bandon dunes

[Neuman101]

who has been out there? how hard was it to get to? and was it worth the trek?

[Hey_Porter]

Heard it is definitely worth it. Side note: apparently Golf in the Kingdom will be filmed there.

[ReDeYES88]

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Heard it is definitely worth it.

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Ditto. Also, friends say Pacific Dunes is the better course.

Just keep in mind that it is a destination, and far from on the way to anywhere. You are going there to golf, because there isn't much else to do.

Weather is fast changing, so bring the rain gear along with the shorts.

[41eater]

I'm going in the very near future. Going to play all 3 courses. Will report.

[Wally S]

I have played all three courses. Without question the best golf destination resort in the US. Better than Pinehurst or Pebble Beach.

things to remember:

1. All walking, no carts at all. Caddies are available and recommended. They also have wide wheeled pull carts if you wish. As a side note you are allowed to pull your cart across the green as long as you do not park it on the green.

2. Weather is always a factor. Bring rain gear and expect wind, but always playable.

3. Make sure you have reservations, very busy all the time.

4. Destination resort, not much else going on but these are local HE tourneys nearby. Many of the caddies play so just ask your caddy.

wally

[Jeremy517]

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Just keep in mind that it is a destination, and far from on the way to anywhere. You are going there to golf, because there isn't much else to do.

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The West Coast Game Park in Bandon is awesome if you like animals.

[Butcho22]

Ditch your buddies and play as a single. You'll play way more golf that way.

[Neuman101]

in terms of lodging and food...how would they rate? also what are best months to go and worst? I seem to remember the Pacific Nortwest can be rainy. thanks

[tuq]

[ QUOTE ]
who has been out there? how hard was it to get to? and was it worth the trek?

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Funny, a good friend of mine got there yesterday for 18, 36 today, and 18 tomorrow. He also went last year and spoke very highly of Bandon Trails, the new inland course.

As for which course is the best, that's like lining up three supermodels and having to pick one, but even the two you didn't pick you'd nail in a second if the rufis kick in.

By the way, the websites for these courses is absolutely stellar, with great overviews of every hole, pictures, scorecards, etc. I'd link it if it wasn't so ridiculously easy to find.

As for getting there, he had to fly Alaska Airlines from Phoenix to Portland, and then grab a connecting flight to a small nearby town, and then it's like another half hour drive. So it can be a bit cumbersome to get to, but you could probably fly out from anywhere in the US in the morning (picking up three hours from the east) and still get there in time to play 18 that day.

Also, replay rates span all the courses, 1/2 price for same day play. For example, this morning I think he said he's playing Pacific Dunes, and then going over to one of the Bandon courses for the afternoon round at half the rack rate.

And yeah, EVERY person I know who has played these courses picks them easily over Pebble Beach, and to a lesser degree Spyglass Hill.

[nsj]

We went this April, and Wally pretty much summed up the basics.

Getting there is a bit of a pain. We connected through Portland (Via Toronto/Chicago) and then took a little prop plane to North Bend/Coos Bay. From there it's about a 30-minute drive.

Once at the resort, there is very little except for the golf, but it is fantastic. Dress for unpredictable weather, take a caddy, and don't worry so much about what you shoot. The golf is as good as you will find anywhere on the planet, and I personally believe that Trails and Pacific are far superior to the original Bandon course.

Food and drink is great. So is service, and all without being pretentious. Someone mentioned Pebble Beach in this thread. I've been to both, and it's nice to be able to grab a $7 club sandwich and a $4 Oregon microbrew pint at the turn instead of some overpriced food-art and an $8 bottle of Stella Artois. Point being, this place is built for golf and doesn't pretend to be anything else.

Also of note is that there is a casino in North Bend/Coos Bay with a poker room. Pretty small, when I was there they had two 1/2NL 200max tables running and nothing else. Game was deep with regulars, though. Table I was seated at had about 7-8k in play.

Have an amazing trip.