QMany's Bandon Recap (Nov. 2014)

[QMany]

Bandon Dunes is not an easy place to get to. Our journey started on Tuesday, November 25 in Kansas City. We departed in 9:00 AM CST and arrived in Portland around 1:00 PM PST. We grabbed our rental car and were on our way. We knew we weren’t going to make it down to Bandon by dusk, so we took our time. We stopped by the important places on the way down: Golfsmith, liquor store, etc. We finally arrived at the Bandon Dunes Golf Resort around 7:15 PM. The property is a sight to behold and is well worth the long journey.

 

 

We stayed at The Inn. All of the housing on property are exceptional. I believe The Inn is the cheapest, and I was beyond impressed considering the modest price ($150 per night). At The Inn, we stayed in a Forest Double. It was like a very large, very nice hotel room. The Inn is located directly between Bandon Dunes and Preserve. It has a nice lounge and patio that overlooks Bandon Dunes Clubhouse and #18. The accommodations were beyond sufficient, and I would not hesitate to stay there every time I visit.

 

 

 

(Pictures courtesy of Bandon Dunes website)

 

We chose to go at this time of year because of the prices, which are significantly lower. Rooms start at $100 per night at The Inn, compared to $250 per night for the same room during the peak periods. Likewise, greens fees were only $75 with $40 replays, instead of $250 and $125 respectively. I would compare Bandon to my experience at Sand Hills, “the best deal in golf.”

 

To end our first night, we headed down to McKee’s Pub. It is the main eatery, in my opinion. The Gallery restaurant is very nice, but McKee’s seemed to be the place to be for dinner. It is a little less "stuffy," for lack of better word, and was a better atmosphere for our demographic. This is where you can feast on the world famous Grandma’s Meatloaf, and feast I did.

 

(Picture courtesy of Bandon Dunes website)

 

Outside of McKee’s is a great fireplace and lounge area. We sat out there until late enjoying the fire, stars, and countless drinks our waitress brought us. We made friends with a group of guys from the San Francisco area and chatted about what we could expect during our upcoming days on the courses.

 

DAY ONE

 

Our first day could not have gone any better. It was just my friend and I on the first tee time at the Preserve. We didn’t have a chance to stop by the Practice Center (that I’ll touch on later), but were allowed to roll some putts on #13 green as we awaited our tee time.

 

The Preserve is unbelievable. It is a great mix of short and long holes, hard and easy holes, as well as inland and ocean-side holes. I couldn’t get enough. I birdied #1, #3, #5, #13, with a lone bogey on #10, to start my trip off with a tidy -3 round. I was on cloud nine. As a tip, and fun shot, the tee shot on #13 is best played with a putter. Thank me later.

 

 

Old Macdonald is one of the most original layouts I have ever seen, which is odd considering it is designed off of CBM designs. You get a Redan, an Alps, a Bairritz, and so on, but they are all tweaked in their own way. It dissects a large ridge twice and presented some of the most memorable shots on the trip. The drive on #3 past the Ghost Tree and approach on #7 cannot be duplicated. I would say, as a whole, Old Mac is the most open and unprotected from the wind. It can really pick up during the afternoon. I couldn’t get used to how firm the approach shots played. Especially if playing downwind, there were some shots where I was dumbfounded trying to figure out how to hold a green with even wedge. Old Mac has some of the largest fairways and greens you will ever encounter. I was playing really well but stumbled coming into the clubhouse with triples on 17 and 18 to post 80.

 

Favorite holes: #7, #8, and #16.

 

Following our rounds, we noticed the resort was dead. McKee’s was the only restaurant open and we didn’t feel like doing that again so soon. We talked to some of the great employees who recommended heading into town. We grabbed a quick bite and headed to the caddie bar in downtown Bandon, the Arcade Tavern. We had a great time! It was nice to get away from the resort just for a minute or two.

 

DAY TWO

 

The Practice Center has to be one of the best, if not the best, in America. It has two enormous ranges with plenty of target greens. We were on the South (blue and right) on the first day and the North (black and left) on the remainder of our trip. There is also the largest practice green I have ever seen between them. The shuttle drops you off right at the Practice Center building which has bathrooms and indoor seating where you can dry off and grab a free coffee, tea, or hot chocolate and relax. I could have spent the entire day there.

 

 

 

Pacific Dunes has to be one of the most beautiful courses in America. I think it only has 1-2 weak holes, and that is relative to the rest of the track. As beautiful as the course was, the weather was just as ugly. It was the worst weather I have ever experienced on a golf course. I was bundled up in all the GORE-TEX I could muster (read: afford), and I still ended the day soaked to the bone. That reminds me, whoever invented rain gloves is a damned genius. I picked up a GORE-TEX Bandon Dunes Bucket Hat and it saved my day. The weather was so bad that we were two of only six people on the course. They had more cancellations and calls requesting rides off the course than they could count. I’m glad we pushed through, as I had one of the most memorable shots of my life. #14 was playing 114 yards straight into the wind. I hit a flushed flighted PW that never left the stick. I was 2” away from my first hole-in-one. How cool of experience would that have made my first? Despite that shot, the round proved a little frustrating. It was raining so hard, the greens were basically unplayable. We had more 3 and 4-putts than 1 and 2-putts. There was casual water on the greens and it was a 50/50 guess whether your putt was going to finish 15-feet short or long. We weren’t discouraged, we just embraced it. It was still a great experience, and I wouldn’t have changed it.

 

Favorite holes: #3, #11, and #13.

 

We were beat down by the conditions and took the rest of the afternoon off. We were going to take a night off from drinking and head into Coos Bay for a Thanksgiving dinner and movie. Well, that was the plan. Due to movie times and closed restaurants, we ended up at The Mill Casino drinking and gambling before the movie. It was my first time ever actually gambling at a casino, and I cleaned up in Blackjack and Roulette, more than tripling my money. We watched Horrible Bosses 2 (hilarious), and headed back to the resort to call it a night. It was an eventful Thanksgiving, to say the least.

 

DAY THREE

 

Bandon Trails is the course I was most excited to play, and I was not let down. I consider myself a golf course architecture aficionado, and I absolutely love Crenshaw/Coore designs. Sand Hills is my favorite course I have ever seen, let alone played. As a gift from my parents, I secured a caddie for this round only. It was an invaluable experience. Joe and Tom will be getting calls when I return. The Trails has more tricky drives and approaches than all the other tracks. Depth perception and wind are near impossible once you get into the forest. The wind and rain started to pick up during out back nine. 3i is my favorite club, and I usually hit it about 235-240 off of the tee. Caddie pulled it for me on the short par four #14. The wind came up and I wasn’t even able to get it to the fairway! It was embarrassing, hilarious, and awesome all at the same time. It was my worst round of the week (82), finishing with too many 3-putt bogeys to count.

Favorite holes: #5 and #17.

 

After we finished, we went inside the Bandon Trails clubhouse, grabbed lunch, and watched a few groups limp in on #18 through the wind and rain. My Huskers were just finishing up a great fourth quarter comeback and overtime win, and the sun started peaking out. I called Bandon Dunes and Pacific Dunes to inquire about afternoon tee times. Both told me no one was on the tee sheet and I could walk on whenever I would like. We were scheduled to play Bandon Dunes the next day with a good forecast, so we decided to run out to Pacific Dunes and redeem our round from the previous day.

 

Pacific Dunes at a $40 replay rate made me feel like I was stealing. Stealing a round on one of the best courses in America on one of the best afternoons I have seen. The views were amazing, and we basically had the entire course to ourselves. We went off at 1:30 and finished by 4:30. It was the perfect afternoon.

 

 

 

After this great day on the course, we headed back to McKee's for a quick dinner and then made out way to the Bunker Bar. It is in the basement of The Lodge, and was really busy on Friday night as people were getting in for the weekend. It has a great bar and pool table. We grabbed a prime table and played Texas Hold 'Um with a nice couple from Portland. We'll just say my luck from The Mill was still going strong!

 

(Picture courtesy of Bandon Dunes website)

 

DAY FOUR

 

Bandon Dunes was the first course built on the property, and it might still be the best. I think it is probably the easiest, but it does present some challenges, particularly the beastly #5. #1 is a great starting hole. It reminded me of St. Andrews; the first tee is just a few tee markers in the middle of the flat ground that extends past the fairway and restaurant. I loved that feel! I was hitting the driver really well, even driving the green on #8 and #10, and that led to some really good scoring. I played #9 perfectly with a drive past the fairway bunkers and a flighted 3i through a right-to-left wind to 8 feet. Center cut for my only eagle of the trip! I added a long birdie putt on #2 and was able to finish in 74. I think Bandon Dunes is often discounted in reviews, but it might be better than all the others.

 

Favorite holes: #1, #5, #10, #16 and #17.

 

Punchbowl is one of the coolest ideas and funnest experiences I can think of. Ideally, one would get in just before sundown and play the Punchbowl upon arrival. I think this would help you get used to the speeds of the greens a little better. That being said, they slopes and holes give you different putts than you'll see any where else. It is a blast! We played two rounds in 1:15 and then started making out own holes to break the tie. I wish the weather was better on another afternoon so I could enjoy it with a beer, or ten.

 

 

Overall, the courses were great. It is amazing how the wind can change and completely alter the holes and needed strategy to play them. That is great architecture, it is always playable.

 

The only thing that was disappointing about the trip was the green speeds; it was miserably slow all week. I had a really hard time getting used to the speed and break, or lack thereof. I was assured that wasn’t normal, but due to the crazy amounts of rain they have had lately.

 

To sum up the trip, I am already planning my return …

[Chris_NH]

Wow - what a great writeup. It's always fun to read those, both to hear the enthusiasm of Bandon virgins and also to just remind myself of some of the great things the courses and resort offer. BTW, we go in March, which I have now dubbed "Bandon is on sale" month. Like you, I keep coming away shaking my head, thinking that the value of course/room per dollar is ridiculous.

Funny you say that about a putter and Preserve #13 - we went with 8 guys this past March, and they rejiggled a few tee times and let us out as an 8-some. Every hole was a cloest-to-the-pin contest, and I won it on #13 with my putter. Funnest shot of the trip!

[QMany]

[quote name='Chris_NH' timestamp='1417484865' post='10528295']
Wow - what a great writeup. It's always fun to read those, both to hear the enthusiasm of Bandon virgins and also to just remind myself of some of the great things the courses and resort offer. BTW, we go in March, which I have now dubbed "Bandon is on sale" month. Like you, I keep coming away shaking my head, thinking that the value of course/room per dollar is ridiculous.
[/quote]
How has the weather been for your March trips? I'm trying to figure out when to return next. Probably looking at Spring of 2016.

[L3fty]

I got chills reading this and looking at the pictures. wwhat a great write-up indeed. I'm reading "Dream Golf" right now and I can't wait to make a trip out there. Which course do you recommend a caddie the most since you played all of them? and im guessing those are the Bandon bucket hats that i read about.

[Chris_NH]

[quote name='QMany' timestamp='1417487966' post='10528589']
[quote name='Chris_NH' timestamp='1417484865' post='10528295']
Wow - what a great writeup. It's always fun to read those, both to hear the enthusiasm of Bandon virgins and also to just remind myself of some of the great things the courses and resort offer. BTW, we go in March, which I have now dubbed "Bandon is on sale" month. Like you, I keep coming away shaking my head, thinking that the value of course/room per dollar is ridiculous.
[/quote]
How has the weather been for your March trips? I'm trying to figure out when to return next. Probably looking at Spring of 2016.
[/quote]

Two trips with a total of 12 rounds of golf. Maybe 7 or 8 holes have been in the rain, and none of that heavy. We've been insanely lucky on both trips - I fully expect the weather gods to take some revenge next year (of course, I said the same thing after our first trip, then had equally good weather on the second).

Before we went on our first trip, I factored the Bandon prices into this chart - and added in the fact that I like a trip to kick off my season - all of which added up to March.

http://www.intellicast.com/Local/History.aspx?location=USOR0023

[oregongolf]

This is one of the best recaps I've seen on WRX.

Glad you enjoyed your trip, looks like a blast. I'm heading back in February with a large group and everyone is super stoked. Can't come soon enough.

[spud3]

Great write-up, Q!

My next trip is end of February, and it cannot come soon enough! When I first went (mid-April 2012), I thought it would be maybe an every other year thing, but have since decided that it's better to go every year, just a little earlier. It's just become one of those things that I do for myself each year...

[kekoa]

Dude amazing review. Ive said it 100 times, butbi need to get out there asap.

[scratchswinger]

Sounds like a really fun trip, awesome job on the review and thanks for taking the time! I am sure it will help some people down the road that decide to make a similar trip.

After this trip how would you rank these course to Sand Hills?

[Chris_NH]

[quote name='spud3' timestamp='1417498817' post='10529399']
Great write-up, Q!

My next trip is end of February, and it cannot come soon enough! When I first went (mid-April 2012), I thought it would be maybe an every other year thing, but have since decided that it's better to go every year, just a little earlier. It's just become one of those things that I do for myself each year...
[/quote]

You too, huh? :-)

When I went in 2013, it was a "bucket list" trip. Now I'm about 4 months away from trip #3.

[omecene]

Trip for 8 of us ( all first time ) is planned for the second week in April. Tick tock goes the clock...................

[QMany]

[quote name='L3fty' timestamp='1417490359' post='10528845']
I'm reading "Dream Golf" right now and I can't wait to make a trip out there.
[/quote]
I read Dream Golf before the trip, and it was the best decision I made. It was great to hear the story about the development of the property and each course. I almost felt like I had been there before we arrived. Waiting for your trip, reading the hole-by-hole descriptions in the book and looking at the pictures on the website is a great way to pass time and excitement.

[quote name='L3fty' timestamp='1417490359' post='10528845']
Which course do you recommend a caddie the most since you played all of them?
[/quote]
Without a doubt, Bandon Trails. Of course, there are great yardage books for each course, but Trails is just different. Depth perception and wind are impossible once you get back in the trees. I would look at a fairway bunker and learn it was 310 yards away, and on the next hole see a similar one to learn it was only 190 yards. It was baffling. The wind just swirls back there, too. On the other courses, you can get a bearing for where you on in relation to other holes and prevailing wind. On Trails, you are lost. It is also the toughest walk.

[quote name='L3fty' timestamp='1417490359' post='10528845']
im guessing those are the Bandon bucket hats that i read about.
[/quote]
While they are pricy, it was the best investment I made. They made 1.5 days of non-stop rain bearable and comfortable.

[QMany]

[quote name='scratchswinger' timestamp='1417502766' post='10529531']
After this trip how would you rank these course to Sand Hills?
[/quote]
It is unfair to the Bandon courses to compare based on this trip, because the greens this past week were miserably slow. It was really frustrating. I have never had so many 3-putts in my life, and they were all short. I could not hit it hard enough, and everyone I talked to felt the same way.

As far as architecture and layout goes, I think all four courses are comparable to Sand Hills. SH has a few holes on the back that are somewhat forgettable. No really, I've played the course 6-7 times, and I can't remember exactly what 10-14 do. The Bandon courses only have 1-2 holes like this per course.

Due to the greens, I would have to say Sand Hills is better. However, I would rank all four Bandon courses ahead of every other course I have played, including Prairie Dunes, Kiawah-Ocean, and Doral-Blue Monster.

Ranking the Bandon courses against eachother is even tougher ...

[njlam]

How does one get on Sand Hills?

[cdnrockies]

Great review and pics Q. Glad you had a good time even though the weather sucked for part of it.

Weather is a total crapshoot in Feb/Mar. In Feb, I got 36 in the first day and woke up to constant 40-50 mph wind with big rain coming down sideways. Went back in Mar and got another 36 in with next to perfect conditions. Total luck of the draw.

[duffer987]

[quote name='QMany' timestamp='1417534043' post='10530607']
[quote name='scratchswinger' timestamp='1417502766' post='10529531']
After this trip how would you rank these course to Sand Hills?
[/quote]
It is unfair to the Bandon courses to compare based on this trip, because the greens this past week were miserably slow. It was really frustrating. I have never had so many 3-putts in my life, and they were all short. I could not hit it hard enough, and everyone I talked to felt the same way.

[/quote]

We were lucky enough on Tues/Weds to see some bit of pace in Old Mac and Trails were quick-ish on Sunday, but I have to agree 100% on Bandon and Pacific, they were slowwwww - all the rain didn't help that is for sure.
Unfortunately there is no other way to say it, but currently Pacific's greens are simply bad. The ball bounced around on them like a $20 muni.

Like everyone else here, eventhough I've gotten 3 trips in now, during the past 3 years, I am already humming and hawing about February. There are some fantastic collections of courses the public can play in North America, but certainly nothing tops Bandon Dunes Golf Resort

[QMany]

[quote name='duffer987' timestamp='1417541571' post='10531273']
We were lucky enough on Tues/Weds to see some bit of pace in Old Mac and Trails were quick-ish on Sunday, but I have to agree 100% on Bandon and Pacific, they were slowwwww - all the rain didn't help that is for sure.
Unfortunately there is no other way to say it, but currently Pacific's greens are simply bad. The ball bounced around on them like a $20 muni.
[/quote]
I don't know if I have ever seen muni greens around here as slow as the courses I played Thursday-Saturday. I have to agree, Pacific's greens are bad right now, regardless of speed. It looks like Poa or something is creeping into half the green and they are bumpy. I don't know what you can do, I guess. If it rains that hard November-March, are they going to be that slow all the time? I can't afford to return during peak (dry) season.

[quote name='duffer987' timestamp='1417541571' post='10531273']
Like everyone else here, eventhough I've gotten 3 trips in now, during the past 3 years, I am already humming and hawing about February. There are some fantastic collections of courses the public can play in North America, but certainly nothing tops Bandon Dunes Golf Resort
[/quote]
I have to agree, it has to be the best golf destination resort there is. Unfortunately, I don't think I can afford to return until Spring of 2016.

[DeNinny]

Nice pics and write up QMany. Bandon Trails is the best!

[2putttom]

Damn fine write up......Damn fine.

[TheDailyDuffer]

On your day three exploits on PD....Are you pulling a Cosmo Kramer? If so I've done that as well.

You can't call yourself a golf architecture aficionado then go ahead and rank a course ahead of another course because the greens were worse at the one you played in the off season, in terrible weather, at one of the busiest golf resorts in the world. All while the other one receives a fraction of the traffic.

Either way the greens on PD have been taken over by poa annua so they are always going to be bumpy and mediocre. The other courses greens are much better.

Like you C&C are my favorite architects. Its refreshing to hear someone actually looking forward to playing trails. It stinks that you didn't get to see it when its nicer outside as it truly is spectacular. I would classify trails as being criminally underrated. If trails had a fence around it, a 500k initiation fee, and didn't allow women to play people would be ranking it with augusta and pine valley. Its the best course in the PNW and one of the best in general.

If the wind isn't blowing Bandon is defiantly the most playable and maybe the most fun. I like Trails the most followed by Bandon, but if i only had one round i might opt for Bandon. I like PD the least, but that has nothing to do with how good of condition its greens are in. I say the same things that you do about Old Mac all the time. Its completely absurd. I love it, but i can't even begin to compare or rank it with the others as its just too crazy that it even exists in the USA.

[Chris_NH]

[quote name='Bottlenosedolphin' timestamp='1417560935' post='10533177']
I would classify trails as being criminally underrated. If trails had a fence around it, a 500k initiation fee, and didn't allow women to play people would be ranking it with augusta and pine valley.
[/quote]

All together now: Thank you, Mike Keiser.

[w8liftr]

Great trip report! Thanks for sharing.

I would love to take this trip with my dad and a couple friends. It is definitely on my "list".

[QMany]

On your day three exploits on PD....Are you pulling a Cosmo Kramer? If so I've done that as well.

 

You can't call yourself a golf architecture aficionado then go ahead and rank a course ahead of another course because the greens were worse at the one you played in the off season, in terrible weather, at one of the busiest golf resorts in the world. All while the other one receives a fraction of the traffic.

 

Either way the greens on PD have been taken over by poa annua so they are always going to be bumpy and mediocre. The other courses greens are much better.

 

Like you C&C are my favorite architects. Its refreshing to hear someone actually looking forward to playing trails. It stinks that you didn't get to see it when its nicer outside as it truly is spectacular. I would classify trails as being criminally underrated. If trails had a fence around it, a 500k initiation fee, and didn't allow women to play people would be ranking it with augusta and pine valley. Its the best course in the PNW and one of the best in general.

 

If the wind isn't blowing Bandon is defiantly the most playable and maybe the most fun. I like Trails the most followed by Bandon, but if i only had one round i might opt for Bandon. I like PD the least, but that has nothing to do with how good of condition its greens are in. I say the same things that you do about Old Mac all the time. Its completely absurd. I love it, but i can't even begin to compare or rank it with the others as its just too crazy that it even exists in the USA.

I should clarify, I don't think Sand Hills is better just because of the conditions of the greens at Bandon this last week. I think it is a marginally better layout than the Bandon courses, but it is damned close and I'm splitting hairs.

 

I have to agree with you about Trails, it is really underrated. We played it on Friday morning, after Thursdays downpours, and during a good amount of wind and rain. Despite these conditions and slow greens, we walked off the course saying Trails was one of the best we'd ever seen. I was smitten. I would argue that it might have the best collection of par threes in the world, with #5 and #17 leading the way.

 

 

[spud3]

When I was there last Feb, there were a few greens on PD that had some bare spots. Someone on here said they had heard the caddies talking about how the poa had gotten into them and they had to pick it out by hand, thus the bare spots. I wonder if it's just something that will always be a possibility during the dormant months or if its indicative of a larger issue.

My experience is that the greens on BD and PD are really affected by the amount of wind/rain, more so than OM and BT. The rounds I've played in the monsoon conditions required some hefty thumping of the putter to get the ball to the hole, and it was usually throwing a serious rooster tail the whole way. I approached it like when they punch and sand the greens in the fall around here.

One nice thing about it is it takes a lot of the break out....

[duffer987]

[quote name='QMany' timestamp='1417576786' post='10534557']
[quote name='Bottlenosedolphin' timestamp='1417560935' post='10533177']
On your day three exploits on PD....Are you pulling a Cosmo Kramer? If so I've done that as well.

You can't call yourself a golf architecture aficionado then go ahead and rank a course ahead of another course because the greens were worse at the one you played in the off season, in terrible weather, at one of the busiest golf resorts in the world. All while the other one receives a fraction of the traffic.

Either way the greens on PD have been taken over by poa annua so they are always going to be bumpy and mediocre. The other courses greens are much better.

Like you C&C are my favorite architects. Its refreshing to hear someone actually looking forward to playing trails. It stinks that you didn't get to see it when its nicer outside as it truly is spectacular. I would classify trails as being criminally underrated. If trails had a fence around it, a 500k initiation fee, and didn't allow women to play people would be ranking it with augusta and pine valley. Its the best course in the PNW and one of the best in general.

If the wind isn't blowing Bandon is defiantly the most playable and maybe the most fun. I like Trails the most followed by Bandon, but if i only had one round i might opt for Bandon. I like PD the least, but that has nothing to do with how good of condition its greens are in. I say the same things that you do about Old Mac all the time. Its completely absurd. I love it, but i can't even begin to compare or rank it with the others as its just too crazy that it even exists in the USA.
[/quote]
I should clarify, I don't think Sand Hills is better just because of the conditions of the greens at Bandon this last week. I think it is a marginally better layout than the Bandon courses, but it is damned close and I'm splitting hairs.

I have to agree with you about Trails, it is really underrated. We played it on Friday morning, after Thursdays downpours, and during a good amount of wind and rain. Despite these conditions and slow greens, we walked off the course saying Trails was one of the best we'd ever seen. I was smitten. I would argue that it might have the best collection of par threes in the world, with #5 and #17 leading the way.

[/quote]

But does continually calling something underrated then make it overrated
Kidding aside, you can 'find' parts of Trails in other public courses around the US, whether it be C&C's work at places like We-Ko-Pa, Talking Stick, Dormie Club, or courses like Poppy Hills and Pine Needles. So while it doesn't diminish any of the quality of Trails, I personally find it makes it a bit less special than Pacific, Bandon, and Old Mac, which really are one offs and the only three courses of their kind available to the public in the US.

[deadsolid...shank]

[quote name='QMany' timestamp='1417541842' post='10531307']
[quote name='duffer987' timestamp='1417541571' post='10531273']
We were lucky enough on Tues/Weds to see some bit of pace in Old Mac and Trails were quick-ish on Sunday, but I have to agree 100% on Bandon and Pacific, they were slowwwww - all the rain didn't help that is for sure.
Unfortunately there is no other way to say it, but currently Pacific's greens are simply bad. The ball bounced around on them like a $20 muni.
[/quote]
I don't know if I have ever seen muni greens around here as slow as the courses I played Thursday-Saturday. I have to agree, Pacific's greens are bad right now, regardless of speed. It looks like Poa or something is creeping into half the green and they are bumpy. I don't know what you can do, I guess. If it rains that hard November-March, are they going to be that slow all the time? I can't afford to return during peak (dry) season.

[quote name='duffer987' timestamp='1417541571' post='10531273']
Like everyone else here, eventhough I've gotten 3 trips in now, during the past 3 years, I am already humming and hawing about February. There are some fantastic collections of courses the public can play in North America, but certainly nothing tops Bandon Dunes Golf Resort
[/quote]
I have to agree, it has to be the best golf destination resort there is. Unfortunately, I don't think I can afford to return until Spring of 2016.
[/quote]

Q, if you don't mind putting it out there, what did a trip like this end up costing you? Or PM me if that is better.

[QMany]

[quote name='deadsolid...shank' timestamp='1417614377' post='10535731']
Q, if you don't mind putting it out there, what did a trip like this end up costing you? Or PM me if that is better.
[/quote]
I don't mind discussing the specifics, as most is listed on their site. Here is a basic rundown (per person).

[url="http://www.bandondunesgolf.com/lodging/rates"]Lodging[/url]: The Inn Forest Double $150 per night X 4 nights = $600 total. $300 pp.
[url="http://www.bandondunesgolf.com/green-fees"]Golf[/url]: Four rounds X $75 + 1 replay $40 + Preserve $50 = $390 pp.
Rental car and gas: $400 total. $200 pp.
Flight: $500 pp.
[url="http://www.bandondunesgolf.com/food-spirits/restaurants"]Food and adult beverages[/url]: $30-$40 per day. $150 pp.
[url="http://www.bandondunesgolf.com/golf/caddies-services"]Caddie[/url]: $100 pp.
[b]TOTAL: $1,600-1,650.[/b]

Note, there is no sales tax in Oregon.

[baby-g]

[quote name='w8liftr' timestamp='1417576246' post='10534511']
Great trip report! Thanks for sharing.

I would love to take this trip with my dad and a couple friends. It is definitely on my "list".
[/quote]

I returned a week ago today from a Bandon trip with my dad and two friends. It was a blast and glad I was able to share it with my dad. We played 36 a day so that was a little rough on his legs but he just used a caddie for the afternoon rounds while the rest of us carried.

[deadsolid...shank]

[quote name='QMany' timestamp='1417616979' post='10535903']
[quote name='deadsolid...shank' timestamp='1417614377' post='10535731']
Q, if you don't mind putting it out there, what did a trip like this end up costing you? Or PM me if that is better.
[/quote]
I don't mind discussing the specifics, as most is listed on their site. Here is a basic rundown (per person).

[url="http://www.bandondunesgolf.com/lodging/rates"]Lodging[/url]: The Inn Forest Double $150 per night X 4 nights = $600 total. $300 pp.
[url="http://www.bandondunesgolf.com/green-fees"]Golf[/url]: Four rounds X $75 + 1 replay $40 + Preserve $50 = $390 pp.
Rental car and gas: $400 total. $200 pp.
Flight: $500 pp.
[url="http://www.bandondunesgolf.com/food-spirits/restaurants"]Food and adult beverages[/url]: $30-$40 per day. $150 pp.
[url="http://www.bandondunesgolf.com/golf/caddies-services"]Caddie[/url]: $100 pp.
[b]TOTAL: $1,600-1,650.[/b]

Note, there is no sales tax in Oregon.
[/quote]

Thanks Q. Thats not as bad as I expected. I wonder how much it jumps in prime season. Was there usually enough daylight for 36?

[QMany]

[quote name='deadsolid...shank' timestamp='1417624201' post='10536451']
I wonder how much it jumps in prime season.
[/quote]
Of course, flights/food/car are going to stay the same. I would plan on golf prices to triple and lodging prices to double. [url="http://www.bandondunesgolf.com/lodging/rates2015"]2015 lodging rates[/url]. [url="http://www.bandondunesgolf.com/green-fees2015"]2015 greens fees[/url].

[quote name='deadsolid...shank' timestamp='1417624201' post='10536451']
Was there usually enough daylight for 36?
[/quote]
If you plan it right, there is [i]plenty [/i]of time. The key is getting that early tee time to start. On Friday, we were the second group off of Trails at 7:40. I think we finished in about four hours. We went to the Trails clubhouse for lunch. I watched the end of 4Q of Nebraska/Iowa game there. I went to room for OT. I changed my clothes and shoes. We hopped in a shuttle to Pacific. We looked around the Pro Shop for a few minutes (awesome Seamus headcovers). We finally walked on about 1:40 and didn't see another group on the course. We finished in three hours easily with 20 minutes of daylight to spare. Even if you are pushing it, each course is going to have a loop of holes that you can do or a good place to cut the round short.