Just Got Back From Bandon

[spud3]

Depends on whether you are willing to pay a lot more for better weather averages. It's all percentage chance of good weather (even in the summer you can get a pretty decent storm), and depending on how willing you are to play in not great weather, you can get decent deals in the off-season. All the pricing is on the site, and it is priced according to the likelihood of sunshine.

 

If you have good raingear (read: 'GoreTex') and are not afraid to use it, go for the deals in the off-season. If you want the best chance for good weather, go in July or August.

 

But go...

[jjthomp2]

anyone that can report? still no bunker rakes? all restaurants are dine in now correct?

[spud3]

https://www.bandonsafepractices.golf/

[Serenity Now]

Go when you can go. You will drive yourself crazy if you try and pick the perfect time to go based on weather. I have played in shorts in November and March and it can blow 50 in July or August. Weather is just part of the experience. I cannot stress enough the importance of having high end rain gear. I know guys who went to Bandon once with cheap windbreakers who had miserable trips. I have not had a bad trip and have played in every type of conditions imagineable.

I am scheduled to go to Ireland in August. Because of Covid, I am calling the airlines and cancelling today. Hopefully, we will be able to go next April. I am bummed but life goes on.

In the mean time, I have decided to go back to Bandon in 3 weeks and I am going alone because I can. All my buddies have stuff going on but I am not going to miss out on another adventure just because I will be solo.

 

Expensive? Yes, Worth every dime? You better believe it!

[Mullenboy]

If only you could warm up for this trip by going somewhere great a week or so before this. Wouldn't that be awesome? :)

For all who have gone there or are going there during the pandemic, be safe - if not for yourself, then for the others around you.

 

[rzitup]

Heading to Bandon the end of September, and looking for caddie recommendations. Will be playing 10 rounds in 5 days, and would love to find someone good to have with for the week.

Since it looks like several of you will be up there in the coming months, and some probably have recommendations already;

Looking for someone that isn't lazy, doesn't talk too much but can take some ribbing, and reads the greens well!

[Serenity Now]

I just booked solo trip July 20-21-22. Flying thru SFO into N Bend and taking shuttle to resort. 18 Monday afternoon on Bandon, then 54 on Tuesday Pac Dunes, Sheep Ranch & Old Mac then Wed morn on Trails before heading back to airport for journey home. My wife won't even notice I was gone! Have done Long Range sport fishing as a solo but this will be my first golf adventure by myself. Looking forward to meeting new interesting people who share my passion for this great game! Just bought "Scotland's Gift" to read on plane and in my room,

Considering my last trip included a 14 hour drive, this will be interesting to see the difference. Let the wait begin!

[Obee]

Fall is best, by all accounts. Sept, Oct, Nov.

[mallrat]

Honestly it depends on what you are looking for. In summer you will have your best chance of no rain however there is about a 98% chance of strong winds. Also you are going at the busiest most expensive time of the year.

Late Spring and early Fall are almost the best times of year in terms of lowered prices, warmer weather and hours of daylight. Now any time is technically a gamble on weather but here it is even a little less so. In this window you will get some of the best days Bandon has to offer but also some of the worst.

Late Fall, Winter and early Spring are there own thing. Here you have the best deals but minimal daylight. It is often hard to get 36 in both daylight hours and Getting tee times that allow it. I look at trips in this window as 1 great day, 1 average day and 1 Horrible day. In this time frame you are generally going to have lower average winds but be prepared for biblical days; the only time I have ever backed out of a round was a forecast of an inch and a half of rain with steady 45 mph winds and gusts up to 60, and that is in 15-18 trips. Now for many of us this is where price comes in. 3 nights, 3 days and driving down I’m generally in for around $800 food included. That’s 2 days of 18+, sometimes that means 36 sometimes it means 27 or it might mean paying $55 grabbing a 1/2 bag of clubs and playing my way out to the coast sitting down and watching the sunset with a flask and wandering back in when I feel like it.

As said above, just go. Solo or as a group, JUST GO, you won’t regret it one bit

[spud3]

How did the tourney go, Obee?

[Obee]

Had a blast! My son had the full swing yips going for 2.5/4 rounds, So we were not exactly competitive. But this was, first and foremost, a father-son trip. Had an absolute blast with my boy. Will post some videos soon. And for those of you who have not been to Bandon, You simply must go. Just do whatever it takes. It is that good.

[spud3]

You know, it's interesting to hear about another golfer getting the full-swing yips at Bandon. Especially first-timers. It happened to me for the first couple trips, and one nightmare round on PD a couple years ago (in absolutely perfect weather, no less).

 

I think the "star struck" factor is big there, what with all the hype and anticipation that usually goes along with a trip. I know it took me a few times before I finally settled down and got the right mindset ("they're just golf courses..."). But I hear/read lots of stories about folks going and essentially forgetting how to swing a golf club.

 

Glad you guys had a good time. Can't think of a better father-son trip.

[jvincent]

@Obee an @spud3 my first time at Bandon I scored terribly. First time at true links, some wind, giddy with excitement. But ultimately it didn't matter. I had a blast.
Everyone needs to get there at least once.

[tjl48]

I just got off the phone with there reservations. Thinking of going in December after spending a couple days with my grandparents that live a few hours away. She reservation lady mentioned they close some courses in the off season. Has anyone run across this when playing in the off season? Would like to hit all the courses there.

[Edaw68]

Typically they will close one course a day, rotating which one, for maintenance during the off season. I've done a bunch of winter trips and never had a problem playing all of them as long as the trip is several days. When you book just tell the reservations people what days you will be there and you'd like to play all the course if possible and they will set you up if at all possible. Bandon's customer service is good everywhere, but Reservations is second to none.