Just Got Back From Bandon

[LukeDonaldsTiger]

Sounds fantastic. Would love to go, but it’s on the wrong end of the globe for me.

Wicked respect for walking 36 three days in a row after 54 on day one! I’m turning 40 and am in good shape, but you have one hell of a will and stamina. Never change!

[jckrjr7]

Have a tripped booked in late July. Looking forward to it although not sure I’ll be in walking shape. It’s already pushing triple digits here in Austin.

Which course has the best range if you’ve got some time to kill? Sure I’ll hang out at the punch bowl a good amount too.

[dethman]

Thinking of heading up solo from SoCal and doing all 5+1 in 3 days. No buddies invested enough in golf to go all the way to Portland. Wife and the kids won’t be too happy tho =D

I guess 14 hours driving would probably be too long by myself though prob would have to fly.

[az2au]

The individual courses don’t have driving ranges. There’s just one big practice center.

[TechBroker]

Headed there next month. Thanks so much for this and glad you had a blast.

[shackmangolf]

We are headed up in two weeks for solstice. 18 on Saturday, 54 on Sunday, 18 on Monday, 72 on Tuesday (plus preserve!).

You got really lucky on weather.

A couple of questions:

1) Was the halfway houses open?

2) What caddies did you have? Any suggestions? You are are similar players and similar ages And we both suffer from the AAI. Looking for fun caddies who are really funny but also good players.

3) Why were PacDunes greens so bad? Did you find out?

[spud3]

And the Practice Center is amazing... you could easily spend a whole day there.

 

It's also centrally located - you're only about a 5 min shuttle from any other course, except the Sheep Ranch, which is probably about 10 min from the lodge.

[Rfdong]

If I remember right, I believe you can get a cart if you are handicapped or medical condition that precludes walking. check with the resort.

[spud3]

You need a Dr's note (literally) and must hire a forecaddie to drive.

[tjblue]

ridiculous.

[spud3]

In all the trips I've taken there, I can count the number of players I've seen in a cart on one hand.

[az2au]

I've never seen even 1 person in my 5 trips.

[puttnforthe8]

Pretty useless comment! What is "ridiculous" the Dr note or the forecaddie? The purpose of the forecaddie is because of the routes a cart has to take to get around the course - they don't just drive wherever and people don't know those routes. The Dr note - seems simple, so people don't just take a cart for the sake of it.

[tjblue]

What do you suppose the rate is for the ride.....more or less than Uber?

[carrera]

Call caddie services and ask (you probably will have to leave a message). Bandon is very transparent about the costs associated with play at the resort.

(541) 347-5909

[spud3]

If you're talking about the forecaddie, going rate is about $100/round. plus tip

[jrg75]

@spud3 is spot on. I went a few years ago with a friend of mine who is in his late 60s. He played all four of the big courses but on the last day when we went down for breakfast just prior to our last tee time, his legs gave out and he didn't think he could make an additional loop. He spoke to the proshop and they were very accommodating and polite about the situation. They did arrange a cart for him, driven by a forecaddie for $100 plus tip. It was the only time I've ever seen a cart at Bandon. I'm guessing the norm would be a Dr. Note prior to your visit but I think they are willing to work with people.

[tjblue]

100 plus tip for the day would be worth the cost for 36...18 not so much.

[jrg75]

100 to drive somewhere around for 8-10 hours for 36 holes of golf doesn't seem all that reasonable to me, that's barely Oregon minimum wage....

I personally love Bandon's cart policy, the place is so beautiful and even better when walking and not littered with carts.

 

[Gripit_Swiftit]

@tjblue It sounds like Bandon is not the place for you to enjoy a golf trip.
@shackmangolf Just got back from a week there, I didn't see a single cart the entire time. All of the comfort stations (refreshment houses, sugar shacks, halfway houses, whatever you call them) were open. The day we left they were re-opening anything that had remained closed since March (Massage center, all restaurants and bars, etc)
Caddies are $100/round + tip, so plan on $125/ round at least. We had the same caddie all week and he was awesome. Made a huge difference with reading putts and providing good aiming points for shots. Send me a PM if you want the recommendation.
Pac Dunes' greens were a bit rough during our second round and the explanation was that because they don't ever punch their greens, sometimes they have to rough them up to get any drainage to work otherwise the water just pools on them. However, the greens weren't so bad that they ruined the experience by any stretch. Just a few spots that were noticeable when you walked up on them, but they utilized pin positions away from them.

[tjblue]

Very true...hopefully someday that will change.

[tjblue]

100 plus tip sounds like a perfect opportunity for high school or college aspiring caddies to make a few bucks.

Imagine you’re 16 and get to hang out at Bandon all day. Bonus... you’re getting paid!

[spud3]

The caddie program at Bandon is first class. The experienced guys have looped at the best courses in the world.

 

As for the kids, their Evans Scholarship program is one of the strongest in the country.

 

It ain't Caddyshack....

 

[ETgolf]

I am leaving tomorrow to spend 4 days out there. Second time going, first since sheep ranch opened obviously. 6 rounds in 4 days, double dipping at SR. Cant wait!

[bw72]

July 1-5 here. Originally staying offsite due to it being fully booked but there were enough cancellations we are now onsite the whole stay. Driving up from SF. Besides Northwood, any recommendations for courses along the way? Likely staying in Eureka to split the drive up into two

[jjthomp2]

I'll be there the exact same dates as you. What's your schedule look like?

[wingfoot64]

I need some new golf buddies, I would have to go solo as well. I'd never be able to get any of mine to make that trip out there and drop that kind of money, I had to do a solo trip to play Sawgrass one year, couldn't find anyone to pay a few hundred bucks to go.

I am 56 years old and pretty good shape but I know I need to get up there soon before I do have a hard time walking 18+ holes a day.

[bw72]

warm up at preserve on the 1st, pac dunes + sheep ranch on the 2nd, old mac + bandon dunes on the 3rd, trails and sheep ranch again on the 4th, and a getaway round at pac dunes on the 5th! 1st time for us going

[carrera]

There is a little nine hole course in Mendocino at the Little River Inn (or there used to be) that is nothing special but pleasant to play. The inn itself is nice. Mendocino is a bit off 101, though. Golf – Little River InnI have never driven on 101 from Bay Area all the way to Oregon...I have always driven 5, so I don't have any other suggestions.

[Obee]

Anyone going to be there the end of June?