Bandon as a single with non-golfing spouse

[jackbauer]

Not everyone will agree with this, but Preserve is strictly an arrival or departure day thing for me. On full days, I get in as many holes on the big courses as daylight allows.

[Lefty_89]

Makes perfect sense - I've read great things about Preserve, but certainly wouldn't want to sacrifice missing out on any of the other tracks for it. Love the idea of sneaking in front/back 9s on Bandon after 36 holes. Can't beat it depending on time of day and no cost!

I'll have to post a thread if I'm able to get the trip booked this week.

[Lefty_89]

So, Bandon was completely booked the dates I was looking at, but did have availability September 16th-18th, so I got it booked!

They mentioned that there wasn't availability at The Inn, but they had The Lodge open instead in a Golf Single. My only concern being that my wife has enough things to do and able to relax at The Lodge compared to The Inn; any insight into this? I waitlisted for a room at The Inn if it opens up.

Also, here are the tee times that I got booked...

16th

7:30am Sheep Ranch

2:00pm Bandon Trails

17th

7:50am Pacific Dunes

1:40pm Bandon Dunes

18th

8:40am Old Mac (may cancel if travel plans don't work out)

Thoughts?? Beyond excited!!!

[jackbauer]

I've stayed at The Inn but not The Lodge although I've booked the latter for my next two trips since I'll be going solo. While they're close together, The Lodge is more centrally located so there is more foot traffic.

If your travel plans are the same as before except for the dates, I definitely suggest keeping the Old Mac round on September 18 since you'll be driving back to Portland (i.e., you don't have a deadline for a flight). If you can't play on September 18, I would try to play Preserve after 36 on one of the days and try to play Old Mac after 36 on the other. If you don't have the energy for 54 holes or daylight doesn't permit, my suggestion for a short loop at Old Mac is to play 1-7 and 16-18 (it's a short walk north past 8 tee, the turnstand and 15 green). I've done this multiple times as a single and it wasn't a problem (it was either open or the group on the tee was happy to let me join for the last three holes). I haven't played Sheep Ranch yet but compared to the other three courses, I think Old Mac has the best closing stretch.

[Lefty_89]

Great info - I really appreciate it! When I was on the phone with them this morning, I mentioned the idea of splitting the BD 9's both days, but then just settled on seeing if I can sneak in another 18 on OM the day we're driving back to Portland.

From a cost standpoint, I think it would make much better sense to tack on the Old Mac holes either after 36 or a short loop on the first two days (no charge right?). I'll be 31 in July so I am relying on my relatively "young" legs to push me through 54 if needed!

[spud3]

Only downside to the Lodge vs. the Inn is the rooms/beds are a bit smaller. The (big, IMO) advantage of staying in the Lodge is that you are just a quick elevator ride from the sauna/Jacuzzi and workout room, and in the same building as two of the five restaurants on property (Tufted Puffin and Gallery) and steps away from three (McKees). The Inn is a (pleasant) 5 min walk from those facilities. Trails End grill is a few minutes walk from the Inn, up a short but steep hill.

 

I like your schedule, leaving OM as the one to get dropped if you run out of time/energy. I would advise that it's better to skip one course and really savor the experience of the others instead of pushing yourself through and not enjoying it. See how you feel after 36 (especially if there is wind/rain, which really takes it out of you), then play a few extra holes if you like - and if the missus approves, of course...

[Lefty_89]

Thank you for the insight and info! Just doing a little research, I think The Lodge will be perfect; she'd probably like to head over to The Inn at some point so it's nice to know it's a short walk away.

How far out do you recommend making reservations for dinner? Do you have a preference on location(s)?

Is it difficult to try and get off around 5-6pm in the evening for 9 holes? Seriously considering this for Old Mac to take advantage of the free play...

[spud3]

I have never had an issue heading out in the afternoons for a short loop. Once you get past the time when it is possible to finish 18 before sundown, you should be good. And it gets dark out there fast. Expect to have a marshall or two roll up and ask what your plan is when it gets near twilight. They can't come in until everyone is accounted for. You'll probably be offered a ride if you're very far out from the clubhouse.

 

Call and make reservations anytime (even now), especially for McKee's. It is the most crowded. I tend to eat most often at McKee's, but all of the restaurants are solid. They all have their menus online, so you can get an idea of how much you are going to spend and the types of foods at each. My new favorite is the Steelhead dish at the Gallery. Make sure you try the meatloaf at McKee's. Unless you are a huge eater, you'll probably be able to split an order of that with your wife. Portions are... generous...to say the least.

 

There's several good threads about the food in the NW forum. Opinions on the best restaurant/dishes are just about the same as those about the courses.

 

If your wife likes walking, there is an extensive trail system on the property. There is also never a problem with walkers joining players from the resort's point of view. Always a good idea to check with your playing partners on that, though. The resort website has tons of info, maps, menus, pics, prices, etc. They don't hide anything for you, and they don't nickel and dime you to death once you're onsite.

 

And it's Oregon, so no sales tax!

[Lefty_89]

Thanks spud3! Is there a particular route on Old Mac where if I did try and get in a few holes in the evening it wouldn’t be difficult to get back to the pro shop or Lodge?

Also, how early should I check-in for my morning tee times at Sheep Ranch and Pacific Dunes?

I’ll definitely need to book a couple dinner reservations after my wife and I looked over the menu’s last night! I’ve already started setting aside extra money for food and spending money in the pro shop.

Appreciate all your help - I’ve been looking into upgrading my rain suit this morning.

[spud3]

Checking in usually is really quick, though I just read a recent trip report where the poster noted that COVID restrictions are making that a much slower process. OM's clubhouse is very small, so if they are restricting the number of players inside at any one time, that could add some wait time. I'd say 20-30 min should be enough. There's a massive practice green by the clubhouse, so it is a good chance to get used to the size of some of the greens on OM.

 

Here are the various short loops on OM (these are focused on the fact that greens 4,5 and 10 are located right over the hill from the clubhouse, about a ten minute walk up on the service road over the dune):

1-5

1-10

1-5, 11-14, 3-4

1-5, 11-18

 

The last two above you'll need to be aware of groups that are finishing full rounds, and they have the right of way.

 

Check out the layout on the interactive map on the site: https://www.bandondunesgolf.com/resort/interactive-map

 

And make sure your rain gear is good. September is usually pretty decent weather, but it's Bandon, so you never know...

[mallrat]

1-3, 13-18 is another OM option.

ot 1-3, 13-14, 17, 18 - there is a short cut road behind 15 tees past 16 green that drops you off at 17 tees.

[Lefty_89]

Perfect - thanks for the insight! I definitely need to sneak in a few holes on OM either the first or second day if it doesn’t work out the day we plan on leaving. Looking at the aerial walkthrough for each course, the closing stretch on OM looks awesome.

How does the shuttle work for the other courses? I guess, does each course have its own pro shop/clubhouse?

[Lefty_89]

Adding this to my notes - thanks for the help!

[spud3]

The closing holes on OM are good ones.

 

The shuttles run between all the courses/clubhouses (yes, each course has its own clubhouse) and all the various rooming buildings, plus the Practice Area. The layout of the place is ingenious. Everything is really close (with the exception of the Sheep Ranch). If you have a car, you can drive from the Trails clubhouse to OM (which used to be end-to-end) in about five minutes, and pass the other courses, practice area, Lodge, Inn, and Lily Pond buildings on the way. SR is about a ten minute drive from the Lodge. Shuttles take a few minutes longer, depending on how many stops you make on the way. It's one shuttle system for the whole resort.

 

Shopping note: While the main pro shop/clubhouse at the Lodge is the largest and has stuff for all courses, each clubhouse has merch for its own course, and also has stuff that the main one doesn't have. Wait until the last day to buy your goodies, so you have a chance to see what each one has, then decide on what you want. There's also a gift shop in the Lodge, with things that none of the clubhouses have.

[Lefty_89]

I’ve got to ask...which course is your personal favorite? I keep looking at the hole by hole flyovers and keep switching which course I’m looking forward to the most; I just can’t wait to get there and soak everything in.

Also, I’m already bracing for the amount of money I’ll be dropping in the pro shops and gift shop, haha.

[spud3]

I always respond to that question with "whichever one I'm playing." That may sound glib, but it's really true. It's like asking which of my kids is my favorite... each one has their charms, none better than the other.

 

Having said that, I go through phases where I may play one course better than another for a while. I'm currently in that place with Trails, but I've been through that with BD and PD. Haven't had a lot of scoring success with OM, but that doesn't mean it's not as good. Just means I haven't figured it out yet - in the case of OM, it's all about keeping the 3 (and 4) putts off the card, for me.

 

And I can't wait to tee it up at SR. I played it back when it was in its raw form, and loved that experience. The piece of land is spectacular, and I trust Bill Coore implicitly to know what to do with a site like that. The flyovers look amazing.

[exgolfpro]

Hey guys, I have a question from my wife, for those who have been. Are there laundry facilities on site for guests to use? and do the rooms have blow dryers? Can't find this information on Bandon's website. Thx for any response.

[spud3]

Blow dryers in the rooms (plus shoe/glove dryers).

 

No laundry facilities that I know of, but there are laundromats in town. They do have a service for drying rain gear. Not sure if that is still running, given the COVID situation.

 

Call the resort. They can answer all these questions definitively.

[Edaw68]

There is a laundry service offered, drop off and pick up with laundry bags, but I haven't used it and don't know the cost. No self service laundry at the resort.

For hair dryers, from my non-golfing wife who goes with me regularly- tell her to bring her own, the hair dryers in the room are small travel ones with no good accessories.

[exgolfpro]

Thx Edaw68, and thank your wife for the info.

[st8kdinr]

I know this thread hasn't been lively in awhile, but I just wanted to say thanks to all for the insight.  My wife and I just booked a VRBO nearby for the first week of June and I'm gonna try to play as much as possible and take my two younger boys to play the Preserve or Shorty's.  Very excited already!

 

Thanks to @exgolfpro @spud3 @lefty_89 and all others!

[mallrat]

4 hours ago, st8kdinr said:

I know this thread hasn't been lively in awhile, but I just wanted to say thanks to all for the insight.  My wife and I just booked a VRBO nearby for the first week of June and I'm gonna try to play as much as possible and take my two younger boys to play the Preserve or Shorty's.  Very excited already!

 

Thanks to @exgolfpro @spud3 @lefty_89 and all others!

Make sure you take the boys up to Reedsport area for some UTV sand dunes and maybe sand boarding if they are into that stuff. There is also some great fishing if they like that