I'm working on a return trip possibly this coming March. We got relatively lucky with weather and had two mostly sunny days, but one of my favorite days of the trip was actually playing Old Mac in sideways rain. Sure, my score reflected the weather, but with my good rain gear we enjoyed all 18 (although I didn't add on another 18 that day...gave the gear a chance to dry off!) and felt like I got the entire "Bandon experience." As long as you're not a fair weather golfer and are embracing the possibility of crummy weather, there's not a better time to go considering the cost that time of year!

I do believe we are going to give it a go... Thanks for the input. Just kind of confirmed what I thought, you have to go play it. I am certainly not a fair weather player, I actually like playing in tough conditions. Thanks for all the thoughts and advice.

My best buddy and I are going Feb 10-13th of 2020, I'm kind of hoping for some wind and rain, ( hey are we in Scot/Ire?) not every day, but it will make it a trip to remember. We're not kids either, I'm a lower single digit, 60 and he's 65 and scratch ( this guy loves the wind too) can't wait!1

Pics fixed after the Photobucket ridiculousness. It's Watch & Dash time of year again, looking for that window for a sudden drive to my favorite place on earth.

I'd be beyond excited to snag a Sunice like that for half $$$. Oh, and good weather. ETA 29 days.

Looks like the weather seems broadly ok next week? Any locals have a better read for 12/23 through 12/27? Planning on a last minute trip :)