Just Booked my Bandon Trip!!!!!!!!!

[CHEFMIZ]

I am so incredibly excited that it's not even funny........ I have been saving up for the past year to fund this trip and i just booked it. Here is the itinerary:

 

2/25- arrive at Bandon

maybe play Preserve if there is time, definitely spend time on the range

 

2/26-

7:40AM- Old Mac

1PM- Bandon Dune

 

2/27-

8AM- Bandon Dunes

1:20PM- Pacific Dunes

 

2/28-

7:50AM-Pacific Dunes

1PM- Bandon Preserve

 

7:15 PM-Fly home on the red-eye.......

 

3/1- RECOVER and sleep :)

 

Any insight on caddies? I am taking a caddie for all rounds..... It will be hard enough to walk without the bag.

[10&8]

Should be an unforgettable trip. Hoping to get out there within the next year. I noticed you're not playing Trails. Any reason?

[CHEFMIZ]

Trails will be closed for renovations. Kind of a bummer, but so be it.

[Chris_NH]

[quote name='CHEFMIZ' timestamp='1342489644' post='5289336']
I am so incredibly excited that it's not even funny........ I have been saving up for the past year to fund this trip and i just booked it. Here is the itinerary:

2/25- arrive at Bandon
maybe play the par 3 course if there is time, definitely spend time on the range

2/26-
7:40AM- Old Mac
1PM- Bandon Dune

2/27-
8AM- Bandon Dunes
1:20PM- Pacific Dunes

2/28-
7:50AM-Pacific Dunes
Fly home on the red-eye.......

3/1- RECOVER and sleep

Any insight on caddies? I am taking a caddie for all rounds..... It will be hard enough to walk without the bag.
[/quote]

I just booked mine, too - end of March, so the Trails course is open (projected to be open) again. All 4 courses, 6 rounds over 4 days - OM and PD are the courses we're playing twice.

Pretty frickin' exciting, eh??? :-)

[CHEFMIZ]

I have done pretty much nothing but grin the past three days.........And show the website to anyone that has a pulse.

[mallrat]

I had Armando as a caddy and would recommend him to anyone.

Don't mean to get your hopes up but with how excited you are the trip will be better than you can imagine. Bring 2 rain suits, a heavy duty and light one, you'll probably use both.

[superlooper007]

Alright---a trip to the Magic Kingdom is a happy thing. A coupla tips from a veteran Bandon Looper.....extra socks, changing out between rounds (happy feet), 2 pairs of golf shoes, rain gear (leave the umbrella at home, WEAR your umbrella), light stand bags with rain-tops, be careful when using the course shuttle system (give yourself plenty of time), each course has it's own practice green (save some time to putt at each course, speeds are different), work the 100' lag putts cuz you're gonna see 'em. Also, if ya have time....find the range---hitting balls INTO the wind. Drink lots of water and be advised curfew is 10 pm, head on the pillow by 10:30......trust me, you WILL be beat up. Have fun, be patient and remember "bogies are your friend".

[scratchswinger]

So jealus

[CHEFMIZ]

[quote name='superlooper007' timestamp='1343702649' post='5381840']
Alright---a trip to the Magic Kingdom is a happy thing. A coupla tips from a veteran Bandon Looper.....extra socks, changing out between rounds (happy feet), 2 pairs of golf shoes, rain gear (leave the umbrella at home, WEAR your umbrella), light stand bags with rain-tops, be careful when using the course shuttle system (give yourself plenty of time), each course has it's own practice green (save some time to putt at each course, speeds are different), work the 100' lag putts cuz you're gonna see 'em. Also, if ya have time....find the range---hitting balls INTO the wind. Drink lots of water and be advised curfew is 10 pm, head on the pillow by 10:30......trust me, you WILL be beat up. Have fun, be patient and remember "bogies are your friend".
[/quote]


Superlooper-
Thanks for the tips. I am planning on taking a caddy for all of my rounds, so i am hoping that will help my chances of posting at least a decent number. Any insight on rain gear? What brand did you guys wear? Just picked up a 16 degree hybrid to help hitting "bump and runs" from 200 out Definitely planning on spending some time on the range and putting greens. How is pace of play? I have heard that the staff is pretty good at keeping things moving.

[superlooper007]

[quote name='CHEFMIZ' timestamp='1343872418' post='5393458']
[quote name='superlooper007' timestamp='1343702649' post='5381840']
Alright---a trip to the Magic Kingdom is a happy thing. A coupla tips from a veteran Bandon Looper.....extra socks, changing out between rounds (happy feet), 2 pairs of golf shoes, rain gear (leave the umbrella at home, WEAR your umbrella), light stand bags with rain-tops, be careful when using the course shuttle system (give yourself plenty of time), each course has it's own practice green (save some time to putt at each course, speeds are different), work the 100' lag putts cuz you're gonna see 'em. Also, if ya have time....find the range---hitting balls INTO the wind. Drink lots of water and be advised curfew is 10 pm, head on the pillow by 10:30......trust me, you WILL be beat up. Have fun, be patient and remember "bogies are your friend".
[/quote]


Superlooper-
Thanks for the tips. I am planning on taking a caddy for all of my rounds, so i am hoping that will help my chances of posting at least a decent number. Any insight on rain gear? What brand did you guys wear? Just picked up a 16 degree hybrid to help hitting "bump and runs" from 200 out :) Definitely planning on spending some time on the range and putting greens. How is pace of play? I have heard that the staff is pretty good at keeping things moving.
[/quote]

[jdhallissey]

I hope you get hit by a airplane....... ok that was a bit mean.... How about tossed in jail and cavity searched when you land and are headed to bandon lololol Ok mean still. I will try to be nice now! I want to do this trip so bad! The socks are a must but also a powder called monkey butt will be even more your friend then anything. Any part of your body that can get soggy use the powder and extra on your feet. You will thank me later. To the extra golf shoes ehh if you have a set of adidas or the likes (higher end) they will hold up just fine. Do not bring out two different brands of shoes they will screw you up with the height difference from the ground with irons. Also enjoy! Pictures also!

[ZBigStick]

Very jealous. The good thing is you will become a great resource for the rest of us who plan on checking that off of our "Bucket List".

 

Monkey Butt always makes me laugh. It does work in a swamp like Florida, I never thought of it for the PacWest. I find a thin layer of Under Armour or the like handles any chaffing.

[CHEFMIZ]

Life in the kitchen led to the use of several "powders" to help the chafe. I always preferred Gold Bond Medicated, but corn starch was always an acceptable substitute- dont ever use flour.......... Never heard of Monkey Butt, but packing a little chafe prevention may be a wise idea.

Six months to go....check rain pants off the list.

[sabram]

[quote name='superlooper007' timestamp='1343702649' post='5381840']
work the 100' lag putts cuz you're gonna see 'em.[/quote]

+1, especially at Old Mac. and also 100 yard+ bump and runs. That kind of shot can save you lots of strokes on OM

Try to get in the round at Preserve.

Here's a link to my trip report, with photos, that I posted last year. [url="http://golfcourses.weebly.com/bandon-dunes-resort-bandon-oregon.html"]http://golfcourses.w...don-oregon.html[/url]

Have a great trip

[SnapFade2]

[quote name='CHEFMIZ' timestamp='1342489644' post='5289336']
I am so incredibly excited that it's not even funny........ I have been saving up for the past year to fund this trip and i just booked it. Here is the itinerary:

2/25- arrive at Bandon
maybe play Preserve if there is time, definitely spend time on the range

2/26-
7:40AM- Old Mac
1PM- Bandon Dune

2/27-
8AM- Bandon Dunes
1:20PM- Pacific Dunes

2/28-
7:50AM-Pacific Dunes
Fly home on the red-eye.......

3/1- RECOVER and sleep

Any insight on caddies? I am taking a caddie for all rounds..... It will be hard enough to walk without the bag.
[/quote]
if you want a caddie my buddy Adam Areno has been there for 9 years now and hes one hell of a golfer

[SnapFade2]

[quote name='CHEFMIZ' timestamp='1345935508' post='5534321']
Life in the kitchen led to the use of several "powders" to help the chafe. I always preferred Gold Bond Medicated, but corn starch was always an acceptable substitute- dont ever use flour.......... Never heard of Monkey Butt, but packing a little chafe prevention may be a wise idea.

Six months to go....check rain pants off the list.
[/quote]
i found that i needed that gold bound stuff really quick last year

[DeNinny]

I was jealous of this thread until...today...after I booked my own trip!!! [url="http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/index.php?&app=forums&module=extras&section=legends#"][color=#353535] [/color][/url] Details...

Late November just after the rates drop to lowest. $75 a round, $40 replays, $50 to play Bandon Preserve. I'll be ready for any weather.

3 nights, 5 rounds in this order: Bandon Dunes, Pacific Dunes, Old Mac (2x), Bandon Preserve. Unfortunately my favorite course, Bandon Trails, will be down for renovation as mentioned earlier. I've never played Old Mac or Preserve so that more than makes up for no Trails. Preserve will be with the wife but all other rounds it will just be me with some other group.

No caddie. I'm cheap and accept a worse score by not having one. I may try to convince the wife to caddie for me and/or follow with a camcorder.

This is my 3rd trip out there. The wait and anticipation is as bad as it was the first two times.

Boo-Ya, CHEFMIZ!!! I'll let you know how it went when I get back. I hope it will help you get to Feb. It would kill me to wait that long. You must have the patience of a zen monk. Namaste...

[CHEFMIZ]

Two months down- 5 to go. Maybe not the patience of a monk, I am ready to go NOW!

DeNinny- glad to hear you booked your trip, let me know how it goes. I love to hear the details- post pics if possible.

Sabram- Your review was one of the first reviews that i read when i really started digging in on this trip. Thank you for sharing your experience, it paints a vivid picture of the trip.

SnapFade- is your buddy Adam going to be there in Feb?

Thinking of buying all of the yardage guides to get a better idea of the holes, anyone else done this?

[dpark]

yardage guides are good but it really doesn't tell you everything you need to know, that is where the caddy really helps. Telling you where you can miss it and where you can't

If you can get a caddy for your first round on each course, it will help a lot (and add $100 to the cost of the round) but that is up to you.

Regardless, have a great trip!

[CHEFMIZ]

Okay, my original intention was to post on a monthly basis laying out what i have done/planned/executed in an effort to possibly help other members set up their own trip. For some reason time seems to have come to a halt...... Has it really only been 18 days??? Ugh, getting through the winter is going to be tough.

Anyway- if anyone books a trip and a family member/friend/former cellmate wants to pay for a round or a nights stay contact the reservations office and they can purchase a gift card on your behalf.

[DeNinny]

LOL CHEFMIZ. You are not alone. I am dying here too. My wife was just laughing as me yesterday when I was whining about how I can't wait for the trip. I played 9 today at my home course, and since it was very windy I naturally thought of being at Bandon and again realized it's still over a month to go. Also very soon I will break out my Tiger Woods game on Xbox 360 and play Bandon Dunes on it.

Excuse me now while I get in the lotus position and start chanting to some gamelan music...oooooohhhhmmmm...

[Chris_NH]

[quote name='CHEFMIZ' timestamp='1349488548' post='5757049']
Okay, my original intention was to post on a monthly basis laying out what i have done/planned/executed in an effort to possibly help other members set up their own trip. For some reason time seems to have come to a halt...... Has it really only been 18 days??? Ugh, getting through the winter is going to be tough.

Anyway- if anyone books a trip and a family member/friend/former cellmate wants to pay for a round or a nights stay contact the reservations office and they can purchase a gift card on your behalf.
[/quote]

The waiting sucks. I'm booked for the end of March. A business acquaintance, who has been the source of much of my information about Bandon because he's been there 6 times, just booked his 7th trip beginning Jan 1. So now he's giving me a day-count on a daily basis, knowing that my trip is almost a full three months longer wait.

[HackerDave]

Time to get to work convincing the wife we need to go to Bandon.

[CHEFMIZ]

Just got word that my connection in San Fran on the way out has been moved back. Instead of getting into Eugene at around noon, i am now getting in around 2. Unfortunately, that pretty much rules out playing Preserve on Monday. Oh well, i'm sure that there will be more changes considering how far out i still am.

Played a round in my rain suit on Sunday- ordered a new jacket immediately after. Water resistant< Water Proof

[DeNinny]

[quote name='CHEFMIZ' timestamp='1349834951' post='5773989']
Played a round in my rain suit on Sunday- ordered a new jacket immediately after. Water resistant< Water Proof
[/quote]

Good to check this. You should check the new jacket too. To simulate Bandon rains, have someone spray you with a garden hose while you turn in 360 degree circles. If you stay mostly dry, then it's a good jacket. If not, buy a new jacket.

...shoes are even more important...

[Swingem]

[quote name='CHEFMIZ' timestamp='1349834951' post='5773989']
Just got word that my connection in San Fran on the way out has been moved back. Instead of getting into Eugene at around noon, i am now getting in around 2. Unfortunately, that pretty much rules out playing Preserve on Monday. Oh well, i'm sure that there will be more changes considering how far out i still am.

Played a round in my rain suit on Sunday- ordered a new jacket immediately after. Water resistant< Water Proof
[/quote]

CHEF, you are in for an agonizingly long few months. I've been making the trip to Bandon for 10 years now, end of Feb, with a group that comes from Oregon, Washington & Nor Cal. The anticipation starts in October. Thanksgiving, Christmas and New-Year only denote dates closer to Bandon. Beginning of Feb and work starts to take a back seat. My wife says that by the middle of Feb, I've already left for Bandon. One week out...Fugedaboutit! As much as you may be anticipating how great it will be...It's better. Enjoy!

[ws6]

[quote name='CHEFMIZ' timestamp='1349834951' post='5773989']
Just got word that my connection in San Fran on the way out has been moved back. Instead of getting into Eugene at around noon, i am now getting in around 2. Unfortunately, that pretty much rules out playing Preserve on Monday. Oh well, i'm sure that there will be more changes considering how far out i still am.

Played a round in my rain suit on Sunday- ordered a new jacket immediately after. Water resistant< Water Proof
[/quote]

Stop in Florence and play Sand Pines. It is a little more than an hour from the Eugene airport, and if you get on their email list you can play for $50 (with cart).

[CHEFMIZ]

ws6- Thanks for the heads up. I actually checked that course out when i was first planning the trip. Now that things are pushed back i may swing by and tee it up...

Swingem- thanks for confirming my darkest fear.......
I figure that by Feb 1st, I will have a hard time focusing on anything else. Also, you have a nice sample range, what kind of weather have you experienced?

[njlam]

I go to Bandon every year, the weekend before Thanksgiving and play at least 3 courses at the resort, but try to add Sandpines, Eugene, or the Sheep Ranch on the Friday on the way down from Portland.

The key to great weather during the off season is to bring too much rain gear; I bring at least two of everything and many years, have not needed any of it. The best way to guarantee shorts weather is not to bring any.

It is worth noting that the most profitable piece of real estate on the Bandon property are their pro shops. If you don't bring any piece of rain gear, they will sell it to you.

The Bandon resort pro shops carry every maker of quality golf apparel, so you can logo up with your favorite/best fitting high end gear. It is not cheap, but everyone buys something to commemorate their trip.

This year, we are playing Eugene on the way down, Pacific on day 1, Preserve the morning of day2, Bandon at noon on day 2 and then Old Mac on the final day.

This will be our 8th year...I love Bandon.

[Swingem]

[quote name='CHEFMIZ' timestamp='1350005660' post='5783559']
ws6- Thanks for the heads up. I actually checked that course out when i was first planning the trip. Now that things are pushed back i may swing by and tee it up...

Swingem- thanks for confirming my darkest fear.......
I figure that by Feb 1st, I will have a hard time focusing on anything else. Also, you have a nice sample range, what kind of weather have you experienced?
[/quote]

Over the years we've seen it all weather-wise. But if I had to put it in a nutshell, I'd say 70% fine weather (sunny or overcast), 25% rain / drizzle but comfortable & manageable, and 5% not so nice (downpour, hail, cold etc..). Be prepared for everything as it can change from day to day and even by the hour. Make sure you have the best WATERPROOF raingear you can afford, including a good rain hat. Make sure your shoes are waterPROOF. and, as another had said, forget the umbrella. Golf raingloves are also advisable, as is a flask of good single-malt. Have fun.