Upcoming Bandon Trip need some recommendations

[webber]

Going to Bandon at the end of March for the 1st time and need some recs on caddies.  We are doing the full gamet.  Two 36-hole days and the others 18 and Short course.  Some have told me that we should do caddies every round.  Others have said some courses are out in front of you and no caddie is needed but others are tricky with blind shots etc and caddies are a must.  Others have said to get a forecaddie to walk with the 4 some....do they allow push carts?  Some in our group do not want to spend the extra money and want to not get caddies...LMK Thanks!

 

Our itinerary:

 

Sunday Shorty's

Monday Old Macdonald & Bandon Trails

Tuesday Sheep Ranch

Wednesday Bandon Dunes & Pacific Dunes

Thursday Bandon Trails

 

 

Edited February 12 by webber

[knock it close]

The allow push carts, I think they are more of a hassle than carrying at Pac and Trails especially. Old Mac and sheep should both be easy for a push cart. I've never taken a caddie there but have had caddies in my group fairly regularly, only had one in a group that wasn't great but the rest were great just to chat with. If you're all first timers some caddie help with start lines would be nice at every course, whether that's full caddies or a forecaddie is up to your group.  

[carrera]

Caddies are a personal preference - they help your wear and tear playing multiple rounds.  Obviously no caddies for the short courses.  I'd suggest taking a caddy for your first look at Pacific Dunes and Trails.  Old Mac is pretty wide open and as long as you aim correctly on the third tee (the ghost tree tee shot) I can't think of other places where the shot isn't obvious.  Bandon Dunes is pretty obvious also.

 

Sheep Ranch is a really straightforward course, but the routing is confusing for first-timers, so a caddy can be helpful there.

[eboettne]

Never taken caddies there and never felt shorted, if you got some extra pocket change go for it but you can do without.  I've used their rickshaws for all my rounds and had no issues at all, much prefer that to carrying but again personal preference.  

[knock it close]

1 hour ago, carrera said:

Old Mac is pretty wide open and as long as you aim correctly on the third tee (the ghost tree tee shot) I can't think of other places where the shot isn't obvious.

9 is awkward from the black box right behind 8 green but that's about it. 

[Mullenboy]

3 minutes ago, eboettne said:

Never taken caddies there and never felt shorted, if you got some extra pocket change go for it but you can do without.  I've used their rickshaws for all my rounds and had no issues at all, much prefer that to carrying but again personal preference.  

I lean toward this.  Been to Bandon many times.  Took caddie a few times.  He/she never added much to the experience beyond fatigue fighting.  Nothing against the caddies there - many people swear by them and have their favorites.  I just made do with rickshaw most rounds and never regretted it, and quite enjoyed the rather large cost-saving.

[I3erto]

If its your first time and under the impression you are going to put up a score or have significant stakes on the matches i'd take a caddy.  If you are just there to experience awesome golf w/ your buddies just get a rickshaw/pushcart from the starter and a yardage book when you check in and you will be more than fine.  That said old mac, pac dunes, and trails are not the easiest walk so make sure you get some walking rounds in before you go.  Have fun.  Cheers!  

[I3erto]

Furthermore, if you are getting a caddie for just yourself on a single bag you will likely get a jr caddie.  The more experienced/longer tenured caddies usually take double bags (you and a friend sharing one caddie).  People have all sorts of opinions on this both positive and negative, but just know what your are getting into before booking a caddie.

[3_Putt_Par]

There are a couple of threads for caddie recommendations in the Northwest forum. 

 

I just went for the 4th time and it was the first time with a caddie for all rounds.  After my experience and meeting a lot of the caddies my playing partners had, I think it's worth the $ and the experience at least once, especially if it's your first time out there.  The caddie's abilities vary, I enjoyed the walk with someone who's dedicated towards helping your game and keep you engaged when it's so easy to just be in awe of where you are.

 

Absolutely do not need one (get the yardage books if you don't) but well worth the experience if you get a good one.

[lurkinghobbit]

I liked the caddie experience on my last trip there after avoiding it for several trips.  Pace of play was improved and the banter was fun.  But its not necessary.

 

If you're not accustomed to walking 36 holes in a day, I would option for a caddy on the afternoon rounds of your 36 hole days.  Trails and Pac Dunes are the harder walks as well, so it works well with your itinerary.

 

As someone else said, a few holes on Old Mac are blind, and Sheep Ranch routing can be confusing.  Other than that, no real issues.

 

[shackmangolf]

Every time I've taken a caddie, I've had more fun. I've been there 10 times and still take caddies on occasion.

 

My suggestion is to take a caddie if it's your first time. You learn a lot. Its marginal on the additional cost.

[ND2005]

Just now, shackmangolf said:

Every time I've taken a caddie, I've had more fun. I've been there 10 times and still take caddies on occasion.

 

My suggestion is to take a caddie if it's your first time. You learn a lot. Its marginal on the additional cost.

I mean, I take caddies every time too, but the cost isn’t “marginal”. We played 7 rounds last trip so you’re talking about a thousand dollars added cost. 

[shackmangolf]

10-15%. Sorry - wrong word. 

[Mullenboy]

11 minutes ago, shackmangolf said:

Every time I've taken a caddie, I've had more fun. I've been there 10 times and still take caddies on occasion.

 

My suggestion is to take a caddie if it's your first time. You learn a lot. Its marginal on the additional cost.

$100 per bag per round, plus tip - which is expected to be a mimimum of $50 (and one can get a sideeyeif that's all one gives).

 

That's more than marginal in my world.  🙂

 

LATE EDIT - I see you backed off from that word.  All good.  Still... the cost should be known.

 

Another thing that I didn't enjoy about Bandon caddies - the expectation that after round 1, he/she will be with you for EVERY round thereafter.  That's fine if that's what you want.  But if you want caddie for morning, rick-shaw or carry for afternoon (or vice versa) the caddie really gives you disappointment.  Which makese sense since you are costing him 1/2 of what he expects to earn that day (unless he can get another loop).  But also in a situation where the caddie was not a value add in one's mind in that first round... such that you do not want him for any other rounds.... that is a really awkward conversation post-found.

 

That happened to me one trip.  The whole thing was uncomfortable.

 

So... I agree with others in that if cost doesn't matter, especially for a first or only trip, caddies can be a good thing.  And they are generally really good.

 

Outside of that... well... one can live without them.

Edited February 12 by Mullenboy

[shackmangolf]

@Mullenboy I agree with you about round 1 vs. others. We are very clear with the pro staff if we don't like a caddie. It's a short, super awkward conversation that usually pays off in the end. I've spoken to the pros about it and they said the caddies are used to it.  

 

To be fair - if I took 5 caddie experiences at Bandon: 2 are great. 2 are okay, 1 is a misfit.

 

We are a unique bunch...  we are all fast, low handicap golfers who give each other an enormous amount of crap. We've been friends for a long time. We know the courses. Our mis fit is usually someone that tries to give us a resort experience that is too professional or treat us like high handicappers. We want caddies who can play well and tell us stories - but who can also understand our games and help us when we want/need help.

 

As I said. I take caddies about 30% of the time. If it's just me and my 3 buddies who go a lot, we just carry. If we are with a group of folks who are new, then we usually set them up with caddies so they get the full experience. 

 

Again, sorry about the word marginal. Just with flights, food, rooms, and greens fees, I just see the caddie fees as a small portion. Just my view.  But, if you have a great caddie, its worth it.

 

One good caddie story - we were out there for Solstice. We are on our 50-ish hole for the day. One caddie was super reserved the whole day but super helpful. He knew how to golf a ball and knew the courses. He just didn't speak until you asked a question. We are on a tee box and been giving each other crap the whole day. One of our group was trying to tell a story as he is getting ready to hit his drive - he is taking a looooong time to hit his shot (especially for Solstice standards). Out of nowhere - the reserved caddie say "Hit the fu**ing ball, Bob".  We lost it. Laughed so hard we couldn't speak for a minute or two. Absolutely perfect timing.  Perfectly read the situation and the group. That phrase has been used 6000 times in our golf group since then.  That is a good caddie!

 

But agree, after you play a course once, you can live without the caddies unless you want a different experience. 

Edited February 12 by shackmangolf

[shackmangolf]

But we should discuss the extreme opposite of caddies at Bandon. Half bags (6 clubs) and barefoot. 

 

Usually reserved for late late late afternoon rounds. 

 

[Mullenboy]

Shack - you've got this all nailed down.  My thoughts were geared more towards first-timers.

 

I have a few lines like yours that get repeated in my groups as well.  It's so great when that happens.....

 

😉

[Lions1988]

I was there in July and my buddy wanted to get a caddie. Not that tough of a walk and everything is in front of you. I thought it was not necessary to have a caddie. I don't need to know about the "history" of Bandon Dunes. 

[dcmidnight]

Do you *need* a caddie there? No. If you are physically able to walk and carry you can find your way around.

 

But does it improve things? Of course it does. If you are playing 36 a day, every time you reach down to pick up the bag or pick a club up off the ground....that adds up. A caddie doesn't have to be your best friend but if nothing else, he's taking that wear and tear off you.

 

Plus, I dont know, there is just something awesome about being on a course, walking up the fairway talking to your buddies, not dealing with anything else...

 

I do get the marginal cost comment though. If you are already in for $1,000+/day when you factor in golf and lodging and travel and F+B...I get it.

 

18 hours ago, Lions1988 said:

 I don't need to know about the "history" of Bandon Dunes. 

 

If I'm being totally honest, I kind of feel sad for this. And that goes for anywhere I travel really. I've read everything I can about BD, watched countless YouTube vlogs - usually more than once - and I still love hearing every bit of history that I can.

Edited February 13 by dcmidnight

[Schley]

I rather enjoy caddies in general and if offered, typically don't hesitate. Although if I'm with a group who carry or have their own push carts, I typically go with the flow.

 

The cost does add up, admittedly and since you are giving actual greenbacks out, you are looking at your money literally being spent. I don't use cash much at all anymore except for caddies, casinos, church. I know there are some money advisors that have said in the past pay everything in cash, then you will have more appreciation of your money being spent.  I think there is definitely something to that. Swiping your CC isn't the same.