Need some help with Golf Trip -Bandon Dunes_

[dawgfan03]

Looking at Bandon, pebble, and pinehurst

My best friend's dad is an avid golf and is turning 60 this year. His two sons (and I would tag along) are wanting to take him on an amazing golf trip. However, we live on the east cost. So we are looking at a 5.5 hour flight and 4.5 hour drive to get to Bandon. When you factor in the cost and traveling time we can't reach a consensus. Two of us want to go in Sept while it is still dry and another wants to save cash and go in Decemeber. This is not a trip I am likely to make again in the next decade so I say if we go and spend all the cash getting out there lets go when it is dry Dec averages almost 11 inches or RAIN...Feel free to weigh in on that if you have been to Bandon.

I was curious if anyone had any alternative suggestions for a 5 day golfing trip of a lifetime. With jobs and newborn kiddos the most we can get away is 5 days. We have all played Sawgrass so that is out and we already go to Myrtle Beach once a year so we do not want to do that again. We are about a 6 hour drive from Pinehurst so we could do that. However, online all you hear about is how good Bandun is. I just don't see as much stuff about how great Pinehurst is. If you have been to Pinehurst let me know. Pebble would be similar in cost to Bandon but much easier for us all to get too. I am really open to anything so please make suggestions!

Thank you for any advice or input.

[teejaywhy]

Bandon

[dawgfan03]

[quote name='teejaywhy' timestamp='1332776193' post='4583454']
Bandon
[/quote]

Have you played Pebble or Pinehurst?

[teejaywhy]

[quote name='dawgfan03' timestamp='1332776540' post='4583508']
[quote name='teejaywhy' timestamp='1332776193' post='4583454']
Bandon
[/quote]

Have you played Pebble or Pinehurst?
[/quote]

I have not played any of them. I was just correcting your spelling. :hi:

[dawgfan03]

[quote name='teejaywhy' timestamp='1332783893' post='4584456']
[quote name='dawgfan03' timestamp='1332776540' post='4583508']
[quote name='teejaywhy' timestamp='1332776193' post='4583454']
Bandon
[/quote]

Have you played Pebble or Pinehurst?
[/quote]

I have not played any of them. I was just correcting your spelling. :hi:
[/quote]

Thanks! Hopefully someone will have some information for me.

[Fourmyle of Ceres]

I have considered trips to Bandon several times over the last few years, this year going as far as making a tentative booking for three days of golf. In the end, getting there from the east coast combined with the (prime season) rate structure always puts me off.

I love playing golf in England and Scotland so given that travel time to the UK is only a couple hours more and the cost is actually lower (prime season) except for a few very high-$$$ famous courses, the Bandon option always gets put off another year.

One hint is to see if you can get a convenient flight into Eugene, OR instead of Portland. Cuts the driving time in half (as in you drive right past Eugene on your way from Portland to Bandon. If the airline connections work out it can be a lot better option.

Another hint is to ship your clubs ahead of time then take the puddle-jumper connection through Portland or San Francisco (United) then book a shuttle from Bend, OR for the final 45-minute leg into Bandon. But with three guys to share driving and the cost of the rental car the driving option is probably more attractive than for a single golfer traveling solo.

In my opnion the Ocean Course at Kiawah is probably equal or better in quality to any single course at Bandon. I say that as someone who has played several times at Kiawah but never been to Bandon. But for total, overall quality of the four (soon to be five) courses and the overall experience I don't know that anyone would seriously claim another resort holds a candle to Bandon. The courses taken as a group as just awesome. Still, for most people five days at Kiawah with, say, two days out of the five at the Ocean Course is pretty darned awesome as a once or twice in a lifetime type trip. But I'm a "homer" to a certain extent for the Ocean Course, just love it!

[sabram]

I haven't played Bandon in December. I've been there in September and the weather was nice. It's my favorite place to play in the US. (I've played 600 courses.) I'm your friends' dad's age and think you and he will love it. The cost is not terribly expensive if you play 2 rounds a day. Last Sept it came to $165/round. (The first round was $220 and second round $110 each day.)It does not make economic sense to only play one round a day. If that is your plan, it would be too expensive IMO. The drive from Portland is not so bad and with 4 guys in the car and the anticipation of the trip it can be fun. Part of the beauty of a Bandon trip is that once you arrive on site you never have to leave. I can't think of a place that has 4 courses of equal quality at the same location except St Andrews. Bandon is a completely different experience from Sawgrass or Myrtle. The golf at Pinehurst will not be cheaper than Bandon especially if you want to play #2 which IMO is the only course there that is a worthy competitor to the Bandon courses. The only other options I would suggest that would provide as good golf are the UK or Ireland and that will likely be more expensive overall than Bandon and require more driving from course to course. If you want to play Scotland and keep it relatively inexpensive and not do too much driving there are many great and realtively inexpensive links near St. Andrews. You might consider Crail (2 courses), Elie, Lundin, Leven, Ladybank, Montrose, Panmure and Monifieth. Those courses are world class and will cost about $100/round. They are all close to St Andrews and you can also try to play one or more of the St Andrews courses as well, although the Old and the New will be a little more expensive.

[DLiver]

I have been to Bandon once and Pinehurst twice. Pinehurst is very nice. It has three great courses, and a couple others that are very nice. It is easier to get to and has a much broader range of lodging and recreation. You have the option to save some dough by making judicious lodging and dining choices

Bandon has three world class courses, another one that is pretty good, and some other holes to play as well. Lodging and dining options are more limited but somehow that makes it cooler. Bandon is expensive, but IMO is a decent value. Getting there sucks sucks sucks, and the weather can be a challenge, but it is mostly manageable.

My choice would be Bandon, and I am in the process of planning a trip there right now.

[act0fgod]

[quote name='dawgfan03' timestamp='1332774306' post='4583230']
My best friend's dad is an avid golf and is turning 60 this year. His two sons (and I would tag along) are wanting to take him on an amazing golf trip. However, we live on the east cost. So we are looking at a 5.5 hour flight and 4.5 hour drive to get to Bandon. When you factor in the cost and traveling time we can't reach a consensus. Two of us want to go in Sept while it is still dry and another wants to save cash and go in Decemeber. This is not a trip I am likely to make again in the next decade so I say if we go and spend all the cash getting out there lets go when it is dry Dec averages almost 11 inches or RAIN...Feel free to weigh in on that if you have been to Bandon.

I was curious if anyone had any alternative suggestions for a 5 day golfing trip of a lifetime. With jobs and newborn kiddos the most we can get away is 5 days. We have all played Sawgrass so that is out and we already go to Myrtle Beach once a year so we do not want to do that again. We are about a 6 hour drive from Pinehurst so we could do that. However, online all you hear about is how good Bandun is. I just don't see as much stuff about how great Pinehurst is. If you have been to Pinehurst let me know. Pebble would be similar in cost to Bandon but much easier for us all to get too. I am really open to anything so please make suggestions!

Thank you for any advice or input.
[/quote]

It's been suggested that a trip to Scotland, Ireland or England may be as cheap orcheaper than a trip to Bandon and that would for sure be what I would go with in your position. I would assume if he is an avid golfer playing an Open Course would be an amazing experience not to mention the numerous other options that can be adjusted to fit the budget. I haven't yet made a trip to the UK so part of my suggestion is I want to make the trip myself.


To provide info on the options you asked about.

Of the courses I'd recommend for a trip like this I've played Pebble and Spyglass a half dozen times. Spanish Bay a dozen times and Bayonet and BlackHorse 100's of times. In my mind Pebble Beach is THE golf mecca in the US. The course has had some special moments in US Open history. The site of Tigers most dominant performance, Jacks amazing 1 iron at 17, Watsons chip in at 17, Kites chip in at 7...in my mind it is golfing heaven. That being said it's not allabout Pebble Beach. Spyglassis world class but Spanish Bay, Bayonet and BlackHorse while very good are not world class. If you are flying into SF you could also add some courses up that way and definitely should go up to Santa Cruz to play Pasatiempo. All that being said to be honest I played the courses at Pebble when I lived there and the rounds were always free. I haven't played the courses when I had to pay. Probably because they are expensive and I've played them a number of times already, but tomorrow I'm going to be driving right by and stopping at Pasatiempo to play instead. As far as the experience if you are looking to play one round a day and then be pampered a bit and enjoy fine dining Pebble is the place. (If you have any connections to play the privates, the Monterey/SF combo would be tough to beat)

I have paid to play the courses at Bandon. When I've gone it's always been about playing as much golf as possible and I played 2-3 rounds a day (as stated the second round is half off and if you are able to get a 3rd or even 4th round they are free). The 4 courses are all world class. Every course has the potential to be a favorite (I'd be interested to hear which course one of the previous posters excluded from his list of 3). As I said I've never been to the UK to play golf but the courses are what I imagine from a true links course. The greens are firm, the courses have lots of natural contours, there is very little rough, you'll see people putt from as far out as 100 yards and there is lots of wind. The 4 courses are seriously great but there are some for whom the course isn't their type of thing. Honestly the wind is severe. Hitting a 380 yard drive is amazing but you have to realize you’re going to turn into the wind and a crushed tee shot that goes 200 yards sucks. Hitting a shot you think is perfect only to see it roll over the green takes some adjustment. The lodging is nice but not 5 star at all and is still fairly expensive. All that being said I have repeat trips planned and will go annually as long as I'm on the west coast.


As far as Pinehurst the area has tons of courses. The best in my mind include #2, #4, #8 at the resort. You also have Pine Needles and Mid Pines in Southern Pines and Dormie Club is currently open for outside play. There are also numerous other courses that are very good. In my mind if you are on the east coast I wouldn't really consider this a once in a lifetime type trip, this would be an annual trip. They are pretty expensive but I think well worth it. It's one of my favorite places and I've recently purchased property in the area as I plan to retire there.


To put it in terms of women Pebble is the hot girl you want just one chance with, Bandon is the girl you repeatedly have wild "fun" with and Pinehurst is the one you marry and live happily with.

[joe perry]

[quote name='dawgfan03' timestamp='1332774306' post='4583230']
My best friend's dad is an avid golf and is turning 60 this year. His two sons (and I would tag along) are wanting to take him on an amazing golf trip. However, we live on the east cost. So we are looking at a 5.5 hour flight and 4.5 hour drive to get to Bandon. When you factor in the cost and traveling time we can't reach a consensus. Two of us want to go in Sept while it is still dry and another wants to save cash and go in Decemeber. This is not a trip I am likely to make again in the next decade so I say if we go and spend all the cash getting out there lets go when it is dry Dec averages almost 11 inches or RAIN...Feel free to weigh in on that if you have been to Bandon.

I was curious if anyone had any alternative suggestions for a 5 day golfing trip of a lifetime. With jobs and newborn kiddos the most we can get away is 5 days. We have all played Sawgrass so that is out and we already go to Myrtle Beach once a year so we do not want to do that again. We are about a 6 hour drive from Pinehurst so we could do that. However, online all you hear about is how good Bandun is. I just don't see as much stuff about how great Pinehurst is. If you have been to Pinehurst let me know. Pebble would be similar in cost to Bandon but much easier for us all to get too. I am really open to anything so please make suggestions!

Thank you for any advice or input.
[/quote]


If you only have 5 days and want to cut back on travel time then Pebble might be best especially if you have to go in December - early December usually has good weather

Don't forget to play Pasatiempo

http://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/KMRY/2011/12/1/MonthlyHistory.html?req_city=NA&req_state=NA&req_statename=NA

http://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/KMRY/2008/12/1/MonthlyHistory.html?req_city=NA&req_state=NA&req_statename=NA

http://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/KMRY/2006/12/1/MonthlyHistory.html?req_city=NA&req_state=NA&req_statename=NA


Bandon is also great but I would go in September when the weather is usually good

[chepha]

[size="3"][/size]I have been to Bandon three times. September, Novemberand December.

I was lucky and was rained only once. The best weather I had was Nov and Dec.They like to say their winter is better than summer, It certainly was true forme. Less wind, bu a bit cooler.

I always stayed in a nearby town at an Indian casino the night prior. Saved afew bucks if you do not gamble it all away. Then in the lodge while playing.

It is certainly worth the trip.


My last trip we played Bandon three days, then drove to Monterey peninsula. Pebble beach is worth the price once, then any of the othercourses makes a nice trip. I also recommendHalve Moon bay. A public that isoutstanding!

[size="3"][/size]

[chepha]

[quote name='act0fgod' timestamp='1332827742' post='4589884']
[quote name='dawgfan03' timestamp='1332774306' post='4583230']
My best friend's dad is an avid golf and is turning 60 this year. His two sons (and I would tag along) are wanting to take him on an amazing golf trip. However, we live on the east cost. So we are looking at a 5.5 hour flight and 4.5 hour drive to get to Bandon. When you factor in the cost and traveling time we can't reach a consensus. Two of us want to go in Sept while it is still dry and another wants to save cash and go in Decemeber. This is not a trip I am likely to make again in the next decade so I say if we go and spend all the cash getting out there lets go when it is dry Dec averages almost 11 inches or RAIN...Feel free to weigh in on that if you have been to Bandon.

I was curious if anyone had any alternative suggestions for a 5 day golfing trip of a lifetime. With jobs and newborn kiddos the most we can get away is 5 days. We have all played Sawgrass so that is out and we already go to Myrtle Beach once a year so we do not want to do that again. We are about a 6 hour drive from Pinehurst so we could do that. However, online all you hear about is how good Bandun is. I just don't see as much stuff about how great Pinehurst is. If you have been to Pinehurst let me know. Pebble would be similar in cost to Bandon but much easier for us all to get too. I am really open to anything so please make suggestions!

Thank you for any advice or input.
[/quote]

It's beensuggested that a trip to Scotland, Ireland or England may be as cheap orcheaper than a trip to Bandon and that would for sure be what I would go within your position. I would assume if he is an avid golfer playing an Open Coursewould be an amazing experience not to mention the numerous other options thatcan be adjusted to fit the budget. I haven't yet made a trip to the UK so partof my suggestion is I want to make the trip myself.


To provide info on the options you asked about.

Of the courses I'd recommend for a trip like this I've played Pebble andSpyglass a half dozen times. Spanish Bay a dozen times and Bayonet and BlackHorse 100's of times. In my mind Pebble Beach is THE golf mecca in the US. Thecourse has had some special moments in US Open history. The site of Tigers mostdominant performance, Jacks amazing 1 iron at 17, Watsons chip in at 17, Kiteschip in at 7...in my mind it is golfing heaven. That being said it's not allabout Pebble Beach. Spyglassis world class but Spanish Bay, Bayonet and BlackHorse while very good are not world class. If you are flying into SF you couldalso add some courses up that way and definitely should go up to Santa Cruz toplay Pasatiempo. All that being said to be honest I played the courses atPebble when I lived there and the rounds were always free. I haven't played thecourses when I had to pay. Probably because they are expensive and I've playedthem a number of times already, but tomorrow I'm going to be driving right byand stopping at Pasatiempo to play instead. As far as the experience if you arelooking to play one round a day and then be pampered a bit and enjoy finedining Pebble is the place. (If you have any connections to play the privatesthe Monterey/SF combo would be tough to beat)

I have paid to play the courses at Bandon. When I've gone it's always beenabout playing as much golf as possible and I played 2-3 rounds a day (as statedthe second round is half off and if you are able to get a 3rd or even 4th roundthey are free). The 4 courses are all world class. Every course has the potentialto be a favorite (I'd be interested to hear which course one of the previousposters excluded from his list of 3). As I said I've never been to the UK toplay golf but the courses are what I imagine from a true links course. Thegreens are firm, the courses have lots of natural contours, there is verylittle rough, you'll see people putt from as far out as 100 yards and there islots of wind. The 4 courses are seriously great but there are some who thecourse isn't their type of thing. Honestly the wind is severe. Hitting a 380yard drive is amazing but you have to realize you’re going to turn into thewind and a crushed tee shot that goes 200 yards sucks. Hitting a shot you thinkis perfect only to see it roll over the green takes some adjustment. The lodgingis nice but not 5 star at all and is still fairly expensive. All that beingsaid I have repeat trips planned and will go annually as long as I'm on thewest coast.


As far as Pinehurst the area has tons of courses. The best in my mind include#2, #4, #8 at the resort. You also have Pine Needles and Mid Pines in southernpines and Dormie Club is currently open for outside play. There are alsonumerous other courses that are very good. In my mind if you are on the eastcoast I wouldn't really consider this a once in a lifetime type trip, thiswould be an annual trip. They are pretty expensive but I think well worth it.It's one of my favorite places and I've recently purchased property in the areaas I plan to retire there.


To put it in terms of women Pebble is the hot girl you want just one chancewith, Bandon is the girl you repeatedly have wild "fun" with andPinehurst is the one you marry and live happily with.


[/quote]

Well said.

[stevopagolf]

As has been stated from the East it is easier to get to the UK for a golf trip. I have done Bandon several times and Ireland once. I would choose September for weather in either case, you don't want the expense and hassle and have absolutely awful weather.

Bandon is great, great courses nice food all in one place. Only place in the US for this type of links experience.

For the same cost, maybe even less, Ireland is a great choice from the East Coast. Fly direct to Shannon overnight, arrive in the AM drive 30 minutes to Lahinch. Play Ballybunion, play Waterville or others in the area. hotels are reasonable. The small towns are great, pubs friendly.

Experience of a lifetime.

[cdnglf]

[quote name='dawgfan03' timestamp='1332774306' post='4583230']
My best friend's dad is an avid golf and is turning 60 this year. His two sons (and I would tag along) are wanting to take him on an amazing golf trip. However, we live on the east cost. So we are looking at a 5.5 hour flight and 4.5 hour drive to get to Bandon. When you factor in the cost and traveling time we can't reach a consensus. Two of us want to go in Sept while it is still dry and another wants to save cash and go in Decemeber. This is not a trip I am likely to make again in the next decade so I say if we go and spend all the cash getting out there lets go when it is dry Dec averages almost 11 inches or RAIN...Feel free to weigh in on that if you have been to Bandon.

I was curious if anyone had any alternative suggestions for a 5 day golfing trip of a lifetime. With jobs and newborn kiddos the most we can get away is 5 days. We have all played Sawgrass so that is out and we already go to Myrtle Beach once a year so we do not want to do that again. We are about a 6 hour drive from Pinehurst so we could do that. However, online all you hear about is how good Bandun is. I just don't see as much stuff about how great Pinehurst is. If you have been to Pinehurst let me know. Pebble would be similar in cost to Bandon but much easier for us all to get too. I am really open to anything so please make suggestions!

Thank you for any advice or input.
[/quote]


I've played golf in Canada (west and maritimes), Oregon, California, Hawaii, Arizona, Scotland, and Ireland. Notable courses I've played include Carnoustie, Royal Dornoch, Royal County Down, Royal Portrush, Ballybunnion, Pebble Beach, Spanish Bay, Half Moon Bay, Torrey Pines, Banff Springs, Highlands Links, and TPC Scottsdale.



As a golf destination, Bandon is at the top of my list. 4 fantastic courses (plus the soon-to-be-opened Preserve short course), outstanding staff, quality food and lodging. Its not easy to get to but once you're there, its all about golf.

I've been twice: once in February, once in March. I plan to go again this fall. The weather was actually better the February I was there, but I thoroughly enjoyed both trips. Its not cushy resort golf: it will be windy, it may rain, and you have to walk and carry/pull your clubs (or take a caddie). But if you enjoy links golf, you will find it to be a fantastic experience.

Given the distance, if I were you I would opt for the September trip: you will presumably experience much better weather, and the longer days will make playing 36 (or 18 + the Preserve) more realistic.

The second time I went, the flights were such that we arrived in Portland quite late, so we drove a couple of hours to Eugene and stayed in a cheap motel there. The next morning, we got up early, and arrived in Bandon plenty early to check in, hit some balls, and play our first round. Turned out to be a nice way of breaking up the lengthy drive from Portland to Bandon.

[johnnylongball]

[quote name='stevopagolf' timestamp='1332860847' post='4591452']
As has been stated from the East it is easier to get to the UK for a golf trip. I have done Bandon several times and Ireland once. I would choose September for weather in either case, you don't want the expense and hassle and have absolutely awful weather.

Bandon is great, great courses nice food all in one place. Only place in the US for this type of links experience.

For the same cost, maybe even less, Ireland is a great choice from the East Coast. Fly direct to Shannon overnight, arrive in the AM drive 30 minutes to Lahinch. Play Ballybunion, play Waterville or others in the area. hotels are reasonable. The small towns are great, pubs friendly.

Experience of a lifetime.
[/quote]

I second this motion. I've been to Bandon, Pinehurst, Scotland, and Ireland. All are good, but Ireland is top notch, TOP NOTCH!

[omahasker]

Another less expensive than Bandon option for the original poster is Whistling Straits. Flight should definitely be less expensive than flying all the way to the other coast. Also, the golfing through a package deal you can find on their website is less expensive overall than Bandon. Just another option and the Whistling Straits courses are nothing to sneeze at for sure.

[_MS22_]

Oddly enough my brother and I are planning this same trip for our father, turning 60 next May.

We had the same three resorts on your list. We've all been to Pinehurst. It is great and accessible. You can't beat 2, 4, 8, Tobacco, Dormie, and the host of other great courses within 40 miles. For that simple reason, we've all been there done that, we ruled it out.

Bandon. The name says is all. I'm a links guy. Wind and weather don't bother me much. Me. I wouldn't mind facing the weather to play a place like Bandon. But my old man . . . well if we're gonna be doing 36 a day for 4-5 days he isn't gonna make it in 50 degree, rainy, windy weather hoofing the whole time. I get it. Bandon is something my brother and I will do on our own. We've run marathons in the past year, so 54 a day isn't going to challenge our soul like it would a guy that is 60, hates cold weather, isn't a long hitter, etc.

Pebble. It's PEBBLE F'n BEACH! Even people that don't know golf know Pebble. And for a guy turning 60, their game is certainly not on the upswing, neither is their vision, time to play Pebble if they haven't already! It is probably the number one on every golfer's bucket list, if not its certainly top 5, and with how great the lodge is, Spanish, Spyglass, Bayonett, Blackhorse, Passa, Poppy, etc close by it is a no-brainer for us. That and we have a standing invite to play Tehama and I'm pretty psyched about that! Now if we can only find someone at Cypress . . . . And out dates also coincide with the Ferrari Race Days at Leguna Seca on the front end so that'll be sick to see for a day too!

[Don Ross]

I am a resident of Pinehurst and a member of the Pinehurst Country Club. I also want to play Bandon, but it is far and expensive and difficult to get to. Let me offer my recommendation of Pinehurst. Pick your time of year, there are wonderful seasonal deals. The high season starts March 1 and ends circa November 1. The golf in the fall is great and the weather is very goof through December. Durring the low season the price of the trip becomes extremely more compelling. Pinehurst has been voted the #1 Golf Resort in Amercia the past three years by Golf & Leisure magazine. It is not just about the golf, it is about the charm and history of the place. The entire Village of Pinehurst is on the National Historic Register. The Carolina, the primary resort hotel, is a five star facility, and deserves the praise.

With the 2014 Open coming to Pinehurst you and your group can play the course and enjoy the same ammenities as the best golfers in the world. Bobby Jones called Pinehurst the "American St. Andrews". There is no place on earth which is as golfcentric as this area. It is a small town focused on one thing, enjoying golf and having a good time. The resort offers shuttle service which will take you anywhere in the village; the bars, resturants and golf courses. You can park your car and forgetaboutit. Our area is blessed with 42 championship courses. As a guest of the hotel you can choose from 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,& 8. They all have their redeeming values but clearly 2,4,7 & 8 are the best of the group. I enjoy #1 as a great warm up to the more challenging courses. Outside of the resort your choices include numerous other Donald Ross, Palmer, Niclaus and Crenshaw courses.

All things considered Pinehurst will provide you with great golf, a great venue for after golf activities and an overall memorable experience. I would be happy to provide further information if you require.[attachment=1096917:travel golf.jpg][attachment=1096919:paynestewartcropped.jpg]

[JLo_73]

Just got back from my 7th trip to Bandon last weekend. I have been there in Dec, Feb, Mar, Apr and June. The trip in June was the only one that stood out in terms of weather but even then not a whole lot different. I haven't been to Pinehurst nor have i played Pebble. All are worthy trips. For me, there is something about Bandon that keeps bringing me back. Easy trip from the West Coast. For sure, i would fly through SFO to North Bend, it's a 30 minute shuttle ride to the resort. No need for a car once you are there as they have shuttle service. I am planing to get to Pebble next year for my 40th but have to say that Bandon and it's four courses are something special and the closest place to golf heaven that I have found yet. Good luck, all good options!