Last minute suggestions/tips for Bandon?

[dpdm03]

My last post was regarding which caddies I should request at Bandon and that was very helpful.

 

We are heading there next Friday and I'm curious if anyone has any last minute tips or suggestions for us. I've gathered a few from this forum, but if anyone has advice for a first timer is love to hear it!

 

 

[honketyhank]

[quote name='dpdm03' timestamp='1377263545' post='7730844']
My last post was regarding which caddies I should request at Bandon and that was very helpful.

We are heading there next Friday and I'm curious if anyone has any last minute tips or suggestions for us. I've gathered a few from this forum, but if anyone has advice for a first timer is love to hear it!
[/quote]

1 - Be prepared for a "learning curve" as you make adjustments in your normal game to accomodate to "Bandon golf" as opposed to the typical inland US golf course. It is possible your scores will not be as good as you would like. Don't let that bother you, else you will be robbed of what could be the best golf experience of your life.

2 - If you are staying at the resort, note that downstairs in the main lodge is a big jacuzzi. Free to guests anywhere on the resort, but not well advertised. Quite nice after a day of battling the wind and gorse.

[honketyhank]

Oh yeah, #3: If you can, pick up a copy of "Dream Golf" - the story of the building of the course - and read it before you get there. If time is limited, flip to the middle of the book to the section where the author plays a round with a former touring pro and describes each hole and how the two played it. What really struck me was the pro's use of the driver on several par 3's. Sort of a knock down driver bunt under the wind. Or putting from 50 yards out instead of chipping or pitching.

[dpdm03]

Had no idea about the jacuzzi. Appreciate it.

Just finished Dream Golf. Absolutely loved it and think its a must read for anyone go

[dpdm03]

*going to Bandon

[Skaffa77]

Apparently you'll need lots of bug spray...read it in another thread...

[potomacgolfer]

Bring a set of warm//wind gear -- you would be surprised how chilly it can feel with winds esp in the AM, even in August.

If you have time between rounds on a 36 hole day, take a shower in between and change golf shoes/socks - you will feel much better by the end. Brung moleskin (available in drugstores) to cover blisters.

[wdm50]

Just returned from Bandon and Chambers Bay Saturday, The bugs had gone, our caddie said they just disappeared, I had requested a caddie and he called in sick on us, so they gave us someone else, he did a fair job. If you are cold natured take some layers with you, I got by with a turtleneck and golf shirt, some people had shorts and short sleeved shirts on, I think it really depends on the individual, heck i'm from Florida. I also went and played Chambers Bay, I had read different opinions of it and was not sure what to expect, but I will tell you it was in awesome shape and a great track, wish i could have played it twice. Good luck and let us no what you think of Bandon.

[mallrat]

Leave the Lob Wedge at home or don't use it outside of a bunker, especially on Old Mac

[2putttom]

Take a camera and take lots of pictures.

[lowndes]

gold bond

[OSKARJONES]

Practice lag putting and some 3/4 knock down shots, you'll need them if it gets windy. Spend some time (1-2 hours) at the range on the first day if you have the time. Have Fun.

[joesho]

I have traveled to Bandon Dunes this time of the year for the past 6 years, in fact I'm only missing you by a few days this time. So far all of the advice you were given has been spot-on with the exception of needing bug spray. I'm sure it can be rough certain times of the year, but not at all an issue when you will be there.

The forum member who mentioned leaving your lob wedge at home was right, the ground is as hard as cement and you will find anything but super-low bounce wedges to be extremely hard to hit. Please consider bringing a 2nd putter with you to hit shots from 40 yards and in. This is a shot you WILL play often and I found it better to use a putter that I didn't mind really clobbering when necessary thus not screwing up the face/loft of my "putting" putter. This sounds silly, but you will be happy you did this. I actually bought a Heavy Putter brand putter just for my 1 week a year at BD.

Some additional travel tips we've learned along the way:

-If driving down from PDX, be sure to stop on your way at Shark Bites in Coos Bay (40 min north of Bandon) for fish tacos and a local beer.

-Have a Bloody Mary at Pac Dunes clubhouse, both bartenders take their mix very seriously and have the fridge stocked so you can get your favorite one even if their not working. I mean serious, as in sauteed garlic etc....They will gladly pass the recipes on to you as they are quite proud of their creations.

-Spend a night in downtown Bandon. It's a town full of crab fishermen and caddies that's 5 minutes from the resort. Have dinner at Tony's Crab Shack, and watch some football and throw darts at The Arcade (caddie bar, owned by a former caddie). You will laugh all night hearing golf stories from the caddies of Bandon.

-Don't take your score seriously if playing Old Mac late in the day. Just enjoy it for how unique and cool it is, that's the place for fun gambling/team games, where your partner(s) can pick you up when you make a double due to an inevitable 4 putt.

Hope this helps, as it is my first post!