Page 1
Page 1
Started By
Message

Bandon Dunes Trip

Posted on 9/9/21 at 3:57 pm
Posted by tigerfan019
Member since Apr 2014
88 posts
Posted on 9/9/21 at 3:57 pm
I was fortunate enough to go on a trip to Bandon Dunes with my dad (during Ida no less), and wanted to just share a little bit.

If ever you are given the chance, do not miss out! I have not been to a bunch of "bucket list" golf courses or trips, but cannot imagine one being better than this place.

The golf is so unbelievable; from the views, to the layouts, to the staff and caddies, and the food.

Hard to really put into words on here about how great it was so I will rank my courses:

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

Just wanted to share a few pictures below

Bandon Dunes
Posted by The Johnny Lawrence
Member since Sep 2016
2162 posts
Posted on 9/9/21 at 4:07 pm to
No videos of the swing on the par 3?
Posted by DestrehanTiger
Houston, TX by way of Louisiana
Member since Nov 2005
12470 posts
Posted on 9/9/21 at 4:48 pm to
quote:

5. Pacific Dunes


What made Pac Dunes your least favorite? All I know about Bandon I got pretty much from Tourist Sauce with the NLU guys. They seemed to gush over Pacific Dunes, and it seemed like it was their favorite. So I'm curious what your opinion is.
Posted by tigerfan019
Member since Apr 2014
88 posts
Posted on 9/9/21 at 4:56 pm to
I guess I could have prefaced that list by saying after Bandon Dunes, which was by far my favorite, the other 4 could all be basically be second on my list. I guarantee if I went back tomorrow and played them all again, the order would change. In no way is Pacific a bad course. Probably did not help my rankings that it was the worse round of golf I played on the trip!

If Pacific was the only course on a property and I played it several times, I would be gushing about how great it was. Hard to rank all 5 for sure!
Posted by bopper50
Sugarland Texas
Member since Mar 2009
9147 posts
Posted on 9/9/21 at 5:53 pm to
Glad that you had a great trip.

I loved Bandon and Pacific. Some courses just fit your eye.

Mac wasn't open when we were there.
Posted by Johnnie10lb
Ville Platte
Member since Nov 2014
304 posts
Posted on 9/10/21 at 5:26 am to
How did you plan your trip?? Travel agent? Any recommendations??
Posted by mikedatyger
Orlandeaux, FL
Member since Jun 2005
4012 posts
Posted on 9/10/21 at 8:45 am to
quote:

What made Pac Dunes your least favorite?

Yeah, that's not the norm. PAC is the highest ranked course and arguably the best of the lot. Maybe not your favorite, but it is the best. :)
Old Mac is the usually the bottom.
Awesome that you were able to go. Fortunate enough to go twice. It is THE top bucket list destination, besides Pebble.
Posted by mikedatyger
Orlandeaux, FL
Member since Jun 2005
4012 posts
Posted on 9/10/21 at 8:49 am to
quote:

How did you plan your trip?

Call the resort. They will help set it up and schedule the timing of your rounds. Getting there is the tricky part. Ship your clubs ahead of time.
If you have a group, they can also help schedule dinner reservations. They have added a new restaurant, but most of them don't have a huge amount of seating.
Posted by 0jersey
Paradise
Member since Sep 2006
1839 posts
Posted on 9/10/21 at 9:01 am to
Nice!

I just got back last weekend from a week long trip there w buddies. Words and pics can never do this place justice. It was my second trip there and I already had expectations built way up and it surpassed them.

I find that sometimes course rankings can depend on how you’re playing that day and how tough the conditions are w the wind.

My personal rankings are
Bandon
Trails/OM
Then Pac.

For me, I’ve concluded that the Sheep Ranch, Punchbowl, and Preserve are all extra experiences that are must play and are phenomenal. I just think that though SR is a full course, it’s really a different vibe than all the other courses and it doesn’t take the mental focus of the others. Plus, no bunkers and very few penal areas just make it the most fun walk you’ll ever take.

Personally, I think the quality of the caddy makes a massive difference in your experience there and my caddy Matt from England was 5 star. There’s zero chance I would have read most putts the same.

I think it’s splitting hairs to rank the courses in an order, and each one of them would basically be the best course in most states.
I have a much better appreciation for Old Mac after reading Dream Golf and also from having my caddy explain why it’s his favorite on property.

Quite simply, Bandon is the best overall golf experience you can have in the US in my opinion.
This post was edited on 9/10/21 at 9:05 am
Posted by tigerfan019
Member since Apr 2014
88 posts
Posted on 9/10/21 at 10:29 am to
I went with a group of my dad's friends and one of the guys had been 6 or 7 times. We had a travel agent do flights for all of us. To my understanding, he worked it out with the resort on reservations, tee times, and lodging.
Posted by tigerfan019
Member since Apr 2014
88 posts
Posted on 9/10/21 at 10:31 am to
I can certainly see why it is the highest rated. Again, I think it was more of me playing so bad that particular round. Personally, after Bandon Dunes, I could probably rank them 4 different ways with more visits.

But yes, I am very fortunate to have been able to experience how great that place really is.
Posted by tigerfan019
Member since Apr 2014
88 posts
Posted on 9/10/21 at 10:34 am to
quote:

I just think that though SR is a full course, it’s really a different vibe than all the other courses and it doesn’t take the mental focus of the others. Plus, no bunkers and very few penal areas just make it the most fun walk you’ll ever take.


I agree 100% with this. The walk is unlike anything else I will ever experience. However, the golf course itself is kind of funky. Definitely is the easiest (minus wind) of the 5. Kind of has the resort feel to not beat you up too bad.

18 is a stupid hole to be a par 5 dead downwind. I drove it 50 yards short of the green.

Posted by 0jersey
Paradise
Member since Sep 2006
1839 posts
Posted on 9/10/21 at 10:50 am to
Yeah my buddy made an “eagle” on the hole, but it counts as such and was a great memory for him.

I mean, I shot a 77 there when I tallied it up at the end of the round and it didn’t feel like I was playing amazing. That round didn’t have near the impact or feeling of accomplishment as my 78 at Bandon.

I also think that Pac has a few of the best holes on property, but its front 9, as a whole, is the worst 9 on the property as well. The back is super legit though.
This post was edited on 9/10/21 at 10:52 am
Posted by DukeSilver
Member since Jan 2014
2722 posts
Posted on 9/10/21 at 7:47 pm to
For anyone who doesn’t mind sharing who’s been, what does a 4 day play all 5 courses trip cost ballpark?
Posted by tigerfan019
Member since Apr 2014
88 posts
Posted on 9/10/21 at 7:59 pm to
Probably around $4-5K plus caddies. That would also be meals and rooms
Posted by Maravich
Member since Mar 2014
2423 posts
Posted on 9/10/21 at 8:01 pm to
Bandon's an incredible place, glad you got to experience how amazing and breathtaking it is. Jealous you got to play Sheep Ranch too, last time I was out there you could see it being built but it wasn't completed yet. Surprised pac dunes was your least favorite, but every time I make the trip my rankings change too. Favorite golf resort in the world hands down.
This post was edited on 9/10/21 at 8:02 pm
Posted by bopper50
Sugarland Texas
Member since Mar 2009
9147 posts
Posted on 9/10/21 at 8:08 pm to
They have some of the best caddies around. Really good guys and funny as hell.

Not a cheap place but it is worth it.

Shipping clubs ahead is a great idea.
Posted by 0jersey
Paradise
Member since Sep 2006
1839 posts
Posted on 9/10/21 at 10:26 pm to
It depends on what time of year you go. If you’re ok w playing in cooler weather and willing to risk higher chances of rain then you can get better deals in Dec-March.

Peak round prices in summer are $295/rd and replays or another course that day is $150. Caddies are $100/ player per bag plus gratuity (20-50/person depending on how they did).
If you split a room w someone then it’s roughly $250/night/person on the lower end.

Those are the major costs. You can save mo et by not getting a rental car if you fly into OTH and set up a shuttle.

Ballpark is about right as said above at $4-5k all in, but there’s ways to shave costs. You don’t have to get caddies, but I think it detracts from the experience at least the first visit.

Like everyone says-the price is worth the experience you get.
Posted by fischd1
Mandeville
Member since Dec 2007
2827 posts
Posted on 9/11/21 at 10:28 pm to
Bandon is the best in all phases of golf resorts. Mike Keizer is a golf god and I cannot wait to go back for the third time. Simply the best!!
first pageprev pagePage 1 of 1Next pagelast page
refresh

Back to top
logoFollow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to get the latest updates on LSU Football and Recruiting.

FacebookTwitterInstagram