Bandon Dunes

[tristanhilton85]

Next summer, my wife and I will be going on vacation with her family to Oregon and I'm making it a point to make a bit of a side trip for my wife and I to play Bandon Dunes. We really can only afford to play once so my question is, which course? Right now I'm leaning towards either Bandon Dunes or Pacific Dunes, but still am unsure. For those who have played them, let me know what you think.

Thanks.

[ItinerantGolfer]

Between those two I preferred Pacific Dunes.  I wouldn't rule out Old Macdonald either.  I was a big fan.  If you can do a 36 hole day you can have a chance to see 2 courses.  The replay rate is typically half of what the first play costs . . . if you're really ambitious, the third round is FREE.

[19fairway]

I've been fortunate to play the four big courses there and I would tell you to play Pacific over Bandon.  Old MacDonald would be a close third and trails a distant forth.

[raygrinberg]

You can't go wrong with any of the courses. First time through I would choose Bandon. Its right there at the lodge and has a great feel about it.

[phan52]

Pacific Dunes, without question. They're all great and you can't go wrong with any of them. But Pacific is just a blast. Try to play two courses in one day and the second round is half priced. In order, IMO:

1. Pacific Dunes

2. Bandon Dunes

3. Bandon Trails

4. Old MacDonald

Old MacDonald is very different and interesting, and it has a couple of stunning views (see my avatar), but it would take a couple of rounds to  figure it out. I can't wait to go back and play the new par 3 course.

[sabram]

Tough choice. Pacific is the most popualr, but any of them will be a great round. Try to chnage your plans to play all four.  Here is a photo tour of all four:

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

[Fine Chammy]

Like picking your favorite kid.  The good news is that you cannot make a bad choice.

[raygrinberg]

Just got back from my second trip to Bandon. My favorite is still the original. Loved Old Mac and it goes to #2 followed by Trails and then Pacific. I know Pacific is many people's favorite but it just doesn't fit my eye (and game). The preserve is a kick. Our group has already book edits 2013 trip.

[Golfingdad]

Technology is fun!  This is a screenshot from the Bandon live webcam from about 2 minutes ago:

And that is my brother ( @SCfanatic35 ) on the bottom/middle of the screen, purple shirt/black hat, waiting to tee off on Bandon Dunes in about 10 minutes ... all while I'm here in California "working."

LOL.

[David in FL]

Very cool!

[Golfingdad]

Very cool!

Except he hit his first drive OB (or lost) right.  :(  Then again ... he's golfing and I'm at work, so ...

The camera is also capable of watching the 10th tee and 18th green, so I'll check back in with him in a couple of hours. :)

[iacas]

And that is my brother (@SCfanatic35 ) on the bottom/middle of the screen, purple shirt/black hat, waiting to tee off on Bandon Dunes in about 10 minutes ... all while I'm here in California "working."

What is it with your family anyway, Barney?

[Golfingdad]

What is it with your family anyway, Barney? :-D

Purple is a color that just works for us apparently! :)

[SCfanatic35]

Just got back from my Bandon Dunes Golf Resort trip.  I absolutely loved it, and can't wait to go back with the guys from my club.  Played all 5 courses, Bandon Dunes, Pacific Dunes, Bandon Trails, Old McDonald, and the 13 hole Par 3 Preserve.  Weather was absolutely perfect, the caddies in our group said that we were lucky to have such good conditions all 3 days we were there.  The only day the weather got a little crazy was the first day on the back 9 of Bandon Dunes and the wind was blowing steady at 30 mph and gusting up to 40 maybe more.  We also played the par 3 Preserve later in the afternoon in that wind.  It was pretty funny watching all of the guys try and create a shot to get through the wind.  One of the holes I aimed about 40 yards right and hit my 3hybrid to reach a 145 yard hole (my hybrid goes about 205).

The 2nd day we played Pacific Dunes in the morning and then raced over on the shuttle to Bandon Trails to make our tee times.  These were my 2 favorite courses at the resort.  The final day, yesterday, we played Old McDonald in the morning and had just a little bit of wind, which made the course very tame.

My PGA pro at my country club organized this trip.  It cost me 1040 to play all 5 courses, 3 night stay, 2 dinners, and 3 breakfasts at the resort.  Next time I go I'm taking Golfingdad and even of you crazy guys with me because we are allowed to bring guests as well.  Having trouble uploading my photos.

On a side note all of the guys who have made the trip to Pebble Beach resort said overall this trip was much better.  They all agreed that Pebble itself is better than these courses, but the total package of courses, shuttles, food, staff, etc...Bandon beat Pebble.

[David in FL]

What a great trip!

[phan52]

This is my screensaver on my computer, the view from Old MacDonald looking north. Gotta go in the spring when the gorse is blooming.

[Golfingdad]

Just got back from my Bandon Dunes Golf Resort trip.  I absolutely loved it, and can't wait to go back with the guys from my club.  Played all 5 courses, Bandon Dunes, Pacific Dunes, Bandon Trails, Old McDonald, and the 13 hole Par 3 Preserve.  Weather was absolutely perfect, the caddies in our group said that we were lucky to have such good conditions all 3 days we were there.  The only day the weather got a little crazy was the first day on the back 9 of Bandon Dunes and the wind was blowing steady at 30 mph and gusting up to 40 maybe more.  We also played the par 3 Preserve later in the afternoon in that wind.  It was pretty funny watching all of the guys try and create a shot to get through the wind.  One of the holes I aimed about 40 yards right and hit my 3hybrid to reach a 145 yard hole (my hybrid goes about 205).

The 2nd day we played Pacific Dunes in the morning and then raced over on the shuttle to Bandon Trails to make our tee times.  These were my 2 favorite courses at the resort.  The final day, yesterday, we played Old McDonald in the morning and had just a little bit of wind, which made the course very tame.

My PGA pro at my country club organized this trip.  It cost me 1040 to play all 5 courses, 3 night stay, 2 dinners, and 3 breakfasts at the resort.  Next time I go I'm taking Golfingdad and even of you crazy guys with me because we are allowed to bring guests as well.  Having trouble uploading my photos.

On a side note all of the guys who have made the trip to Pebble Beach resort said overall this trip was much better.  They all agreed that Pebble itself is better than these courses, but the total package of courses, shuttles, food, staff, etc...Bandon beat Pebble.

I'm in.  After all of the pictures and descriptions I saw, if you guys do this again next year, let me know as soon as possible and I will mark it on the calendar.  Looks like a blast!

[SCfanatic35]

They've gone the last 5 years in March so I would plan on the same for next year. Can't wait to go back and play them now that I have a better idea of what to do. Shot better every round, took a little while to get used to the style of play needed there. Shot 102,97,98,92. The round of 98 was at Bandon Trails and was our 2nd round of the day. Should have shot in the 80's but fatigue and powerful wind on the final 4 finishing holes made it hard. Next time I go I'm getting a caddie for every round. Something I'm not used to doing, worrying about wind when putting. I had downhill putts that got stopped by it. I had a few putts that had a good amount of break in them but the wind was blowing the opposite direction and canceled out the break. Not to mention all the times I putted from way off the green.