Random Bandon Thread

[buzlin]

Definitely agree with Bandon 5 in a north wind. Both the tee shot and approach are tough no matter the wind. I think it's the only hole on the entire resort that I haven't made par. It's been one of my favorite from the beginning, but I think it's in my head now.

I think 11 at OM is tougher into the wind than 12 is downwind. Assuming I can reach the green, judging distance to that shallow green in tough. Tucked behind that bunker? Forget about it! hahaha

OM 4 is another beast, definitely. Pacific 7, always tough no matter what. Pacific 4, yeah, that green seems so narrow, any wind other than slightly helping off the right is a mind f....

Great list and great idea jrg!

[jrg75]

Good catch, I meant 11 on Old Mac, the road hole copy. Brutal tough into the wind.

[duffer987]

South wind - Pac#4 absolutely. I actually don't think OM#4 is more difficult per say (to achieve par absolutely), it just becomes a 3 shotter. The fairway is still huge and for someone who draws it, covering the ridge to get over the halfpipe isn't an issue. I do remember one year playing back-to-back days with each wind, I went D-3W-8I and D-8I. An effective change of 200yds+ due to the wind is pretty bonkers.

Trails#1. In calm or helping wind, it's whatever club is needed to get down to the nets, take a free drop and wedge in. Into the wind you can be left quite a bit further back hitting into that small opening with the fall off to the right. Add in the really exposed teebox and that it's your first two swings of the day and it can be tricky.Pac#13. I've hit everything from a 4I to a SW there. Having to thump a 4/5 into it on a 36 hole day was actually one of the highlights of a trip. But I doubt I'm doing that again.OM#13. Trying to hit a low, almost intentionally thinned 3W and having it run up the front is tough and it doesn't accept balls at the best of times.North wind - Bandon#5 definitely. Paired with 6 is a tough back to back in the wind.

Bandon#11. Easier now with the removal of one of the leftside bunkers, but still a strong 2nd shot with that pot bunker lurkers and fallaways left.Bandon#15. As a drawer of the ball, have to aim ridiculously right of target, pretty much cannot hold that green unless I hit the right 1/3.OM#7. Like to think I play the wind well, for my middling ability, but that approach can get seriously punished with a misjudge or less than solid strike.

[Edaw68]

Good choices. I'll submit 17 on Bandon in a north wind, just due to how far left you have to start the ball so it doesn't bounce over the cliff edge. Then repeat for the approach shot.

[spud3]

I'm basing these choices on how hard it is for me to make par.

 

North Wind:

OM 6 - I'm not an exceptionally long hitter, and getting to the green in three has always been a challenge into the wind

OM 7 - agreed that the approach for this one into the wind is brutal. That dune provides a buffer that makes you think it's not blowing hard, but it is...

Bandon 5/6 - 5 has some bailout room, but 6 is just a crapshoot on club selection

Pacific 13 - that false front on the green gets me almost every time

 

South wind:

Pacific 4 - that green looks really tiny from 200 yds with a headwind

Bandon 16 - depending on the tee location, figuring out how much of that drive to bite off without ending up in the scrappy area is tough

Pacific 14 - (see Bandon 6)

[duffer987]

^Bandon 6 is easily my worst golf swing hole regardless of wind direction. I know it's a big greeen but I'm forever hitting hold-off pushes, hard draws into the bunker or over the cliff, skanky thinners short & long... downwind bunt 9Is are about the only thing I can do somewhat correct on that hole. North wind makes Bandon's whole front 9 a real ballstriking proposition, as 4 is really the only hole that 'benefits' from it. Everything else - bar 2nd/3rd shots on 9 - is into or across.

[duffer987]

Edit: weird-delayed double-post

[spud3]

As completely exposed as it is, and based on my experience playing there a couple years ago in it's raw state, the Sheep Ranch may become the dominant course for difficulty in windy (25+ mph) conditions...

[Edaw68]

One club challenge at the sheep ranch. I'm thinking without bunkers, 3hybrid all day.

[duffer987]

I like it. You're on.

I know the resort is hardly rough strewn, but add a SW or that being wimpy and diluting things?

[jrg75]

I love reading these, made my afternoon. I can't argue with any of the opinions and have pretty much had similar experiences.

I think the group is totally correct about Sheep Ranch. Looking at the routing, 17 into a North wind gives me cold sweats.

[gueuzengolf]

Looks as though operations are now pushed back to May 9th with checkins beginning on the 10th. https://www.bandondunesgolf.com/covid-19

 

Still holding out hope for our June 4th arrival.

[Edaw68]

Ok I'm game for 2 clubs, one to hack out.

[mallrat]

One not mentioned is 17 Trails playing into a stiff North. It’s weird because it plays both into it and as a crosswind. I had a caddy tell me to play it 215 with a pin tucked just over the bunker. Our group ended with 3 lost balls and 1 plugged in the bunker. It’s weird because I normally don’t think of par 3’s as harder because of wind.

Same can go for 17 Pac. Certain wind you have no chance of holding the green

[Edaw68]

Oh that's a good one. In a stiff breeze on Trails 17 you might be better off deliberately playing short to the false front and try to get down in two, rather than risk the bunkers or being blown into a bush. Caveat: I never play the bunkers on Trails well.

[jrg75]

After getting everyone's opinion and not really considering the par 3s in my list, I started running through them in my head and realized they have some pretty testy shorter holes. Completely agree with 17 at Trails and 6/15 at Bandon, these always seem to play longer than card yardage. The Pacific par 3s seems the easiest to me. Easy or hard, I absolutely love all of the Par 3s on property, even that ridiculous green on OM 5th (I think I 4 putted last time).

[duffer987]

When it's a mid or back pin (and the conditions allow for it) I find a well struck teeball on #17 one of the most satisfying amongst the Par 3s, especially as the other 3's on Trails specifically aren't particularly spectacular ATBE.

Agree that with any kind of proper wind front/front left is the leave.

[buzlin]

One thing that just occurred to me is that other than the hole where we can see the ocean, I really had/have no idea which way the holes run. I used to obsessively plan out where the winds would come from as I day dreamed about playing, but in the end I couldn't tell you which way the holes run. That to me is an indication of how great the routing and property is for golf. Trails especially, is like getting lost in the woods.

[Swingem]

I completely agree with "getting lost in the woods" on Trails. I can picture the other courses routing and where each hole is in relation to the others, but not so easily with Trails. I've also found that I always look forward to playing it just a little more than the others.

[eboettne]

Hole 2 at Old Mac gives me nightmares, feels like you're trying to land your ball on a turtle shell covered in grease. To top it off I play it in the offseason and always in the morning when my hands are cold and with zero short game warm up. Took a 6 the first time I played it as I went over the green then tried to hit a soft high shot with cold hands(it was like 40 degrees when we teed off) and you can guess how that went. Made about a 6 footer for par on my last trip and almost sprinted off the green to the 3rd tee.

[Kernel]

That hole gives me anxiety as well. First time I played it I dumped into the front pot bunker, thinned it over the back and then had the 3rd run off the front of the green.

[duffer987]

OM #2 is the best early* hole at the resort IMHO. Pin is irrelevant. Same target/goal each time: cover the bunker, middle green. Always easier said than done. The times the weather is cooperating and I can just hit a stock 7I/8I is such a relief.

 

*Early = first 3 holes.

[buzlin]

Should have been commencing our drive from NorCal to Bandon this morning. Think I'll have a breakfast beer to drown my sorrows. I know, first world problems.

[jrg75]

Buzlin, I feel your pain, sorry about your trip. My flight to Eugene was supposed to be yesterday and I was scheduled to driving down about this time (maybe already there) with a 1pm tee time on Pacific. I will definitely be having a beer today but do count myself lucky I am in a position to reschedule.

[duffer987]

For posterity I screenshotted our weather over Easter Weekend. It was pretty much perfect

To translate, that's mid 50s to low 60s Fs

[puttnforthe8]

Please....look at how brutal it is out there!

 

[duffer987]

Well sure, now it's a bit spitty

I'd not be there though, I'd be enjoying the early part of the Bay Area's 7 month summer, lol

[jrg75]

Well, I had tee times for today on Bandon AM and Trails in the afternoon. Looks less than ideal but I would have endured!!!!! That Easter forecast looks tough to beat, i would take any time off the year, sorry you got canceled.

[duffer987]

Ha! Ya it's no big deal, just commiserating with Buz. This was just a supplemental trip cause it fit our calendars - and they had openings - as we already having a standing annual trip.

Fortunately being on the coast, there are no flights, car hire, etc... to have to deal with

[SouthLand]

Just got back on the horse. We booked for 12/17-12/20. First time staying in the Lodge.

I usually don’t want to wish away days, but this cannot get here soon enough.

Day 2 itinerary you ask? Back to back rounds at Sheep Ranch.