Bandon - Course to play on the way

I'm making my first trip to Bandon in early November and will be driving down from the Seattle area. I'm going to leave the day before and stay overnight somewhere...maybe Eugene so I can make it to Bandon for my 11:30 am tee time the first day. I figured I'd get the trip started right and play somewhere on the way down and am looking for suggestions. Another option is driving all the way to Bandon, stay in town and maybe try to play the Preserve that late afternoon/evening. I'm not used to long drives (especially by myself) so I don't know if I want to deal with a 7 hour drive in one day. I'd appreciate thoughts from people who've done it.

In order of the way down: Pumpkin Ridge; Langdon Farms, Eugene CC(if you can get on), Florence Golf Links(Sandpines).

Done the drive, but didn't play on the way down. It's ~7 hours from Seattle (barring traffic) and kind of mundane until you start heading west. Some options for you:

- Tri Mountain in Ridgefield- Close to halfway down and links style. Was one of my go-tos while living in Vancouver

- Pumpkin Ridge outside of Portland- Top 100 public track in the country

- Florence Golf Links- 90 minutes from the resort right up the coast. On the way or a super small detour depending on your route. Never played, but heard good things.

- Bandon Crossings- would mean you drive all the way to Bandon, but a really cool public track 20 minutes from the resort. The Caddy Country Club, it's where most all of the caddies choose to play their golf.

There are no real must plays on your route. I'd drive all the way making a few stops for meals along the way. Break that 7 hours with a stop or two and you'll be fine.

The destination course on your route IMO is Pumpkin Ridge. The problem would be that if you then stayed in the Portland area, you’re still 5 hours from Bandon, which wouldn’t be fun the next day.

If it was me, I’d drive to Florence the first day. There are 3 good courses there, and the conditions are similar to Bandon. It’s then about a 90 minute scenic drive from Florence to Bandon with no traffic worries.

Pumpkin in November is likely to be a swamp. It does not drain well. Tri Mountain is a good suggestion, and Langdon Farms. Both right off the freeway and both drain very well.

I like the suggestion of Florence Golf Links (previously known as Sandpines). It's on the way (take 126 from I5 at Eugene), is a good layout and drains well (for the most part). The trip down to Bandon from Florence is about an hour and a half. Another bonus of that route is Fiddlers Green is also on the way, so you can spend a bunch of money on things you either forgot to get (rain gear) or don't really need.

If your trip is on the short side, I’d recommend just driving down and getting to the resort the day before. You will not be disappointed in spending some time at the range, shortys, punch bowl, preserve or just checking out the pro shops. (I don’t know anything about the other courses in the area, but Bandon is the best).

Thank you everyone for the suggestions. I like the idea of Florence Golf Links. It seems like the perfect distance from Bandon and Florence is a nice little seaside town to stay in. I'll probably do that unless I'm not too tired from driving and can make it all the way to Bandon. The resort was booked that night (at least when I originally made my reservation) so I'd have to stay in town.

I’m in central Oregon, and usually get to the coast once a year or so. I go to Frorence, not Bandon. There are no crowds, no reservations needed, cost about a quarter of what Bandon does, the town is nicer IMO...

It will be interesting to hear about your experience. Hope the weather cooperates for you.

I've played Pumpkin Ridge, Langdon Farms, Florence Golf Links, and Bandon Crossings. All very enjoyable courses, PR is the best IMO, but I would trust the locals on drainage this time of year. I think spud3 has it right, play Florence Golf Links and also make a visit to Fiddler's Green. They have everything you could possibly need, prices are good, and it's the last real golf shop (that I'm aware of) before you get to Bandon. There's a Best Western in Reedsport that's on the way from Florence to Bandon that's a decent crash pad, I've stayed a few times and it's usually $100/night or so. The Best Western in Bandon is also fine, more expensive than the one in Reedsport but still much less than another night at the resort.

Just a note on Crossings, it's a good course but personally I save it as an option if you're at BD and you have a day where you still want to play an afternoon round but your legs need a break from walking. It's a good course, not of the caliber of the resort courses, but it's very well maintained and priced reasonably.