Bend Recommendations

[Chillidipper1]

Heading to Bend for a family vacation. What course should I play(I have looked at all the reviews)? I will only be able to play one time while I am out there.

 

Sorry this is a lame post, but I'm sure many of you have played the area and I would prefer to take recommendations from members of the WRX.

[puttnforthe8]

One round only - then you probably should play Crosswater.

 

Next would be Pronghorn, then Tetherow, then others.

[Pulledabill]

Got a budget in mind?  Big price range in the area.

[Chillidipper1]

No budget, just looking to play the "best" Bend/surrounding area has to offer.

[oregongolf]

I played Crosswater a ton in October. Not sure there was a better conditioned course in the entire NW.

 

If I could pick any of them, I'd probably pick Pronghorn Fazio, then Crosswater.

[ryu1234]

have played Black Butte Ranch (Glaze Meadow), both Pronghorn courses, Aspen Lakes, Crosswater, Juniper, & Tetherow.

Really liked the Nicklaus course at Pronghorn.  Glaze Meadow was a lot fun, with elevation changes & challenging design.  

Tetherow was limited by the fact it's built on the side of hill & has some funky holes.  The Pronghorn Fazio course was unremarkable (except the tunnel near a par 3).

After hearing about Crosswater for years, it was big letdown. It's dead flat (except for a few built up tee boxes), & the stream that crosses the course meant a lot of lay up tee shots.  Yes, it was in great condition (in September), but for me disappointing.

[puttnforthe8]

It is an excellent design, with great views, shots and peace. You have to use every club, with the potential to play every shot imaginable. All in flawless conditions. There are 2-3, if playing from certain tees, "layups" as you call them where you take a club other than driver.

[jpdx]

My favorite is pronghorn I really enjoy both sides. Fazio is “private”. I say it in quotes since you can get on if your pro calls or they are nice and happen to allow it. Both both courses are great. I’ve never played crosswater but hear good things about it.

I also hear good things about brasada.

to consider, pronghorn Nicklaus is ranked very highly and I think it might be the highest rated, “best” public course in Oregon outside of the bandon courses.

What sort of course are you looking for? How much do you want to drive And where are you staying? That might help everyone make suggestions.

if I had one round only in bend area, easy choice to play pronghorn, especially with no budget you have to stick with. It might even be less than $100 right now if you play in the afternoon. Great bang for the buck there for sure.

[puttnforthe8]

Brasada is great, but they have changed their policy and you have to stay there in order to play.

[Edaw68]

If you play Crosswater, try playing the members tees, a mix of the blues and whites. It vastly cuts down on the forced hybrid layups off of a bunch of par 4's. It's marked on the score card.

[mallrat]

What are you looking for?

Crosswater is a great course and very PNW/Bend but not my favorite. I do love the feeling that you are out there in nature. The Pronghorn courses are both great but very different. Nicklaus is a good test of your game and Fazio is just a fun course. Tetherow, layout wise, is my favorite, but the greens are kind of a joke. The one I’ve never played but really want to is Brasada. My hidden gem up there is Quail Run in LaPine.

They all offer something different just depends on what you want.

[Chillidipper1]

Thank you guys for all of your feedback.

[jpdx]

I agree Tetherow is a nice layout. I remember the first time playing, we had a forecaddie and even then putting was.....interesting.

 

also had not heard of the change in policy at brasada. Good to know. If someone had a club membership, could their pro call and get you on without staying?

[kaschreiber]

What about Tetherow greens makes them a joke/experience? Heading there in July and that's #1 on our list of courses to hit.

[puttnforthe8]

Possible they will accept pro call - I can't say...but in there comms to me they made it sound like it was stay and play as the only option.

[puttnforthe8]

Interesting that is is #1 on the list.

Greens are tough on approaches, holding the green, speed, undulations, etc. If you are off, expect a bunch of 3 putts.

[jpdx]

Even if you’re “on” expect 3putts. There are spots that they placed the pin where I considered them unfair. Difficult is one thing, they were plain unfair. I do feel like they jack it up too! 20 on the stimp lol! It’ll look pretty straight and move 6ft left I don’t mind difficult but fair.

I don’t recall the hole, a buddy of mine putted it past the hole (uphill putt). Missed the edge by an inch or so. It rolled 4ft past. It changed direction and came back at him and kept going, and going, and going - gaining speed, until it was off the green 8-10ft behind him.

there was another one that it rolled about 270* or so in a circular pattern about 6ft left of the hole before curling up next to it ball probably traveled 40ft for a 8-10footer. Couldn’t go straight at it either, was caddie’s recommendation.

doesnt mean you won’t enjoy the course as a whole though. Just not a fair test of golf, in my opinion of course.

[puttnforthe8]

LOL...I think I know the putts you are talking about! Yes...in some cases they are silly.

[mallrat]

yeah, there are hole locations at Tetherow where if you are on the wrong tier you are lucky to 3 putt. Back left on 3 if you are anywhere on the upper ridge you are looking at a 3 putt, #4 is just nuts, #6 is brutal, #7 you had better be on the same side of the ridge as the flag, #8 better be on the right tier, 11 can get crazy, 13 if they put it in the back bowl ha, 14 & 15 can be an adventure and 18 if you are above the hole you are 40 yards off the green on your 2nd putt.

The layout is fun but just accept that you are going to hit some good/great shots that will not be rewarded.

[kaschreiber]

Thanks for the feedback and insight. I'm going down for a bachelor party and a buddy and I are heading down a day early to golf. We have a goal to knock off all Golf Digest Top 100 Public (2018 list) before we die, so need to hit Pronghorn, Crosswater, and Tetherow off in the Bend area. With just one day, Crosswater is out- lodging is already booked for our dates in July and we need to be at the resort to get on from what I gather, and Tetherow beats Pronghorn for me (call it judging a book by its cover, DMK > Nicklaus any day of the week in my eyes). We've played the courses as Eagles Crest- once is enough- and we'll play more golf for the bachelor party, but with varying skill levels/interest it likely won't be at any of those top tier courses. We do a travelling buddies trip every year anways and while locations are booked out through 2021, we'll be in the Bend area at some point for one of the more "local" swings (we're all located in Seattle)

[zzyzxx33]

Tetherow is not like Bandon. I played there once and would not go back. I live in Bend. I hate the layout and the greens designs are a joke. The food, staff, members and course conditions were outstanding. IMO

[zzyzxx33]

https://centraloregon.golf/

[jpdx]

dmk?

[mallrat]

David McLay Kidd

[cubanstogie]

Crosswater obviously is a favorite of many. Its personally in my top 10 ever. Ive played Bandon, Pebble, Olympic Club and went to Kiawah a couple of years ago. I really think its that good. Maybe because of the nature aspect and deschutes river, not to mention the Bald Eagles nest on back nine, with Eagle in it.Only if I could have made eagle. One of the coolest things Ive seen. Pronghorn is the only other course Ive seen in better shape. I haven't played there in 3-4 years but am excited thinking about it. The first time I played I met a member playing one of the other 2 sunriver courses,he got me on and I paid 75 bucks. The last 3 I did reciprocal with my CC and paid 250 I believe. I really wish I would have kept the members name and number.

[jpdx]

Impressive resume of courses there.

[SouthLand]

Another vote for Pronghorn.

Some solid stay and play rates in the fall. Was there October of 18 and paid about 200 for a night and a round on Nicklaus. Course was a ton of fun and in great shape. It’s not in town, obviously, but I really enjoyed the experience.

 

Juniper in Redmond is supposed to be very good as well. More of a value play, I think, but my buddy who is at Pronghorn loves Juniper, too.

[ZacA215]

Playing Juniper in a couple weeks as part of a small event. Anyone play recently and have some feedback? It’ll be my first time playing golf out in the area, so just not sure what to expect.

It’s nice to see the positive reviews on here at the very least.

[mallrat]

Great layout and very fun track, conditions can be hit or miss as not much $ is being put back into it. That said I always enjoy myself out there. Imagine a high desert /parklands mix. Lots of lava rock and Juniper trees. Very relaxed