Bandon Butterflies

[immts007]

I did it! Non-refundable tee-times booked. 10 days from now, this high-handicap hacker will be teeing off at one of the greatest golf courses in the world (so I'm told).

Why am I already feeling first tee jitters?

We chose Bandon Dunes because legend says it is both the most lenient and the most scenic.

Even though we are getting the resident+winter discount rate of $75, this is still a lot of $ to me and I'm going to forgo the recommended caddy. $50+$25 tip = another round! I've never played with a caddy in my life, I have a hard time believing that this course is so mind-bogglingly more difficult than other top-notch course I've played, that it will make the difference between whether or not I enjoy my round. Am I that off base?

Fellow Oregonians: Whose done the drive from Depoe Bay to Bandon? Google is telling me 3.5 hours, but despite the sometimes slow and curvy coastal hwy, I find it hard to believe it will take me 3.5 hours to drive a distance that would normally take me under 2.

Excited!

[iacas]

Even though we are getting the resident+winter discount rate of $75, this is still a lot of $ to me and I'm going to forgo the recommended caddy. $50+$25 tip = another round! I've never played with a caddy in my life, I have a hard time believing that this course is so mind-bogglingly more difficult than other top-notch course I've played, that it will make the difference between whether or not I enjoy my round. Am I that off base?

First off, congrats! I'm envious. Awesome.

Second, I thought the caddies had a no-tip policy there, but I looked and they do not, so you're right about the total cost. That said, I might still splurge if I were you. The caddie will tell you a bunch of shots you might not have thought of - they'll know how to read the green, where to play your shots, etc. From what I've heard, aside from maybe the Old Course, caddies are as handy at Bandon Dunes as anywhere else. I'd splurge. But that's me, so, take it for what it's worth.

[Kraemer]

I'm an oregonian... and jealous. Bandon Dunes is a 5 hour drive from Portland; I have done it a few times but I take the "back door" down I-5.
I would say get the Caddie; at least this first time you play there. $75 sounds like a lot for winter; granted it's not $495-- but for instance; Pumpkin Ridge
is normally $150 in the summer and winter it's only $30 bucks! I'll have to check out Bandon's web site--

Any PDX'ers out there who are still playing?

[Big_M]

As Erik said... Caddies can be a great help... I will take one when I play Arcadia Bluffs this summer, but that being said... as a 22 handicap you probably wouldn't benefit as much as someone who is a bit more consistent (I mean absolutelty NO offense by this). Either way, from all I have read you are in for a treat and with or without a caddie you should have a ball. I would ask the course if they have yardage guides, or even do a google search for one (who knows).

Take and post some pics when you get back.

[5555555]

I'd take the caddies on at least the first round of every course that you play there. There's some blind shots and if you're not used to playing links golf, they can add to your enjoyment and learning. I'd never had a caddy before going to Bandon, and it was a bit odd at the beginning. Our plan was to use a caddie for the first round of every course, but in the end, we used them for every round. Some days we played 56 holes. They really added to the experience. If I was going to play there every weekend, it would be a different story, but for a trip like this it was worth it.

[Bastid]

Play it from the far back.

[immts007]

Apparently you can 'share' a caddie - might see if my buddy is into doing that.

[Kraemer]

Caddies usually carry 2 bags.

[colin007]

do you have a GPS?

and BTW, pics or it didnt happen.

[immts007]

As Erik said... Caddies can be a great help... I will take one when I play Arcadia Bluffs this summer, but that being said... as a 22 handicap you probably wouldn't benefit as much as someone who is a bit more consistent (I mean absolutelty NO offense by this).

Absolutely none taken - that was kind of my logic as well.

[immts007]

do you have a GPS?

Golfshot GPS on my iPhone 3GS - awesome, awesome app. And yes, there will be pics

Thought about arranging a day to the Bally Bandon Sheep Ranch, but I think we'll save that for a future visit.

[bogeyhitter25]

Dude that's so sick! Bandon, OR is so close to my house, that I could literally walk there with my bag (as you can see by my location).

Have an awesome time there, bro. Hope it's the best round of your life!

[immts007]

We got so lucky. Two days before our appointed time, the weather was looking to be MISERABLE. The Weather.com "golf index" was showing a "0" (very poor) on a scale of 1 to 10. But the rains stopped and we ended up with a "6" (good) - and it felt better than that to me. Very little wind if any. Only a few sprinkles here and there, and temperatures right around 55 degrees.

I WANT TO GO BACK. I didn't play well over all, but I didn't care - perhaps the vicodin I took, and the bourbon I was sipping contributed to both the former and the latter. I hit some very good shots amongst all the hackery... had 5 greens in regulation, sunk a few long putts and nailed at least a half dozen approaches. Didn't get a caddy, but I might on a future return visit.

The place is heaven, guys. You must go.

[Big_M]

Looks like Scottish weather in the pics. That's great that the weather worked out, it's always nice when that happens. I had a similar day trip planned over the summer and we golfed in the only non-raining (minus a few sprinkles) part of the day. We drove almost 2hrs so we really lucked out and had the course almost to ourselves. Anyway... thanks for posting the pics, and good luck with a return visit... maybe play all the Bandon courses.