Help me choose - Bandon or Merion

[mflores]

I've got a choice to play either Merion in PA or go to Bandon. I know I'm lucky to be in this position and I am very grateful for it. The trips are during the same week so i need to pick.

 

On the trip to PA, I have a conference that I should probably go to for work. Since I will be in the Philly area I know someone with a Merion membership which I can grab a round. I also can probably get a round at another private CC - like Philly CC. Since it's a work thing, there is no out of pocket for me.

 

That same week I got an invite to go on a Bandon trip. The golf and lodging would be paid for so I would just need to pony up for the airfare.The trip would include back to back days of 36 holes on their different coures.

 

I've never been to Bandon but I have played Merion 3 times, the last time is probably 7 years ago. I know you can't go wrong either way.

 

If you has to pick which courses/trip to choose what would you do?

 

Thanks

 

 

[natedd]

Bandon and it is not even close.

[Shankopattamus]

They are both tremendous courses, so if you have already played Merion multiple times I would try something new and go with Bandon. Have fun

[bvmagic]

If you've played Merion 3 times already I don't see any reason to go there again. I would go to Bandon to experience something new.

[scotchblade]

Being that I've played neither, I'd take Merion first, since it's private. But I guess that's pretty obvious. They have the US Open there next year - perhaps you want another look.

[stevopagolf]

I have played/been to both, played all the Bandon courses except Old Mac.

I live outside Philly and my Mom lives in Oregon so I have been lucky enough to experience Bandon a few times.

Merion is super special and hosts the US OPEN next year so it would be great to see how they are starting to set up the course. Bandon anyone with the money can go play. Not so at Merion, you need a host. Add in an additional old school private course like Philadelphia Country club or any of the host of great classic private courses here in Philly and you have a great golf trip. Plus, the work angle is a plus as you meet a work obligation and your lodging and air fare get covered.

In my opinion, Merion is better than any of the Bandon Courses, but not by a wide margin. I love Pacific Dunes and Bandon Dunes and would likely skip Bandon Trails on my next trip to Bandon, I was not a big fan. The golf only nature of Bandon is great, 36 holes and a few beers is awesome....no work involved.

Time of year does factor in. If it is Late June-August. I would go Bandon because of the GOLF ONLY NO WORK nature of 36 holes plus Northwest MicroBrews. The weather that time of year is perfect.

[Swisstrader98]

NO question, BANDON. If you've never been, it will change your whole perspective on golf. One of THE best golf venues that I repeat each year.

[Carolina Golfer 2]

That's like asking Reece Witherspoon or Jennifer Anniston...LOL

You can't go wrong either way, and I certainly undertand the pretige and history of Merion..and so do you havng been there. That said, I have heard from people that have been there, that Bandon is simply the best golf experience you can have in the US.

To me, I agree with Nate. Bandon in a landslide!! And I am one who appreicates the historic courses as much as anyone.

[Swingem]

While it's stating the obvious that Marion is a great track, Bandon is an experience. If you have the opportunity to play all four courses at Bandon for the price of airfare, by all means do it!

I've been fortunate enough to be part of a group that has made an annual trip to Bandon every year since 2000, and have played each of the courses there multiple times. I live in Northern California, so have played all of the great tracks in Monterey (minus Cypress), as well as a couple of golf trips to Scotland. In my experience and humble opinion, Bandon is as good as it gets, pure golf.

When I die, I want my ashes cast to wind from the 5th tee on Bandon Dunes. OK maybe that's a bit dramatic, but the approach to the 4th green, and the 5th hole on Bandon Dunes is perhaps my favorite place in golf.

[jleclair10]

You need to go play Bandon. Merion though is set up right now how it will look for the Open. All the fairways have been tightened and the rough is growing. The course is gonna be a beast!!!!!

[sabram]

On the trip to PA, I have a conference that I should probably go to for work.

 

If you should attend the conference, doesn't that answer your question?

 

However, forgetting the conference,if you had never been to Merion or Bandon I'd choose Merion beacuse for most people it is a harder ticket to get, being private. You can play Bandon whenever you want (assuming you can afford the trip and green fees.) However, If I'd played Merion three times already and have a buddy who can get me on at Merion on a regular basis and had never been to Bandon, then I'd choose Bandon as it has four awesome courses that you must visit at leats once. The two favorite places i played last year were Bandon and Merion, so either choice is a good one.

 

Here are links to photos:

 

Bandon Trails Photos

 

Bandon Dunes Photos

 

Pacific Dunes Photos

 

Old Mac Photos

 

Here's a link to my report on Bandon Dunes: Bandon Dunes Resort

 

Merion #2 from the tee

 

Pacific Dunes #13 from the tee

 

Bandon Dunes #16 from the tee

 

Old Mac #14 view back to fairway from behind green

 

Bandon Trails #14 from tee

[mflores]

Many thanks for all the replies. My head says do the work thing and play Merion but the other parts scream Bandon.

Things will look clearer after a few drinks tonight.

[Swingem]

Look at it this way: When your getting ready to tee-it-up on the other side of the pearly gates, are you going to look back and say "Damn, I shoulda gone to that conference"? Listen to your other parts my friend.

[roll - gybe]

Bandon beats everthing except Cape Kidnappers

[dfjb23]

I've played Merion and Philly CC and all 4 at Bandon. All are great but if you haven't been you have to go to Bandon you have to go. It's incredible.

[InspiredTP]

Sound like it's this way:

Merion: It's a work trip with some golf sprinkled in...

Bandon: Semi-once in a lifetime trip to a golf MECCA.

Maybe once in a lifetime is a strong phrase, but still, not everyone gets a chance to go there....let alone with golf buddies

[BillyMo]

ummmm bandon. i would put my life on that one haha

[BillyMo]

cape Kidnappers is UNREAL. lived in NZ for 6 months and got to play it. literally unreal

[quote name='roll - gybe' timestamp='1325818357' post='4035349']
Bandon beats everthing except Cape Kidnappers
[/quote]

[dpb5031]

I have played Merion a half a dozen times and, history aside, just looking at the course by itself; I think it is over rated, although the finishing five there are as good as it gets.

I have not been to Bandon....yet.

[roll - gybe]

Sabram - nice photos. What did you use to take them? Do you lug a real camera around in your bag?


Granted when I played Pacific, visibility was about 5 yards!

[sabram]

[quote name='roll - gybe' timestamp='1327200560' post='4132485']
Sabram - nice photos. What did you use to take them? Do you lug a real camera around in your bag? [/quote]

I'm always torn between taking a "real" camera (i.e. a DSLR) or a small point & shoot with a zoom, and opted for the compactness of a cheapo so I can stick it in by bag or carry it and not have to worry about losing or damaging a good camera. These were taken with a Kodak Z-712 (Too bad about that American icon) that has a 15X zoom. I generally only take course photos as I am walking to my ball or waiting to hit and the zoom gives a lot options to frame the shot. I'd like to find a compact camera with an DSLR-like sensor, but there really isn't one. I took a serious look at the new Nikon and the Sony NEX 5N, which is a great camera, but between the high cost and the size of the lens (the body is small, but the zoom lens is too big) I end up back with the cheap small Kodak. Also, I must have an eye piece for golf course photos and that was a couple hundred $$ extra on the NEX 5N

[act0fgod]

What did you end up choosing?

Also I find it interesting no one asked about the groups you would be playing with. Who I'm playing with has nearly as much influence on my enjoyment as where I'm playing.