Bandon

[Foley589]

Is Bandon really worth the money or is there a better place to golf? A few of my buddies want to go next year and I am just wondering if it’s worth the cost?

 

thanks 

[sheppick.dan]

38 minutes ago, Foley589 said:

Is Bandon really worth the money or is there a better place to golf? A few of my buddies want to go next year and I am just wondering if it’s worth the cost?

 

thanks 

Worth every penny! But we live 5hrs away so that makes it a little easier!

 

but yes, it’s beautiful

[Dancin]

Being in Nova Scotia that is going to be a really ugly trip getting there. You likely can go do a golf trip to Ireland for less money. But Bandon is very good.

[mallrat]

Bandon is worth every penny. That said it can also be a once in a lifetime trip depending on where you are coming from. 

[ND2005]

Well worth it. But if you’re meaning 2024 when you say “next year” you are way late. They are booking up 2025 currently, 2024 is pretty much full unless you’re planning on staying off property and rolling the dice on tee times 

[Golfnuck]

It depends.

 

Where do you live relative to Bandon.  Are you interested in history.  Do you care about places to visit after golf.  Is atmosphere important.

 

I live in Vancouver BC so Bandon is a 10 hour drive away.  I have been to Bandon 5 times.  Played every course there multiple times except for the new Sheep Ranch.  I have played the original Sheep Ranch.

 

Just went to Scotland last year.  While the courses at Bandon are just as good as the courses in Scotland its the history that tips the scale in favour of Scotland for me. 

 

Post round drinks at the Dunvegan Pub  ....  nothing at Bandon comes close to this experience.

 

If you stay away from the big name courses you will play courses just as good or better than the ones at Brandon but the history and atmosphere will be superior to Bandon.

Edited December 10, 2023 by Golfnuck

[Golfnuck]

10 hours ago, Dancin said:

Being in Nova Scotia that is going to be a really ugly trip getting there. You likely can go do a golf trip to Ireland for less money. But Bandon is very good.

 

Without a doubt if I lived in Nova Scotia I would go to Scotland or Ireland over Bandon.

[toypor]

Bandon is absolutely worth the money. There are also other options that are great as stated as above. It all depends on what you want and how many golf trips you plan to take over your lifetime.  I personally would like to experience as much as possible : )

[Mullenboy]

I've been there many times - but like others, it's relatively easy for me to get there (I live in SF Bay Area).  The place is great.  The courses are incredible.

 

But that being said...I side with those who say especially from the east, it's better to go to Ireland or Scotland... go play real links for less money and far easier logistics.  I also think the prices at Bandon have gone crazy.  But of course all of golf has.

 

In any case "worth the money" obviously turns on how wealthy one is to begin with.

[jvincent]

14 hours ago, Foley589 said:

Is Bandon really worth the money or is there a better place to golf? A few of my buddies want to go next year and I am just wondering if it’s worth the cost?

 

thanks 

 

I have been to Bandon, Scotland, and Ireland several times each.

 

For pure, golf your brain's out, great golf nothing beats Bandon.  5 full courses all a shuttle ride away. Even if you stay off property it's only a 30 min drive to the resort and then you spend the entire day there.

 

Scotland and Ireland have equally good golf courses but with a lot more history. The main downside is that they are spread out over a much larger area so expect a lot more driving. The after golf scene is better if you are a pub guy.

 

That all said, Bandon is definitely worth it. 

[Chanceman]

20 hours ago, Foley589 said:

Is Bandon really worth the money or is there a better place to golf? A few of my buddies want to go next year and I am just wondering if it’s worth the cost?

 

thanks 

We have been twice to Bandon and loved it but perhaps a bit less the second time. Definitely worth the money even in comparison to GB&I . You sort of have to go the once. As someone’s mother once said “At Least You Can Say You’ve Been There”.

[BG5]

Bandon is as good as it gets.  When you go to Bandon you are playing as good as anything you can in the world.  I have no doubt that Europe has alot to offer but having all the courses in 1 location makes things so easy and the views at Bandon are the best in the world.  

 

 

 

Bandon Dunes #16

[BG5]

Bandon Dunes #6

 

 

[BG5]

Pacific Dunes # 10

 

 

 

 

[BG5]

Pacific Dunes #11

 

 

[BG5]

Bandon Trail #5

 

 

 

 

[BG5]

Bandon Trails # 17

 

 

[BG5]

Sheep Ranch #16

 

 

[BG5]

Ghost Tree at Old Mac

 

 

[BG5]

You look at these pictures and tell show me somethings similar in the world that has this many amazing golf holes in one location.  Good Luck and sadly I have about 30 other holes that I could show at the resort that are just as good or better.  Bandon is the GOAT!

[Golfnuck]

13 hours ago, BG5 said:

You look at these pictures and tell show me somethings similar in the world that has this many amazing golf holes in one location.  Good Luck and sadly I have about 30 other holes that I could show at the resort that are just as good or better.  Bandon is the GOAT!

 

As I've said I golfed Bandon 5 times and last year I played the Old Course for the first time.  For me no comparison.  I will remember that first tee shot at the Old Course for the rest of my life.

 

To par the 18th and head off to the Dunvegan Pub for drinks  ....   wow.  I am not knocking Bandon and will be heading there for the 6th time next year but its not the GOAT for me.

Edited December 10, 2023 by Golfnuck

[jerebear21]

Fr NS, you got cabot cliffs which is miles better than any course at bandon(Don't think there's a single finishing hole at any course at bandon that's worth mentioning) and an easier flight to Ireland which is miles better than bandon.  From that side of town, go to ireland.  Ireland is the GOAT. Bandon is top 5. 

[BG5]

My point is you will not find 5 (7 courses if you count the par 3s) in a single location as good as Bandon....if you go over the pond there is so much travel involved.  Once you get to Bandon you can play the best of the best and not have to leave the place.  The courses are all world and its all right there

[Golfnuck]

21 minutes ago, BG5 said:

My point is you will not find 5 (7 courses if you count the par 3s) in a single location as good as Bandon....if you go over the pond there is so much travel involved.  Once you get to Bandon you can play the best of the best and not have to leave the place.  The courses are all world and its all right there

 

These are all personal opinions so no "right" or definitive answer but for me St. Andrews is the GOAT and there are 5 courses in that complex and many more within a short drive.

 

For you it is Bandon.

 

Both are opinions that's all.  I am sure there are other golf resorts around the world (like Pinehurst) that to others is their GOAT.

Edited December 10, 2023 by Golfnuck

[Looper34]

Tee times and lodging are expensive but I found that eating and drinking at the resort to be very reasonably priced. Having those incredible courses on site definitely makes Bandon worth the money.

[jerebear21]

if there's 10 trips to take, I'd do 9 ireland, 1 bandon.  Love bandon.  Everyone should go.  Ireland/scotand has an enter the wilderness feel to me.  Bandon is starting to feel corporate. 

[ND2005]

44 minutes ago, jerebear21 said:

if there's 10 trips to take, I'd do 9 ireland, 1 bandon.  Love bandon.  Everyone should go.  Ireland/scotand has an enter the wilderness feel to me.  Bandon is starting to feel corporate. 

 Transfusions and espresso martinis haven’t really made it over to Ireland and Scotland. So you gotta factor that in too. 

[jerebear21]

15 minutes ago, ND2005 said:

 Transfusions and espresso martinis haven’t really made it over to Ireland and Scotland. So you gotta factor that in too. 

 

Hahaha.  Absolutely. 

[dcmidnight]

On 12/10/2023 at 11:31 AM, ND2005 said:

 Transfusions and espresso martinis haven’t really made it over to Ireland and Scotland. So you gotta factor that in too. 

 

You're going to the wrong places then LOL.

 

Look I've said this before. From the East Coast Bandon takes twice as long to get to and costs twice as much as Ireland or Scotland. They are both great great options.

 

If you want to pack 36 a day for 4 or 5 days in a row - then its Bandon.

 

If you want 18 a day and then a half day of just pure enjoyment of the environment - then its Scotland/Ireland.

Edited December 13, 2023 by dcmidnight

[ND2005]

28 minutes ago, dcmidnight said:

 

You're going to the wrong places then LOL.

 

 

I described a Transfusion to my caddie at Royal Dornoch and his response was - that actually sounds delicious but I'm pretty sure you'll get kicked out of the pub if you try to order that here.