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Bandon Dunes: 18 things you must know before planning your trip

An insider's guide to one of golf's most celebrated locations

Schedule a late-afternoon round at Bandon Dunes. Playing the par-4 16th hole as the sun sets is one of the most memorable things you’ll ever do on any golf course.

Schedule a late-afternoon round at Bandon Dunes. Playing the par-4 16th hole as the sun sets is one of the most memorable things you’ll ever do on any golf course.

Play Preserve before anything else. The 13-hole par-3 course is a great primer for links golf, and each hole offers a view of the Pacific Ocean. Also, you can play as an eightsome at Preserve, which guarantees a ton of laughs.

Play Preserve before anything else. The 13-hole par-3 course is a great primer for links golf, and each hole offers a view of the Pacific Ocean. Also, you can play as an eightsome at Preserve, which guarantees a ton of laughs.

Request caddies. You’ll have the same caddie during the entire length of your stay, and you can use your credit card in the pro shop to withdraw cash. But if you don’t want to splurge on taking a caddie for every round, know that caddies are most essential at Old Macdonald.

Request caddies. You’ll have the same caddie during the entire length of your stay, and you can use your credit card in the pro shop to withdraw cash. But if you don’t want to splurge on taking a caddie for every round, know that caddies are most essential at Old Macdonald.

Bandon offers a replay rate: your second round during any given day is half-price. If you play two rounds in a day, the third round will be free. And Bandon will pay you $100 if you play a fourth round in one day.

Bandon offers a replay rate: your second round during any given day is half-price. If you play two rounds in a day, the third round will be free. And Bandon will pay you $100 if you play a fourth round in one day.

Sheep Ranch, now the fifth 18-hole course at Bandon Dunes, opened in May, and boasts nine green complexes along the Pacific Ocean, and has double the amount of ocean acreage than the other four 18-hole courses combined. Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw designed Sheep Ranch, which was previously an unkept 13-hole routing done by Tom Doak and Jim Urbina in the early 2000s.

Sheep Ranch, now the fifth 18-hole course at Bandon Dunes, opened in May, and boasts nine green complexes along the Pacific Ocean, and has double the amount of ocean acreage than the other four 18-hole courses combined. Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw designed Sheep Ranch, which was previously an unkept 13-hole routing done by Tom Doak and Jim Urbina in the early 2000s.

In our most recent set of rankings, Pacific Dunes is No. 2 on our ranking of America's 100 Greatest Public Courses, Bandon is No. 7, Old Macdonald is No. 12 and Bandon Trails is No. 14. All four courses are also ranked on Golf Digest's America's 100 Greatest (combining public and private). Sheep Ranch will be a candidate for the next set of rankings.

In our most recent set of rankings, Pacific Dunes is No. 2 on our ranking of America's 100 Greatest Public Courses, Bandon is No. 7, Old Macdonald is No. 12 and Bandon Trails is No. 14. All four courses are also ranked on Golf Digest's America's 100 Greatest (combining public and private). Sheep Ranch will be a candidate for the next set of rankings.

Out of the first four 18-hole courses, Pacific Dunes and Bandon Dunes offer the most stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. Old Macdonald is, by far, the most wide open. And Bandon Trails (pictured) presents the most intricate mix of risk-reward holes but is played entirely inland.

Stephen Szurlej: Bandon Trails

Out of the first four 18-hole courses, Pacific Dunes and Bandon Dunes offer the most stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. Old Macdonald is, by far, the most wide open. And Bandon Trails (pictured) presents the most intricate mix of risk-reward holes but is played entirely inland.

Photo By: Stephen Szurlej: Bandon Trails

The 18-hole routing at the Punchbowl, a 100,000-square-foot putting green, changes every day. It’s the perfect spot to settle some post-round bets.

BandonDunes.com

The 18-hole routing at the Punchbowl, a 100,000-square-foot putting green, changes every day. It’s the perfect spot to settle some post-round bets.

Photo By: BandonDunes.com

Thirty six holes a day is a very popular game plan if you can handle it. Playing 18 holes plus the 12-hole Preserve, or 18 holes plus the Punchbowl is an excellent alternative.

Thirty six holes a day is a very popular game plan if you can handle it. Playing 18 holes plus the 12-hole Preserve, or 18 holes plus the Punchbowl is an excellent alternative.

One knock against Bandon Dunes, if you want to nitpick, is that there's not much in the way of non-golf activities. The town of Bandon has a couple of bars and restaurants, but if you're looking to build a trip around cultural activities, this might not be your spot.

One knock against Bandon Dunes, if you want to nitpick, is that there's not much in the way of non-golf activities. The town of Bandon has a couple of bars and restaurants, but if you're looking to build a trip around cultural activities, this might not be your spot.

There’s a labyrinth on property, but nobody will ever tell you where it is, since it’s fun to try to find it. It’s a marble maze located in a wooded area—super peaceful.

There’s a labyrinth on property, but nobody will ever tell you where it is, since it’s fun to try to find it. It’s a marble maze located in a wooded area—super peaceful.

Unless you want to play one of the windiest rounds of your life, stick to a morning tee time at Old Macdonald—it’s the course that’s most open to all the elements.

Unless you want to play one of the windiest rounds of your life, stick to a morning tee time at Old Macdonald—it’s the course that’s most open to all the elements.

There are five restaurants on property, ranging from the no-frills McKee's Pub, to a selection of higher-end fare. You’ll probably never have better fish tacos than those served at Bandon Trails' Trails End.

There are five restaurants on property, ranging from the no-frills McKee's Pub, to a selection of higher-end fare. You’ll probably never have better fish tacos than those served at Bandon Trails' Trails End.

Read “Dream Golf: The Making of Bandon Dunes” before you hit your first shot. It'll give you a better appreciation for the entire resort.

Read “Dream Golf: The Making of Bandon Dunes” before you hit your first shot. It'll give you a better appreciation for the entire resort.

Start booking tee times now. Seriously—some golfers book tee times more than a year in advance.

Start booking tee times now. Seriously—some golfers book tee times more than a year in advance.

The halfway house at Old Macdonald might be the most beautifully scenic halfway house you'll ever see.

The halfway house at Old Macdonald might be the most beautifully scenic halfway house you'll ever see.

bandon dunes travel

Book a Links Lesson for your entire group, either on the day you arrive or before you tee off on your first 18-hole course. It costs $50 and it’ll help you understand how to play golf in the wind and on links courses. Plus, it’ll offer you a chance to meet Grant Rogers, Bandon’s Director of Instruction and one of golf's old-school gurus.

Show up prepared for all the elements, since you'll be playing lots of golf and since weather forecasts can change in an instant. Bring at least two pairs of golf shoes, stuff for chafing, a rain suit, chapstick, sunblock, cream, etc.

Show up prepared for all the elements, since you'll be playing lots of golf and since weather forecasts can change in an instant. Bring at least two pairs of golf shoes, stuff for chafing, a rain suit, chapstick, sunblock, cream, etc.

Shuttles take you everywhere, and you'll never have to wait more than five minutes to get one. Once you drive in from the airport, you can park your car and forget about it until it’s time to leave the resort.

Shuttles take you everywhere, and you'll never have to wait more than five minutes to get one. Once you drive in from the airport, you can park your car and forget about it until it’s time to leave the resort.

Flying to North Bend is easiest, but it can be pricey. There are plenty of less expensive flights into Portland, but that requires a four-hour drive down to Bandon.

Flying to North Bend is easiest, but it can be pricey. There are plenty of less expensive flights into Portland, but that requires a four-hour drive down to Bandon.

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Tips For Planning An Amazing Golf Trip To Bandon Dunes, Oregon

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bandon dunes travel

Golf trips to Scotland are a bucket list item for many golfers. The game was born near the wind-swept beaches of Scotland and many golf enthusiasts maintain that the purest form of golf is Scottish links golf. There are no tree-lined fairways nor lush green teeboxes like you would typically find in the United States. Links golf is played between the short grass and the long grass, with the wind coming off the ocean being the biggest obstacle from tee to green due to the fact that there are no trees in sight.

After a Scottish golf experience without having to hop the pond? You can experience it at Bandon Dunes. The idea behind Bandon Dunes is simple. What if there could be an authentic links golf experience in the United States? It would require a wind-swept beach, and when developer Mike Keiser stood on a piece of property just north of Bandon, Oregon, he knew he had found his spot. He hired a Scottish golf course architect to design an authentic links golf course, and Bandon Dunes was born. The course opened to the public in 1999.

Of course, Keiser had no idea how popular Bandon Dunes would become. When one links golf course could not handle the demand, he opened another course on the property. And then another. And then another. And what was originally one lodge on the property has grown to five different lodging options. It is truly one of the top golfing destinations in the United States.

Here are some tips for planning a once-in-a-lifetime golf vacation to Bandon Dunes.

Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area.

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1. Fly Into Southwest Oregon Regional Airport

The closest major airport is Portland International Airport, and the drive from the airport to Bandon Dunes is approximately 4.5 hours. But United Airlines now has daily flights to Southwest Oregon Regional Airport in North Bend, just 25 miles from Bandon Dunes. These flights originate from both the San Francisco (SFO) and Denver (DIA) airports, so flights can be booked from many destinations through one of those two airports to North Bend.

There are also regional airports in Eugene, Oregon (2.5 hours away), and Medford, Oregon (3 hours away), which carry flights from Alaska, Allegiant, American, Delta, and United Airlines.

If your flight is to one of these regional airports, the drive down the Oregon coast on Highway 101 has some of the most spectacular coastal highway views in America. If flying into Eugene, a stop at Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area , approximately halfway between Eugene and Bandon Dunes, could be the perfect mid-drive respite.

2. Stay On The Property

There are five different lodging options on the Bandon Dunes property. Those who visited Bandon Dunes when it first opened may not be familiar with all of the lodging options that have opened in the last 10 years.

The largest accommodation on the property is The Inn . This lodge features both single- and double-occupancy rooms as well as a bar area with a view of the 18th green of the Bandon Dunes course. Next door to The Inn is The Lodge , which has both single-bed hotel rooms and four-bedroom suites.

There are also cabin-style accommodations at Bandon Dunes. The Grove cottages were built with golf groups in mind. Each cabin has four bedrooms. Chrome Lake is a series of 21 individual buildings with three hotel rooms in each. The most affordable options on the property are the Lily Pond cottages. If you’re traveling with a foursome, all four players can stay in one room with two queen beds, a sitting area, and a private deck.

There are also lodging options off property. Bandon is a town of 3,000, so lodging options are limited, but the town has a Best Western , the Table Rock Motel , and several bed and breakfast options.

3. Give Yourself Enough Time To Play All The Courses

Many people are unaware that there are four courses at Bandon Dunes, plus a 13-hole par-3 course and an 18-hole putting course. Each is a unique golf experience, which is why a longer trip to Bandon is always preferred.

Bandon Dunes , built in 1999, is the original course on the property and is the one must-play course in Bandon. There are differing opinions on which is the “best” course on the property but there is no disputing that Bandon Dunes is central to the Bandon experience.

Due to the success of the Bandon Dunes course, Pacific Dunes was built two years later and opened in 2001. Designed by American golf course architect Tom Doak, Pacific Dunes is very similar to the Bandon Dunes course. Like Scottish links,the course has no trees. There are sandy waste areas and vast views of the Pacific Ocean.

The Bandon Trails course, designed by former PGA golfer Ben Crenshaw and his design partner Bill Coore, provides a completely different golf experience on the property. Bandon Trails is further inland, away from the ocean and tucked up into a pine and spruce forest. Yes, trees. This course is much more like the typical American golf experience with fairways framed by trees and meadows.

The most difficult course on the property, with a USGA course rating of 74.4, is Old Macdonald . Named for renowned golf course architect C.B. Macdonald, designer of such courses as the St. Louis Country Club, the Chicago Golf Club, and The Old White Course at The Greenbrier, Old Macdonald was designed by Tom Doak to pay homage to the style of C.B. Macdonald.

There are also two more golf experiences on the property designed for those who might not want to walk 18 holes of golf but want to experience Bandon Dunes. Bandon Preserve is a 13-hole par-3 course near the ocean that invites golfers to experience golf at Bandon without the full 18-hole commitment. Finally, The Punchbowl is a putting course on the property. There are 18 holes on this massive putting green and a “course” laid out for putting from hole to hole.

4. Get A Caddy

The golf courses at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort do not have carts. Much like the links courses in Scotland, the only option is to walk the course. Caddies and push-carts are available for all golfers, so don’t think that this will be 18 holes of carrying your golf bag around.

Links golf is different from the type of golf many golfers are used to in the United States, so in addition to facilitating movement around the course, a local caddy can help you learn how to play on this unique terrain. Caddies are available at the course and golfers pay the caddies directly. Many groups will utilize the caddies as double-bag caddies (meaning they’ll carry two golf bags), so each golfer splits the cost of the caddy with his or her playing partner.

5. Eat At The Restaurants On The Property

Bandon Dunes Golf Resort has six restaurants on the property. Options range from the Bunker Bar , a typical post-round bar with drinks and snacks, and the Tufted Puffin Lounge , with bar food and drinks, to The Gallery Restaurant with it’s Wine Spectator award-winning wine list. Several restaurants on site serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner, so golfers truly never have to leave the property.

Shore Acres State Park in Oregon.

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6. Spend A Day In Coos Bay And North Bend

If you do want to venture out to explore the area, Coos Bay and North Bend, about a 25-minute drive north, are the best destinations for restaurants. Options range from Hilltop House , a higher-end restaurant with many local seafood dishes in North Bend, to 7 Devils Brewing Company , a microbrewery in Coos Bay that serves pub food. Both Coos Bay and its sister city North Bend sit on Coos Bay, the largest bay along the Oregon coast, so many restaurants have fantastic views of the water.

Be sure to stop at Shore Acres State Park on the drive to or from Bandon. Shore Acres is the former estate of timber baron Louis Simpson. You can tour the grounds and visit all of the manicured gardens on the property, then follow the path to the ocean overlook to watch the waves crash against the rocky shores. Shore Acres is adjacent to two other state parks — Sunset Bay State Park and Cape Arago State Park. All three parks offer spectacular views of the Oregon coast.

7. Bring Your Rain Gear

This is the Oregon coast. Keep in mind that you won’t be golfing along a beach in the Virgin Islands. Winds can be heavy at times, and rain can come in off the ocean quite often. It is a good idea to pack rain gear for every round as well as long-sleeve shirts and pants. Bandon can be golfed in the typical golf polo and shorts or skirt, but when the weather changes, it changes quickly.

That said, stormy skies can clear at a moment’s notice, leaving you with a perfect sunset over the ocean as you sip your post-round cocktail on one of the many patios overlooking the course and the waves.

Whether it’s a weekend trip to play one of the courses or a full week to play every 18-hole course plus Bandon’s par-3, golfers keep coming back to the area, and Bandon keeps adding golf courses with a fifth course currently in the works.

All four Bandon courses made the latest Golf Digest rankings of the top 100 golf courses in the United States . The highest rated course is Pacific Dunes, 17th on their list. Bandon Dunes comes in at number 36. Old Macdonald is ranked 50th and Bandon Trails is ranked number 69. The ability to play four Golf Digest top 100 golf courses on one property is unmatched anywhere in the United States and makes this far-flung collection of sand dunes in a remote corner of Oregon one of the top golf destinations in the United States.

Image of Robert Rosenthal

Robert and his wife Pam live in Champaign, Illinois. He works as a landscape architect during the day and a writer at night. His wife's job in medical devices takes her all over the country and Robert travels with her whenever he can. With three grown sons living between Missouri and Idaho, they are almost always traveling somewhere. Any time off is spent, you guessed it, traveling.

10 Things to Know About Booking a Trip to Bandon Dunes

bandon dunes travel

Bandon is a very special place, and you truly can’t appreciate it until you go there.

  • Play as much as you physically can (at one point I didn’t think my body would hold up, but that is when I started playing my best; the golf gods knew).
  • Go with friends because the photo ops are priceless.
  • Enjoy the food, it’s all good, especially the breakfast sandwiches at Sheep Ranch.
  • Use the practice facility, you are there to play as much golf as you can so just do it.
  • The Punch Bowl is a must, get creative and hit the longest putts of your life.
  • Talk it up with your caddies, the more you engage the better the experience. Nick gave me a perfect line on my eagle putt that I nailed.
  • Talk to Shoe. He wasn’t there when we were there, but he is an amazing part of the Bandon experience. Follow him on X where he gives each day a rating.
  • Consider renting clubs (only if you are a higher handicapper). You will be hitting the latest clubs and it's a good test run if you are getting new ones. Plus, you get six balls each day too.
  • Eat at the Ghost Tree Grill for dinner. Splurge because you came this far.
  • Don’t worry about over packing, even if you don’t wear it. The weather is very unpredictable. The shoe warmers in the room are spectacular.

Bandon Dunes.

Sorrento, FL

Brendon Elliott

Brendon Elliott is considered by his peers in the industry as one of the top youth golf coaches in the world. He is a multiple, local, state, regional, national and world award winning instructor with a focus on junior golfers ages 3-18. With numerous appearances on Golf Channel's Morning Drive, local TV, nationwide radio and countless publications, Elliott is one of the foremost experts in the youth golf arena. His Little Linksters 501c3 nonprofit is recognized as an example for introducing children as young as three to the game as well as how to help introduce youth with disabilities to our golf. Elliott has been recommended by industry titian's such as Nicklaus, Player, Floyd, Sorenstam, Speith and more. Among his numerous accolades, Elliott was named the PGA of America's 2017 PGA National Youth Player Development Award Winner in 2017.

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Bandon Dunes Golf Resort

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bandon dunes travel

" Stay as long as you can! "

bandon dunes travel

" A must for golfers "
" Play the Preserve first day to get loose. Old Mac breakfast sandwich can't be beat. Stop at the liquor store to avoid the crippling prices "

bandon dunes travel

" The town of Bandon is about 6 miles south and a great choice of restaurants and tourist type stores. "

bandon dunes travel

" More convenient to stay at the Inn or Lodge. Lodge has alot more noise. "

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BANDON DUNES GOLF RESORT

Bandon Dunes Golf Resort

Bandon Dunes Golf Resort

The world-famous Bandon Dunes golf resort is iconic, and for good reason. Situated on Oregon’s Pacific coastline , Bandon Dunes’ golf courses combine 1,000 acres of lush greenery with a traditional Scottish-style golfing experience.

With cliff edges, primeval grassy dunes, and six different links courses to choose from, there are many reasons why you should choose Bandon Dunes Resort for your golf vacation.

A Bandon Dunes golf vacation should include a round on the Bandon Dunes course. Opened in 1999 and designed by Scotsman David McLayy Kidd, this course offers unparalleled views of the Pacific Ocean, as well as challenging play from the ever-present winds on this cliff-top course.

The other five courses include Pacific Dunes, Bandon Trails, Old Macdonald, Bandon Preserve, and Sheep Ranch. When you’re done for the day, unwind in the resort’s cozy lodgings or sample the award-winning wine choices and dining options . With so much do to here, our ‘know before you go’ list has got you covered.

Lodge Exterior

Bandon Dunes Private Lodge

Bandon Dunes Private Lodge The ideal way for groups to experience the spectacular golf of Bandon Dunes.

Stay in a luxurious private 4-bedroom lodge located just off the fairways of the iconic Sheep Ranch and access the six distinct courses of one of the most popular golf resorts in the world.

Bandon Dunes Golf Courses

The resort’s first course, Bandon Dunes, opened in May 1999. The course was designed by Scotsman David McLay Kidd, traditionally offering the resort guest’s lowest scores.

Pacific Dunes (designed by Tom Doak), Bandon Trails, and Old Macdonald followed from 2001 to 2010, with a fifth course (Bandon Preserve) added in 2012, offering a 13-hole experience designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw.

In 2020, Bandon Dunes Golf Resort welcomed Sheep Ranch, a new course located just north of Old Macdonald, completing the links lineup. Sheep Ranch offers a picturesque golfing experience, with many of the holes featuring shots over water and cliffs.

Bandon Dunes also boasts a 100,000-square-foot putting course, designed by Doak and Urbine, adjacent to the first tee at Pacific Dunes. The Punchbowl is an immersive 18-hole golf course that takes around an hour to play.

Bandon Dunes – 4 Night Package

The Inn at Bandon Dunes 5 rounds of golf, 4 nights accommodation Forrest Double Room Golf at any of Bandon Dunes, Pacific Dunes, Bandon Trails, Old MacDonald, Sheep Ranch or Bandon Preserve (depending on availability) Porterage Included Sightseeing and restaurant recommendations

Price from $1,030 per person Based on 2 golfers sharing a double/twin room Off peak season All taxes and fees included

Price excludes flights, airport transfers and caddies All rates are subject to change without prior notice and vary according to seasonality and hotel or golf course availability. Travel insurance is always recommended.

Bandon Dunes Golf Resort fairway

Amenities at Bandon Dunes

Aside from its world-renowned golf courses, a Bandon Dunes golf package has so much to offer visitors. All 8 restaurants located on the resort have been inspired by the kindred spirit of Bandon Dunes’ golfing experience, offering locally-sourced Pacific Northwest Cuisine along with Scottish-style pub fare and microbrews.

There are also plenty of bars to enjoy, along with a fitness center, spa & sauna. If you’re planning an active adventure vacation in Bandon Dunes, hiking trails, the Labyrinth, and fishing areas will keep you entertained outside of the golf courses. There’s also ample accommodation on-site, including single rooms, double rooms, and suites.

Attractions near to Bandon Dunes

While Bandon Dunes Golf Resort offers extensive entertainment, there are a number of must-visit attractions located just a short walk or drive from Bandon Dunes. Whiskey Run Beach is a popular spot located near Sheep Ranch Golf Course, while Whiskey Run hiking trails offer a great day out for those looking to stay active. Elliot State National Forest is also located less than 1 hour north of the resort, offering a ride through Coos Bay and Bunker Hill.

Bandon Dunes also offers a Shuttle Service to help you navigate the resort.

How to get to Bandon Dunes

Bandon Dunes is located just 10-minutes from the town of Bandon, Oregon. Southwest Oregon Regional Airport (OTH) is a short 35-minute drive from Bandon Dunes, with regular flights from Denver, Colorado, and San Francisco, California.

Eugene, Oregon, is around a 2.5-hour drive from the resort, Eugene Airport (EUG) also offers daily nonstop flights from cities including Burbank, Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Jose, and Seattle.

Bandon Dunes also offers a private air charter option, flying directly to Bandon State Airport (S05).

The Lodge at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort

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Sunriver Resort Oregon

More Great Destinations in Oregon

Sunriver Resort

Situated in the heart of Oregon, the Sunriver Resort boasts 63 holes across four award winning courses.

Designed by renowned architects, the golf courses are maintained to an exceptional standard and offer a great variety of styles including links and woodland, all look as beautiful as they play.

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Bandon Dunes FAQs

Bandon Dunes Golf Course is located on the Pacific coast of Oregon , around 240 miles southwest of Portland or a 4-hour drive.

Bandon Dunes Golf Course does not offer golf carts for all guests, but they do make exceptions for guests with a permanent disability.

There are six 18-hole courses, including the Bandon Dunes course, Pacific Dunes, Bandon Trails, Old Macdonald, Bandon Preserve, and Sheep Ranch. There’s also a new 19-hole short course called Shorty’s. All of these courses are considered to be some of the best golf that Oregon has to offer.

Premier Golf offers a 4-night off-peak package for around $1,030, including accommodation and enough time to play all the courses Bandon Dunes has to offer.

A golf trip to Bandon Dunes will cost you around $1,000, depending on the duration of your stay, but keep in mind this doesn’t include the cost of all your meals or any other activities unrelated to golf that you include in your schedule.

The easiest course at Bandon Dunes is considered to be Sheep Ranch which has the lowest slope rating at 122, while also offering picturesque views.

We recommend a minimum of 4 nights at Bandon Dunes as this gives you enough time to enjoy all six courses and takes into account long travel times.

The best time for golf in Bandon Dunes is in the Summer due to the weather conditions, which are clear and sunny with temperatures that average in the low 70s. However, Bandon Dunes is usually busy year-round, and booking in the shoulder season may not mean it’s quieter.

The closest airport to Bandon Dunes is Eugene Airport (EUG), a 2-hour 50-minute drive and approximately 125 miles away. Portland International Airport (PDX) has the most connections available for travelers from all over the country and is a 4-hour 20-minute drive and 253 miles out.

The hardest Bandon course to walk on is the Bandon Trails, as it has the most undulation and some hilly terrain. Between the 13th green and 14th tee players are offered a hill ride as this point is notoriously steep.

Rounds at Bandon Dunes have an average completion time of 4 hours 20 minutes, which is below the national average.

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Crafting Your Perfect Trip

When is the best time to play Bandon Dunes if you want to see the sunset? What’s the best rotation for a newcomer? What months are the calmest? Bandon Dunes’ Director of Resort Operations, Jeff Simonds, has been asked all the questions by newcomers and veterans alike. Planning the perfect Bandon Dunes itinerary is really dependent on what your goals are, Simonds explains. “The best time to come is when it fits in your schedule,” he says. With that in mind, the 14-year veteran of the resort offers his Bandon insights gleaned from his time at the resort interacting with tens of thousands of guests.

As seen in  Bandon Dunes Magazine .

bandon dunes travel

WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO BECOME ACCLIMATIZED TO BANDON DUNES?

If you’ve never been here before, one of the more enjoyable ways to understand Bandon is to start on the 13-hole Bandon Preserve. You get the firm turf, the tight lies, the big greens, and the great ocean views. You’re going to be excited to finally play Bandon, and you’ll have the opportunity to be creative with your putts and pitches. We also allow up to an eight-some on the Preserve so it is a great start to catch up with your buddies who don’t live near you.

bandon dunes travel

WHAT’S THE BEST COURSE TO PLAY IN THE MORNING?

Old Macdonald is the course that is most exposed to the elements. So, if you’re trying to avoid the wind as much as you can, then you’d play it in the morning and then Bandon Trails in the afternoon.

WHAT’S THE BEST COURSE TO PLAY IN THE EVENING?

For an epic day, you’ll want to finish on Bandon Dunes or Pacific Dunes so the round ends in the evening—the sunsets are truly incredible. But they are great to play in the morning when you are waking up with the golf course and you can smell the ocean and hear the waves as they are crashing— that’s pretty good as well. However, it is also great to play Pacific in a morning and then another day in the afternoon because the courses will play very differently. You want to see how they change from the morning to the afternoon and you’ll see how links golf changes throughout the day. A 440-yard par four can be driver and a 3-wood in the morning, but only a driver and mid-iron in the evening. It is about understanding the conditions.

bandon dunes travel

WHAT MONTHS OF THE YEAR ARE THE CALMEST?

Mid-July through the end of September is the calmest and predictable days out here. But you can get 70 degrees and calm any day of the year. If you’re playing the odds, that 90-day stretch through September is probably your best option. Our predominant wind changes in April and May, then back in October and November—you’ll see stronger links conditions and a lot of people love that.

IS THERE A PERFECT FOUR-DAY BANDON TRIP?

There are many ways to craft the perfect four-day Bandon trip. It all depends on where you are in your life and how you define the perfect experience. The perfect trip for me is to play 18 on the first day at Bandon Dunes so you can see the sunset. You’re also going to want to have a caddie for the first course when you play it the first time—it’ll help immensely. Then on the full days, I’d be sure to play multiple rounds to take advantage of our replay rates and find time in my itinerary to enjoy the Preserve and Punchbowl. Finish with 18 or an early Preserve round on the departure day. You’ll be pleasantly worn out. And often you’ve messed up a hole and you want to go back and test it again. This way you have that opportunity to play two courses twice, and you spend four days absorbing everything at Bandon.

SHOULD I BOOK A CADDIE?

Caddies are really an essential part of the experience. Your GPS might say you have 220 yards into a green, but depending on how it is playing, it could be 275, or 150. Our caddies really know the course and the conditions and they can tell you so much about how each course is playing depending on the weather. They really are key. Out here you’re playing chess—not checkers.

DO I HAVE TO BOOK REPLAYS?

Mike Keiser has set it up so that if we’re sold out from a lodging perspective, there’s always golf inventory. He likes to play quickly and he made sure that it doesn’t feel too busy when we’re full. With that in mind, on most days we try to get everyone out by 11 am, which allows players to replay in the afternoon. There’s no penalty if you book 36 and are too tired to play that afternoon. We recommend people just book it and we’ll roll with the changes.

WHO SHOULD I CALL WITH FURTHER QUESTIONS?

Our reservations team are experts on the best way to experience Bandon. Give them a call at the number below or drop us a note on our  Reservations  page!

EXPERIENCE TRUE LINKS ON THE RUGGED OREGON COAST

CALL (855) 444-1081

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  • Double King Bed
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bandon dunes travel

Big Ball First

Big Ball First

The Quest for the Best Buddies Golf Trip

Bandon Dunes Golf Resort: Definitive Trip Guide

Bandon Dunes Golf Resort: Definitive Trip Guide

The tagline for Bandon Dunes Golf Resort is “GOLF AS IT WAS MEANT TO BE…”. While this may be true, we think the better tagline should be “The Buddies Bucket list Golf Trip: As it was meant to be… Full Stop”.  Bandon Dunes sets a bar by which every other bucket list golf trip will be measured. The nice thing about Bandon is that it just fits the bill. Everything, every detail is thought through with a lens of making it the most enjoyable buddies golf trip experience that can be. With this Big Ball First guide on to how to best plan your trip, we hope it will be just that much better. 

Overview : Bandon Dunes Golf Resort is the brainchild of Mike Keiser, a successful businessman from upstate New York. Interestingly, he did not set out to become a Golf Magnet. His businesses were unrelated, but he had a huge passion for the game, and apparently for travel. He travelled all over Great Britain and Ireland playing the original links style golf courses that were the origin of the game…. and he simply fell in love. His passion led him to build a links style golf course on Lake Michigan called the Dunes Club. 

Over time, as he continued to play legendary golf courses (many of which were private), he formed a hypothesis: Every golfer should have the opportunity to play legendary golf. In some ways, Mike Keiser is the Patron Saint of Big Ball First. We also hold this belief and it’s our mission to make sure golfers of any means are able to maximise their experience when doing so. Okay, let’s just call him our Spirit Animal instead. 

bandon dunes travel

Mike found a piece of property in Bandon, Oregon, that fit the bill perfectly for what he wanted to achieve: Build links style golf courses inspired by the ancient links style courses that gave birth to the game. He took a bet on David McLay Kidd (a relatively unknown golf course architect) and in 1999 the resort opened with its first golf course – Bandon Dunes – to instant acclaim. Over time, Mike formulated a codex that would be a guide to building a complex of epic golf courses: Designed by top golf course designers, built in a resort setting, singularly aimed at leaving the golfer in awe of the fact that every tiniest detail was thought through with golfer’s needs in mind. Each one of the original 4 golf courses is on Golf Digest’s Best 20 public golf courses, and soon, our bet the 5th will join that exclusive club. 

Bandon Dunes Entrance

Location The location for the courses at Bandon could not have been better hand picked for the features you would expect of Scottish links golf 1.) seaside 2.) plenty of gorse 3.) weather and 4) prevailing winds. Some say that if you have nice weather when at Bandon Dunes you’re missing the whole point. You only get the “full” experience if it’s blowing 30 miles an hour and you have sideways rain and you can’t keep your equipment dry or a hat on. While we like an ‘authentic’ experience, that golf trip might not be for everyone. 

The resort is in remote southern Oregon about two-thirds the way from Coos Bay to Bandon, Oregon. This location, high on the cliffs above the pacific ocean is the fulcrum on which the entire Bandon experiment was catapulted to success. The best part is that even when you are not golfing, just sitting back and enjoying the scenery is a treat. 

bandon dunes travel

For sure, the golf is the star of the show. Marching up and down the dunes out to the ocean and trekking from cantilevered greens hanging out over the beach below is a spiritual experience for the avid golfer, and even the casual golfer will be blown away. Gnarled bunkers and strategically placed gorse present hazards both figuratively and literally. When the gorse dries out it is sharper than razor wire and so full of oils that if it catches fire, it’s like napalm. In fact, our first trip to Bandon Dunes a caddie told us a story of a man that fell off a cliff into a gorse bush and lost an arm because of the thorny grabby vegetation. Subsequent caddies have cast doubt on the story as a wive’s tale. But all the same the spirit of the warning makes sense.. Besides, a caddie’s best day is when they don’t have to administer first aid two miles from the club house. Remember, the caddies like the bags light so the First Aid would be improvised and slapdash at best. 

Getting there As we mentioned Bandon Dunes is remote, yet you have a number of options to get to the resort… each with its set of drawbacks and advantages. Also, if you are doing the trip on a budget there are factors that you need to weigh. Some travel options require an extra night’s stay at the hotel and those rooms can be pricey – especially at peak times of year. Do the calculus (number of nights of hotel to maximize number of rounds of golf plus mode of transportation). Because the access to the golf is governed by the nights you stay, we like to get the most rounds of golf possible out of a two-night stay – which would be 3 at 1/day and 4 with a double.

Option 1: Fly Commercial As of the writing of this blog you can fly directly into Southwest Oregon Regional Airport (OTH, or Coos Bay) from San Francisco or Denver. Then once there you can either rent a car and drive the 30 minutes south to the resort, or hire a shuttle service to shuttle you back and forth. The shuttle is roughly 50 dollars per guy round-trip, and might be a good way to go. 8 guys in a suburban with golf gear can be a tight fit, unless you ship your clubs, which the resort very much recommends. The downside to flying commercial is that you are at the whim of the airline schedules. Sometimes they change and rarely are they optimized for you to arrive at the resort and get a round in. The upside is that it’s quicker than driving. 

Regional jets fly into the tiny Coos Bay airport from Denver and San Francisco

Other things to consider when flying commercial; you can clearly connect into SF or Denver and catch a direct flight. Or you can fly to Portland and take the 4 hour drive south. If you stay for the night in Portland and have a nice dinner, and a hotel, then pick up your rental car in the morning and be at the resort in time for your first round. 

Drawbacks: Schedule makes it hard to maximize your number of rounds Advantages: Relatively quick and economical 

Option 2: Drive If you live in Portland, Seattle, or even San Francisco, you should strongly consider driving. The drive when you get into the coastal Oregon forest is simply stunning. It takes 8-9 hours from the bay area and 4/7 from Portland and Seattle respectively. The upside is you won’t have the expense or hassle of a plane ticket and you can make your trip go further economically. For our most recent trip we drove from San Jose to Crescent City, CA with the thought that we would hit wineries along the way. If you do this, keep in mind that if you leave at 7am you will be north of all the wineries before they open at 10,11 or 1. So do research on your departure time. We got an inexpensive hotel in Crescent City, had dinner and got a good night’s sleep. We were up at 8 and at the Bandon resort for a nice lunch and an afternoon round. From the north you likely don’t even need to stop. For the last day we were able to play, get in the car and make the trip home in one shot. The drive was breathtaking and something everyone should do. 

bandon dunes travel

From the San Francisco Bay Area you may be tempted to drive straight to Bandon without  stopping. We don’t recommend this. Driving all that way won’t get you to the resort in time for a round that day, unless you leave at midnight. And really, who wants to tee it up after sitting in a car for 9 hours? Stop in Crescent City or another town along the way that strikes your fancy.

Drawbacks: Long drive Advantages: Economical, you can maximize your golf, and you will be truly stunned by the view along the drive.

Option 3: Fly Private Normally, we would never put this option in a blog for accessible public golf as it’s generally impractical. However, if a commercial flight means you have to stay an extra day to get your third round in, then it might pencil out. If each guy is spending $350 a night on a hotel and you have 8 guys that’s $2800. Add it to the $500 they would pay for a commercial ticket means you add an extra $4,000. That would be a total airfare allowance for 8 guys of seven grand. If you live on the west coast, for a couple hundred extra dollars you might be able to charter a plane (not a jet). If the plane gets you there in time to play a round in the afternoon and you can play a round in the am for your last round and fly home… it might make economic sense. You can either fly into Coos Bay, or there is a smaller airstrip right by the resort if the plane will fit the runway. Your pilot will know.

Drawbacks: Expensive Advantages: You get to maximize your trip

King Air

Getting around there The resort is quite remote, but the good news is that once you are there, it’s all self-contained. Restaurants, shopping, golf, practice, bars…anything you need is at your fingertips. It is quite spread out, but the system of shuttle busses they have is second to none, and the drivers are really helpful and sweet. You can drive around the resort if you have a rental car; that’s an option as well as each course and facility has parking. However, you likely won’t need to. You may be tempted to go 15 minutes south to the town of Bandon, but our advice is that once you are on property you stay on property. In your down time you have plenty to do and you will be all the more relaxed because of it. 

Staying there There are many places to stay at Bandon Dunes, but in our book there is a clear winner. Particularly, if you have 8 or 12 guys, get The Lodge. It’s the center of all the action, walkable to multiple restaurants and bar options. You have good access to outdoor areas, and there is always good people-watching. We would suggest the Golf, Dune or Lodge suite. Every room in the BD complex was built by Mike Keiser to represent your “refuge from your day of golf”. So when you are on your buddies bucket list golf trip you want a nice room with a common area, your own bedroom and your own bathroom. These rooms all deliver in spades–enough rooms that everyone in a foursome has their own bedroom and bathroom, complete with a living room sized perfectly for 8 guys playing poker. In fact, there is a very specific one we would recommend which is the one with a giant balcony off the back of The Lodge overlooking the 1st tee of Bandon Dunes Golf Course in one direction, the 10th tee and practice green and restaurant in the other. It’s huge, and spectacular, and you will feel like you won the Lotto. 

bandon dunes travel

Truth to tell, all the accommodations at BD are really well done. Even the rooms you would share with another guy are large and every detail is thought through from a golfers’ golf trip perspective, right down to the electric shoe dryers and solid sharing bathroom set up. You can’t really go wrong. Just pick a roommate that does not snore if you are a light sleeper, and pay attention to how far the room is from The Lodge. 

bandon dunes travel

If The Lodge suites are full, you can check out the Grove Cottage or Chrome lake lofts, both an eight minute walk from The Lodge. The Chrome Lake Lofts offer very comfy accommodations for two guys with their own rooms, own bathrooms and a nice sized living room. The Grove Cottage is an ideal setup for 4 guys. Bandon Dunes is not the Four Seasons to everyone, but the attention to detail and great service make it the Four Seasons of hard core bucket list golf for sure. 

The Lamplighter, Bandon, OR

Some people recommend booking an Airbnb nearby. There are a few, but between AirBNB’s and motels in Coos Bay and nearby Bandon you have one major issue: Access to golf more than 21 days out is predicated on staying on property. So we really can’t recommend this option as we would, in say, Scottsdale, AZ. If you by some sort of miracle have 8 guys that can go to Bandon in under 21 day’s notice and there is golf open, by all means have at it. If you want to defer 1 night of hotel on either end of your trip, there are some more reasonable options in Coos Bay as well as the town of Bandon, like the Lamplighter… If you do this for your crew it will be all about expectation setting. Bring earplugs the walls are thin.

When to go There are a couple schools of thought on when to go. Some people go when the weather will be at its best, yet the resort is at its most expensive. This would be July through September. Our caddie on the most recent visit said to favor September if you like “mild” weather— as you are least likely to get Marine layer fog, rain and the fiercest winds. Although you always have to be prepared for some pretty hard core wind and potential of rain. 

Others say that the best time to go is actually when you are going to hit inclement weather. “Golf as it was meant to be”, they say, means playing in sideways rain, rain gear, a bucket hat and gloves, as it was in the Old Country. Well okay modern day Old Country. 

bandon dunes travel

Fact is, no matter when you decide to go to Bandon the weather will be a factor. It’s why the courses were built in this location. Each hole handicaps the prevailing winds. We have been in March and it’s been 60 degrees and no wind. We have been in September and it’s been so foggy we have had to have the caddie put a towel down so we could get a line off the tee box. So the advice is to pick the time that is best for you and your wallet. As the swing from high to low season cost-wise can be as much as 120%. 

Weather The only weather that we can pretty much guarantee you won’t get at Bandon Dunes is snow. That said, you need to be prepared for anything from 50 mile an hour wind, to sideways rain to fog so thick you can’t see your hand in front of your face. Most rounds you need to be prepared for multiple weather conditions in a single round. The witch of the wind can come at any time, particularly in the afternoon. Fog can roll in, it can start raining, or it can be beautiful. Make sure you layer and have quality wind and rain gear. 

bandon dunes travel

What you need to bring: 

  • Consider investing in a feather light golf bag or one that is waterproof
  • Solid warm clothes
  • A couple pair of waterproof golf shoes
  • Quality rain gear
  • Waterproof hat, either bucket or cap
  • Rain gloves
  • Quality windbreaker or two
  • Earplugs have a dual use. If you have a roommate that snores they are good for that. If it’s blowing 40 on the course,  earplugs will help more than you may think.. 
  • Sunscreen – even if it’s cloudy out, use it. 
  • Quality lip moisturizer like a Carmex 
  • Quality facial and body moisturizer
  • Lots of golf balls
  • Small first aid kit
  • Your prescription glasses or contacts (non progressive for golf) bring an extra pair in case something happens to the first.
  • Sunglasses- prescription if you have a prescription
  • Bug spray, or sunscreen with bug spray in it
  • A couple of hats and even a large sun hat

For the trip

  • Bluetooth speaker (here is a good one on Amazon)_
  • Alcohol of choice. If you play your lodging right, you will be hanging quite a bit back at the room, and having your wine or whisky handy will save some dough. Remember alcohol is cheaper in California than Oregon if driving. 
  • Deck of cards
  • Poker chips
  • Massage gun – trust us on this one. Buy a 99 dollar massage gun on Amazon. On your fourth round you will thank us. 
  • Ben Gay, menthol CBD, or lidocaine patch
  • Cash of all sizes, but don’t forget small bills. Pressing the flesh of a shuttle bus driver with a fiver will be much appreciated, and the caddies don’t take Amex. 
  • Your pharmaceuticals
  • Snacks, especially ones you can throw in the golf bag. Peanuts, bars etc. If you are coming from the north including OTH airport stop in Coos Bay to get snacks. From the south, Bandon is a good choice. 
  • If you are driving it might be wise to take a lawn chair or two to facilitate an impromptu hangout
  • Knit hat and good winter jacket (fire pits at night are great, but the walk to them can be chilly
  • Binoculars. 
  • iPad, or tablet
  • Flashlight- the property is quite dark after sunset. If you are not staying in the main lodge and you decide to walk, this will help.
  • Wine opener/ Beer Opener (get one that is portable plastic so you can take it through airport security)
  • Hearing aid batteries if you have a hearing aid

What not to bring:

  • Your Pull Cart. They have pull carts there for rent for $5 that are built for the terrain. One unique thing about pull carts at Bandon Dunes is that you can wheel them straight over the greens. They actually encourage you to not go around the perimeter. 
  • A cart bag or a heavy bag. If you are carrying it, it will kill you. If your caddie is carrying it, he will put you in a mostly empty light bandon bag. So leave your five pounds of lucky ball markers and round golf bag charms back in the room or at home
  • Your work computer

Eating and Shopping There If Pebble Beach is Disney World, then Bandon Dunes is Epcot. Each of the five major golf complexes offer their own unique culture in the area of shopping and dining. Then of course, you have the Lodge, which might as well be a giant geodesic dome towering over the rest of the resort. 

bandon dunes travel

We’re not sure why it came as a surprise to us, but each golf course has its own full sized golf shop complete with extensive logo wear specific to that golf course, all run pretty independently. Bandon Trails shares it’s golf shop with The Preserve and Pacific shares one with the Punchbowl. All of them carry primo gear, and if they don’t have something in your size they will order it and ship it to you after your trip. It’s very impressive, and Bandon Dunes golf shop has a very good clearance area in the back right corner, which is good for when you’re burning through your budget on $100 golf shirts. There is also a gift shop in The Lodge that has unique gifts and golf paraphernalia of all types. Be sure to peruse. 

As for food, you have some great options. I could go through them all, but I am going to hit on our favorites:

bandon dunes travel

  • Pacific Grill. Great restaurant of eclectic well made food. Great for lunch and a must-do for dinner
  • McKee’s Pub. Named for trusted advisor to Mike Keiser, Howard McKee. He was indispensable during the planning and development of Bandon Dunes and this is a tribute to Keiser’s late friend. British pub style is great for having a pint, plopping down for some fish and chips, or going higher brow with the food in the upstairs dining room. 
  • The Lodge. The Lodge is pretty much where you want to eat every breakfast, and many lunches. An environment that feels like a greenhouse lets you enjoy the views outside of the golf course, or you can sit on the patio. They make a great Bloody Mary, have a good white wine and beer list and killer onion rings.

The one thing to remember is RESERVATIONS. Don’t wait until you get on property, either. Make them when you book your golf. Your golf advisor will help you, and to do it when you book your trip is to avoid waiting 90 minutes or worse, missing a meal. 

Practice facility All of the courses except Sheep Ranch are served by a gigantic, state of the art practice facility. It boasts a large driving range with grass tees, giant practice green to tune in your flat stick and a short-game area. The courses at the resort are unique in North America in that they are 100% fescue, even the greens, similar to many courses in the U.K. and Ireland. You will want to spend some time getting used to this at the practice area, as it’s a unique style of play and requires an adjustment to your eyes.

bandon dunes travel

In addition to the short game area you have the option to hit up “shorty’s” – a series of very short golf holes intended to get your pitch, chip and sand shots just right. Remember if you did not bring it you won’t find it here, but if you brought it, you can likely make it a little better if you dedicate some time here. Our bet is that you will use the practice facility on day one, and then not hit it again. It’s in kind of an awkward spot. Convenient to only Pacific Dunes and maybe Old Macdonald. 

Sheep Ranch also has a quality driving range and solid practice greens. This course is the furthest out so you will be thankful that you can hit some balls before going to corral some imaginary sheep. 

Money Unlike traveling abroad for a golf trip, money on the resort is easy…although be sure you have greenbacks in your bag or on your person. Small bills too, so you  can be sure to take good care of the shuttle drivers which will pay dividends. Caddies only take cash. 

Booking your trip One thing that gets under our skin when booking bucket list golf is the fact that you can’t just go online, see what’s available and book it. You have to talk to your buddies to come up with a time or times that work. Then you have to research the rooms you might want to have. Then you have to call the resort to see if the courses, tee times, or rooms are available during this time. If you get this done in one shot, you just made an ace. Inevitably the planner will be on the phone multiple times to get a window that is 80% right and will book it out of desperation. Then his credit card will bear the full burden of the deposit for the trip until his friends get around to paying their share. When you need to make a change, you better hope that someone gets back to you quickly if they can’t answer the line…all adding to the stress. Bandon Dunes does not disappoint in this area, meaning it’s just as disappointing as every other high end golf resort in this regard. Maybe some old school guys view this as part of the charm, flirting with a booking agent and telling bad jokes? Maybe the resort feels this is “more personal service”. Truthfully it’s just annoying and we are not sure why it’s not being addressed. If you have visited Bandon Dunes in the past- be sure to mention this is your second trip upon check in. The resort will likely give you a gift. 

To sum it all up At the beginning of the article we said this is the bar we hold all other buddies bucket list golf trip locations up to. It’s a definite measuring unit in legendary bucket list golf. It’s a class all in and of itself. It’s just golf, for golfers by golfers. If you only have three bucket list golf trips in your lifetime this must be in that three. Depending on what you are going for, this trip could easily be number one. If we had one bucket list round of golf left in our life it would be Pebble Beach for sure. But if we had only one buddies bucket list golf trip left in our life… it would have to be some sort of toss up between Bandon Dunes and St. Andrews. Once again that choice all comes down to what you are specifically looking for. 

Where to play :

  • Bandon Dunes
  • Pacific Dunes
  • Old Macdonald
  • Bandon Trails
  • Sheep Ranch
  • The Preserve
  • The Punchbowl

Best Buddies Golf Trip Rankings

  • Bucket list rank (from 1 to 5 buckets): 5 buckets 
  • Caddies: 9 
  • Location: 10
  • Spectacle/ visual: 10
  • New/ancient: modern
  • Playability : 9
  • Memorability : 10
  • Buddy-a-bility : 10
  • Service/etc: 10
  • Value: 9- for the memories you will create you can do it as a value if you are careful when you go, how long you have to stay, and maximize the number of rounds you can get in. 
  • Shopping: 10
  • Warm up facilities/Range: 10
  • Food & Drink: 9

About The Author

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BBF or “Big Ball First” comes from a golf saying for hitting a shot fat. Or hitting the “big ball first” in that you hit the ground (the big ball) before hitting the golf ball. In the BBF blog, it’s a metaphor for traveling the planet, soaking in exclusive experiences, and pointing people to the Awesome, the Great, the Good, and the not so good out there. We’re hitting the big ball running with tales from international golf courses, with fine wine, fine food, did I mention golf…well, especially the ‘buddies bucket list golf trips’. The hope is that like minded people will enjoy the stories, and hopefully use it as a reference point. If this blog helps people prioritize the experiences they want to have on our planet then we will have succeeded on our mission. We only have so many go’s at “bucket list” travel experiences. Especially the bucket list buddies golf experiences. My hope is you can refine your experience based upon my learning, and take your “big ball first” experiences to the next level.

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What a great and comprehensive essay! I can just share this with any of my golf friends who say “What’s Bandon like?”

What’s interesting is that almost the same amount of fun can be had pre-COVID and current-COVID. Most of what we do is outside, most meals can be taken outside or in spacious indoor sites…about all you miss are the poker games. Pro-tip: If you’re travelling by car and staying two to a room with a buddy and your trip is soon, get a COVID test just before going to confirm you can be a quarrenTeam …as Forrest Gump said, “One less thing to worry about.”

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  1. Now 20 years old, Bandon Dunes is much more than a pioneering one-off

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COMMENTS

  1. Where Is Bandon Dunes

    Bandon Dunes is just west of Highway 101, a 10-minute drive from the seaside town of Bandon, Oregon and a 35-minute drive from the Southwest Oregon Regional Airport (OTH) in North Bend. The local airport is served by flights from Denver, Colorado and San Francisco, California. DOWNLOAD RESORT MAP.

  2. Bandon Dunes: 18 things you must know before planning your trip

    August 12, 2020. Schedule a late-afternoon round at Bandon Dunes. Playing the par-4 16th hole as the sun sets is one of the most memorable things you'll ever do on any golf course. Play Preserve ...

  3. Bandon Dunes: 10 things to know for the perfect golf trip

    BANDON DUNES MAP. 2. Pack properly for a Bandon golf trip. This isn't southern California so show up ready to take on the elements - fail to prepare, prepare to fail. Bring at least two pairs of golf shoes, bring sunscreen, bring wet weather gear, bring sun huts and stuff to keep you cool, keep you warm and keep you dry.

  4. Bandon Dunes Golf: The Ultimate Guide to Visiting the World's Best Golf

    February 1, 2024. Bandon Dunes Golf: The Ultimate Guide to Visiting the World's Best Golf Resort. November 5, 2023. Why Kohanaiki is the Ultimate Family Destination Club. April 22, 2024. Valhalla Golf Club: A True Championship Course with PGA Pedigree. April 15, 2024. Friar's Head Golf Club: One of the Best Golf Days of My Life. March 6, 2024.

  5. Bandon Dunes Golf Resort: the ultimate guide

    But what is the best way to Bandon Dunes Golf Resort? BANDON DUNES TRAVEL FLIGHT MAP CLOSEST AIRPORT TO BANDON DUNES GOLF RESORT. The closest airport to Bandon Dunes is Southwest Oregon Regional Airport (OTH) in North Bend. North Bend is about a 35-minute drive to Bandon. How easy it is to fly into North Bend will be dependent on the time of year.

  6. Bandon Dunes Golf Resort

    At Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, you'll find six distinct links courses built on a beautiful stretch of sand dunes perched 100 feet above the Pacific Ocean. Reservations. Contact. 57744 Round Lake Rd, Bandon, OR 97411. Contact Us. 855-220-6710. Resources.

  7. Bandon Dunes Golf Trip: 7 Travel Tips

    3. Give Yourself Enough Time To Play All The Courses. Many people are unaware that there are four courses at Bandon Dunes, plus a 13-hole par-3 course and an 18-hole putting course. Each is a unique golf experience, which is why a longer trip to Bandon is always preferred.

  8. 10 Things to Know About Booking a Trip to Bandon Dunes

    My brother Graham recently visited Bandon Dunes, the iconic Oregon golf destination, for a guy's trip. ... Travel Traveling Coast to Coast in 2023, Ben Bridgers, PGA, Shares His Best Golf Trip Tips.

  9. Guide to planning a Bandon Dunes Golf Trip

    The ultimate guide to planning a Bandon Dunes golf trip. Detailed travel tips, where to stay and eat at the resort and why Bandon Dunes is the perfect golf buddies trip destination. Reviews by Product. Clubs. Drivers & Woods; Irons & Wedges; Putters; ... #1/2 Bandon Dunes/Pacific Dunes. We are splitting hairs on this one.

  10. The Courses at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort

    57744 Round Lake Road Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. Bandon, Oregon 97411. 855-220-6710. Email. Website. This listing is provided by The Oregon Coast. Bandon Dunes is true to the spirit of Scotland's ancient links. Here, players immerse themselves in the traditions of a timeless game and the grandeur of Oregon's rugged coast.

  11. Bandon Dunes: What you need to know for your trip

    Bandon Dunes has five courses: Bandon Dunes, Pacific Dunes, Bandon Trails, Old Macdonald and a 13-hole par-3 course, The Preserve. ... You must have been hungry after the long travel day. How's ...

  12. All the courses at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, explained

    By: Josh Sens May 4, 2024. The par-3 17th hole at Bandon Trails, one of five 18-hole courses at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. Evan Schiller. Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, which is celebrating its 25-year ...

  13. Here's what to know about a Bandon Dunes golf trip in Oregon

    All green fees at the four big courses at Bandon Dunes range from $75 in November thru January, to $250 in September (Replay rates are $40 $125). If you have time for a third round in one day, it's always free. The original golf course, Bandon Dunes, opened in 1999 and was designed by David McLay Kidd.

  14. Every course at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, explained

    Designed by Urbina and Doak, this 18-hole, 100,000-squarefoot putting course (2014) bucks and rolls in a pine-fringed hollow alongside the first tee of Pacific Dunes. It's a sweet place to ...

  15. BANDON DUNES GOLF RESORT

    Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. 614 reviews. #1 of 1 resort in Bandon. 57744 Round Lake Rd, Bandon, OR 97411-6360. Write a review. Check availability. View all photos ( 316)

  16. Bandon Dunes: A Guide to Enjoying the Best Place on the Planet

    The par-3 10th is the start of a back-nine at Pacific Dunes that showcases four par-3s, three par-5s and plays to a par of 35. (July 7, 2020: This post has been updated to include information on the fifth 18-hole course on Bandon property, the Sheep Ranch, with details and information that will help in planning a trip with a new course to play!)

  17. Bandon Dunes Golf Packages

    Explore all that Bandon Dunes has to offer, from Pacific Dunes to Sheep Ranch, book your Bandon Dunes Golf package with Premier Golf. Click to call 866 260 4409 Call 866 260 4409 (Mon-Fri 8:30-5.30pm ET) ... Travel insurance is always recommended. Inquire Now > Amenities at Bandon Dunes.

  18. Crafting Your Perfect Trip

    There are many ways to craft the perfect four-day Bandon trip. It all depends on where you are in your life and how you define the perfect experience. The perfect trip for me is to play 18 on the first day at Bandon Dunes so you can see the sunset. You're also going to want to have a caddie for the first course when you play it the first time ...

  19. Bandon Dunes Golf Resort: Definitive Trip Guide

    Bandon Dunes Golf Resort is the brainchild of Mike Keiser, a successful businessman from upstate New York. Interestingly, he did not set out to become a Golf Magnet. His businesses were unrelated, but he had a huge passion for the game, and apparently for travel.

  20. Bandon Dunes Golf Course and Resort celebrates 25 years

    BANDON, Ore. - The Bandon Dunes Golf Course and Resort is celebrating its 25th anniversary this month. The iconic course opened for the first time in 1999 and has since held eight USGA Amateur Championship Tournaments. It also hosts an annual Division 1 Collegiate Golf Tournament which has been played since 2010. Bandon Dunes is […]

  21. A foolproof 4-step guide on how to pack for your Bandon Dunes trip

    1. Pack All Your Cold Weather Clothes. You're going to want to pack your entire winter wardrobe when you travel to Bandon. Seriously, all of it. OK, maybe not all of it. The weather was all over ...

  22. 2650 Bandon Dunes Ave, Payette, ID 83661

    Payette. 83661. 2650 Bandon Dunes Ave. Zillow has 8 photos of this $355,000 3 beds, 2 baths, 1,381 Square Feet single family home located at 2650 Bandon Dunes Ave, Payette, ID 83661 built in 2024. MLS #98909225.

  23. Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, OR Health & Activities Weather Forecasts

    Moderate. World North America United States Oregon Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. , , , Weather conditions can be closely tied with health-related pains and outdoor activities. See a list of your local ...

  24. 7 things you must know about Bandon Dunes, according to the course

    At Bandon Dunes, that journey starts at a low point on the property, just behind the clubhouse, with the rumble of the ocean a rumor in the distance. ... A golf, food and travel writer, Josh Sens ...

  25. Big Island Hawaii Trip

    Travel Insurance: Participants are encouraged to get travel insurance in the case they are unable to participate after the cancellation deadline. The NCGA cannot give a refund after the cancellation date unless a replacement is found. ... Bandon Dunes, Bandon Trails, Old Macdonald, Pacific Dunes. Bandon, OR; Bandon, OR; Bandon, OR; Bandon, OR ...

  26. This laidback Oregon resort boasts top-notch golf (and goat caddies)

    Latest In Travel. 2 days ago An even Grander Strand: Inside the the latest renovations and improvements in Myrtle Beach. 4 days ago ... All the courses at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, explained.