Bandon Dunes

There has been a post or two previously but nothing lately.  Would like to hear from those who have gone and hear how you rate the courses? Type lodging you utilized? Travel into area, take the puddle jumper in or Portland and drive? Any feedback welcome.

I've been twice. First time just Bandon and Pacific were open. Went last year and rented house just north of resort. That was truely special. Old Macdonald spectacular.  Some great recreations of CB's best.  Has anyone gone to the casino up the road?  Best course to play on way to from Coos Bay?  My personal rating of courses is Old Mac, Pacific, Bandon and Trails. If you haven't been and you have the resources.....WHY you waiting?

I'll be there staring a week from tomorrow. I'll post a report when I return

I played Pacific Dunes in March. I lucked out with a sunny and clear day for that time of year. My fiancee's grandparents live in Bandon, so I did not utilize any of the lodging at the resort, though I certainly would love to stay for 4-5 days in the future on site and play all the courses. The resort is beautiful, and PD was absolutely gorgeous (and extremely challenging for a first time links player).

A 5th course is in development, but I think it may just be a par-3?

The 5th course is a par three (12 holes I believe). It looks complete vand the grass is in. You can see it from the first tee at Bandon Trails. It lies between there and the Bandon Dunes course. My caddie said it is set to open in the spring of 2012.

There are also plans for another full size course south of the original course. It is being designed by Gil Hanse and is in the process of obtaining permits.

Played all 4 courses July 2010 and its was everything i expected and more. I flew in on the turbo prop with about 16 seats from portland. We had great weather except for the the first 13 holes on Old Mac, dense fog. I somehow shot my best round of my trip there, a 79. I should play in the fog more often i guess. I played all 4 courses at whistling straights this summer and would have to say bandon dunes resort was better on all accounts. I do think whistling straights is the best course of the 8 courses on the two resorts. Bandon has all 4 courses on site. The caddies at bandon were better. I stayed at the resort in Bandon and everything was very accessible and the food and service was outstanding.  The collection of courses at Bandon are the best of any resort in the US. A vaction at Bandon is about one thing... The Golf.. nothing else seems to matter when you are walking down the firm fairways at Bandon and taking in the views of the Pacific. Cant wait to go back to Bandon.

Mike Keiser the owner of Bandon and a godsend to golfers here in the USA has been bartering with Bandon regarding trading some of his land for some of the municipal land.  The intent being to build another golf complex next to the resort.  This complex to be municipal in nature but built similar to the courses at the resort.  I believe the complex to have at least two courses.  The 13 hole par 3 course is to open this coming summer and by all reviews is a spectacular array of short holes.  Any golfer wishing to experience the best group of links courses in the USA has gotta get to Bandon.  It's that special.  Keiser also has a course, nine holer in suberbs of Chicago which is rated as the best 9 holer in USA.  He's got a course he was involved with up in Nova Scotia too, that is supposedly spectacular....

I was at Bandon earlier this month. Here's a link to report and photo tour of the courses. (Scroll down on the linked page if you want to skip staright to the photos)

http://golfcourses.weebly.com/bandon-dunes-resort-bandon-oregon.html

damn, that is a trip report! i don't put that much effort into a presentation for work!

this was  fantastic read, thanks for posting it!!

Many family commitments past couple months...Son/Daughter weddings...YadaYadaYada....This post was darn near a religous experience...I'm copying it and sending to my buds who went with me to Bandon.  Thank you.

I echo the others who have said this is a fantastic trip report!  My brother will be out there for work in a few weeks and has made a tee time (can't remember which course he is playing though...).  I sent him links to this thread as well as your report!  Thanks for posting!

Thanks guys for the nice comments about the Bandon trip reoport.  I've been living in a hotel since last Saturday. Electricity just came back on this morning following our big storm.  It's the end of the golf season in the Northeast.  I've just put up a poster sized print of Old Mac #14 on my office wall... that  and the memories of the  Bandon trip will get me through the winter (at least until my Florida trip).