6 days in Bandon Dunes Golf Resort

[nutmegchoi]

We were supposed to be in the UK for the Open Championship and 5 rounds at St. Andrews.
But UK still put us in 10 day quarantine (even for those fully vaccinated) until July 19th.
So we had to cancel the Open and push St. Andrews to early September.

Meanwhile, we scrambled last minute trip to Bandon Dunes.
Lodging was fully booked until November, 2022.
But with the huge help from Samantha, Patricia and Jasmine at reservations we were able to make the trip happen in 2 weeks notice.
A miracle.

July 14th 2021

Left our apartment 5am.
7am flight from JFK via Seattle to Eugene.



Picked up a rental start driving 2.5 hours to Bandon Dunes.



Finally arrived after 15 hour journey.

Because our trip was such a last minute, we'll be moving around within the resort 3 times.
First two nights at Chrome Lake Double.
Bit of away from the main lodge but the surrounding was gorgeous.





Grabbed a quick bite and a drink at McKee's.



7pm tee time at Bandon Preserve.



Par-3 13 hole was a perfect introduction to 5 18 hole courses.









Back to McKee's to unwind.
I think we were up 22 hours and because of added 3 hours, this day felt like lasting forever.



When we came back to our room, broken lock was fixed and birthday card and gift was waiting for me.
Bandon Dunes customer service is a whole different level!



July 15th 2021

Woke up late to have lunch in town.
Before we came, we couldn't believe the forecast.
It really was that beautiful every single day.



Bandon Dunes 3:40pm

We played with two other older gentleman who already played 18.
Watching them struggling helped me to make a decision to cancel replays.







16th around sunset was one of the most beautiful things I've seen.



This was my birthday round, so golf god gave me all the right kicks and bounces.
Shot 44/46, 90 with one birdie at par-4 4th hole and 4 pars.

We play dollar per hole skins.
Won $8 out of my boyfriend's pocket.



Dinner was at Trails End.
Unfortunately, they didn't have fish tacos anymore.

[nutmegchoi]

July 16th 2021

Breakfast at Trails End.



Bandon Trails 9:40am



We played with father & son and they were joy to walk with.



Sort par-4 with a thumb of a green kept me crossing the green 9 times and marked me 12 strokes.
3 straight pars last 3 holes saved my scorecard.
46/51, 97 with 4 pars.



After two very comfortable nights at Chrome Lake Double, we moved to The Inn Forest King which's located by Bandon Dunes' 18th green.







The room's smaller but cheaper.
Also has a nice outdoor seating area where we spent every night watching sunset and stars (and drinking).



July 17th 2021

Old McDonald 9:20am

We weren't paired with anyone, so it was just us and our caddie.





Almost had another hole in one at the 5th hole.

















First time seeing marine layer.
It was a cool experience.

46/51, 97 with 2 birdies (par-3 5th hole & par-4 14th hole) and 4 pars.
Too many doubles ruined the scorecard.

[nutmegchoi]

I'm relatively a new golfer.

Got a set of beginner clubs 2015 Christmas and started taking lessons 2016 & 2017.
2018 finally started playing 18 holes when I could move along with a foursome.

My index before Bandon was 21.8 and now 20.3.

So this trip report isn't so much about the course info.
I just would like to share my experience at a great golf resort and maybe you can get something you didn't get elsewhere since my approach is bit different.

July 18th 2021

Sheep Ranch 9:10am

First round at Bandon Dunes, our caddie called 15mph wind "breezy".
I didn't quite get it until we had 25-35mph wind at Sheep Ranch.

I still haven't broke 90 yet and everybody told me Sheep Ranch will be the one I'll make it happen.
Wrong.
My swing fell apart and I wasn't getting much help from my caddie.
(in fact, the caddie was hurting my game)

Regardless.
Sheep Ranch might be the most beautiful golf course I've ever seen.

We played with an old couple from Seattle.
They were both in their 70’s and the husband is going to be 80 this Christmas.
It was such an inspiration to see someone in near 80’s can be out walking and playing golf (physically and financially).
When I grow old, I want to be just like them.
Be able to do things I love with someone I’m in love with.









I did bomb this drive (for me) 58 yard in.












Even when you play like crap, how can you ever have a bad day with the view like this?
Impossible!





Almost another hole in one!
You can hear my boyfriend is having a meltdown in the background. lol



From 16th to 17th hole.






52/57, 109 with only 1 par.
Now I must come back for a rematch!




Moving day again.

We stayed our last night in the resort at Lilly Pond.
Another great room with a small patio setting.





We set out drinking, watching the sunset and met our neighbors to share stories and drinks.

[nutmegchoi]

July 19th 2021

Start with nice breakfast at Pacific Grill.

Never had Marionberry Smoothie before.
Or Siskiyouberry Jam!



Pacific Dunes 9:50am




At work, I would watch Bandon Dunes live cam every morning.
I've been watching the footages so long, I couldn't pass up the chance I can be in one of them!







I was determined not to repeat the previous day, so I don't have as much photos and videos from the day.














Recovered a little bit from the previous day.
52/47, 99 with 1 par.




It was so hard to leave the place I fell in love with.
But my non believer boyfriend already start talking about next time.
So all isn't lost.

On the way back to Eugene, we saw pack of Elk.



When in Eugene.







Driving and flying separate in two days was a little easier.
Still we left Eugene at 1pm and landed in JFK 11:30pm (added 3 hours).

It's a really tough journey to get to, but I would go back every year if I could.
I dare to say Bandon Dunes is my new favorite place in the world.
Can't wait to go back!

[nutmegchoi]

Extra

If you fly into Seattle to layover somewhere from the east, sit on the right side to see Mt. Baker.




Flying into Eugene sit on the left, flying out of Eugene sit on the right.
You can see Mt. Jefferson, Hood, St. Helens, Adams and Rainier.




Driving from Eugene to Bandon is very scenic.
It is two lane road can be blocked by campers.
So try to stay on I-5 as long as possible.
Otherwise get comfortable and enjoy the ride.




Wild lives were everywhere!
Deer, squirrels, racoons and all kind of birds.
Wish we had a chance to see whales, dolphins and Tufted Puffins.
But evidently those are rather rare sightings.






Try all restaurants and bars in the resort.
They all offer slightly different menus and vibes.
Personally, I LOVED the fireplace outside McKee's.



We stayed at 3 out of 5 lodging in the resort.
All were great except Lilly Pond doesn't have elevator mainly because it's only two stories.
If you have a lot of luggages to haul, make sure to ask for the ground level.

North Bend is a lot easier option since it's only 45 mins drive to the resort.
But we also heard there's only one flight a day and can be canceled (then you are really screwed).
We also overheard a guy having a meltdown with an airline losing his luggage and golf bag flying into North Bend.
So maybe we'll just ship our sticks to the resort and try to carry our luggage next time flying in and out of North Bend.



I got excited and over packed.
More than half of my luggage was filled with things I didn't need.
You know what you need and don't over pack.
Each course has it's own proshop you'll end up buying something anyways.
Travel light and have some room to fill.

My favorite souvenir from the trip.
One of our caddies gave me the looper hat for my birthday.




My boyfriend is not a walker.
He prefers cart and never played more than a few days in a row.
I love walking and I played 12 days straight before.
Walking wasn't an issue for me but it was for my boyfriend.
Frankly I thought he was going to drop out one of 6 rounds but he stuck around!
He even wanted to replay on the last day (now that was just a crazy talk) but his body physically couldn't afford it.
I brought massage gun to massage his feet, legs and back every night/morning to glue him back together for the day.
Bring one if you have one.
I know it'll add weight on your luggage but that could save your day.

18 a day, our feet weren't the issue.
Even the sunburn wasn't too bad.
Lips were the problem!
I didn't know what sun and wind can do to your lips.
Make sure to apply lip balm whenever, where ever.
Specially the one with the sun protection and extra moisture.

White feet, don't care.




Hire caddie.
Hire one and listen to your caddie.
I truly believe my 3 caddies helped me tremendously to score decent in 4 courses.
(except the one from Sheep Ranch)
They have caddie storages, so make your reserve way ahead of time.

Take out all the junk out of your golf bag you don't need.
You don't want any extra weight to carry, push or make your caddie to carry.
I saw a guy had an extra pair of golf shoes in his bag.
Seriously why would you ever need that???

I think that's about it for now.
If I remember any, I'll add later.

[4matic]

Rank em.

[nutmegchoi]

Mine:

1. Pac Dunes
2. Bandon Dunes
3. Sheep Ranch
4. Old Mac
5. Trails

Boyfriend:

1. Bandon Dunes
2. Sheep Ranch
3. Old Mac
4. Pac Dunes
5. Trails

All these courses are so great, I think ranking also can change based on the weather and your scorecard.

What was yours, 4matic?

[Soups]

Check out a little place in Wisconsin called Sand Valley/Mammoth Dunes

[nutmegchoi]

Check out a little place in Wisconsin called Sand Valley/Mammoth Dunes

Sand Valley is on my list.
But before, I want to check out Cabot Links.
Love what Mike Keiser is doing.

[4matic]

1. Trails

2-3 tie Dunes and PD

4 old Mac

Haven’t played sheep.

I like park style golf and trails has it all.

[4matic]

Check out a little place in Wisconsin called Sand Valley/Mammoth Dunes

One of the things that separates BD from others is climate. The year round moderate, cool, wet weather produces a turf that just can’t be duplicated.

I’ve played whistling straits and it isn’t even close to the style of golf in Bandon.

[Soups]

Sand Valley is on my list.
But before, I want to check out Cabot Links.
Love what Mike Keiser is doing.

If you go, ask for "knuckles" as a caddy (real name Steve). Fucker was awesome. We blazed up all day and changed my golf game in three holes. Shot the two best rounds of my life with him.

He even knew when I should drink more or smoke more. Guy was a savant.

[nutmegchoi]

One of the things that separates BD from others is climate. The year round moderate, cool, wet weather produces a turf that just can’t be duplicated.

I’ve played whistling straits and it isn’t even close to the style of golf in Bandon.

I don’t know what it is but I absolutely love links golf.
And because my ball flight, it suits me as well.
I can’t get enough of hard compact fairways and greens.

If I can go back to Bandon every year, I never need to go anywhere else.

If you go, ask for "knuckles" as a caddy (real name Steve). Fucker was awesome. We blazed up all day and changed my golf game in three holes. Shot the two best rounds of my life with him.

He even knew when I should drink more or smoke more. Guy was a savant.

Will do.
It seems like I can make a quick 3 nights, 4 day trip for 72 holes and par-3.
Thanks for the info!

[skuff]

I don’t know what it is but I absolutely love links golf.
And because my ball flight, it suits me as well.
I can’t get enough of hard compact fairways and greens.

If I can go back to Bandon every year, I never need to go anywhere else.

Amazing photos, really cool to get detailed info about your trip. Links style golf kicks ass, love the low running shots you can play.

To me, Sand Valley is more links style golf compared to Mammoth Dunes, Dunes is more of a target style course. More like a Pete Dye style.

[nutmegchoi]

I do love Pete Dye courses though.
The ocean course is one of my absolute favorite.

[puma]

Fantastic TR. What a great trip. So good to see and read.. I am even more excited now as we just booked for March. Trails, bandon, preserve/pacific, then sheep. I agree with rankings being dependent on your experience/weather. I also agree it is splitting hairs as they are all so good!!!

[Hopeless Sinner]

Great report and and even better trip!

[billyk]

You guys have all the fun! Seriously envious here :-). Playing Pacific Dunes spoiled golf for me for several months afterwards.

[nutmegchoi]

One of upsides not having kids.
More money to burn!

[billyk]

Ah, thanks for reminding me about mistake #1 and mistake #2 :-).

[nutmegchoi]

Those mistake #1 and mistake #2 are the joy of your life!
I have cat #1 and cat #2.
Clearly heading towards crazy cat lady route.

[garyfromterrace]

Nutmeg! I'm not a golfer at all (though I have played a few rounds and entered some company scrambles and benefit tournies). I have in fact been quoted as saying that I'll have time to golf when I'm dead. However, you have made me re-evaluate this position with your well written and well documented TR. Shit woman, that looked like a helluva lotta fun and some good eats and drinks! Not to mention some seriously challenging courses/holes, and breaking a hundy!! Congrats kiddo. I shall not dis golfer folk again, thanks for showing me this stuff and getting me golf-curious. I may just play in our little coop's scramble coming up.

[nutmegchoi]

Hey, Gary!!!
Good to see you again and thank you for the kind words!!
I would love to play with you and some other mags from the board.
One day!!

[Long duc dong]

That is a GREAT TR!!

The food and the place look awesome.

It even looks like there might be some surf there.

You have just made me wish I golfed!

Beautiful shots too. That area looks truly stunning.

[thefrush]

Thanks for sharing! My Step-Dad has played at Bandon many times but I have yet to be able to join. I appreciate the photo tour and the info!