Random Bandon Thread

[oregongolf]

We are playing the same rotation of courses, but we also play Old Mac on Sunday.

Do you have the Callaway bag with the short legs? I've always wondered how those do.

 

[Sushiyoshi]

Yes, the one with the short legs. The link is for newer version it looks like as the material looks stiff and the bag holds its structure. Mine is soft and limpy nylon/polyester like.

I used it a few times. Feels different since it has single strap and I have been using double strap for 20 years.

Had no issues with it tho. Plenty of room 8 clubs. I think most clubs I used it with was 10, but the grips get tangled here and here since there is no full length divider.

Hyper-Lite 1+ Single Strap Pencil Bag

 

[eboettne]

Here's a random bandon question: when flying into North Bend which shuttle do you prefer taking to the course? Aviation or Connoisseurs?

[Dsevans8]

Guys what are the transportation options from Eugene airport? Couple of guys in our group are going to be flying into Eugene, not sure if there is a shuttle service or if they should just rent a car and drive on over.

[jrg75]

I priced a shuttle recently and it was really only cost effective if you get to a group of 5 or 6 If you are just looking at a couple of guys, rental car is pretty much the best option. I'll see if I can find the quote but it was like 450 each way.

[Dsevans8]

Yeah that's what I thought, rental should be fairly economical I would think for a couple of guys.

[VNutz]

My group had 12 or so guys and got a shuttle. I think their cost per person was about the same or a bit higher than my rental to Eugene when my North Bend flight was cancelled, but for the peace of mind and relaxation of not driving after a couple days of golf it was probably worth it.

[VNutz]

How many people do you have? If you're more than 1 call a taxi. If it's just you I think Fairway Shuttle was $45 or so, he's the main transportation guy around Bandon.

[eboettne]

It's 2 of us, so $65 per person roundtrip

[dpark]

So for those that have never been to Bandon before or don't really understand how fast the weather conditions can change in the winter months, here are two videos. The first was taken at 9am and we were on the 6th hole on Bandon Dunes (par 3). The rain was like this pretty much the entire round. I was the ONLY golfer with full Goretex gear. Everyone else had "rainproof" gear and they were miserable and soaked to the bone.

The second video was taken the same day at 3pm on the 8th hole at Pacific Dunes (probably teed off around 145p). I was all by myself because none of my golfing buddies wanted to go out in anymore rain. But the crazy thing was that by the 3rd or 4th hole, it all stopped (wind and rain). This is how quickly and dramatically the weather can change on the Oregon coast.

After the first round, when I asked who wanted to go and do a replay round (1/2 price) the collective response was "no, no, no, no, hell f-ing no" all while looking down at the ground and shaking their head side to side, similar to a response you would get asking a child who is afraid of heights to go on a monster roller coaster. It was pretty hilarious. I was going to do a replay round regardless of the weather. It's BANDON! I play replays EVERY day I am there and 45 holes when there is enough daylight.

Needless to say, all of them stopped at Fiddler's Green on the way home and bought Goretex rainsuits. It still sucks playing in driving rain, and eventually you will get wet, but a good rainsuit makes all the difference. FYI, I was wearing all Sunice Goretex that day. Still the best rainsuit I have. As pretty close to bombproof as you can get.

Here is a pic from the 13th tee at Pacific during the round. It turned out to be a glorious day for the replay round. And I had the course all to myself. I don't recall another time playing this hole and not seeing any other golfers either playing 13 or walking to 14. Hard to believe the first video and this pic were taken on the same day, but that is what can happen at Bandon in the winter. Be prepared for the worst and hope for the best!

[buzlin]

Is there a consensus about whether or not The Preserve is free as your third round? My understanding is that it's not, but sometimes they'll let you go out without charging you?

[spud3]

it was when I went in December

[wtoomey]

Used both transport companies with a group of 12. I’m a fan of Aviation. They were always in communication and stuck around even when our flight was delayed six hours.

They stopped for groceries, and even picked some more up and brought the next day.

[Edaw68]

So I was on google maps for a different thread, and saw that the maintenance road that runs through Trails is labeled as "Royal Dornoch Road" on google. Just thought that was mildly interesting.

[CMCSGolf]

Not a full answer to your question, but I was allowed to go around the preserve a second time for free. Payed for a regular 18 in the morning, paid for the preserve in early afternoon, and then played another round on the preserve and 9 holes on Bandon for free.

[spud3]

Ooh, you may be onto something here... never thought of using the Preserve as the paid second round, then hopping on a big course for the free third round. From April thru November that would save $100 or more, though not so much in the off-season months.

 

Taken to its extreme: pay for Preserve in the early morning, half price Preserve right after, then the rest of the day on big courses for free. Off season, that's $75 for two rounds on the Preserve and all the holes you can manage on the rest of the courses. High season it's $150.

 

I imagine they would only need to see that happening a few times before changing up the rules.

[buzlin]

Spud, someone needs to pull this off! Someone local who goes more frequently than the rest of us! Basically, you. Hahahaha.

[spud3]

Nah, they already know me. I would be afraid of getting banned.

[shackmangolf]

Aviation transport is awesome. They will pick up groceries, liquor and even stop at dispensary if thats your bag. Their customer service is the best Ive seen. Always a cooler full of cold beer on the shuttle. Absolutely the best way to start a bandon trip.

[poppyhillsguy]

Someone told me today to NOT bring my Ping Double-Canopy umbrella because it would be a pain to use well playing. Any opinions on this...

 

[buzlin]

Most recommend against umbrellas because the winds that typically accompany heavy rains make them unusable. Most guys rely on bucket hats with straps to keep them from flying off. That said, you can always bring it and assuming the winds aren't bad you can carry it with you. But unless you're using a caddie, it's preferable to go as lightweight as possible, and go bucket hat and goretex rain suit.

[dpark]

Do not bother with an umbrella. Bring a dunk hat instead. If you look at the first video in my post above (post #430), would you want to be carrying an umbrella in that?

Take the Goretex raingear and raingloves, leave the cannoli (umbrella)

p.s. Love Poppy Hills, used to play it all the time. Haven't played it since the remodel. Shame it isn't part of the Pebble Beach Pro-Am anymore...

[spud3]

Wear your umbrella.

[shackmangolf]

You will spend more time chasing your umbrella than playing golf. Leave it. If it attached to your cart, you will be chasing your golf clubs and your umbrella.

Rule #1 for Bandon trip: no umbrellas.

I mean this in a nice way, but I think that everyoone on the first tee would try to convince you to leave it. From the nice starter to a several snarky comments from the caddies. But, if you bring an umbrella, you deserve it.

[bellken]

If the winds are light, it might not be too bad, but, if it is blowing, it could be a pain to use, or, it could be time to buy a new umbrella.

[poppyhillsguy]

Thank you all for the advice about the umbrella.

 

[eboettne]

Can anyone comment on the current state of the greens for each course or course conditions in general? I haven't heard anything negative so I'm assuming that's a good thing?

[Edaw68]

I was there about a month ago and everything was mostly good. A couple greens on OM are starting to show the Poa lumpiness (I specifically remember 10 as one that didn't look great). Bandon was good all over. Pacific was generally good, with one hole (I can't remember which one) that had some dirt spots. Trails was a lot better than it was a few years ago, I don't remember any spots where putts were affected.

Trails had the winter black netting out in the usual low collections areas in the fairways to help with divots. A couple nets on Trails, and I don't remember any on Bandon or Old Mac, although #1 on Bandon might have had some in front of the green, but I wasn't down there so didn't mentally note it. The Bandon course changes from the last couple years are growing in nicely. You can still tell where bunkers used to be that were covered up or moved, but it's playable.

[duffer987]

If they ever removed those nets off #1 from Trails, I'd need to find a target for that opening tee shot ;-)

[eboettne]

Good to hear, thanks for the report. I remember when I went back in December of 2018 hearing how bad Trails greens were. By the time I got there, I thought they were rolling really true so I suppose it could change too in a month's time. Of course we were one of the 1st groups off on Trails and now I'll be playing it in the afternoon so I'd guess that will affect it as well. Thanks again