Headed to Bandon Dunes next spring

1,103 Views | 17 Replies | Last: 1 day ago by 12thMansplain
12thMansplain
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AG
Never been, and would appreciate and all tips/recommendations/commentary from folks who have. Was lucky enough to get picked in drawing for next year, don't ask me how…

Tentative plan: fly into Seattle to play Chamber's Bay, spend a night up there and then head down to Bandon Dunes where we'll be for four nights/five days. Playing all courses (Bandon Dunes twice) and also the two par three courses. Planning to fly out of Portland back to Texas. Appreciate any thoughts
AggieDruggist89
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AG
Get your legs ready for all the walking. Practice bump and run.

Have a good time.
AledoAg86
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I played all 5 courses in early November. It was an awesome experience. We stayed in one of the Grove Cottages, which were nice. Our group (four golfers) ate every meal on site (we never left the resort upon arrival). McKee's Pub was difficult to get a table without an hour wait (they did not take reservations). It was recommended to buy any wine and beer for your stay at the Beverage Barn in Bandon (it is red). Turned out to be solid advice. We also ate on the way to Bandon Dunes at 7 Devils Waterfront Alehouse in Coos Bay (their Coos Light Lager wasn't bad at all). The food was pretty solid after traveling all day from DFW (we flew into Eugene).

We made reservations long before arrival for the Ghost Tree Grill and the Pacific Grill, which were great dining experiences. At Pacific Grill we had some 26-year-old Scotch to start off our meal. It was very smooth and well worth it. The only thing that was meh was the Oregon wine the Sommelier recommended at the Ghost Tree Grill. Our waitress recommended a much better Oregon wine later that evening.

We did eat breakfast every morning at the Bandon Dunes Restaurant. It's a $20 buffet that's solid. We never ate lunch since we were playing. After playing Sheep Ranch, order their famous sandwich at the grill. I don't remember the sandwich name, but the caddies will know for sure.

You can charge your room for "caddy cash" to pay the $100 caddie fee plus tip. I usually tipped between $60 - $80. The day I tipped $80 was for Bandon Dunes when it was blowing 35 mph and raining at times. Our two caddies were superb and were with us every day. We were lucky that one of our caddies had been there since day one. Be sure to listen to your caddies as they are essentially your wind & yardage consultants. They know the greens and the best routes to take on certain holes.

There are two areas to take a panoramic photo with your group while playing. One spot is near the 14th tee at Bandon Trails where Shorty Dow used to camp with his wife. The other spot is near the 16th tee at Bandon Dunes.

Don't worry if you don't see merchandise in your size or desired color at any of the pro shops. Bandon Dunes has a really good website for ordering things not in stock at the time of your visit or if you do not want to bring it back on your return trip. I'm sure if you buy it there, the staff will assist with shipping it to you for a reasonable fee.

You are going to walk a lot. Our cottage had Therabody leg compression sleeves that we used every night and morning. If you find them in your cottage, be sure to use them.

Have fun and take lots of photos. Bandon Dunes is now my golf nirvana.

12thMansplain
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AG
Awesome thanks a ton for passing all that along. Glad that it sounds like you had an incredible time. Will certainly take note of this and try to replicate some of it. Thanks again sir
12thMansplain
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Thank you sir
Hanrahan
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AG
changing socks between rounds is a must. wear comfortable, sneaker style golf shoes. have fun, best golf trip in USA!
AggieDruggist89
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AledoAg86 said:

I played all 5 courses in early November. It was an awesome experience. We stayed in one of the Grove Cottages, which were nice. Our group (four golfers) ate every meal on site (we never left the resort upon arrival). McKee's Pub was difficult to get a table without an hour wait (they did not take reservations). It was recommended to buy any wine and beer for your stay at the Beverage Barn in Bandon (it is red). Turned out to be solid advice. We also ate on the way to Bandon Dunes at 7 Devils Waterfront Alehouse in Coos Bay (their Coos Light Lager wasn't bad at all). The food was pretty solid after traveling all day from DFW (we flew into Eugene).

We made reservations long before arrival for the Ghost Tree Grill and the Pacific Grill, which were great dining experiences. At Pacific Grill we had some 26-year-old Scotch to start off our meal. It was very smooth and well worth it. The only thing that was meh was the Oregon wine the Sommelier recommended at the Ghost Tree Grill. Our waitress recommended a much better Oregon wine later that evening.

We did eat breakfast every morning at the Bandon Dunes Restaurant. It's a $20 buffet that's solid. We never ate lunch since we were playing. After playing Sheep Ranch, order their famous sandwich at the grill. I don't remember the sandwich name, but the caddies will know for sure.

You can charge your room for "caddy cash" to pay the $100 caddie fee plus tip. I usually tipped between $60 - $80. The day I tipped $80 was for Bandon Dunes when it was blowing 35 mph and raining at times. Our two caddies were superb and were with us every day. We were lucky that one of our caddies had been there since day one. Be sure to listen to your caddies as they are essentially your wind & yardage consultants. They know the greens and the best routes to take on certain holes.

There are two areas to take a panoramic photo with your group while playing. One spot is near the 14th tee at Bandon Trails where Shorty Dow used to camp with his wife. The other spot is near the 16th tee at Bandon Dunes.

Don't worry if you don't see merchandise in your size or desired color at any of the pro shops. Bandon Dunes has a really good website for ordering things not in stock at the time of your visit or if you do not want to bring it back on your return trip. I'm sure if you buy it there, the staff will assist with shipping it to you for a reasonable fee.

You are going to walk a lot. Our cottage had Therabody leg compression sleeves that we used every night and morning. If you find them in your cottage, be sure to use them.

Have fun and take lots of photos. Bandon Dunes is now my golf nirvana.




Geez. Staph, sticky this post.

I've done Bandon often but this post tops it all.
aggiebonzo
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AG
Sure this has been discussed but what's the budget PP for Bandon? I'm doing pebble this year but would like to plan Bandon for 2025/2026.
AggieDruggist89
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aggiebonzo said:

Sure this has been discussed but what's the budget PP for Bandon? I'm doing pebble this year but would like to plan Bandon for 2025/2026.


We booked in September of 2024 for June 2025 outing. Not staying on the property made it easier to just book tee times as the lodging was sold out.

5 rounds (2 rounds of replay at 50% discount) for $1,830 PP over 3 days.

Staying in Coos Bay Red Lion Inn 2 per room, $80 per night.

Flight $400 round trip.
AgOutsideAustin
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AG
Can't wait !! I'm bringing my white noise machine because I know you snore a lot.
AggieDruggist89
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AG
And fart.
TBufkin11
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AG
AledoAg86 said:

I played all 5 courses in early November. It was an awesome experience. We stayed in one of the Grove Cottages, which were nice. Our group (four golfers) ate every meal on site (we never left the resort upon arrival). McKee's Pub was difficult to get a table without an hour wait (they did not take reservations). It was recommended to buy any wine and beer for your stay at the Beverage Barn in Bandon (it is red). Turned out to be solid advice. We also ate on the way to Bandon Dunes at 7 Devils Waterfront Alehouse in Coos Bay (their Coos Light Lager wasn't bad at all). The food was pretty solid after traveling all day from DFW (we flew into Eugene).

We made reservations long before arrival for the Ghost Tree Grill and the Pacific Grill, which were great dining experiences. At Pacific Grill we had some 26-year-old Scotch to start off our meal. It was very smooth and well worth it. The only thing that was meh was the Oregon wine the Sommelier recommended at the Ghost Tree Grill. Our waitress recommended a much better Oregon wine later that evening.

We did eat breakfast every morning at the Bandon Dunes Restaurant. It's a $20 buffet that's solid. We never ate lunch since we were playing. After playing Sheep Ranch, order their famous sandwich at the grill. I don't remember the sandwich name, but the caddies will know for sure.

You can charge your room for "caddy cash" to pay the $100 caddie fee plus tip. I usually tipped between $60 - $80. The day I tipped $80 was for Bandon Dunes when it was blowing 35 mph and raining at times. Our two caddies were superb and were with us every day. We were lucky that one of our caddies had been there since day one. Be sure to listen to your caddies as they are essentially your wind & yardage consultants. They know the greens and the best routes to take on certain holes.

There are two areas to take a panoramic photo with your group while playing. One spot is near the 14th tee at Bandon Trails where Shorty Dow used to camp with his wife. The other spot is near the 16th tee at Bandon Dunes.

Don't worry if you don't see merchandise in your size or desired color at any of the pro shops. Bandon Dunes has a really good website for ordering things not in stock at the time of your visit or if you do not want to bring it back on your return trip. I'm sure if you buy it there, the staff will assist with shipping it to you for a reasonable fee.

You are going to walk a lot. Our cottage had Therabody leg compression sleeves that we used every night and morning. If you find them in your cottage, be sure to use them.

Have fun and take lots of photos. Bandon Dunes is now my golf nirvana.


this pretty much sums it up. But, I would add get a Poke bowl at the Bandon Trails clubhouse for lunch. They also have a really solid breakfast.
BigHitterDaLama
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Obligatory "make sure you have time to go the punchbowl........great way to throw some $$$ on putting, have some cocktails and even a cigar"

And as Druggist stated, be ready to hit some low flighted shots, bump and runs......Doesn't matter when you go, the wind can get daunting at any given time without warning.
dcrewint
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I wouldn't stop at changing socks. Bring a 2nd pair of shoes.

Don't overload your bag. You will lose less balls than you anticipate. Your caddies are gonna lighten the load if you don't. Ours took our rangefinders away. It took me awhile to trust, but they're good at what they do.

Old school town, things close down pretty early, so if you go off site make sure you know the closing hours of the places you might want to eat/shop at. We learned on night 1, so we didn't leave the resort after. You're probably better off laying low after the golf, you're gonna be tired and sore.

Take dead aim at the ghost tree! That is if it's still standing.
The Milkman
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AG
aggiebonzo said:

Sure this has been discussed but what's the budget PP for Bandon? I'm doing pebble this year but would like to plan Bandon for 2025/2026.


I just looked at their updated rates since we are talking about trying to get back there again next year. If you go in prime season and play all the courses.

- Flights: hard to find cheap flights during summer there I've found. If you want to closest flight into North Bend they get ya good. Eugene is a little better but a 2.5 drive in.
- lodging: If you want to play all 5 courses and both par 3s you'll need 4 nights.
- caddies: Most people will take caddies for rounds on the regulation courses, especially first time playing them.
- greens fees: rates are posted online but your 2nd loop is half price so doing 36 is encouraged.

At that point you're in about $4,000 before food, drink and merch. That being said if you go in summer, want to play each course, and take caddies… I'd account for $5k
victory lap
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Ghost Tree Grill is the best dinner spot on property. The bar is huge. We've always had good luck showing up without reservations and finding a spot to sit there for dinner.

Offsite: get reservations at Pablo's Corner in Old Town Bandon. Authentic Argentinian food. Pablo has traveled the world working in the kitchens at Michelin Star restaurants. The restaurant feels like you're eating at his house. Empanadas, steak, pasta… all so good. Unbelievable dining experience.

Added bonus: on the way back from Old Town, it's crazy dark out there and there's this hidden turn. Our taxi driver hit it going 75 mph. I swear we caught air. The caddies all laughed at us the next day when we told them the story and knew the exact turn we made. My heart may have stopped for a bit.
Husker4theSpurs
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So many great things said already.

Bring two pairs of shoes for sure as changing shoes and socks a good idea between rounds, plus one pair may get soaked (there are shoe dryers in the rooms). There's no need to leave site unless you just really want to check out town (which is not far at all). Try and make the drives there and from in the light if you can. Scenic.

Make reservations for dinner each night somewhere. You can cancel anytime. In general if you get done at a decent time and get into McKee's you can just cancel your reservation at the other restaurants. A lot of people seem to want to go back to the room and get ready and then head out for supper later--you may be surprised how often you just wanna eat, go back to the room and hit the hay.

The quick breakfast food at Bandon Trails is good if you just want a wrap or the like. There's casual food each place and a sit down meal at Pacific Dunes for more traditional order off a menu. I don't usually do a big buffet on those full days, so worked well for me.

The most difficult walk is Bandon Trails (not that it's that difficult) followed by Old MacDonald. If you aren't accustomed to walking a lot, do some beforehand. You'll definitely be pretty wiped out at the end of a 36 hole day walking out there no matter how good of shape you're in, especially if there's a lot of wind and/or rain.

The Preserve is probably the best Par 3 course i've played. It's real golf, not a pitch and putt.

Like has been said, there's really no need for more than 6 balls each day and you likely won't lose one most days I'd venture to guess. Lighten that bag up as best you can for the caddy. Take a caddy, it's worth it especially the first time. $150-200 straight to the caddy.

Just enjoy--it's a great place. Such a nice communal vibe.
12thMansplain
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AG
Thanks everyone for the input. Very valuable, really appreciate it. Can't wait (even though I have 14 months till my trip)
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