Bandon Winter/Spring Reviews - When did you stop raining so much Oregon?

Edaw68 · November 27, 2018

Just got back from my trip. Gal at the pacific turnstand said that storm was one of the worst she’s seen. Fortunately, Friday, Saturday and Sunday were great days out there. Almost no wind and blue skies.

Crikey - can you imagine what one of those Howlers would be like out there in the turn stand on Pacific or Old Mac? A person could get religion real fast ...

Good thing those stands are essentially concrete pillboxes.

That’s where we were when the horn blew. The hike backwards on 3, 2, 1 at Pacific into the wind was obnoxious.

duffer987 · November 27, 2018

Good write-up duffer. Your pictures are always epic - thank you for sharing.

Bonus points for using "windy AF" and "stung like a mofo" in the write-up.

Thanks! :) Easy to get the sensation across that way. The hail was nuts. It fully covered the green like a Xmas display in the time it took to walk from the tee and pitch out of the rough on the left.

Couple more pics.

duffer987 · November 27, 2018

Can't complain about my trip except for my play with the driver (good lord was it bad).

McKees just gets more and more crowded. What the he!! happened to the meatloaf? It used to be good and I don't remember or think of meatloaf as being smooth. Just weird and done with it. The ribs were outstanding though.

The ribs were the other thing a couple guys had - I had to pass or I'd have been all obnoxious about it, living in Texas and all.

'Smooth' totally nails it though, that - and it being huge - were the real turnoff. Not to harp on about a $15 meal, but if you promote that as your signature comfort food dish, you really should have it down.

Shame about the driver, but at least it was wobbly at Bandon, pretty hard to really get in trouble with it bar a few holes :)

Sushiyoshi · November 27, 2018

I stopped ordering the meatloaf as they serve it during the banquet buffet we have one night. And I agree that it's been going downhill the last few years.

I used to love the pork chop too but last couple of years has been disappointment. I'll just get a couple of appetizers instead of an entree from now on. Really enjoyed the clams and wedge salad. Fried oysters are always good. Chowder is decent.

BigSky59 · November 27, 2018

I stopped ordering the meatloaf as they serve it during the banquet buffet we have one night. And I agree that it's been going downhill the last few years.

I used to love the pork chop too but last couple of years has been disappointment. I'll just get a couple of appetizers instead of an entree from now on. Really enjoyed the clams and wedge salad. Fried oysters are always good. Chowder is decent.

I'll say that the wings at McKees are phenomenal; full-sized drumsticks compared to the puny things you'd get at a buffalo wild wings/hooters. I think the problem with the meat loaf, is that the amount of growth and increase in play/activity at the property has ruined the meal. The attention to detail and the care that was probably put into that meal in 1999 isn't the same as it is now. The recipe and procedure for making has probably been botched over the years as well as the original cooks have turned over. I imagine rather than crafting a nice homestyle meal like it was, they crank them out like quarter-pounders.

buzlin · November 27, 2018

I'm thinking they need to rethink the menus at either Pacific or Trails. Bring them down to earth a bit. No need for three "fancier" places. Maybe consolidate the menus and expand The Gallery menu, only because I've never seen it anywhere near capacity. Switch Trails over to more rustic food (italian or seafood). Blah blah blah. I don't go again till April, so I'll just throw out random bs.

mallrat · November 27, 2018

I'm thinking they need to rethink the menus at either Pacific or Trails. Bring them down to earth a bit. No need for three "fancier" places. Maybe consolidate the menus and expand The Gallery menu, only because I've never seen it anywhere near capacity. Switch Trails over to more rustic food (italian or seafood). Blah blah blah. I don't go again till April, so I'll just throw out random bs.

You have a great point but I would add another McKees or basic food type place and/or open Trails for dinner (may be wrong but thought they only did breakfast/lunch). Isn’t Pacific supposed to be the seafood restaurant?

buzlin · November 28, 2018

I'm thinking they need to rethink the menus at either Pacific or Trails. Bring them down to earth a bit. No need for three "fancier" places. Maybe consolidate the menus and expand The Gallery menu, only because I've never seen it anywhere near capacity. Switch Trails over to more rustic food (italian or seafood). Blah blah blah. I don't go again till April, so I'll just throw out random bs.

You have a great point but I would add another McKees or basic food type place and/or open Trails for dinner (may be wrong but thought they only did breakfast/lunch). Isn’t Pacific supposed to be the seafood restaurant?

yeah I think Pacific is the seafood restaurant, but I'm thinking chowder, stews, bbq oysters, fried stuff, crab sandwiches, lobster rolls, etc..... though maybe that concept competes with places in town (which wouldn't be cool). So then hearty italian perhaps.

Regardless, they need to up their craft beer game. :)

duffer987 · November 28, 2018

I'm thinking they need to rethink the menus at either Pacific or Trails. Bring them down to earth a bit. No need for three "fancier" places. Maybe consolidate the menus and expand The Gallery menu, only because I've never seen it anywhere near capacity. Switch Trails over to more rustic food (italian or seafood). Blah blah blah. I don't go again till April, so I'll just throw out random bs.

You have a great point but I would add another McKees or basic food type place and/or open Trails for dinner (may be wrong but thought they only did breakfast/lunch). Isn't Pacific supposed to be the seafood restaurant?
yeah I think Pacific is the seafood restaurant, but I'm thinking chowder, stews, bbq oysters, fried stuff, crab sandwiches, lobster rolls, etc..... though maybe that concept competes with places in town (which wouldn't be cool). So then hearty italian perhaps.

Regardless, they need to up their craft beer game. :)

Ha! Agreed. I just get a Bandon Ale or two at dinner/punchbowl and then buy local tins/bottles in town.

You can get growlers here: https://www.thebeveragebarn15.com/about and at Bandon Brewing Co.

buzlin · November 28, 2018

Ah ha! Will definitely check out the Barn. Will save us on gas hauling beer from NorCal over the pass. And Lord knows we all have too many damn growlers that need fillin. :)

buzlin · November 28, 2018

https://www.bandondunesgolf.com/blog/changes-bandon-dunes-interview-david-mclay-kidd

Apologies if this has been discussed, but did anyone notice these changes?

Edaw68 · November 28, 2018

I'm thinking they need to rethink the menus at either Pacific or Trails. Bring them down to earth a bit. No need for three "fancier" places. Maybe consolidate the menus and expand The Gallery menu, only because I've never seen it anywhere near capacity. Switch Trails over to more rustic food (italian or seafood). Blah blah blah. I don't go again till April, so I'll just throw out random bs.

You have a great point but I would add another McKees or basic food type place and/or open Trails for dinner (may be wrong but thought they only did breakfast/lunch). Isnt Pacific supposed to be the seafood restaurant?

Trails End recently started doing dinner. It’s a more Asian style menu. The issue is it’s also a bit more expensive. I agree with another basic type place, to alleviate crowding at McKees.

Edaw68 · November 28, 2018

https://www.bandondunesgolf.com/blog/changes-bandon-dunes-interview-david-mclay-kidd

Apologies if this has been discussed, but did anyone notice these changes?

There is another thread floating around here. Spud started it, several pages back. Sorry Iâ€™m on my phone, canâ€™t post a link.

spud3 · December 2, 2018

Can't complain about my trip except for my play with the driver (good lord was it bad).

McKees just gets more and more crowded. What the he!! happened to the meatloaf? It used to be good and I don't remember or think of meatloaf as being smooth. Just weird and done with it. The ribs were outstanding though.

Ack.... you guys are killin me with this heretical talk about the meatloaf... almost as bad as when I learned the fish tacos were no longer on the menu at Trails.

Must...order....meatloaf............ :no2:

OK, I'm here on a Watch & Dash trip. Ordered the meatloaf and it was killer. Still couldn't finish it, but it was great. Very relieved.

Oh, yeah... weather today as specTACular for Trails and (most of) Old Mac. Might have gotten to 52 F., but no wind. First time I've been on OM with no wind. It was kinda weird...

Pacific tomorrow and Bandon on Tuesday. Weather is supposed to hold all week. More write-up tomorrow.

duffer987 · December 11, 2019

Few pics from Thanksgiving 2019... or not, so just basic link to photostream, ugh :-S

Least precipitation ever, playing Monday and Weds-Sun. Frost delays, bumpy greens, and less than 18 hole replays were the price to pay, but worth it in the end for carefree golf with no need to bring rain gear for 3 straight days and leave it in the bag most of the others.

Bandon #8 change good, #15 more crap, the others from '19 no worse than those from '18.https://www.flickr.com/photos/13623225@N00/with/49202689487/

Edit: Man this site is still rubbish after two months off, old way of including pics seemingly crocked, Captcha overlay that doesn't go away... rubbish

Edaw68 · December 12, 2019

Nice pics duffer. But what's going on with the fogged over car there?

duffer987 · December 12, 2019

Ha that was a massive layer of ice on the car. I've got the gang to buy into Bandon Coffee Cafe bagels and breakfast cookies to start the day a couple times a trip, so that was me at 06:15 on one of those eff off cold mornings getting ready with the ice scraper. It was proper thick :-)

spud3 · December 12, 2019

Did you then slide down the hill to Old Town? Pretty steep street from the Bandon Inn.

Not sure if it would be more terrifying to drive or walk...

duffer987 · December 12, 2019

Ha! Fortunately we were at Bandon Dunes before those 2 nights of heavy frost, that is from the car park at the resort. We thought they used to open up for breakfast at 6:00, but they said 6:30, so figured stuff it, let's run into town. Of course our 7:40 tee times became 10:00 so it didn't matter in the end.

spud3 · December 13, 2019

And +1 on Bandon Coffee Cafe. I had one of their breakfast sandwiches one morning and it was killer.

10&8 · December 13, 2019

I was in Bandon 11/20-11/24 for my first ever trip. I’ve been wanting to go for at least the last 10 years and finally got to fulfill my dream this year. Needless to say, my own personal hype was off the charts. You know this place is special when the actual experience BLOWS AWAY your expectations. We had absolutely perfect weather for all 4 days of our trip (55-60* every day with brilliant sunshine and barely a breath of wind). We played 36 at Bandon our first day, 36 at Pacific day 2 (I guess only 30 holes, due to a quick frost delay), day 3 was 18 in the morning at Trails then 18 in the afternoon at Old Mac. Played a quick loop on Preserve on the morning of our departure day.

I was fully expecting either Pac or Trails to be my favorite course, but it ended up being Bandon. My course ranking would be...

Bandon (16 might be the best hole I’ve ever played, especially at sunset)Pacific (Great routing and very close to Bandon, but had a little more fun at BandonTrails (Like everyone has said, maybe the best pure golf course on property, but there’s something to be said about playing right next to the ocean)Old Mac (had some GREAT holes, but also some forgettable ones that felt forced onto the layout) Preserve (maybe the most fun I had all weekend....I guess it helps when you shoot -2 there haha)

10&8 · December 13, 2019

I’ll also add that we got caddies for our first loop on each course. We had Donnie and Kent, who were simply the most amazing caddies I’ve ever had. They were very friendly and knew their stuff. Donnie was on my bag, and by the third hole on our first day he already had me clubbed. It was like he knew what shot I wanted to hit without me even telling him, and he could read greens like Rain Man. I’d guess he saved me 4-5 shots per round. We invited the both of them to join us on our last round at Preserve, and they gladly accepted. I can see why both of them were such good caddies, because they were absolute sticks. If any of you are on the fence about hiring a caddie, my advice would be definitely get one. They added so much to our experience and were a joy to be around. They were also cheering us on to make more birdies. I think they liked the Angel’s Envy bourbon we brought along more than we did!

duffer987 · December 13, 2019

Good stuff 10/8. Ya that weather forecast looked awesome that week!

Hopefully you don't have to wait another 10yrs till the return visit :-)

10&8 · December 13, 2019

We are already thinking about next November. I informed my wife that it’s now an annual trip. And I have to play Sheep Ranch!

duffer987 · December 14, 2019

Ya that is usually what happens. Instead of a - ya OK played it, done - you might get at other name resorts, at Bandon it's almost universally (bar one I can think of) dang that was so awesome, let's call the booking line now and get ready for next year!

10&8 · December 14, 2019

I completely agree! I did Pebble a few years ago, and while it was great, I don’t have that burning desire to get back there the way I do with Bandon. It’s truly special.

duffer987 · October 23, 2020

Heads up to any Oregonians looking to get out and play over this coming Thanksgiving. We've just released 3 early teetimes each day Thurs-Sun due to parts of our group being in Canada and the East Coast and not making the trip this year.

In hindsight I should have waited until the 21 day mark, so you could book them immediately instead of having to wait another week or two... oops 🙂

duffer987 · March 19, 2021

Where does the time go? Well the time for our foursome's Nov '20 trip got covided, but I was fortunate to find a few nights and a few tee times last Oct and this Feb to carve out a 5 night/6 day trip; 1/2 in town and 1/2 on property in mid-March.

After spending the previous 2.5 months in Canada, it was a nice way to break up the drive back, but it also meant the preceding 6 weeks included zero golf and very little exercise. Being active and California-based it's never been a problem before, but now I know what you out of season guys feel like. A bunch of where did that come from swings and crap putting, plus literal throbbing feet after a 36 hole day. As I said to a fellow WRXer, figuratively sure, but actually? New one for me 😆 Always ready the next day, but ya definitely my least 'ready' trip.

Weather

2nd or 3rd best weather out of 10 trips. One brutal day where there was no point to be on the course, otherwise it was only frost delays and wind to deal with and then bright blue skies with a bit of cloud. It was chilly, especially with the Northerly wind Mon/Tues, so think I wore my toque more this trip than in November.

Course Conditions

Bandon - Greens were awesome. Best I've seen them. They ran pure, enabling for pure misses. None of these bumping misses, no no I owned those dead pulls and three jacks. Nets up where you'd expect #1, #10, #13 for example, but otherwise except for the usual spots on #13 it played firm as a links should.
Trails - Greens were excellent. Best I can remember seeing them. They ran pure, enabling for... 😉 Like the others, nets up in some spots, #6 per usual for example.
Pac - Wash out round: literally. Horrible weather. Standing water here there and everywhere. Bunker left side of the green on #7 looked like a landslide as the water collected and poured through it. Maybe the conditions were good? No way to tell.
SR - It's new everyone, chill the eff out. Come back in 2 or 3 years and play it then if you are going to be sniffy about the conditions now. Greens reminded me and the WRXers of early OM; mix of dirt and grass but roll largely true. Only saw one motorbike jump putt over 29 holes x 8 players. Course lacks definition in the middle as everything grows in because it's a new course.
OM - Good. Greens running nicely, even if they don't look as nice as the poa courses.

Pace of Play

Not as good as in Nov, as we typically go out in one of the first 4 times, this trip had laterish morning times, so sub 4hr rounds weren't that plentiful. We got lucky on OM - as we looked to be the 4th or 5th group out after the frost delay and were stuck behind a slow foursome, until one of them blew a tire on 11 and we then had the remaining 3 going at the pace of our 4 and were able to finish up in good time to make the replay round. That said with a lot more daylight hours in March, were never in danger of not getting in 36 when I wanted to.

Food & Lodging

As a single much prefer Bandon town to the resort, it's just nicer. The only thing missing from Bandon Inn is shoe driers. Bandon Coffee Cafe: large coffee, turkey and swiss bagel (sometimes bacon), and a breakfast cookie. My favorite pre-round brekkie anywhere. Due to covid I had take-away from places I've never eaten at before; the Mexican place at the junction, the Chinese place across from Booze Barn, and the bar down from the cafe. They were all fine and the Mexican place was seriously cheap, I rang up for an enchillada combo plate without knowing what it would cost, go to pay and thought she said $19.15, sure no prob, huh? $9.15?! Um OK, are you sure? lol

Room service food at the resort was solid. Had a gallery and pacific grill meal and they were fine. You get it in a takeaway container, but with a normal plate underneath. I guess incase you want to put the food on that? Anyways it worked fine.

Golf

Yes some of that happened too. Teed off 10 times over 6 days for 9 full rounds: Bandon x 3, OM x 2, Trails x 2, SR x 1 + 11 holes, Pac 7 holes.

I really do think I could come to the resort and just play those first 3 and have as good a time as if I played all 5. I don't need anymore golf than what they offer up. Not that the other 2 aren't charmers, heck I've not even got two full rounds on SR yet, but I just had a great time over those 7 rounds and love the variety you get.

Bandon

Got it with both winds. The Southerly was weak, the Northerly was strong. Just when you think you have seen all of a course, managed to go way left on 7 (lefter than I wanted) over towards the trees while staying on the fairway and only have 115 left. Got passed the bunkers on 9 for the first time ever as well due to the wind.

Hi: 2 pars and 1 birdie on #1 after a couple years of awful approaches. Always enjoy bringing back the drive from the OB line/over McKees and this time the approaches weren't sod-laying chunkers or bladers where the 'P' or '56' on the bottom of the club is what actually contacted the ball.
Lo: It would be easier if #6 just had a ball recycling bin on the teebox, would save me hitting smothering hooks onto the beach. Two dunkers and one weak rightside fan this year, gives me something to improve for next time.

Trails

Another one where the Northerly wind got me in some spots I've not been before. Obviously less exposed than the seaside courses but still. It was so strong one round my 3I safe teeball on #1 made it to where the dunes pinch in and that covering the ridge on #4 was pretty much impossible. Had a fantastic replay round where it was just me and the lady I was paired up with and we scooted around only seeing other players when we were on #11 and they were on #8. People beg off Trails as a replay round for obvious reasons, but it sure meant it worked a charm for us.

Hi: Back to back birdies on #13/14. Really happy with the one on 13, as that's one of the toughest approaches out there IMHO. That helping wind made #14 driveable and then it was a tetchy putt up from the collection area to 8'.
Lo: Continuing to bail like the Mayor of Bailville on #11. However much room they leave to the left is how much I will use. I could get my approach out to Hwy101 if they cut a path for it. It's a pond, not a black hole. Will consider putting one in the water a morale victory next time out.

OM

That opening teeshot remains my resort warm fuzzy happy place. Even bad liners - like Weds - get down to flip wedge territory. I like the massive difference alternate winds make - yes that's all the courses but here it seems more pronounced - like the 6 club difference on #11 from round 1 to round 2. I like that some of the par 5s can be reachable without being contrived or overly short. I like 4 different compass directions for the par 3s and their different shots needed.

Hi: Meeting up with some WRXers of course.
Lo: Knowing where my teeball on #3 is going to end up before I'm even on property. Time of year, weather, nothing makes a difference. Down in front of the bunker almost every time.

SR

So, what to make of the new boy? Firstly, it needs to bed in. It's new. It's getting a ton of play. It's new. If you've never played a new or refurbed course before, this is what you get. It's new. Yes it's not as [pick your adjectives] as the others. No one should expect it to be.

Right, that said, I think the front 9 is excellent. The 3 par 3s do make it harder to get into an early groove with the driver, but I'll take the par 4s, the par 5, and two of the par 3s and think they match up variety, fun, and challenge wise with any other front/back 9 at the resort.

The back 9? On first blush it's demonstrably the lesser 9. When I was weighing up playing the last 7 holes or hitting the highway to start driving home, I chose getting home 2hrs earlier than finishing the round. #14 & #16 are good and #15 looks fun when driveable, but otherwise when I was thinking about finishing, I didn't think - oh hey! I cannot leave without playing that hole again.

Hi: Birdie on #5 after a well stuck 7I and then hitting a spot on (line and swing) teeshot on #6.
Lo: Coming up short with my bump and run teeballs on #3 and #7 3/4 times. They totally call out for that, are not difficult really, and I just didn't quite make the contact required. Also par is but a number, but 18 is not a par 5. Put it back to 460 for the greens and whatever from the blacks and have at it. But as it is it's silly. My 3 putt 'par' felt like a bogey. OM has 3 par 4s longer than it, par 71 isn't a bad thing.

Edited March 19, 2021 by duffer987

duffer987 · March 19, 2021

Some Sheep Ranch pics - and I forgot to mention, generally speaking the gorse frames the courses so well. Really pretty and not even in full bloom, quite the change from our November trips and reminds me more of my Spring UK trips.

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