Need some advice on Bandon...

[Chief Illiniwek]

I'm not sure why I read all these Bandon threads? They make me crazy jealous...

[Argonne69]

[quote name='Chief Illiniwek' timestamp='1394820324' post='8871537']
I'm not sure why I read all these Bandon threads? They make me crazy jealous...
[/quote]

As you should be. ;-)

I made my first trip to Bandon Dunes last August, and made it down to Streamsong last month. While Streamsong is certainly no Bandon, it does have a lot of the same characteristics, and is much easier, and cheaper, to get to than Bandon for those of us east of the Mississippi. I'd recommend a trip to Streamsong to get a taste of the "good life", and certainly plan a trip to BD.

[duffer987]

I'm not sure why I read all these Bandon threads? They make me crazy jealous...

 

O'Hare to Eugene, couple hours drive, you're here :)

 

 

7th Old Mac, with the 13th of Pacific Dunes on the right, in the background.

[Mr22putt]

[quote name='Chief Illiniwek' timestamp='1394820324' post='8871537']
I'm not sure why I read all these Bandon threads? They make me crazy jealous...
[/quote]
Because it's golf porno!!

[cdnrockies]

[quote name='Mr22putt' timestamp='1394822117' post='8871809']
Because it's golf porno!!
[/quote]

View of Old Mac from by the Ghost tree on #3.

[attachment=2120115:Old Mac from near Ghost Tree on #3.JPG]

Old Mac #5

[attachment=2120117:Old Mac #5.JPG]

Ocean view from Snack Shack behind Old Mac.

[attachment=2120121:Old Mac Ocean View Behind Snack Shack.JPG]

Pacific Dunes #4

[attachment=2120123:Pac Dunes #4.JPG]

Pacific Dunes #[b]11 [/b]

[attachment=2120131:Pac Dunes #10.JPG]

Pacific Dunes #17

[attachment=2120137:Pac Dunes #17.JPG]

[duffer987]

You must have been one of the first groups out that morning?
Only the one pullcart track and very dewy

[cdnrockies]

[quote name='duffer987' timestamp='1394917576' post='8878429']
You must have been one of the first groups out that morning?
Only the one pullcart track and very dewy
[/quote]

I believe we were second out in the morning.

We were sandwiched in between the bigwigs somehow for our afternoon round. The Director of Golf, Jeff Simonds, was apparently playing right in front of us with the President & CEO (?) of Kemper Sports. The guys I had played with in the morning were right behind us....followed by Mike Keiser and guests. Didn't get a chance to meet him unfortunately. Would have been nice to have thanked him face to face for the best pure golf facility in NA.

[av1084]

Keep em coming guys. 3 weeks left to go!

[duffer987]

3 weeks?! [liar] Me not jealous one bit [/liar]

I've been lucky enough to have played a bunch of the top US golf destinations and Bandon is truly something special.
You're going to have a great time

[media=]http://www.flickr.com/photos/13623225@N00/sets/72157632108707235/show/[/media]

I went back and looked through the handful of good pics I had and makes me want to go there even more.

[2putttom]

Beautiful photos and not a house insight.

[av1084]

I'm assuming the answer is yes, but is the markup on pro shop stuff super steep? For example rain gear, socks, etc? (Don't worry I'm planning on going fully stocked but you never know). Any golf stores somewhat nearby or between Bandon and Portland?

[cdnrockies]

[quote name='av1084' timestamp='1395103530' post='8893927']
I'm assuming the answer is yes, but is the markup on pro shop stuff super steep? For example rain gear, socks, etc? (Don't worry I'm planning on going fully stocked but you never know). Any golf stores somewhat nearby or between Bandon and Portland?
[/quote]

There is a Golfsmith just east of I5, south of Portland in Tualatin that is on the way. Was the only store along the interstate that I came across. Can't answer on the proshop prices as I brought all my gear with me.

[mringwelski]

Eugene - Fiddler's green on course pro shop best option by a long shot

[njlam]

[quote name='av1084' timestamp='1395103530' post='8893927']
I'm assuming the answer is yes, but is the markup on pro shop stuff super steep? For example rain gear, socks, etc? (Don't worry I'm planning on going fully stocked but you never know). Any golf stores somewhat nearby or between Bandon and Portland?
[/quote]

The Bandon proshops are the most profitable square footage on the property.

They make it really easy to spend your money as they have virtually ALL the top apparel lines logoed with all five courses.

If you want something, generally they have it, with a logo at the full retail price.

No one leaves Bandon without a souvenir or two.

That being said, it is smart to buy things like golf balls, gloves (rain, cold weather, etc), compression layers, and all other non-souvenir/logo level gear before going there.

If you get challenging weather down there and you don't have a rainsuit, it will cost you.

[jchungum]

[quote name='njlam' timestamp='1395112286' post='8895009']
The Bandon proshops are the most profitable square footage on the property.

They make it really easy to spend your money as they have virtually ALL the top apparel lines logoed with all five courses.

If you want something, generally they have it, with a logo at the full retail price.

No one leaves Bandon without a souvenir or two.

That being said, it is smart to buy things like golf balls, gloves (rain, cold weather, etc), compression layers, and all other non-souvenir/logo level gear before going there.

If you get challenging weather down there and you don't have a rainsuit, it will cost you.
[/quote]

Two more days until I leave for my trip, and I've sent my rain gear ahead with my golf clubs using shipsticks. I agree the pro shops are evil and suck you in with all their cool stuff. Even the gift shop in the main lodge is tough to bypass with souvenirs for the kids. Last trip, I bought three hats, two stuffed animals, ball markers, etc.. So hopefully I have some restrain this time. I'm not bringing any shorts, just to make sure I don't jinx myself with the weather...but if I had to buy them at the pro shop...it would be a great buy and well worth it!

[Argonne69]

A few from my trip last August...('sorry about the pic size)

 

 

 

 

 

 

[av1084]

Wow! those pics are amazing! Perfect weather, looks like you were the only one out there at times!

[spud3]

You almost can't take a bad photo there... there are so many great vistas, but I think that approach to BD #16 (Argonne69's 5th photo above) is probably my favorite. The wide open green, ocean horizon, single pot bunker and the flagstick... Kidd really had a vision there...

[Argonne69]

You almost can't take a bad photo there... there are so many great vistas, but I think that approach to BD #16 (Argonne69's 5th photo above) is probably my favorite. The wide open green, ocean horizon, single pot bunker and the flagstick... Kidd really had a vision there...

 

'Just like Robin Williams said in the origins of golf, "Right near the end, I'll put a little flat piece with a little flag to give you f*cking hope. But then I'll put a little pool and a sand box, to f*ck with your ball again!"

 

And where do you think I hit my approach shot? ;-)

 

Here's the view of #16 from the tee box:

 

[Argonne69]

[quote name='av1084' timestamp='1395174305' post='8899235']
Wow! those pics are amazing! Perfect weather, looks like you were the only one out there at times!
[/quote]

Yes, at times it did seem vacant, especially during the afternoon rounds. I played the Trails on the afternoon of the first day, and I saw one other single the whole time. 'Mind you, the majority of the holes on the Trails course have no view of the other holes.

The weather was cool, but the rain stayed away. The only downer was the infestation of mosquitos, which apparently had never happed before my visit. The dang skeeters spoiled my final round on the Preserve course. Even with bug spray, they were thick as molasses. :-(

[mringwelski]

[quote name='Argonne69' timestamp='1395176815' post='8899513']
[quote name='av1084' timestamp='1395174305' post='8899235']
Wow! those pics are amazing! Perfect weather, looks like you were the only one out there at times!
[/quote]

Yes, at times it did seem vacant, especially during the afternoon rounds. I played the Trails on the afternoon of the first day, and I saw one other single the whole time. 'Mind you, the majority of the holes on the Trails course have no view of the other holes.

The weather was cool, but the rain stayed away. The only downer was the infestation of mosquitos, which apparently had never happed before my visit. The dang skeeters spoiled my final round on the Preserve course. Even with bug spray, they were thick as molasses. :-(
[/quote]
You were there this last summer around August then? That mosquito infestation was no joke! I grew up in Minnesota and have hiked in Alaska and I've never seen moquitos that bad. I'd rather double bag two cart bags in the rain!
I'm sorry you that happened during your trip.
They used some kind of natural garlic stuff and poof, they were gone. It was a glorious day.

[Argonne69]

[quote name='mringwelski' timestamp='1395179119' post='8899775']
[quote name='Argonne69' timestamp='1395176815' post='8899513']
[quote name='av1084' timestamp='1395174305' post='8899235']
Wow! those pics are amazing! Perfect weather, looks like you were the only one out there at times!
[/quote]

Yes, at times it did seem vacant, especially during the afternoon rounds. I played the Trails on the afternoon of the first day, and I saw one other single the whole time. 'Mind you, the majority of the holes on the Trails course have no view of the other holes.

The weather was cool, but the rain stayed away. The only downer was the infestation of mosquitos, which apparently had never happed before my visit. The dang skeeters spoiled my final round on the Preserve course. Even with bug spray, they were thick as molasses. :-(
[/quote]
You were there this last summer around August then? That mosquito infestation was no joke! I grew up in Minnesota and have hiked in Alaska and I've never seen moquitos that bad. I'd rather double bag two cart bags in the rain!
I'm sorry you that happened during your trip.
They used some kind of natural garlic stuff and poof, they were gone. It was a glorious day.
[/quote]

I believe they were debating what to put on the buggers while I was there, as they were trying to avoid chemicals. The must have applied the garlic the day I left, because they were absolutely a terror on the Preserve the morning of my last round. They were bearable during the day when the winds were up, but in the early AM, and late PM, it was worse than I've ever experienced. A few employees mentioned that several groups had canceled rounds after a few holes, as they were being eaten alive.

[av1084]

I'm just praying for weather half as good as in the pictures above! Mosquitoes on the other hand...now that's something I had never associated with Bandon until I just read that!

[mringwelski]

[quote name='av1084' timestamp='1395187503' post='8900677']
I'm just praying for weather half as good as in the pictures above! Mosquitoes on the other hand...now that's something I had never associated with Bandon until I just read that!
[/quote]
It was tied with a thing called the Bandon Marsh that was flooded by the city and it creating a breeding nest for saltwater mosquitos. Don't worry, the problem has been taken care of.

[Chris_NH]

[quote name='cdnrockies' timestamp='1394909799' post='8877905']
[quote name='Mr22putt' timestamp='1394822117' post='8871809']
Because it's golf porno!!
[/quote]

View of Old Mac from by the Ghost tree on #3.

[attachment=2120115:Old Mac from near Ghost Tree on #3.JPG]

Old Mac #5

[attachment=2120117:Old Mac #5.JPG]

Ocean view from Snack Shack behind Old Mac.

[attachment=2120121:Old Mac Ocean View Behind Snack Shack.JPG]

Pacific Dunes #4

[attachment=2120123:Pac Dunes #4.JPG]

Pacific Dunes #10

[attachment=2120131:Pac Dunes #10.JPG]

Pacific Dunes #17

[attachment=2120137:Pac Dunes #17.JPG]
[/quote]

Not to nitpick - but your next-to-last picture is #11, not #10.

[duffer987]

The corner of 10 green is in the foreground :P

[cdnrockies]

[quote name='Chris_NH' timestamp='1395190439' post='8901033']
Not to nitpick - but your next-to-last picture is #11, not #10.
[/quote]

Haha! You are correct Sir. Thanks! Kinda rushed posting them. Was still excited...lol. Will correct my OP.

[Argonne69]

[quote name='mringwelski' timestamp='1395189100' post='8900867']
[quote name='av1084' timestamp='1395187503' post='8900677']
I'm just praying for weather half as good as in the pictures above! Mosquitoes on the other hand...now that's something I had never associated with Bandon until I just read that!
[/quote]
It was tied with a thing called the Bandon Marsh that was flooded by the city and it creating a breeding nest for saltwater mosquitos. Don't worry, the problem has been taken care of.
[/quote]

I was told the same thing. It was the first time it had ever occurred, and likely the last.

[av1084]

Ok, so may have 6 rounds not including preserve on the first day. Which courses do you play twice? I know there will probably be votes for every one, but my thoughts were old mac and one of pacific or bandon. Anyone feel strongly one way or the other? Anyone with input on the order or time of day as well? Thanks in advance!

[duffer987]

6 rounds in one day, not including Preserve?! Wow! :-p Sorry. Couldn't pass up the gramur humour.

As long as you play each of the 4 main courses - so you've seen and played them all at least once - what else you play in addition doesn't really matter. Votes for replay rounds are going to be soooooooooooooooooooo subjective, well as is everything TBH.

Both times I've been there was as a single and I just went into the pro shop of whichever course I was at and asked which course looks most open. They review the tee sheets, offer up the options, and I head over to whichever course they recommend
As a twosome I assume you could do the same, but as a foursome maybe not so much.