Bandon Dunes in July

[siccmade11]

Heading up to the Oregon coast in late July to play some golf. First stop is Bandon Dunes. Out of the four courses there if you could play two which would you chose? Bandon Dunes, Pacific Dune, Bandon Trails or Old Macdonald. at 280$ a round i'm going to limit myself to 2/4 and wanted some input on the which of the four are most worth playing. Also if you know any other courses within 100 miles of bandon that are worth checking out I would appreciate it. Thank's

[green'n'2]

[quote name='siccmade11' timestamp='1370648041' post='7192510']
Heading up to the Oregon coast in late July to play some golf. First stop is Bandon Dunes. Out of the four courses there if you could play two which would you chose? Bandon Dunes, Pacific Dune, Bandon Trails or Old Macdonald. at 280$ a round i'm going to limit myself to 2/4 and wanted some input on the which of the four are most worth playing. Also if you know any other courses within 100 miles of bandon that are worth checking out I would appreciate it. Thank's
[/quote]

All four courses are different from one another but they are all great. You can't go wrong choosing any of them. Personally I would play Pacific Dunes and Old Mac with Trails close behind. My favorite spot on the resort is after hitting your tee shot on #3 and the walk up the dune at Old Mac. It's an absolutely unforgettable view.

[Chris_NH]

You might as well ask a parent which child they love best :-)

I actually agree with green'n'2. Pac Dunes and Bandon Dunes are (IMO) the most similar, so if you have limited time to play, I'd play only one of those - and I'd give the edge to Pac Dunes. Old Mac is, in my mind, "larger than life" - everything is done on a grand scale and, as green'n'2 alluded to, you have a near-religious experience cresting the dune after your drive on #3.

Finally, you're quoting $280/round - but you do know they have same-day replays for $120, right? Hoofing 36 in a day is hard, but it would be a day to remember :-)

[stevopagolf]

I have played them all but Old Mac. I would probably go Pacific and Ol Mac. Bandon is pretty similar to Pacific as another poster said. Others not too far away that are good are Sandpines in Florence and Shalishan golf links. Shalishan was redone by Peter Jacobsen and has an opening 9 holes that are really good and then the back 9 is kind of ho hum but a nice track.

[trojangolfer]

Definitely take advantage of the replay rate. My vote is for the originals: Pacific and BD. Bandon Crossings is about 15 mins from the resort and a bit cheaper. Good track.

[CSmithBandon]

I will have to agree that Bandon Crossings is a great option for the "Value" courses iin the area. It's the closest, and one of the most interesting tracks around (ask one of the BD caddies - a lot of them play there). At $75 it's a lot less than the resort, and you can opt to take a cart if you're tired of walking.

[gin and tonic]

A Rees Jones course, Sand Pines, in Florence, Or. Is not too bad. Not near the caliber do Bandon, but also about 1/4 the price.

[siccmade11]

sand pines looks really nice ...good call

[Ryan C]

[quote name='siccmade11' timestamp='1370648041' post='7192510']
Heading up to the Oregon coast in late July to play some golf. First stop is Bandon Dunes. Out of the four courses there if you could play two which would you chose? Bandon Dunes, Pacific Dune, Bandon Trails or Old Macdonald. at 280$ a round i'm going to limit myself to 2/4 and wanted some input on the which of the four are most worth playing. Also if you know any other courses within 100 miles of bandon that are worth checking out I would appreciate it. Thank's
[/quote]

As previously mentioned take advantage of the replay rate, don't forget 3rd round of the day is free which would be easy to do in July.

[littlechucky]

I was there is late May.

Played 6 rounds (+ the par 3 Preserve). 2 @ Bandon, 2 @ Old Mac, 1 @ Pac and 1 @ Trails.

Hard to choose amongst them...I'd been a few years prior, but only played Pac and Bandon. At the time I liked Pac better than Bandon, but that was likely due to the spectacular ( ie windless) weather we got that day.

This time around we played in a variety of weather and wind (Northerly, westerly, and from the south).

If I had to play only 2...and I'm being influence heavily by the conditions we played each course in...I would choose Bandon and Old Mac.

Bandon for the ocean holes and variety..Old Mac for the fun factor.

Bear in mind you'll likely get the summer prevailing wind...from the North.

So...More crosswind holes on Bandon while Old Mac and Pacific will be more into the wind or straight down. We played Pac in the South wind and it's said to be built for the North wind.

Trails may provide a little shelter in the afternoon.

Bottom line...you can't go wrong with any of them.

[youngun87]

I would say Trails is a must and pick either Pacific or Bandon for the other

[nbaagain]

Old Mac was the most fun course for me by far.

Pacific and Bandon Dunes will look similar visually.

Trails was like playing golf through a forest



Play the ones that don't sound like your home course(s).

[juliette91]

All great replies, can't add anything different other than increase your budget and play all 4 and forget about playing another local course---even though
the suggestions for local courses are all good. I'd rank those suggestions #1 Sanpines; #2 Bandon Crossings. Salishan puts you on the coast but driving along
the coast to Bandon (from there) takes a long time. I'd play Ocean Dunes before I'd play Salishan primarily because Ocean Dunes is a 5 minute drive from Sandpines.

That said, play all four courses and don't pass up a chance to play the Preserve, the par 3. It is Spectacular! Of course we played it on a day it hailed, snowed, rained
and then was perfect sunshine.

Remember, you're traveling a long way to play there and the quality of the experience will be long remembered after the price is forgotten.

[scottleo]

I just got back from Bandon. I was there for 4 days. We played 36 holes each day. The second 18 hole fee is half price. ($240 first round, $120 second round, 3rd round is free). We teed off at 8:00 am and 2 pm stopping for lunch, shower, hot tub etc. We played 36 holes each day and then played the par 3 course Bandon Preserve twice, which is a must for free. I can say that I really enjoyed all 4 courses. Each one had its own feel and playability. I would say that I enjoyed Pacific and Old MacDonald the most. The weather was great, although one morning it was blowing 20 mph and it was 58 degrees and misty. Bring clothes for every occasion because you don't know what you are going to get. You are going to have a great time, but if u can, you must play all 4 courses!

[asommers14]

Was able to play 18 on Bandon Dunes over Thanksgiving week was planning to play Old Mac but I fell ill and it was best for me to sit it out. Love everything about Bandon.

[ws6]

Best 2, IMO Pacific Dunes and Bandon Dunes.

[2putttom]

Give us a brief run down of the trip when you get back.

[Rohlio]

Old Mac is my favorite.

Bandon dunes Second

Pacific third

Trails Fourth (it's main problem is that it shares a parking lot with the other 3).

[siccmade11]

Just booked tee times for Pacific Dunes and Old Mac. Thanks for all the great responses. Just got back from a golfing trip in northern california (truckee,ca) and played Coyote Moon, Old GreenWood, and Nakoma aka The Dragon. I live about two hours away from truckee and had no idea how many top of the line resort courses are located in that area. These courses were in amazing shape and were easily among the top mountain courses I've ever played including SpyGlasses back nine. It was just supposed to be a mini golf trip to prelude bandon but after playing those courses it could have been the main trip of the summer they were that nice. Just wanted to share the info in case anyone is considering that area for a golfing trip. You will not be disappointed. Game is sharp and can't wait for bandon!

[potomacgolfer]

Just came back from three nights/four days at Bandon Dunes -- personally liked Pacific Dunes and Old Mac the best, although everyone has his own opinions and the courses are all great. Please please try to fit in a round at the Preserve (the new short course there).

[kygolfer1980]

I was there last July, it is a very special place... Take advantage of the replays and play all 4. My personal ranking is
1. Bandon Dunes
2. Pacific Dunes
3. Bandon Trails
4. Old Mac
That being said, it is a slim margin between 1 and 4. All have their own unique characteristics that make them amazing. Have Fun!!!

[PaulM26]

I played there for three days last July, and echo most of the comments about how special the place is -- can't wait to go back.

My favorites, in order:

1) Pacific Dunes -- it took me months to get that course out of my head. Absolutely stunning set of holes. Great set of par 3s, and the par 4 13th is probably my favorite hole on the entire property.
2) Bandon Trails -- great flow to the property, with variety that is reminiscent (and superior) to Spyglass Hill (minus any true ocean holes, unfortunately).
3) Bandon Dunes -- some fantastic holes, but some very average ones as well. First two holes are a boring start, and 17 and 18 a relatively weak finish.
4) Old Mac -- really cool course -- I'd echo a poster's comment above about the tee shot on three and then the walk to the top of the hill. Holes 9-13 get a bit boring, but 14-18 are a fantastic finish. Like BD, first two holes are a weak and boring start.

And the Preserve is awesome -- a great way to end the day after 36 holes on the full-sized courses.

[siccmade11]

Just played Morgan Creek here in Sacramento yesterday and got my 2nd hole in one this year...180 yard par 3 over water. Hit a 6 iron and never left the pin. It led to a -1 71 from the tips. Only the second time I've broken par. My game couldn't be in better shape headed into Bandon Dunes next week!

[2putttom]

[quote name='siccmade11' timestamp='1374019831' post='7468926']
Just played Morgan Creek here in Sacramento yesterday and got my 2nd hole in one this year...180 yard par 3 over water. Hit a 6 iron and never left the pin. It led to a -1 71 from the tips. Only the second time I've broken par. My game couldn't be in better shape headed into Bandon Dunes next week!
[/quote] huh...180 with a six iron....huh. The black tee's at Bandon for you.

[Dillinger]

Pacific Dunes hands down.

[siccmade11]

Wooow what an experience bandon was. A trip i'll never forget...played old mac the first day and had to take advantage of the half off replay at any course so i hit up another 18 at bandon trails. The practice facilities there are amazing I think i had just as much fun warming up on their awesome range as I did playing the courses. Pacific Dunes was the next course i played and I've never experienced so much wind in my whole life. I'm talking 30-45 mph wind easy. The par 3 10th and 11th were directly into the wind on the card played 130-140 and I was hitting 3 and 4 iron as hard as I could to get it there. All and all the trip was great and there is a special feeling about that place that no other course I've played has. Great call on Old Mac I played my best golf on that course and it was a blast Here's some pics from the trip.....

[rsj1360]

I played all four at the beginning pf July. I think Pacific Dunes was the most picturesque.

[2putttom]

fantastic pics. Did you get a chance to play any other courses?

[siccmade11]

Yea sand pines and bandon crossings ...crossings was a really nice course and a nice break from the wind heh

[gambit]

I can't wait to go next year. Birthday gift to myself. Out of curiosity, and maybe I missed it, did you play any other courses outside of the resort? Also, is there anything for a non-golf playing wife to enjoy?