Bandon advice -- playability for seniors (and June vs. Oct)

[wxworkoff]

Hi all,

 

I'm looking for some candid advice about Bandon. *Slumps shoulders in shame for bringing up another Bandon Dunes post*

 

My stepfather and uncle have always wanted to go to either Bandon, basically since it opened. (Well, me too. Me more than anyone. I'm using them for the excuse of going so my wife will let me leave her with our one year old for 5 days without any grief). We take a golf/beer trip every year, and always put off Bandon to some point in the future. But not anymore. So, I'm in the early stages of planning the trip for 2018 (either late June or early October).

 

I've been pouring through old posts and threads and have gotten a gluttony of fantastic info on most of the necessities. However, I need some help regarding the older guys..and I'm hoping for some candid feedback and advice:

 

The guys are in their mid 60's, and love the game. But, they aren't necessarily good at it. They're in the 25-30 handicap range. They smoke. They never walk when they play. They get around fine...but are never in a rush.

 

Can two guys, who aren't in the greatest physical condition, enjoy Bandon? Can I (shoot in the 82-85 range) enjoy it while with them? Anyone have any advice on how to maximize their chances of having the vacation of their lives? I'm also worried they may get caught up in pace-of-play issues, and certainly don't want to bother marshals or other guests. Plus, I'm sure they wouldn't enjoy getting harped on for slow play at every hole while their feet are killing them.

 

I think I have an ok game plan: make sure they have caddies, only play 18 a day, and perhaps start off a little later (after 10am) in hopes of getting out where a bit slower pace may not be such a big deal.

 

I'm probably making way to big of a deal about this, but I want to get this right, and I know I'll get good feedback from the community from people who have been to Bandon before. So, I appreciate any help!

 

Also, any opinions on June versus October? I know, I know-- it's always a crap shoot or sorts...but I haven't seen lot of posts from people who visited during these times. Perhaps I got woozy from reading threads and missed them.

[Matt J]

I think October is better than June. Less wind, more chance for sun.

 

Good plan, IMO.

 

Maybe use it as encouragement for them to exercise some before the trip. Maybe consult a physician first :)

[spud3]

I think your plan is a good one. I'd suggest individual caddies for your partners, as they may be in a lot of wildly different places on the courses, and a caddie that is double-bagging may be in for a really difficult gig. The caddies will do a good job in making sure you're keeping pace, so you won't have to. You might want to mention your concerns to the caddies (discretely, of course) before the round, so they know what to expect. They will make your stepdad and uncle feel like Tour players by the end of the round. Tip them well.

 

Last time I was there, they were "reserving" the early tee times (before 9:30 or so) for faster players, with a target pace of under 4 hours. Truth is, especially in June when it is really busy, they probably won't be slowing anyone down. And you can always let them bail out after 9/12/15 holes if their bodies aren't up for a full round. Make sure you get as much golf in as you want, too - set them up in the Bunker Bar while you go play another round in the evening.

 

And don't worry too much - if they love golf, they will have the trip of a lifetime... so will you!

[nycgolf529]

Not to hijack, I'm in somewhat the same boat. Going with my dad who is 64, though he plays almost everyday and walks those rounds.

We decided to go the caddie route and I called and asked if we would could possibly have two loops, instead of a guy doubling since we think it will slow the round down quite a bit since we play pretty different golf. Not sure if it will happen since we opted for August which I'm sure will be busy.

 

 

Spud, are the rounds that slow during peak season? Are we talking over 5 hours on a weekday at the end of August?

[spud3]

It will help if you have two caddie names to request, instead of just showing up and saying you want caddies (search the NW forum for lots of threads with caddies recommended). I think it's common for the caddymaster to try to have guys double bag, because they obviously make more $ that way. But I don't know of anyone who requested single baggers that got turned down. You're paying the same amount. Why not get your own caddie?

 

The resort can get busy in the summer months, even on weekdays. Pacific has been the course most apt to slow rounds, in my experience. That said, I don't think I've ever taken more than 4:30 or so for a round. YMMV.

 

Thing is: even if it's a long round, you don't really care. You're at Bandon...

[nycgolf529]

Appreciate the advice. I requested Aaron hill for one, but didn't give a name for the other caddy. I'll look around for another name to request.

[wxworkoff]

I'm glad to hear someone else is in the boat with me. I figured that this must be a common concern/issue, given all the people who make the pilgrimage to Bandon each year. Everything I've read has calmed my concerns a bit.

 

The individual caddy recommendation is a great one, thanks spud. (I have learned a ton from your posting in Bandon forums, and want to let you know how much I appreciate it). BTW...any advice as to how far in advance I should call to reserve caddies?

 

NYC, keep me in mind about how things turn out on your trip. Seems your dad will handle Brandon just fine, especially since he's a walker, but any advice you may have about the experience of securing individual caddies, which courses your dad found easiest to walk, pace of play (we're considering next August now too, because nobody in my group can make a g*****n decision) would be really helpful.

 

Even though our trip is over a year away, it's amazing how excited a grown man can get over this trip.

[nycgolf529]

We booked in December for the upcoming August. I've been excited everyday since.

We were in the same boat, spoke about a trip somewhere for a couple years, finally just pulled the trigger.

I will definitely pick his brain about which courses were easiest to walk for him.

Our schedule is:

We arrive on a Tuesday afternoon, I booked a time at the preserve but I'm told we can cancel if need be. I think we will just hit some balls on the range and go play the punchbowl that first night. I booked a double almost everyday since we can cancel the second time without hassle.

Day 1: AM Bandon / PM Bandon

Day 2: AM Pacific / PM Preserve

Day 3: AM Trails / PM Pacific

Day 4: Old Mac

 

It sounds ambitious but we will likely only do 36 one day since we have been told an afternoon evening round on the Oceanside courses is an experience.

 

My biggest concern are his feet actually. He complains about shoes pretty often, and that combined with him being diabetic has me a little nervous. He's played 12 rounds the past 15 days so I don't know why I'm nervous about him.

 

I requested to caddies and gave some names, but I understand the more popular caddies may prefer a double bag so I may not get them. I still think single bag caddies will make the round faster and less walking for my dad.

[Edaw68]

I fully endorse the caddy plan for anyone with pace of play concerns. The caddies at Bandon are excellent at being hybrid cheerleader/marshalls and keeping pace up. None of the courses are particularly hard walks if you have caddies. And if you're concerned that the pace is slow, the later morning tee time is a good idea. Don't be afraid to let groups play through if you aren't keeping up. Just because it's Bandon doesn't mean regular golf etiquette doesn't apply.

 

Have fun! At Bandon it is more important to be enthusiastic about golf than good at golf.

[The Pearl]

I am late to this thread so hopefully the OP will come back around.

 

Individual caddies is the first and best advice. Another item that will help your situation is to move up to the Gold or Blue Tees. Nearly everybody plays the standard Green tees. I played a round with some great guys from the West Coast last year and they were probably 15 to 20+ hdcps. They played the Gold's and I moved up with them and had a blast. There are few, if any forced carries and the fairways are links fairways so very generous. They will probably struggle around the green's more so than anywhere else, SO encourage them, in fact, insist that they putt everything. Usually the caddies will prod them to use the putters.