Random Bandon Thread

[Pepetito]

I got the ok from the wife to go for my 40th...in October 2025.  Gonna be a long few years lol.

 

Also, this thread is incredibly helpful for a first timer.

Edited December 8, 2022 by Pepetito
added text

[knock it close]

12 hours ago, puttnforthe8 said:

would do Preserve in Day 2 afternoon and Old Mac Day 3 morning.  OM windy afternoons are much tougher.

 

and agree...finish with Bandon - 2 rounds at Bandon is, imo, much better.

 I agree getting preserve in the afternoon, can play in big groups, have some drinks, perfect relaxing afternoon, it would be hard to go out and grind after.

 

Only thing is OM and then Trails is the toughest walk on the property, the caddies call it the caddy killer.

 

Also agree I'd rather finish with BD than OM and I'd try to get Pac in the afternoon after sheep rather than back to back sheep. This is perfect world and nitpicking though. 

[graveydellic]

Speaking of OM, I have an admission to make.  I have been to Bandon in '04, '19, '20, '21 and going again in 2 weeks...and I have never played the back 9 at OM.  

 

In the winter the days are so short, and I like Trails too much to ever skip it, and the other rounds I prefer to be on the water.  Mix in tee times, random closures, etc and I have never played the full 18, and doesn't look like I will later this month.  I have played 1-10 on a couple occasions though, but I feel like I am missing a piece of my Bandon journey without that full back 9 (yet, I do nothing to change that)

[CDM]

13 hours ago, puttnforthe8 said:

would do Preserve in Day 2 afternoon and Old Mac Day 3 morning.  OM windy afternoons are much tougher.

 

and agree...finish with Bandon - 2 rounds at Bandon is, imo, much better.

 

I think the Preserve is debatable.  Given the price I would just play another regulation course.    At least that was the feeling after playing it, should of played PD or BD again.  

[gambit]

1 hour ago, CDM said:

 

I think the Preserve is debatable.  Given the price I would just play another regulation course.    At least that was the feeling after playing it, should of played PD or BD again.  

I really dig the preserve. It's super chill and relaxing, but for me I was able to find my swing and work on it with real shots before next day's round.

[puttnforthe8]

2 hours ago, CDM said:

 

I think the Preserve is debatable.  Given the price I would just play another regulation course.    At least that was the feeling after playing it, should of played PD or BD again.  

Oh...sure, agreed - was just using their current list of courses.  

 

Preserve is great to finish a day - play as an 12some, drink, take 3 clubs, etc.

Edited December 8, 2022 by puttnforthe8

[jvincent]

3 hours ago, graveydellic said:

Speaking of OM, I have an admission to make.  I have been to Bandon in '04, '19, '20, '21 and going again in 2 weeks...and I have never played the back 9 at OM.  

 

 

 

You have to fix that. 16 at Old Mac is one of my favourite holes on the property.

[VNutz]

8 minutes ago, jvincent said:

 

You have to fix that. 16 at Old Mac is one of my favourite holes on the property.

Was gonna say, that stretch coming in on Old Mac is pretty dang cool, especially towards the end of the day. Some fun holes down the back as well.

[me05501]

On 12/1/2022 at 12:06 PM, dcmidnight said:

 

Trails was my favorite place to go when we went in Oct 2020, best menu and most unique food. 

 

But I agree about the staffing issues, the place can only get so big before they really start to bump into that ceiling. Its not in the kind of place where you can easily add a bunch of new service positions.

 

 

Since they're already neck deep in the hospitality business, you have to wonder if they'll ever try staff housing. I know a lot of seasonal resorts  do this already. 

[Double Mocha Man]

5 hours ago, graveydellic said:

I have been to Bandon in '04, '19, '20, '21 and going again in 2 weeks...

 

You may be approaching a world record for consecutive years played there...

[knock it close]

1 hour ago, me05501 said:

 

Since they're already neck deep in the hospitality business, you have to wonder if they'll ever try staff housing. I know a lot of seasonal resorts  do this already. 

I'm like 98% sure they do have staff housing 

[graveydellic]

41 minutes ago, Double Mocha Man said:

 

You may be approaching a world record for consecutive years played there...

 

Ha, I just like that I went when I was 13 years old and there were only 2 courses.  I've lucked out on consecutive years now, the solo winter trip now seems to be baked into my calendar forever with blessing from the wife.  In 20 and 21 I was supposed to go with my wife and then dad, respectively.  Both had to bail last minute so I ended up solo.  This will be year 3 solo, and my wife doesn't count it against the annual buddies trip I take elsewhere and my 1-2 golf trips I take with my dad every year.  Big win for me.  

[SouthLand]

Tee Times were scarce when we booked…last year. Regardless, so pumped for what’s happening in appx 36 hours (will be leaving SoCal early Saturday).
 

12/11/2022 Trails 9:00 AM

12/11/2022 Preserve 2:45 PM

12/12/2022 Trails 10:40 AM

12/13/2022 Bandon 9:40 AM

12/14/2022 Pacific 8:00 AM

12/14/2022 Old Mac 1:00 PM

12/15/2022 Sheep 8:00 AM

[Maroon_19]

Question on golf bags for Bandon caddies.  I currently carry a Vessel Player 3 bag.  Have both the standard double strap and a wider, single caddy strap for the bag.  Will caddies carry that bag?  Or should I look for something lighter just for this trip?  What bags are you guys taking that the caddies are carrying without need to switch out bags?

At Pinehurst this last May, my caddy was grinnig ear to ear when he saw the Vessel with the single strap, so it was good enough for him there.

Edited December 9, 2022 by Maroon_19

[Pepetito]

On that note, what do the caddies do with a bag that has double strap only?

[10&8]

It really depends on the caddie. I just got back a few weeks ago and brought a Jones Trouper R with. My caddie really liked the bag and said he was gonna get one for himself. The double strap was zero issue, and I even asked if I should remove one of them, but he was more than ok with it. I’d recommend reaching out to your caddie ahead of time to check which bag they prefer. I emailed mine ahead of time about bringing a Mackenzie walker, but he preferred a stand bag. 

[doc52]

1 hour ago, Maroon_19 said:

Question on golf bags for Bandon caddies.  I currently carry a Vessel Player 3 bag.  Have both the standard double strap and a wider, single caddy strap for the bag.  Will caddies carry that bag?  Or should I look for something lighter just for this trip?  What bags are you guys taking that the caddies are carrying without need to switch out bags?

At Pinehurst this last May, my caddy was grinnig ear to ear when he saw the Vessel with the single strap, so it was good enough for him there.

 

The Vessel should be fine, if there is an issue I believe they have bags that they switch your gear into for the round.

[doc52]

1 hour ago, Pepetito said:

On that note, what do the caddies do with a bag that has double strap only?

 

They will just utilize one of the straps.

[VNutz]

2 hours ago, Maroon_19 said:

Question on golf bags for Bandon caddies.  I currently carry a Vessel Player 3 bag.  Have both the standard double strap and a wider, single caddy strap for the bag.  Will caddies carry that bag?  Or should I look for something lighter just for this trip?  What bags are you guys taking that the caddies are carrying without need to switch out bags?

At Pinehurst this last May, my caddy was grinnig ear to ear when he saw the Vessel with the single strap, so it was good enough for him there.

There's a guy at check-in that picks up every bag and determines if it's too heavy. If so they'll switch it out with a bag they have on hand, last time they had a bunch of Cobra bags. Usually it's not the bag that makes the biggest difference, it's how much gear you've got stuffed into it. But I do recall my first time I went that my Stitch SL1 was kind of a new thing, and many of the caddies that were in my group said they loved carrying those.

[Double Mocha Man]

2 hours ago, Maroon_19 said:

Question on golf bags for Bandon caddies.  I currently carry a Vessel Player 3 bag.  Have both the standard double strap and a wider, single caddy strap for the bag.  Will caddies carry that bag?  Or should I look for something lighter just for this trip?  What bags are you guys taking that the caddies are carrying without need to switch out bags?

At Pinehurst this last May, my caddy was grinnig ear to ear when he saw the Vessel with the single strap, so it was good enough for him there.

 

Several years ago at Pebble Beach my caddy swapped out my single strap bag for a double strap. But he left behind my windbreaker/ rain jacket.  Walking up hole #6 it got windy and chilly. So they sent a guy from the pro shop in a power cart out to #7 to deliver my windbreaker.

[jkody]

4 hours ago, 10&8 said:

It really depends on the caddie. I just got back a few weeks ago and brought a Jones Trouper R with. My caddie really liked the bag and said he was gonna get one for himself. The double strap was zero issue, and I even asked if I should remove one of them, but he was more than ok with it. I’d recommend reaching out to your caddie ahead of time to check which bag they prefer. I emailed mine ahead of time about bringing a Mackenzie walker, but he preferred a stand bag. 

 

No caddy anywhere that I have seen wants a non-stand bag, especially if they are double-bagging it.

 

I was there a few weeks ago and my bag is so light that my caddy just started laughing when he picked it up, and over the next few days routinely had other people lift it up so they could marvel at it, and I carry 14 clubs. But it's a Titleist Players 4 Carbon (2.8 lbs) and I keep almost nothing in it except for 5 balls and a few tees. So do your caddy a favor and ditch your stuff (you do not need a range finder, etc.)

[2bGood]

6 hours ago, Maroon_19 said:

Question on golf bags for Bandon caddies.  I currently carry a Vessel Player 3 bag.  Have both the standard double strap and a wider, single caddy strap for the bag.  Will caddies carry that bag?  Or should I look for something lighter just for this trip?  What bags are you guys taking that the caddies are carrying without need to switch out bags?

At Pinehurst this last May, my caddy was grinnig ear to ear when he saw the Vessel with the single strap, so it was good enough for him there.

 

I would not go out and buy a bag for your caddie, if they don't like your bag, they have caddie bags there that they will switch over to. 

6 hours ago, Pepetito said:

On that note, what do the caddies do with a bag that has double strap only?

 

They just use one strap if they double bag

40 minutes ago, jkody said:

 

No caddy anywhere that I have seen wants a non-stand bag, especially if they are double-bagging it.

 

I was there a few weeks ago and my bag is so light that my caddy just started laughing when he picked it up, and over the next few days routinely had other people lift it up so they could marvel at it, and I carry 14 clubs. But it's a Titleist Players 4 Carbon (2.8 lbs) and I keep almost nothing in it except for 5 balls and a few tees. So do your caddy a favor and ditch your stuff (you do not need a range finder, etc.)

 

This.

 

I carry almost all the time and use an ultra light bag, with 3 balls, my range finder and not much else. Keep it light and dont be one of those jerks that load up your bag because someone else is carrying it. 

[503Mike]

On 12/8/2022 at 12:40 PM, Double Mocha Man said:

 

You may be approaching a world record for consecutive years played there...

 

Just logged my 5th consecutive this year. It certainly helps to have a boss who insists on taking me every year and footing the bill. Probably helps that we live 3.5 hours away too. Good boss.

[Double Mocha Man]

6 minutes ago, 503Mike said:

 

Just logged my 5th consecutive this year. It certainly helps to have a boss who insists on taking me every year and footing the bill. Probably helps that we live 3.5 hours away too. Good boss.

 

Can I get a job at your firm?

[503Mike]

1 minute ago, Double Mocha Man said:

 

Can I get a job at your firm?

 

Of course! But the real question is whether you can get one of the jobs that gets you on the annual invite list. He takes down a foursome (including himself) every year and no one in the foursome is near retirement yet, so chances are slim for you! 

 

We all laugh about our luck in working for someone who loves golf and runs the company well enough to help us enjoy the game on his dime.

[Double Mocha Man]

3 minutes ago, 503Mike said:

...no one in the foursome is near retirement yet, so chances are slim for you! 

 

So you're saying I'm too young...

[banister]

Just booked a 3 night solo trip for Feb/March 2023! Was lucky to get lodging for my last night there and booked a room at Bandon Inn for the first 2. Will be checking in periodically to see if any rooms at the Lodge free up the first two nights. Planning on 3 days of golf. Day 1, I will have to call in 21 days ahead of time to book. Day 2: Bandon Dunes @ 7:50, Trails @ 1:00, Day 3: Old Mac 9:50, might try to add on a final round at the Preserve after lunch, then fly out of Eugene at 8:20. Hopefully I'll be able to book both Sheep Ranch and Pacific Dunes on day 1. Thanks for all the good info here in this thread and forum. So pumped!

[Double Mocha Man]

33 minutes ago, banister said:

Just booked a 3 night solo trip for Feb/March 2023! Was lucky to get lodging for my last night there and booked a room at Bandon Inn for the first 2. Will be checking in periodically to see if any rooms at the Lodge free up the first two nights. Planning on 3 days of golf. Day 1, I will have to call in 21 days ahead of time to book. Day 2: Bandon Dunes @ 7:50, Trails @ 1:00, Day 3: Old Mac 9:50, might try to add on a final round at the Preserve after lunch, then fly out of Eugene at 8:20. Hopefully I'll be able to book both Sheep Ranch and Pacific Dunes on day 1. Thanks for all the good info here in this thread and forum. So pumped!

 

That's coming up so soon you can already start dreaming... (and practicing)

[eboettne]

On 12/9/2022 at 6:02 PM, banister said:

Just booked a 3 night solo trip for Feb/March 2023! Was lucky to get lodging for my last night there and booked a room at Bandon Inn for the first 2. Will be checking in periodically to see if any rooms at the Lodge free up the first two nights. Planning on 3 days of golf. Day 1, I will have to call in 21 days ahead of time to book. Day 2: Bandon Dunes @ 7:50, Trails @ 1:00, Day 3: Old Mac 9:50, might try to add on a final round at the Preserve after lunch, then fly out of Eugene at 8:20. Hopefully I'll be able to book both Sheep Ranch and Pacific Dunes on day 1. Thanks for all the good info here in this thread and forum. So pumped!

Will be there feb 25th-March 1st. Here’s to hoping we both have good weather!

[graveydellic]

I already know I’ll be getting nasty weather when I’m there in a couple weeks.  But in the winter it’s expected, and it doesn’t matter at Bandon if you just embrace it.  Give me 30mph and raining sideways and I’ll be smiling ear to ear, just happy to be there everytime.