Hey guys, I'm heading to Bandon dunes in early October to play all courses they have. Any advice, suggestion's, and what to expect would greatly appreciated.

What's your daily schedule look like? 36 a day, 18 a day? Playing short courses?

Walking 36 a day doesn't sound too tough when you have a caddy carrying your bag. Yet, your feet and back will need some attention afterwards. Bring at least 2 pair of shoes to play in.

Eat on site(the town actually had very few places open after 7? it's been a few years).

Bring a variety of clothes, especially some rain gear. I think I wore shorts one day and I went early July. Wearing pants will limit getting sun burn, I doubt you'd ever regret wearing pants.

Your caddy will appreciate a light bag. He took our range finders out, wasn't easy to lose golf balls unless you're on the coastline holes.

I think a lot of people encourage taking it easy the first day, but my buddy and I played 36 in Coos Bay, 18 @ Bandon Crossings(walked it) the 2 days prior. We then did 3 straight 36 on site. I enjoyed Old Mac the most. My favorite opening hole was Sheep Ranch. The only course we played twice was Trails, but wish we would have done either Pac or Bandon in hindsight.

Putting course was ok, If you have a decent size group I think the Preserve is more fun than with just 2-3 people.

Bring a gallon plastic bag to put extra socks, phone, and range finder in if it rains

Definitely 2 pairs of comfortable shoes like mentioned above

How are u getting there? Lots of flights cancelled due to weather/fog....we flew to Portland then drove to minimize airport/flight hiccups. Worst thing for me on a golf trip would be to have to use rentals

36 a day

Flying into Eugene.

Bandon dunes and pacific are great.
Bandon trails is good.
Old Macdonald is not very good.
Take advantage of replay rate.
Wind can be challenging so play early when you can.
Great sale rack at bandon.
Food in Irish pub is average but who cares.
Wear your most comfortable shoes. Use the trolleys to carry your bag.
Caddies are all over the map. Could be great. Could be bad. I don't use them anymore.

Don't know what kind of player you are, but my advice would be similar to anyone. I'm an 11, so certainly not a great player.

First, soak it all in. Don't worry too much about scoring, unless you are in some competition. Take on tough shots, go for pins and hit drivers. That may not be the statistical way to play golf every time, but I played more aggressive than I normally do and don't regret it. Enjoy the great shots, forget the bad ones. The views are amazing, the courses are all unique and fun. You will have some of the most fun shots you ever get to hit. If you get moderately decent weather, I would be shocked if it wasn't one of your top golf experiences. It was my best, but I realize there are plenty of great places to play. It would be hard for me to believe you didn't enjoy it unless the weather is just terrible or something.

Second, if you have a bad caddie, thank and tip them and then ask for a different one. A good caddie can make the trip much more enjoyable, but a bad one can make it way less fun.

Third, get a poke bowl at the trails clubhouse for lunch (assuming you like tuna). In general, the food is solid all over the resort. Nothing too crazy, but I didn't have bad meals. Keep in mind you'll be hungry from walking 36. I don't personally see a reason to leave the property, unless you have something specific you'd like to do.

Keep in mind, I went in June, so I don't know the weather differences. We were fortunate with no rain, but it was windy. Definitely take foot care products and rain gear. Change socks between each round and probably shoes.

Lastly, don't let anyone tell you what the best course is or influence how you feel about certain courses or holes. All of my friends I went with had a different order in ranking the courses. That's part of what makes golf fun. It's based on how you view golf, the shots you like to hit and how you played that round. I loved all five courses. I had the most fun on sheep ranch, bc it's super playable. I thought Trails was the best course, but I believe I'm certainly in the minority on that.

I'm jealous and can't wait to get back there one day.

Been twice both in September. Bring wet gear for sure just in case.

All food on property is excellent and very reasonable. Not Pebble Beach prices at all. Very similar to average restaurants. Even nice steak restaurant is cheaper than most steak houses in Houston. Hot Pastrami at Sheeps Ranch is awesome.

If your group gets tried, we played a two man scramble on last day last round because it was Bandon Trails which is the hardest walking course and I think most difficult.

I love all the courses but played best on Old Mac and Bandon Dunes so like those the most. The Pac Dunes, Sheeps Ranch and then Trails. Best nine is back nine of Bandon. Old Mac's first hole is boring but after that gets really good. Sheep #1 is a great opening hole.

Its a Disney wonderland for golfers. Plan to head back in 2026.

Drive from Eugene is very pretty and about 3 hours. Great hole in the all mexican restaurant about half way.

Would echo the advice to change socks and shoes between each round when playing 36. That's always one of the bandon summer solstice tricks

DannyDuberstein said:

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Would echo the advice to change socks and shoes between each round when playing 36. That's always one of the bandon summer solstice tricks

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We also went back to the room after golf laid on the ground and put feet up on the wall for 5 minutes. Helped flush the legs.

Mickey Mouse golf but not goat tracks

Change your socks between rounds is the best advice to be given. enjoy, it's awesome.

Thank you all. Handicap sways between a 10-12.

Extra socks between rounds, good rain gear, good shoes. Looking forward to it. I think the only course we aren't playing is old Mac

Old McDonald is wonderful. It reminds of me of Royal Dornoch in Inverness Scotland. #2 course outside the US per many. If you're into that sort of golf.

I say if you're there. Play them all. Bandon is a hard place to get to.

Big mistake! Old Mac was in the running for my favorite.

There's very few places in the US where you can play such true versions of template holes. I'd try to get on Old Mac while you are there. For me its the 4th best fullsize course on property (Pac by a mile, Then Bandon/Sheep 2 and 2a, Mac, and Trails), but has a handful of the best holes.

#3 - Ghost Tree
#7- Ocean hole. The view when you come up and crest the green is one of the best out there.
#16 - incredible alps hole

cb1919 said:

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DannyDuberstein said:

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Would echo the advice to change socks and shoes between each round when playing 36. That's always one of the bandon summer solstice tricks

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We also went back to the room after golf laid on the ground and put feet up on the wall for 5 minutes. Helped flush the legs.

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Gosh I read your post too fast. Was thinking dang, playing 18 at Bandon, going back to the room and getting laid! That sounds like a Happy Gilmore 'Happy Place'.

I couldnt disagree more with this.

Trails is the best
Old Mac
Pacific
BD
Sheep Ranch- greens are ***** Just went 3 weeks ago

The greens being in not top condition while it has the inevitable transition to poa annua is temporary. That doesn't mean the course isnt great?

When I was there in June, the sheep greens didnt look great. But, they rolled true. They were slower than other greens, but I didnt mind putting on them.

RKnasty said:

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Thank you all. Handicap sways between a 10-12.

Extra socks between rounds, good rain gear, good shoes. Looking forward to it. I think the only course we aren't playing is old Mac

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Old Mac is the easiest to get on for a replay round but it can be really windy. I really liked it as a course and put it above Sheep. Sheep ranch had the views and infinity greens but felt cramped on the land while Old Mac was open and plenty of room.

Also the" ocean" hole green and halfway house there is one of my favorite spots on the whole property.

Definitely need to play it.

I had 135 playing 185 on sheep. Talk about windy.

AgOutsideAustin said:

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That thing is amazing.

I was just there last week. Was awesome

extra socks and comfortable walking golf shoes ( 2 pairs, if staying onsite they have show fans/ dryers in the rooms, i only have stayed in the 4- room cottages).

good rain gear!

earlier tee times and 36 holes per day generally get you better caddies from what my experiences were. My caddies were ball hawks, i always came home with more balls than i took.