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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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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Guide to planning a Bandon Dunes Golf Trip

Imagine if you gathered all of the world’s hardcore golfers for a weeklong conference with the sole purpose of designing a resort made just for them. When all of the ideas had been spitballed and voted on and fretted over, the result would be a plan for a world class golf course with amazing views and a resort that offered everything we want and none of the stuff we don’t. Guess what. Bandon Dunes held that conference (or they just had some really smart people in charge).

We have all played tons of courses and stayed in golf resorts but nearly every one of them is not really designed for just hardcore golfers. Instead they end up giving us golf with a bunch of extra stuff we don’t care about and leave out the stuff we really want (but often are afraid to ask for). Examples you ask. How about adding a cigar bar, poker tables and fine whiskey and ditch the work desks in the room or fancy day spas. Add caddies that care, a short course for when you arrive late, a huge putting green, outside seating area, tons of sitting areas, restaurants that serve good food at reasonable prices and a staff that understands you have saved for this trip for a long time (and spent countless hours convincing your wife you just have to go). Given my recent 4 day trip with 7 dudes, I would tell you that Bandon Dunes has nailed the epic golf trip in every way.

I could write 10 pages on this trip but I am going to try and give you what is most important. How to get there, where to stay, what to expect and what you should not miss. My goal here is simple: give you tips for your upcoming trip or convince you that it is a golf trip you must plan.

Getting to Bandon Dunes:

Unless you go between May and September you are going to have to fly into Portland or Eugene, Oregon. Everyone will tell you that the drive to Portland is a 6 hour nightmare which is totally wrong. The trip was 4 hours 20 minutes and we broke it up in Eugene so it really is two small drives. The part from Portland to Eugene is boring highway but the jaunt from Eugene to Bandon is quite spectacular and if you play your cards right and get out of driver duty it is even better. We flew in the night before so we could get to the course by 2. If we pushed it we could have gotten there in time to play a full round but we decide to take our time. Remember this is Oregon and there is shopping to be done.

Clearly flying into Eugene is closer, but be warned there are not many flights in and out, and ours got moved 3 times which screwed up connections and our golf planning. In the end, we ended up switching to Portland. In fact, we booked a red eye on the way home so we could play one more round before we left. Given the distance we traveled it was absolutely worth it.

Shipping your clubs to Bandon Dunes:

This is the second time I have used ShipSticks on a golf trip and the second time I was very thankful not to have to lug them through the airport. Since we rented cars, getting 4 guys and 4 sets of clubs in an SUV was going to be a challenge. Our solution was ShipSticks. For roughly $64 each way, ShipSticks takes the worry and hassle out of golf travel. You can read my ShipSticks review from a few years back but the short story is – simply print your labels from home then stick them on your travel bag or large box and away they go.

Shipping the clubs back is even easier. After our final round we just threw our wet clothes and clubs in the box and left them at the front desk. The Bandon Dunes staff took care of the rest and 3 days later they showed up on my doorstep

Staying at Bandon Dunes

There are a number of options that are pretty well described on the Bandon website. We stayed at the Inn which has double rooms at a very reasonable price.  Pro TIP : ask for room 101 which is much bigger than most and has a fireplace. At a minimum ask for a room with a view to #18 green. For us, saving money by doubling up in rooms was a no brainer but there are single rooms as well.

The rooms at the Inn are fairly simple but nice. Clearly they are made for dudes who will be tromping around in wet clothes and simply need a place to crash. For example, the carpets are a tight weave that is meant to withstand golf shoes and bags without getting torn up. The bathroom is large and has super hot water for reviving your core temperature. There is also a shoe / glove drier in every room which came in super handy. TIP: They also have a dry room where you can take your rain gear.

The other thing we loved about the Inn is the common area which has a bar that is open from 5-9. Most of the time it was just our group, making it super relaxing. Plus you can even order from the other restaurant and have it brought over, which we did while watching the Duke/Carolina hoops game.

Obviously, we only stayed at the Inn but I did ask a few staff members where was the best place to stay. They all agreed it was the Inn (in part because the Lodge is much louder and the villas are farther away). The reality is you won’t go wrong.

Speaking of the Lodge, that is the main structure that has a number of places to eat and drink. It is about a 4 minute walk from the Inn or you can take the shuttle which runs throughout the resort on a regular basis.

Golf at Bandon Dunes:

Oh Jesus. I have played my fair share of awesome golf courses but until you tee off with the raging Pacific Ocean to your side you will not understand the magnificence of Bandon Dunes. The two ocean courses are Pacific Dunes and Bandon Dunes. We played Pacific first in fairly decent weather. The night before there was a huge storm and waves were breaking at 15 feet. Of course we were a few hundred feet above the beach as well. Again, pictures and words will never do it justice. Somehow the Pacific Ocean is an entirely different beast than the Atlantic Ocean, and with towering cliffs it provides one of the most stunning views in all of golf.

Both of these tracks are simply mesmerizing and there are zero throw away holes. In addition, they do little things like tuck a halfway house in the side of a hill with the sole purpose of serving outstanding $6 bowls of chili (there is other food, but the chili rules).

Unfortunately, we played Bandon Dunes in a bit of a downpour. The first 7 holes were glorious (and very little rain). As we made the turn, I was ready to claim Bandon over Pacific but with the god awful weather on the backside I am just not in a position to do that. This brings up my next point.

What happens when the weather is bad?

No matter when you go to Bandon Dunes you run the risk of wind and rain. We went in late February and played 5 rounds in 4 days. We had one amazing day of sunshine, two of cold and medium rain and two in cold and hard rain. From what I have heard and read (and seen on the live Bandon Cam), February is a solid month to go to Bandon Dunes. The prices are significantly discounted and you have a good chance for decent weather. September is supposed to be the best but summer brings the wind which can be really strong. The good news is that even in the worst weather (and I think we had two of the worst back to back days in a long time), Bandon Dunes is glorious and more fun than any course I have played.

Obviously, sun and no wind was the best day but I can tell you with a straight face that not a single dude came off the 18th green without a smile and a story on any day. It’s crazy but the weather just does not ruin your adventure. I guess you need to embrace it a little but as a first timer you are so mesmerized by the scenery you forget about how hard it is raining.

My advice, keep score if you like but don’t go out there looking for record rounds. We played the green tees (which I think are most common). I am a 9 handicap and shoot low 80’s most rounds. I posted 93, 88, 86, 88, 86 and felt good about it. There are plenty of holes to par and we had about 2-3 birdies per round between the 8 of us. The problem is that there are also lots of doubles out there between the wind, rain, greens and just bad shots.

So, let’s rank the courses:

First off I think that the actual design of each course, i.e. greens and fairways is less important than the vibe you get. Each course has a distinct character and is like a puzzle piece in that when put them together creates a picture of golf lore. While each hole is cool unto itself, it’s never really the point – it’s like the whole arena you are playing in is what gets you stoked.

#1/2 Bandon Dunes/Pacific Dunes . We are splitting hairs on this one. There are more ocean views at Pacific Dunes but Bandon is probably more fun. It really does not matter because anyone who goes to Bandon will play both of these.

#3 Bandon Trails : We had glorious weather for this day but most caddies rank this course #2 behind Bandon. For us, it felt more like golf we are used to in terms of layout. The difference is the huge evergreen trees and monstrous feel. God, I loved everything about this course. DO NOT pass on playing it.

#4 Old Macdonald: Clearly the least impressive of the courses. This course is set more inland and can be described as a series of rolling mounds. HINT: this course is nearly impossible to play without a caddie. Without one you will likely get lost and end up on the wrong tee box. Depending on how long you are at Bandon Dunes, this would be the course to skip. I am told it is a great course for match play but the reality is there is limited time and the other 3 courses are just much better.

Should I get a caddie at Bandon Dunes?:

Initially we were not going to get caddies because none of us are high rollers. Fortunately we were convinced to get a forecaddie at Old Mac. As I mentioned we would have never been able to figure out where to hit the ball or where the next tee box was without the help of a caddie. Price wise it ended up a bargain. Forecaddies cost $120 for the group (that includes gratuity). We ended up tipping him more but for an extra $40 each it was totally worth it.

The next day a few of us got our own caddies because the weather was going to be rough. Again, the smartest move we could have made. Even though the pull carts are awesome, a caddie blows them away. Forget about lines and reads, being able to keep your hands in your pocket is pure joy. I know I can’t tell you how to spend your money but I felt like my $150 caddie fee was worth every penny and by the end of the trip you have a new friend.

Look, get a forecaddie at a minimum (just do it!). If you can almost afford it then get your own caddie (and get your cheap buddies to chip in since he will end up helping them too).

What to bring to Bandon Dunes:

Captain Obvious says bring your rain gear (and not the cheap stuff). When you play in a solid rain for 4 hours you’d better be prepared. I suggest testing your gear with a hose and for a long time. Playing in rain is not bad when you are dry but it sucks otherwise. In addition to rain gear, bring two pairs of good golf shoes, rain gloves and a hat.

Aside from the proper clothing I would also suggest stopping by the liquor store on your way in. Given that most people will play only one round of golf per day, you are gonna have time to kill. Despite the very reasonable drink prices and Bandon, we saved a ton of money by drinking our own booze during the day. Even better, no one cares. That’s my point, Bandon was designed for hardcore golfers who want to save a few bucks so they just let it slide when you wheel in 8 handles of brown liquor into your room.

Why is Bandon Dunes a must guys golf trip:

Remember, we come from the east coast so this is a big deal for us and we don’t get to see this type of scenery very often. Traveling 3,000 miles and spending $2K on 5 rounds of golf is no joke, so our expectations were pretty high.

The allure of Bandon is so hard to describe so perhaps some stories will help to illustrate it.

Oh the Weather:

We got to Bandon at about 2:30 which gave us just enough time to play the short course (13 holes). After gearing up we headed out to 35 mph winds and blowing hail. 1.5 hours later we came back with ear to ear grins. “Holy fuck that was insane” “Dude, that was the craziest golf I have ever played”. Again, weather just never ruins Bandon.

Bethany knows my name:

Our first dinner was at Pacific Grill which is one of the fancier venues. The restaurant is fairly small and was filled by about 60 dudes and one table of women. Food – off the chart. Halfway through the meal, (we had been drinking since noon), I realized our waitress had been calling me by name the entire night. I lean over to my buddy and tell him how special I am. Turns out, everyone was special that night as Bethany had quickly learned all of our names.

The next afternoon we ended up finishing our round and stopped into the Grill for a quick drink. Dazed and confused, it took us a moment to realize where we were. Fortunately, Bethany quickly recognized us and one lucky son of a gun even got a hug and a hot cup of water to warm his hands. Top notch, top notch.

Caddie kinship:

One our caddies name was Kurt and he had Steve’s bag for 4 rounds. Kind of an old salty dog, Kurt alway had a great read and quickly learned Steve’s bag. After one round Steve relayed a story from the day.

It was my first experience using a caddie and really enjoyed learning from my caddie Kurt over the course of 4 days. Lots of talk of golf of course, with interesting discussions on many other topics — including a multiple day discussion of our all-time baseball all-star teams. Kurt also facilitated my most memorable experience of the trip.

“On a par four, two of us pushed our drives substantially to the right — as we walked toward our balls Kurt summoned us over to a small grate that was located at the base of tree. Kurt removed the first grate to reveal another grate which when removed uncovered an ancient bottle of Scotch and a rustic leather guestbook — which we proceeded to sign. Just a really cool moment that sums up how visiting Bandon Dunes is unlike any other golf trip you will ever have.”

Not to be outdone, after we parted ways in Portland I got this text from Steve.

“I can’t seem to make any decisions without input from Kurt – I txt’d him from Denny’s this morning – you like the Grand Slam or the Denver omelette? Thankfully her txt’d back “go with the Omelette- but start with coffee first”  #lifecaddie”

From my own perspective, on the morning of our final round I showed up at Bandon Trails to meet my Caddie, Todd, who had caddied for me the last two rounds. Todd was there early and greeted me with a smile and a handshake. I thanked him for lugging me around the prior day in the rain. He just smiled and said it was a pleasure. He then handed me a book on Bandon with a short hand written note inside. Thankfully, the protective plastic bag he had placed the book in was never needed as we enjoyed a day of glorious sun.

Parting shots:

A week has passed since our trip and hardly an hour goes by without my phone dinging with another text from one of my travel companions waxing poetic about our adventure. I am sure there are other epic golf trips to be had, but a Bandon Dunes golf trip is certainly high on the list.

Golfing at Bandon Dunes is like taking a trip back to another century (and I don’t mean the Twentieth)! My expectations heading into the trip was to play some links-style golf without having to “cross the pond.” Bandon delivered the kind of golf I was hoping to experience and much, much, more. We did get our links weather — we played in rain, wind, hail, and not be left out — a little bit of sunshine. As with other memories, the multiple layers of clothing — referred to as “stupid gear” by one of the starters — fades with time and you just remember the camaraderie associated with surviving the elements. Somehow I smile deeply remembering the exact moment when it started to hail (brought on I am sure by one of us saying something like ‘this rain is not very wet’ — to which we responded ‘yeah — because it is frozen!’

More from my site

As a fellow Bandonista (been going there since it opened and spent a summer as a caddie), I think one of the great things about Bandon is that everyone takes something away from it differently. There is no right or wrong list of the courses. Personally, I like Trails the least and Old Mac the best (I think Old Mac is the most fun to play, while Pacific is the best course in my opinion). But, again, not wrong answer.

Glad you found the hidden whiskey hole right of #10 at Bandon. I’ve played with people who have gone there for 15 years that never knew about it.

Caddies are a must your first couple of times at least.

I hope you guys have a chance to get back sometime!

Thanks so much for your comment Tony. I am bummed I was not in the foursome that shared the whiskey but I guess that will be one more reason to return

Great group of guys! Thanks so much for golfing at Bandon Adam and allowing me to have so much fun working your bag for you. Hope to see you next time. Until then enjoy the book Dream Golf and feel the Bandon love.

For sure!! Looking forward to our return trip in 2020.

Great story on Bandon, thanks! Fires permitting we’re heading out in early October, can’t wait!

Awesome… we head back in April 2021 (had to reschedule our March trip). Upside is we now get to play Sheeps Ranch.

Adam, such a great article and had me absolutely stoked for my trip planned in early 2021. I’ll take your advice on a caddy and hope my experience is as memorable as yours. Thanks for the tips!!

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15 things to know before booking your Bandon Dunes golf trip

Bandon Dunes. Almost from the day it opened, the passion project on the Oregon coast by developers Michael Keiser and Howard McKee has been one of the most sought-after golf destinations in the world. Fast forward, and the resort now boasts 5 courses, three of which are rated in the top 10 public courses in America. It started with Bandon Dunes, arguably the first true links course in the United States. Designed by Scottish wunderkind David McLay Kidd. It is the embodiment of pure golf, a revolution and a revival at the same time. If you woke up on the first tee and didn’t know where you were, you would swear that you were on one of the great courses of the Emerald Isle or bonny Scotland.

After Bandon Dunes came Pacific Dunes, the Tom Doak masterpiece that debuted in 2001 with more ocean views than the QE2 and now ranks only behind Pebble Beach among public courses in the United States. Pacific Dunes is as stunningly beautiful as a Hollywood starlet and, when the prevailing North wind is blowing, about as difficult to approach.

Then came Old Macdonald, another links gem that ranks number 10 in the country but may have the most passionate following of all of the courses. Even though it’s only been around for about a decade, it has an old soul. Old Macdonald is a course completely without pretense; walking it is in so many ways like a walk through life, full of beauty and fraught with danger, moments of glory and of potential four-putt despair. Like all great links layouts, Old Macdonald can be successfully navigated by players of all abilities and styles.

And there is the classic parkland beauty of Bandon Trails by the team of Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, the partnership that is dropping a trail of golf magic from coast to coast. The cherry on top is Bandon Preserve, the 13-hole short course that is a condensed version of the original and now ranks as the No. 1 short course in the U.S., just ahead of a 9-hole course in Augusta, Georgia that is reasonably difficult to book a tee time for.

Most people rightly compare the Bandon experience to Ireland or Scotland; the golf is stellar no matter which course you play, it is surprisingly affordable, and the off-course amenities are as memorable as the courses themselves. Truth of the matter is that from the East Coast it’s easier to get to Dublin than it is to get to Bandon. But once you get to Ireland you’d have to spend days moving from hotel to hotel on roads the size of cart paths in order to get the level of golf that is available within a five minute shuttle ride of your hotel room at Bandon Dunes. With the golf, the food, and the camaraderie, you are almost guaranteed to have a memorable golf experience at Bandon Dunes. But there are a few ways that you can 100 percent guarantee that it will be extra special…for your consideration, I present some tips to assure a perfect Bandon Experience.

1) Be prepared to walk

With only the rare exception (two or three rounds a day), all of the courses at Bandon Dunes are walking courses and they are not an easy walk . One round takes you on a 5+ mile walk up and down the dunes, and if you plan to play 36 holes on at least one day (see below), it will take a toll on your body. Walk some rounds or get on a treadmill to prepare before you get to Oregon and bring plenty of your preferred pain medication.

2) Book during May or December

The weather on the Oregon coast can be unpredictable to say the least, even in the summer months when tee times are the most expensive and difficult to secure. Booking in the shoulder season means not only greater availability; it’s also about 30% cheaper. And Bandon veterans know that there are days in December when warm Southerly winds bring weather when you can play in shirtsleeves.

3) Bring the proper gear

As mentioned above, the weather at Bandon is predictable and unpredictable at the same time in that you know it’s going to rain but you just don’t know exactly when or how much. Bring quality rain gear and plenty of changes of shirts and socks.

4) Fly into Eugene and drive to Bandon

Coming from the East Coast you can fly into Portland (4-hour drive) or North Bend (30-minute drive), but the best option is Eugene, about a 2-hour drive to Bandon. It is a gorgeous drive that will have you stopping often to snap pictures of some of America’s most beautiful scenery.

5) Stop at the Sugar Shack in Reedsport and SharkBite’s Seafood Cafe in Coos Bay

Ok, it’s going to take more than 2 hours from Eugene because you will have to make a couple of stops. The Sugar Shack in Reedsport is an old-school bakery that has warm service, hot coffee and some of the best donuts you have ever tasted. If you are feeling lucky try the Bigfoot, a donut that is roughly the size of an Air Jordan. And just outside Bandon in the town of Coos Bay is the SharkBite’s Seafood Cafe, a relaxed little joint that offers hand-crafted cocktails and quesadillas the size of a boogie board.

6) Stay for at least 4 days and play every course at least once

This is especially true if you are from the East Coast. It is a long trip, maybe once in a lifetime, and there are multiple courses to play. There are some hardy souls that plan 2-3 day trips with 36 holes or more per day. That’s ambitious at best and potentially self-destructive. Plan for at least three days of 18 holes and at least one day of 36.

7) Play The Punchbowl

The Punchbowl is an 18-hole putting course that has become an end of day ritual for Bandon regulars. It’s a great place to have a drink (brought to you on the course from the clubhouse), smoke a stogie and make a friendly wager or two. I find watching a group of good friends play the Punchbowl, with the laughter and shouts of friendship as a soundtrack to the sun setting over the Pacific Ocean, almost relaxing as playing.

8) Have the Lamb Stew at McKee’s Pub

Howard McKee, along with Mike Keiser, was the visionary developer who brought Bandon into being. A gifted architect and an exceptional human being, McKee passed away in 2007 at the age of 68. He is remembered by all who knew him and his spirit lives at McKees Pub. Located near the clubhouse for Bandon Dunes, McKees feels like stepping into a pub in Edinburgh, and tastes like it too. Everything on the menu is good but try the Lamb Stew, a big bowl of slow cooked goodness. You will gain the wonder and admiration of your friends of you finish it.

9) Play At Least One Solo Round

Bandon is all about spending time with old friends and making new ones. That said, I find the solitary round at either the beginning or end of the day to be like going to church. If you have time, book a late afternoon round at Old Macdonald. Walking alone with only your clubs and your thoughts will give you time to truly appreciate how wonderful our game truly is…and how lucky you are to be able to experience it.

10) Book a Massage

On some golf trips, many guys think of massage as something that the significant other goes for while they are out on the course. But after several days of navigating the ups and downs at Bandon the muscles will be screaming for relief. Book a massage at the on- property spa and you’ll get welcome relief.

11) Budget for the Pro Shops

Five courses, five logos and thousands of great gift options await at Bandon. If you are a collector of shirts you might want to bring an extra suitcase for the gear you are going to bring back. Like Vegas, set a limit before you go in the door and walk away when that number is spent.

12) Collect Cheap Souvenirs

Like I said souvenirs can be a costly business, especially if you are buying for friends as well as yourself. Scorecards, ball markers and even empty water bottles are frugal ways to score some memorabilia for your buddies back home.

13) Have a Cigar in The Bunker Bar

As the name suggests, The Bunker Bar is located on the lower floor of the Bandon Dunes clubhouse. There isn’t a lot of signage for it and on the stairs down it seems like you are going to end up in a storage room. But what you find is a cozy retreat that features poker tables, pool tables and a bar with a skilled bartender and a first-class collection of spirits. And since you can smoke indoors there, feel free to channel your inner Don Draper and try one of the fine choices offered at the bar or bring one of your own.

14) Bring a Phone Battery Charger or a Camera on the Course

The courses at Bandon are one big photo op, and you don’t have to be a pro to take snapshots that are magazine worthy. Taking all those snaps will drain your phone battery faster than a pony keg at a frat party so bring a battery pack or a dedicated camera so that you won’t be cameraless when you find yourself standing in front of the perfect sunset.

15) Hit The Boat for Fish and Chips

On the drive home, stop at The Boat Restaurant in Coos Bay. This little gem is packed with locals munching on the some of the best fish and chips in the area. While you wait for your grub you can take a quick stroll through the train museum next door.

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Williams has a reputation as a savvy broadcaster, and as an incisive interviewer and writer. An avid golfer himself, Williams has covered the game of golf and the golf lifestyle including courses, restaurants, travel and sports marketing for publications all over the world. He is currently working with a wide range of outlets in traditional and electronic media, and has produced and hosted “Sticks and Stones” on the Fox Radio network, a critically acclaimed show that combined coverage of the golf world with interviews of the Washington power elite. His work on Newschannel8’s “Capital Golf Weekly” and “SportsTalk” have established him as one of the area’s most trusted sources for golf reporting. Williams has also made numerous radio appearances on “The John Thompson Show,” and a host of other local productions. He is a sought-after speaker and panel moderator, he has recently launched a new partnership with The O Team to create original golf-themed programming and events. Williams is a member of the United States Golf Association and the Golf Writers Association of America.

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Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (3/29/24): Mint Miura MB 101 irons

Back in January, John Fields, who’s the head golf coach at the University of Texas told the story on the  Subpar podcast  of when his players Scottie Scheffler and Beau Hossler almost got in a physical fight while they were on the Longhorns golf team.

“That was an almost fight,” he said.

“Beau walks by this golf ball and he looks at it, and for whatever reason he thinks that he’s outdriven Scottie by 15 yards,” Fields said. “So, Scottie doesn’t think anything — we walked right past the ball and Beau look at the golf ball. Scottie hits his shot, we get up to the [other] ball, Beau’s turn now, and he looks down and goes, ‘This is not my ball.'”

Coach Fields shared that Scottie was livid at Beau.

“You would’ve thought Mount Vesuvius just went off, like we had a volcano 15 yards below us. Scheffler got so mad when he figured out that he’d hit the wrong ball, he ran up to the green, 260 yards on a dead sprint, picked up the ball, ran back, and threw it at Beau’s feet. Beau goes ahead and hits the right shot, and Scottie has lost the hole now. He’d just lost a hole, but it’s killing him. And now, they’re jawing against each other on the way up [to the green], and finally on the next hole, on the par-3, I told Beau, ‘We are not going another step farther until you apologize to Scottie for that.’”

Fast forward to 2024, and Beau Hossler was asked about whether or not Coach Fields exaggerated the story after his opening round at the Houston Open yesterday.

“No, it wasn’t inflated. He [Coach Fields] probably deflated it if anything. We were playing this mess-around tournament before the regional there. Basically we were both playing a match. I wasn’t playing him, I was playing a New Mexico kid and he was playing a New Mexico kid. I don’t know if you’ve ever been to Lubbock, but it’s very, very, very windy.

“No. 2 is kind of this blind par 5 I think. We both hit it down the middle and whatever. I walked past the first ball, I walked to the second ball, it’s 10 yards in front. He hits the ball in the back and then I realized that that was not my ball that I was standing next to. We had different markings, but we both were playing a Titleist whatever, 3 with a Longhorn on it. One had a marking and mine didn’t. He wasn’t happy. I was like, well, listen, you’re the one who hit the wrong ball. I understand like it’s not a — but like you hit it, I didn’t.”

“It was a bad deal. It didn’t mean anything, but it was just — we’re really competitive, both of us,” Hossler said. “That was the really cool part about our golf team at Texas, it was like every player on the team was like either a very good player or a pretty good player that was very competitive. We wanted to kick each other’s ass all the time.”

“That was obviously a penalty and he wasn’t happy about it. I don’t blame him for not being happy about it. I still think it was his fault, he’s the only one who hit the wrong ball. I agree I should have checked closer that it was — that that was actually my ball, but one way or the other it’s a good story.”

Luckily, the two remained friends and the feud didn’t last very long. “That’s the good part of being friends. Once we got on the plane home, it was OK.”

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3-time PGA Tour winner calls for LIV to buy Champions Tour to fix ‘joke’ purses

While speaking on the  Subpar podcast , former PGA Tour winner and current PGA Tour Champions player Chris DiMarco said he hopes LIV buys the Champions Tour.

“We’re kind of hoping that LIV buys the Champions Tour,” he said.

“Let’s play for a little real money out here. I mean this is kind of a joke when we’re getting $2 million. There were like seven guys last week from TPC (Sawgrass, at the $25 million PLAYERS Championship) that made more money than our purses.”

In 2024, the Champions Tour had a total of $67 million in prize money over the course of 24 events.

DiMarco also defended LIV players for taking the money and said he would take it also.

“They wanted to play for a lot of money, and they deserve it. They have had some great careers, why not go and get some money?”

DiMarco also offered insight on Graeme McDowell’s move to LIV.

“I saw Graeme McDowell at the Old Memorial Pro Member, and he goes, ‘Listen, I went up to Jay Monahan and said I love the tour but I am struggling to keep my card and these guys are offering me all this money and less golf. I’m sorry, I’m going.’ And I do not blame him one bit, and I said I would have too.”

DiMarco was ranked as high as 6th in the world in 2006.

‘It won’t win you golf tournaments’ – Golf analyst rips Charley Hull’s course management

Charley Hull came just short of her third LPGA Tour victory over the weekend at the Fir Hills Seri Pak Championship when she played her last two holes at 3 over to slip all the way to 10th on the leaderboard.

After the round, Hull was blasted by Sky Sports commentator and former LPGA Tour player Trish Johnson for her lack of golf course management.

While speaking on the  Sky Sports Golf podcast , Johnson spoke harshly of Hull.

“I’m probably her harshest critic, because I know how good she is. She doesn’t win anywhere near enough for her talent, and she doesn’t get involved enough, in all honestly.

“The thing with Charley is that you’re never going to change her. I read something the other day that said how much she loves the game and it’s her love of the game [that costs her]. She’s never going to change and she’s just going to go for every pin.

“In theory that’s great, but it won’t win you golf tournaments, it just won’t because she’s not that much better than anybody else. If you put Charley against Nelly Korda, then I’m picking Nelly every single day of the week.”

Johnson also made a fascinating comparison between Hull and a famous male golfer, John Daly.

“Golf-wise that’s the way she plays the game and it’s a little bit like watching John Daly I suppose.”

“There’s something that John Daly had that made him a major winner and a winner, but Charley is kind of lacking that. Her talent is not in question, but maybe her application is. Maybe it’s just the case of her never changing and that will cost her golf tournaments, there’s no two ways about it. You cannot go for every pin because that’s the way you play and it being fun, as other players are better than that and you have to have course management.”

Hull is still only 27, and therefore has plenty of time to work on her flaws to achieve the success her talent should allow.

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• Bandon Dunes
• Myrtle Beach
• Northern California

Insider Guide to Bandon Dunes Golf Resort

In Bandon Dunes , Golf Courses by Rob Spellman August 31, 2020

After multiple trips to Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, we wanted to share our advice and insider tips for getting the most out of your golf trip.  We decided to break up our advice into 5 categories; Getting to Bandon Dunes, Eating & Drinking at Bandon Dunes, Getting Around Bandon Dunes, Bandon Dunes for the non-golfer, and Golf at Bandon Dunes.

Getting to Bandon Dunes

• If you’re lucky enough to live in San Francisco, Denver, or Central Oregon, getting to Bandon Dunes is pretty straightforward.  With direct flights available into North Bend from both San Francisco and Denver, you’re only a short flight away from the nation’s best golf resort.  The drive from North Bend airport to Band Dunes Resort is only 45 minutes.
• Folks in Central Oregon, you can hop in the car and, without going thru TSA, be at the resort within a few hours. 
• Everyone else you have some serious work to do.  The best option is flying into Denver or San Francisco and hopping onto a connecting flight to North Bend.  The most economical options are going to have you flying into Portland or Eugene, which is still a 4-hour drive away from the resort.  One benefit of flying into Portland is that you’ll have better rental car options and probably save a few dollars renting a full-size SUV or minivan for the trip.
• The drive from Portland International Airport to Bandon Dunes is relatively easy. You can take a scenic drive down 101 and take in all the scenery, or stick to I-5 and put the pedal on the ground to trim off some time.
• Insider Tip, if you can, extend your trip to include two nights in the Portland area.  If you’re traveling with the family, this a no brainer, Mount Hood and Hood River are just outside of Portland and feature several waterfalls and excellent hiking trails.  Spend a day going white water rafting or ziplining; it’ll satisfy all the thrill-seekers in your group.
• Another insider tip, taking the trip to Bandon, is one of the most demanding golf trips you’ll ever take.  Try your best to prepare; if you’re not used to walking the course, spend the month before your trip hitting the gym, and walking your home course, I’m sure you’ll thank me afterward.

Eating & Drinking at Bandon Dunes

• Start with a good breakfast at the Lodge. Try to sit at my favorite table in the Tufted Puffin Lounge; it’s the one all the way front center with a view of the 18 th green, the Bandon Dunes practice green, and the first tee.  The Breakfast menu is one of the better values at Bandon; to be honest, they don’t price gauge on food, and for a resort in such a remote location, I found all the food prices to be very reasonable and the food quality exceptional.  The 3-egg omelet is massive; it’s more like 6-eggs. I could only finish half.  The stack of pancakes for $7 is a real bargain, I suggest upgrading for $1 to get fresh hazelnuts, and a healthy topping of Nutella added.  Insider tip, make sure to ask for whipped cream on top; it’s made fresh and the perfect compliment.  If you want to fill up, they have a buffet option for $18 that has all the regular breakfast staples and much more.  When I’m gearing up to walk 36 holes, I like having something in my stomach but be careful not to overdo it.
• The best lunch hands down at Bandon Dunes resort is at Trails End.  As soon as I walked into the clubhouse for my round at Bandon Trails, I knew I needed to come back the next day and try lunch.  The menu has a bit of Asian/American fusion that offers up several great options that will no doubt leave you pleasantly full.  I had the Wagyu sliders, it comes with three nice sized sliders, and you can add on extras at only $4.  The next day, I came back and had the Poke Bowl, which was out of this world.  Insider tip, it’s a bit spicy because of the Thai chilies, so if you don’t like it spicy, you might want to ask for a mild version. Still, the combination of avocado and seaweed salad helped to offset the spice and helped provide a beautiful presentation.
• The best dinner option we found was at McKee’s Pub.  Bandon has three different dining options during our post-COVID-19 visit; McKee’s Pub, Pacific Grill, and the Gallery. McKee’s Pub is just down to earth, and you can show up as you are and easily fit in with the crowd.  Pacific and The Gallery are a little more upscale dining, and if your beat after a day of walking 36 holes, probably not the experience you want. McKee’s features a typical pub menu; great burger, outstanding fish and chips, and the world-famous Grandma’s meatloaf. I’m not a big fan of meatloaf, and I even loved it, be warned it’s a massive plater, and I doubt you’ll be able to finish.
• Insider tip – if you find yourself physically exhausted after walking 36 or even 54 holes and you can’t bring yourself to leave the room, no problem. Just order a 16-inch pizza from McKee’s Pub, they deliver!
• Is anyone thirsty?  Who doesn’t like a lovely spirit or beer after, during, or hell even before a round of golf?  We found the best way to get what we wanted and at a great price was to make a quick trip into town and hit the Beverage Barn.  The Beverage barn has everything you’ll need to satisfy your drinking desires.  They even have 4-packs of fireball shots for only $3.99.  Insider Tip – the beef jerky near the front counter is the best I have had, so moist and juicy, you’ll think you’re eating a filet.
• A couple of more tips, I always like to have water in my hotel room.  At Bandon Dunes, two bottles per day are provided free of charge.  If you just drink a bottle or two a day, you’ll be fine.  If you want more water, I recommend stopping by a grocery store on the way into the resort and stock up. Insider tip, I recommend buying a 6-pack of Red Bull to help keep you going along with a few snacks.  All the rooms at the resort have a fridge where you’ll be able to store plenty of water and drinks.
• On the course, there are no beverage carts, you’ll have one or two chances to hit a snack bar, but I recommend putting a bottle of water in your bag and a snickers bar to help get you through the round without any detours.
• For a local meal, we highly recommend going into Old Bandon, it’s about 10 minutes away from the resort, and all the locals rave about Tony’s Crab Shack.  I lived in San Diego for ten years, so I know a good fish taco, and Tony’s Crab Shack has a phenomenal fish taco.  Their signature dish is the crab sandwich, which is also delicious. I’d stay away from the clam chowder; I thought the bowl of chowder at McKee’s was much better.
• If you love cookies, the snack bar on the golf courses has fantastic cookies. We’re big fans of the chocolate chip and white chocolate chip, but I also heard great things about the peanut butter cookies as well.

Getting Around Bandon Dunes Resort

• The shuttle service is excellent. I stayed at other golf resorts and was always disappointed having to wait up to 20 minutes to be picked up. At Bandon, we always took the shuttle to and from all locations and never waited longer than 3 minutes to be picked up.
• If walking is more your style, the resort is full of walking trails that will get you from one spot to another.  Each morning we opted to walk from our room to the Lodge for breakfast; we clocked the walk right at 6 minutes.  I found it to be a refreshing way to get the day started and allowed me to start working out some of the cobwebs.
• If you rented or drove a car to the resort, you always have the option of driving from point A to point B.  I highly recommend avoiding this; the shuttle service is so good there is no need to drive anywhere on the property.  For those of you flying into North Bend, you might want to weigh the option of taking an Uber from the airport to the resort versus renting a car; it just depends on how many nights you are staying on, which will pay off better.  The bonus of using the shuttle service is you can drink as much you want and not have to worry about getting behind the wheel.
• You’ll have to decide what to do with your clubs at the end of each day.  If you’re fine not warming up, then let the resort deal with the bags and get them to the right course each day.  If you prefer to warm up, keep the bags with you and drop by Shorty’s practice area to start each day.  You shouldn’t need more than 20 minutes, and you’ll be able to loosen up in the morning.  We tried it both ways, and the warm-up proved to be worthwhile and led to better scores over just showing up on the first tee ice cold.
• The new crown jewel of the Bandon Dunes Resort is the Sheep Ranch .  The Coore and Crenshaw design is worth playing, but it’s the newest course at the resort and the furthest from the Lodge. You’ll drive past Old Mac and keep going and going. Don’t worry, you’re not lost, and eventually, you come to a 4-way stop and see the Sheep Ranch signage.  Another reason to take the shuttle, they never get lost.  Make sure to allocate an extra 5-10 minutes when heading over to the Sheep Ranch for your tee time.

Bandon Dunes for the non-golfer

• I couldn’t imagine being a non-golfer staying at Bandon Dunes; the place is a golfing oasis and explicitly designed for golfers.  However, it happens, the wife tags along or just a buddy who is along for the trip, so we’ll do our best to list some options.
• The best option on the property is to explore the walking trials.  The resort has tons of trails that will keep any active walker, jogger, or runner busy for several days.  The trails are easy to follow, the distance is documented, and they even have a labyrinth.
• Take a trip into Old Town Bandon. There are 10 square blocks of shopping, dining, history, art, culture, and outdoor recreation. Spend an hour, or a day, exploring the historic business district located only 10 minutes outside of the resort.
• Go fishing!  There are several lakes on the property where fishing is allowed.  If you’re looking for a full fishing experience, you can hook up with a charter boat in either Old Town Bandon or nearby Coos Bay.
• Go, Gamble!  The Mill Casino, located in North Bend, is only 30 minutes away from the resort.  A full casino featuring both slots and table games, you’ll find everything you need to help scratch the itch.  After trying your luck, they offer several food options, including a buffet that has rave reviews.
• Visit the Punch Bowl, way better than any miniature golf course. The punch bowl is available free of charge and features a 36-hole layout that anyone can spend hours enjoying.  The Punch Bowl is at Pacific Dunes behind the Pacific Grill.  The Punch Bowl opens daily at 2 pm and gets busier as the day progresses.  Grab a drink from the Punch Bowl bar and have a blast.
• Play Shorty’s course. Shorty’s course is available free of charge and is an excellent way for any non-golfer to give the sport a try.  Insider Tip, Shorty’s is only open Thursday – Sunday when the South Range is closed.  We mentioned this for non-golfers but highly recommend it for everyone; it’s a great layout and a fun way to end the day.

Golf at Bandon Dunes

• Golfing at Bandon Dunes isn’t cheap; to keep the cost down, we recommend trying to play as much golf as you can each day.  Your first round of the day is going to range from 200-275.  Your replay round is half the cost of the first round, and if you can manage a third round, that will be free of charge.  Insider tip, if you’re playing multiple rounds, be sure to change socks between rounds to help avoid blisters.
• Pacific Dunes is the most challenging course on the property. If you can, make sure Pacific Dunes is your first round of the day, you’ll need all your energy.  We learned this lesson the hard way, the last thing you want is a late-round on Pacific after having already walked 18 or 36 with the wind blowing.
• Take a caddie!  Bandon Dunes isn’t the same without a caddie; it completes the experience.  The cost of a caddie is $100 + gratuity, which typically starts at $20 and goes up from there.  Insider tip, if you’re with a buddy, it’s worth it to all chip in and make sure there is at least one caddie in the group. He’ll explain each hole to everyone and make sure you don’t get lost.
• Don’t forget about The Preserve; a 13-hole par-3 course that is out of this world.  The Preserve is my special place at Bandon.  Providing some of the best beach views on the property, make sure to add The Preserve to your schedule.
• Clean out your golf bag!  If you plan to use a caddie, make sure to lighten the load, nothing is more embarrassing for you or the caddie when they have to tell you that your bag is too heavy.  Insider tip, you don’t need that many golf balls!  I know I haven’t seen you play before, but guess what it’s pretty wide open, and if you have a caddie, they’ll be able to find your ball or replace it with another they find.  Trust us; two sleeves are all you’ll need if you employ a caddie.
• Pack your rain gear and two pairs of golf shoes.  Even if the forecast doesn’t call for rain, it’s the Pacific Northwest, and it always seems to find a way to rain. Don’t go crazy, but something lightweight that will shed water will go a long way.
• Please dress in layers; mornings at Bandon can start rather cold then by the afternoon; it warms up to the point you’re okay in short sleeves.
• Pack the most comfortable shoes that you HAVE WORN walking a golf course.  If you bring the wrong golf shoes, you’re in for a world of hurt. Don’t make the mistake of breaking out a new pair of shoes and paying the price with multiple blisters.
• Warm-up in the morning, I know waking up the morning after 36+ holes the day prior, the last thing you might think you need is some practice swings.  Guess what, you do.  Stop by the practice range for at least 10 minutes before you make a fool of yourself on the 1 st hole.
• Don’t forget your sunscreen and lip balm. If you don’t get blisters on your feet, you’ll surely end up with them on your lips if you don’t use lip balm.  Coming from the east coast, I always get “Bandon lip” from being out in the wind, sun, and cold!

Big Ball First

The Quest for the Best Buddies Golf Trip

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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:

• 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.

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

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.

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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Copyright 2020 Big Ball First. All Rights Reserved

Advice from the Architects: How to Approach a Trip to Bandon Dunes

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First Peek: The Keep at McLemore Resort

Over the past two decades , Bandon Dunes Golf Resort has built quite a base of loyalists—some of whom return for a buddies’ trip every single year. But the ever-growing golf destination on the Oregon coast also continues to expand its fanbase with first-timers eager for a remote escape and a taste of authentic links golf in the U.S.

I recently made the Bandon pilgrimage for the first time, a trip long overdue. While I knew a lot about Bandon Dunes going in, it was still an eye-opening experience. As a newbie, I don’t know that there’s anything that quite prepares you for your first visit to a property that now has six distinct courses, 103 holes of golf, a 100,000-square-foot putting course, a 30-acre practice center, six restaurants, and 186 rooms at five different secluded lodging options—all spread across more than three miles of sweeping, unspoiled shoreline. It’s a slice of golf heaven.

As I sought the advice of veteran Bandonistas during my journey—asking what they would tell a first-timer—it occurred to me to seek the counsel of perhaps the most knowledgeable and experienced folks of all: those who helped make Bandon Dunes what it is.

“All too often, newbies try to squeeze too much in,” says architect David McLay Kidd, who designed the original Bandon Dunes course back in 1999. “They want to go 36–36–36. I don’t know about you, but two days of 36 (holes) and I’m aching. Take a pause, breathe in, enjoy the view. You’re there to hang with friends. That stuff is just as important as ticking every box.”

It’s unavoidable to want to fit as much golf in as possible during your first Bandon experience, but pacing yourself is great advice. Stretch out your trip, if possible, and don’t underestimate the taxing nature of walking multiple rounds in multiple days, even for active types.

I heeded the advice of several pairs of comfortable shoes and regular sock changes and was still nursing toe blisters early on. If you’re like me, you’ll quickly learn the virtues of moleskin to protect your feet; ask for it in the pro shops, if needed.

Walking and weather are two of the major prep points for a Bandon first-timer. But the golf itself is quite different than what most golfers in the U.S. are accustomed to. It’s why architect Bill Coore suggests Bandon debutants kick off their trip with a round at the 13-hole, par-three Preserve course; and it’s not because it’s among the three layouts that he designed in tandem with Ben Crenshaw.

“I say it because you’re going to be playing on fescue turf and most people in America aren’t used to that. It’s such tight turf,” says Coore, who also helped design Bandon Trails and the resort’s newest 18-hole course, Sheep Ranch . “One of the worst things you can do is think you can bring your lob wedge or your 60-degree wedge out and play little pitch shots and flop type shots off this tight turf. It doesn’t work. Play the Preserve first; learn to putt on these greens. More importantly, learn to play from off the greens. You can often just putt with great ease from off the greens. You’ll probably quickly learn you can leave those really lofted wedges at home or in the room.”

As for the question of wind and when, the answer is basically year-round on both counts, and McLay Kidd notes the “shoulder seasons” of March or November can be among the best times to go.

“You’re not in the winter or summer. It’s a little quieter, the wind is down a little bit, and the weather is still beautiful,” he notes. “I took a group of buddies there in mid-February and it was 65 degrees and we played in shorts and t-shirts.”

McLay Kidd also offered up one other key tip for a newcomer: scheduling play at the Preserve or Shorty’s (the nine-hole practice course he designed) early in the day at least once or twice. The Scotsman’s logic? Sometimes the most fun is had at night on a buddies’ trip.

“If you have the first tee time out the next day, that can be brutal,” he says. “We’ll have dinner at 8 p.m. because we can eat wherever we want. We can go to the Bunker Bar until midnight and first thing in the morning when we get up, we’re going to go to the Preserve and play. We tee it up at 8 or 9, get out in the fresh air, play for an hour and a half, shake off the drinking from the night before, and then you go to breakfast, which is really brunch at this point.

“Then we can get a late tee time, say 11 o’clock, at any course we want at that point. We can play all 18 and then we can go for a little sleep or hang out and play some cards, and then go for dinner. That’s much better strategy than—up at 5 a.m., on the tee at 7, eat a fast lunch, and then play a second round. You do that for more than one day and you’re sick of it.”

I’ve already started incorporating these tips in planning for my Bandon return, balancing 36-hole (and more) days with a more measured approach. And when it comes to a return, it’s a question of when and not if.

Having finally made my maiden Bandon trip, my last bit of advice for the first-timer is to experience all the courses with an open mind. I had the unique opportunity of seeing all the courses at once, with no biases from past trips. The most fun I had was on a course, Old Macdonald, that some even suggested to skip. But all of the courses have their own special appeal.

So, judge for yourself. The beauty of Bandon Dunes is that there comes a point on every single course where you wonder, “Is this the best one here?”

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Planning a Bandon Dunes Golf Trip

Published by derek wise on september 8, 2020 september 8, 2020.

It happened. I finally planned a golf trip to Bandon Dunes golf resort! As I write this, the trip is 11 months away, but I am already excited. In this golf perspective blog , I will talk through the planning of a Bandon Dunes golf trip.

About Bandon Dunes Golf Resort

The golf courses at Bandon Dunes are well-known throughout golf architecture enthusiast circles. Yet, Bandon Dunes notoriety can be disputed. The golf resort has not yet hit the radar of weekend warrior or casual golfers.

Bandon Dunes is part of Dream Golf Resorts . There are two sister resorts; Sand Valley in Wisconsin and Cabot Links in Nova Scotia. All the resorts feature on-site lodging, restaurants and top-notch golf courses.

The Bandon Dunes golf resort is home to six different golf courses . This feature makes Bandon Dunes a top “buddies trip” destination. The demand for Bandon Dunes golf trips is only increasing so expect to plan a year in advance.

The golf courses are the main attraction all ranking in the top 20 of public courses in the nation. There are five 18-hole regulation course and one 13-hole short course. The golf courses, year opened, architects and current ranking are as follows:

• Bandon Dunes (1999), Architect – David McLay Kidd (Ranked #7)
• Pacific Dunes (2001), Architect – Tom Doak (Ranked #2)
• Bandon Trails (2005), Architects – Coore & Crenshaw (Ranked #14)
• Old Macdonald (2010), Architect – Tom Doak & Jim Urbina (Ranked #12)
• Bandon Preserve Short Course (2012), Architects – Coore & Crenshaw
• Sheep Ranch (2019), Architects – Coore & Crenshaw (Not YET ranked)
• Punchbowl (Honorable Mention) putting course – Architects – Tom Doak & Jim Urbina

Finding Your Golf Group

A golf trip to Bandon Dunes is an investment in a golfing experience. Visiting golfers are treated to an immersive golf environment. The result are lifelong memories. I recommend finding a collection of like-minded golfers for the Bandon Dunes golf trip.

Golfers with an appreciation for course architecture, hole routing and width & angles should top the attendee list. The three golf course architects at Bandon Dunes subjectively top the list in all those categories.

In the end, bring friends and people you enjoy spending time with. Since many golfers play 36 holes a day, invite friends who enjoy the game of golf. Golfers who visit Bandon Dunes will walk away with a one-of-a-kind immersive golf experience.

Planning Your Golf Trip

Now that you have made the decision to go to Bandon Dunes, found friends to join you, it is time to plan your golf trip. Below are considerations for the golf trip details.

1) How many days will you need? It would be criminal to travel to Bandon Dunes and not play all the golf courses. Plan to play each course at a minimum. Playing 36 holes a day is very popular option due to the reduced replay rate offered at Dream Golf Resort courses; Bandon Dunes, Sand Valley and Cabot Links.

Plan for three (3) full days on-site at Bandon Dunes. Book 36 holes per day to fit in all the golf courses. Use the middle day to couple a full-length course with the short course, Bandon Preserve. This itinerary decision provides a deserved breather. Golfers will require five (5) days with this schedule allowing for a travel day and getaway day.

2) What courses should you play? All of them. Next.

3) Should the courses be played in a particular order? By this time, you have visited the Bandon Dunes website. Or you have conducted research on the courses most highly regarded. There are on-going debates regarding the best course at Bandon Dunes. The true ranking is highly subjective.

Recommendation: Bookend your trip with your most sought after golf course(s). Do this by staying an additional day. Bonus tip: Schedule the second tee times on the opposite time of day for different playing conditions.

4) Who do I call for reservations? The reservation staff at Bandon Dunes are some of the best in the business. Come prepared with a few date range options – your first pick may not be available. This can be the case even several months out. Bandon Dunes is becoming that popular. Draft a morning/afternoon schedule prior to calling. Expect a wait time before reaching a reservation specialist. Once reached, enjoy the experience of booking 36-hole golf days for a multi-day trip. No better phone call exists. Period.

5) Should we stay on-site? The short answer is yes. Several lodging options exist on the Bandon Dunes property. Take advantage of this and fully immerse yourself.

6) When can I make dinner reservations? For larger groups, dinner reservations are recommended. These can be scheduled 30 days prior to the trip.

7) Should I get a caddie? I am a firm believer in getting a caddie. Yes, it will cost you extra money but think about the golf investment. Spend the money to fully enjoy the Bandon Dunes golf courses. As an added incentive, the Bandon Dunes caddies will be assigned to you during the entire visit. They will know your game and help shepherd you around the golf courses in less strokes!

Bandon Dune Resources

In researching and planning my own Bandon Dunes golf trip, I came across several blogs to help with the planning. Below is a shortened list:

• Bandon Dunes Golf Blog by Bandon Dunes
• An Argument for Each Bandon Course as the Best by Plugged in Golf
• Bandon Dunes Overview Guide by Shane Bacon
• 18 Tips for a Trip to Bandon Dunes by Golf Digest
• A Caddie’s Guide to Bandon Dunes by Caddie Network

What is Next?

This blog covered the first stage of planning a Bandon Dunes golf trip. For many, there will be a handful of months from the time a Bandon Dunes trip is booked to the first tee time. As for me, my golf trip is scheduled for August 2021. Over the next several months, I will write additional blogs talking about the process. These will include topics leading up to the final preparations. Here are some draft blog titles in the works:

• Prepare Your Game for Links Golf
• Packing for a Bandon Dunes Golf Trip
• Mindset for a Week Long Golf Trip

*All photos in the blog were taken from Bandon Dunes Golf website . I will update all of them after my trip in August 2021!

A Wisconsin-based golfer who loves to share his perspective on the game as well as highlighting local golf courses through reviews.

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PIG Pro Travel Tips: Bandon Dunes

More in bag chatter:.

Tips from the Travel Pros

One of the goals of Plugged In Golf is flattening the learning curve for this game.  We’re going to start applying that to golf travel in our first installment of PIG Pro Travel Tips.  This edition is focused on our favorite destination, Bandon Dunes.  We’ve spent hours arguing about this list and have narrowed it down to eight tips, listed in order of importance.

Please note that packing for Bandon Dunes is not mentioned because it is its own topic.  You can find our packing advice HERE .

PIG Pro Tip #1: Get a Caddie

Having a caddie will improve everything about your Bandon Dunes experience.  On a practical level, they’ll guide you through the course.  They know the best ways to shave strokes (and steps) off your round.  They’ll also help you preserve your energy and your joints.

Beyond the practical, caddies will add to your enjoyment.  These guys and girls are all characters in their own right, full of stories and the history of Bandon Dunes.  Plus, no praise is more meaningful than a sincere, “Good shot” from a caddie who’s seen it all.

If you’ve never golfed with a caddie before, click HERE .

Pro Tip #1A: Get your bag down to a fighting weight by removing extra clubs, balls, training aids, etc.  If you don’t, the caddie may do it for you.

Pro Tip #1B: Do whatever your caddie says.  Play the tees they recommend, putt the lines they tell you to.  Trust me, trust them.

PIG Pro Tip #2: Play Punchbowl and Preserve

It may seem crazy to allot some of your precious time to a giant putting green and a par 3 course, but any Bandonista will tell you that the Punchbowl and Preserve are as much a part of the experience as any of the “real” courses.

The overall atmosphere at Bandon is great, but the vibe is strongest at The Punchbowl .  The recipe simply can’t be beat: 100,000 square feet of rollercoaster putts, some friendly wagers, a couple adult beverages, and the chance to interact with golfers outside of your group.

The Preserve, a Coore & Crenshaw designed, 13-hole par 3 course, may be the most beautiful short course on Earth.  Combine the views with the unique challenges of these holes and the omnipresent possibility of an ace and you have an experience that’s unforgettable.

Pro Tip #2A: Use your putter on Preserve #13.

PIG Pro Tip #3: Play Every Course

To quote Dylan, “If your answer to, ‘What’s your ranking of the Bandon courses?’ includes the words ‘didn’t play’ you did it wrong, full stop.  Do not call me to play golf anymore.”

While that may be a little harsh, the spirit of it is correct.  You’ve come this far, you need to play all of the courses.  That may mean playing 36 holes/day, so you need to get in shape before you go.

You can read more about preparing yourself for the trip HERE .

Pro Tip #3A : If you’re doing 36 holes in a day, make Bandon Trails your morning round.  It’s the most demanding course on the property, so you’ll want to face it with your A game.

PIG Pro Tip #4: Meet The Wizard

Grant Rogers, the Director of Instruction at Bandon Dunes, is not only a spectacular player and a great instructor, he’s one of the best storytellers you’ll ever meet.  Convince your group to book a lesson with him so that you can learn how to play links golf from a true master and pick up some stories that you’ll be re-telling for years to come.

Get a taste of Grant’s wisdom and humor HERE .

PIG Pro Tip #5: Eat Everywhere

The variety of golf at Bandon Dunes is equaled only by the variety of ways to fill your belly.  Just as with the courses, we suggest you try them all.

For many Bandonistas, McKee’s Pub is the quintessential dining experience.  It’s laid back and has the welcoming vibe that envelopes the resort.  Getting the meatloaf is a must-do.

Pacific Grill has a seafood focus and spectacular nighttime views.  For lunch, the Tufted Puffin, with its views of the original course, cannot be beat.  Trails End, at Bandon Trails, is the smallest eatery and can be reserved for private group dining.  The Gallery will get your day off to a strong start with a breakfast buffet.

Finally, while the Bunker Bar is a great spot for a nightcap, don’t overindulge.  Adding a hangover to a twelve mile walk is not recommended.

PIG Pro Tip #6: Start Your Day at the Practice Center

Our oldest team member pushed back on this one, telling us he “only has so many swings.”  You may be thinking the same thing, but hear me out.  You don’t need to go to the Practice Center to beat thousands of balls.  You need to go there, much like the Punchbowl, for the vibe.  When you get off the shuttle at sunrise, you’ll be surrounded by dozens of other adults who are equally geeked out about a full day of amazing golf.  It’s the essence of Bandon Dunes – shared enthusiasm for this beautiful game .

If you are feeling ambitious, you can check out Shorty’s, too.  Shorty’s is a 9-hole short course designed by David McLay Kidd which is open Thursday through Sunday from 2PM until the Practice Center closes.  While it’s technically free to resort guests, there’s an “Honor Box” for donations to Bandon’s Junior Golf and Evan’s Caddie programs.

PIG Pro Tip #7: Stay on Property, Use the Shuttles

Bandon Dunes is the adult Disney World in many ways.  One practical way in which this is true is that you’ll have the best time by staying on property and letting them handle the day-to-day logistics.

Bandon runs a complimentary shuttle service that will pick you up and drop you off anywhere on the property.  We never waited more than a few minutes for a shuttle.  Not only are the shuttles convenient, they give you a chance to chat with the shuttle drivers and other golfers.

PIG Pro Tip #8: Rep Your Squad

We’re not telling you that your crew needs to do the whole matching outfits thing, but broadcasting your allegiances is a great way to make friends.  Our LSU Tiger, Mike, is always meeting fellow alums thanks to his purple and gold outfits.  I met Plugged In Golf readers because I was wearing a PIG hat.  Whatever allegiances you have, wear them on your sleeve as an easy way to make new friends.

If you haven’t picked up on the theme here, let me spell it out: the more chances you give yourself to interact with the people at Bandon, the better time you’ll have .  The golf is phenomenal but only by combining it with fellow golfers will you get the true Bandon experience.

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

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• Activities and Interests
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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.

DIANA BESZEDITZ / Shutterstock

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.

Joshua Rainey Photography / Shutterstock

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.

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 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.

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Course Spotlight

World’s most beautiful courses: pacific dunes.

PGA of America

The PGA of America is one of the world's largest sports organizations, composed of PGA of America Golf Professionals who work daily to grow interest and participation in the game of golf.

Bandon Dunes is true to the spirit of Scotland’s ancient links.

Six distinct links courses have been conceived in harmony with the natural environment. They combine with all the essential elements to reveal a new golf experience every time you play. The soul of the game resides here. Players walk. And at the end of the day, gracious hospitality comforts each guest like a warm, friendly embrace.

Our Courses

Here, players immerse themselves in the traditions of a timeless game and the grandeur of Oregon’s rugged coast. Sweeping, untamed shores stretch for miles. Primeval grassy dunes roll to the sea.

Bandon Dunes

Pacific dunes, bandon trails, old macdonald.

• Sheep Ranch

Bandon Preserve

Golf as it was meant to be

Decades ago, another guy fell in love with the game of golf. That wouldn’t have made for much of a story, except this wasn’t just any guy. Mike Keiser had achieved great success in business and had the resources to pursue his passion. He traveled to the birthplace of the game to absorb the traditions and heritage of the last 500 years of golf and to play in the elements where the game was invented.

Unwind & Relax

Our overnight accommodations provide a refuge of relative seclusion in a variety of options that are sure to revive you for the next day. The resort offers many lodging options to suit your needs, varying from single accommodations in The Lodge and Inn to our spacious four-bedroom Grove Cottages.

SINGLE KING & 4 BEDROOM SUITE  1-8 GUESTS

  DOUBLE QUEEN     2-4 GUESTS

Grove Cottages

4 SINGLE KING COTTAGE 4-8 GUESTS

• Chrome Lake

DOUBLE KING & 2 SINGLE KING LOFT 2-4 GUESTS

  DOUBLE QUEEN    SINGLE KING    2-4 GUESTS

Food & Spirits

Whether you’re looking to enjoy locally-sourced Pacific Northwest cuisine accompanied by an award-winning wine list, or prefer kicking back after a full day of golf and soaking in a Scottish-style setting with traditional pub fare and local microbrews, there is something for everyone.

Ghost Tree Grill

Bandon’s newest dining experience is the Ghost Tree Grill, a Pacific Northwest inspired steakhouse and raw bar.

Formerly the Gallery and located just off the lobby in The Lodge, the Forge continues to evolve it’s dining experience complemented by an amazing view of the original Bandon Dunes course.

Pacific Grill

Located on the second level of Pacific Dunes’ free-standing clubhouse, Pacific Grill is exactly what you’d expect its namesake to provide.

McKee's Pub

This Scottish-style setting serves traditional hearty pub fare, Pacific Northwest microbrews and classic single malt scotches accompanied by a look into the resort’s history on the walls.

Sheep Ranch Clubhouse

The clubhouse features an indoor and outdoor quick-serve experience of many Irish favorites, with locally sourced Port Orford cedar woodwork that defines the space.

The Bunker Bar

The Bunker Bar delivers an almost confidential group setting while serving the finest cigars and spirits you can find on property.

Often mentioned as one of our guest’s favorite dining experiences, Trails End in the Bandon Trails Clubhouse offers Pacific Rim-focused plates from first light to well into the night.

Tufted Puffin

The Tufted Puffin Lounge features incredible panoramic views of the original Bandon Dunes golf course in a casual bar environment that allows for lively discussions on your favorite course or moments of the day.

Charlotte's

You’ll find some of your favorite BBQ entrees and sides as well as cold beverages that can easily be taken to go or enjoyed at the indoor and outdoor dining tables.

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The 10 Best Golf Resorts in the U.S.

Bold statement, but we back it up. These are the creme de la creme

The best resorts have manicured fairways, challenging designs, courses to fit every skill level, beautiful settings and plenty to do off the course. From the rolling terrain overlooking the Pacific at Kapalua, to the fairways in the cradle of American golf at Pinehurst, there is a top-end American golf resort for everyone. 

These are listed geographically from West to East, not ranked! 

Kapalua Golf Resort, Lahaina, Hawaii

In early January, the first PGA tournament of the year is at Kapalua’s Plantation Course.  The 78-degree temperatures under windless blue skies and endless vistas of the Pacific remind us that paradise exists even in winter.  

The course stretches to nearly 7,600 yards, but can be played as short as 5,100 yards. (For variety, book a tee time at the Bay Course, Kapalua’s other championship venue.)

Just up the road, there are stunning accommodations at the Ritz Carlton, which offers snorkeling at nearby Kapalua Bay (named America’s best beach in 2018), and numerous other activities like ziplining, ATV tours, horse riding, hiking, and lei making or hula lessons.   https://golfatkapalua.com/

Pro tips:  For the asking, the guys setting you up on the golf carts will give you Kapalua logo towels to clean your clubs on the course. Take a few extras for your buddies shoveling snow back home. The course knows you’ll keep them and it’s pretty smart marketing. 

Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, Bandon, Oregon

With six distinct links style courses, Bandon Dunes is one of finest, most immersive, comprehensive golf experiences in America. Built among the sand dunes along Oregon’s rugged coast, any of their courses is, as their saying goes: “golf as it was meant to be.”  

Despite the relatively recent vintage of the courses, they’re meant to be played the way golf was played 5 centuries ago. The courses are walked. Here there are no concrete cart paths, no electric carts, no chattering of beverage carts, just the sound the wind and the voice of a skilled and knowing caddy from the resort’s renowned training program. 

The usual resort-style amenities are non-existent — no tennis courts or Olympic sized pools. But as golf experiences go, there are none better.  From the resort accommodations, guests call for a shuttle and within minutes one arrives to take you to any of the many dining options, pro shops, practice areas or courses.  

For a diversion from golf, the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area is a short drive away, known for its wind-sculpted sand dunes towering 500 feet. There’s also Coquille River Lighthouse. https://www.bandondunesgolf.com/

Pro tips:   After your round, relive the shots of the day at McKee’s Pub overlooking the first hole on Bandon Dunes.  

Pebble Beach Golf Resort, Carmel, California

Perhaps the most famous American golf resort, consisting of 4 championship courses, Pebble Beach Golf Links, Spyglass Hill, The Links at Spanish Bay and Del Monte Golf Course.  There’s also a fun short course known as The Hay together with a 20,000 square foot putting course. 

It’s been the site of 6 U.S. Open championships and is scheduled to stage its first U.S. Women’s Open in 2023. The courses provide a diverse mix of golf, from seaside to sand dunes to forested fairways. If the ruggedness of Bandon Dunes is “golf as it was meant to be,” Pebble Beach is golf as refined and elegant as it can be.  

With luxury accommodations and dozens of fine restaurants, shopping arcades, wine shops, spa treatments and year-round outdoor activities the resort offers something for everyone.  https://www.pebblebeach.com/golf/

Pro Tips:  Rumors swirl that tee times are impossible to get unless booked months in advance. But if you stop by the pro shop, ask about a tee time for one. I did and got one the next morning at 9:00.  And if you don’t have time to play but just want to see the course, ask if you can take a cart. They believe once you see the course, you’ll come back to play it!

Troon North, Scottsdale, Arizona

The crown jewel of desert golf, Troon North’s two championship courses, Pinnacle and Monument, set the standard by which all golf in the Sonoran Desert is measured.  

Built in the shadows of Pinnacle Peak with verdant fairways carved through ravines and around giant granite boulders, Troon North is visually stunning. Just 15 minutes from downtown Scottsdale and 40 minutes from Sky Harbor Airport.  On site is the Four Seasons Resort, deluxe but casual Southwestern hospitality.  For those who prefer the nightlife of Scottsdale and its great dining experiences, there are dozens of top-notch hotel and resorts nearby.  https://www.troonnorthgolf.com/

Pro Tips:   If you have to choose, play The Monument. Peak season (January through April) can be pricey. Book for September-October, or May when daytime temperatures are high, but rates are lower.  

The Broadmoor, Colorado Springs, Colorado

The Grand Dame of Western Golf, the Broadmoor opened its first course in 1918.  In a unique twist in golf course design, the East Course was designed by not just one, but two of America’s most distinguished designers, Donald Ross (holes 1-6 and 16-18) and Robert Trent Jones, Sr. (7-15).  

The West course, opened 1965, features narrower fairways and 7016 yards from the back tees. If you can only do one, play The East.

The Broadmoor Hotel is classic luxury.  Built in the 1940’s, the resort boasts a diverse collection of rooms, suites,cottages, estate houses and brownstones.  It has all the amenities, so it’s ideal for non-golfing companions.  And it may be one of the most romantic resorts in the U.S.  Church bells ring every quarter hour from the Will Rogers Shrine on nearby Cheyenne Mountain. As the sun sets, lamps come on around the large pond that anchors the resort, and the air fills with enchantment. https://www.broadmoor.com/

Pro tips:   Sunday brunch! One of the best, most beautiful and elegant anywhere in the country.

Reynolds Lake Oconee, Greensboro, Georgia

Set along the waterfront about an hour’s drive from Atlanta, with all the resort amenities one would expect from a five-star resort. It has access to five extraordinary, challenging courses:  The Landing, The Preserve, The National, TheOconee and Great Waters. 90 holes wind through wooded areas, rolling hills, dramatic elevation changes, inlets and tree-lined doglegs, each with spectacular vistas. The golf is second to none.  https://www.reynoldslakeoconee.com/visit/ritz-carlton

Pro tips:  For a break from golf, rent a boat and spend the afternoon touring Lake Oconee and the mega mansions dotting its 350 miles of shoreline. 

The American Club Resort at Destination Kohler, Kohler, Wisconsin

Here, along the rugged, windswept Lake Michigan shore, is one of the most famous championship courses in the U.S., The Straits Course of Whistling Straits. A companion course, The Irish, is an inland grass-and-dune layout. 

Accommodations abound at the resort, including the five-star American Club; the Inn on Woodlake with its own beach, hiking trails and shopping venues; or the Kohler Cabin Collection of large private cabins.  

Pro tips:   Test your short game on a unique and entertaining 10-hole, par-3 course known as The Baths of Blackwolf Run. https://www.destinationkohler.com/

Harbour Town, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

The most famous of Hilton Head’s 23 championship courses, Harbour Town Golf Links hosts the RBC Heritage Golf tournament on the PGA Tour. The Inn and Club at Harbour Town is luxury personified. https://www.seapines.com/

Pro tips:   Rent a boat, speed around Calibogue Sound and watch the dolphins, or relax on the white sandy beaches.  

The Greenbrier, White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia

Situated amid the breathtaking Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia, the resort is a National Historic Landmark that’s been welcoming guests since 1778.  Three of its four courses are close to or more than a century old:   

The resort, on 6500 acres, is anchored by the Greenbrier Hotel, a grand structure built in 1780, updated over the past two centuries. Its massive white columns rise six stories against a white façade. It has 677 rooms and 33 suites, and outdoor activities include rafting, a hunt club, game preserve, and skeet shooting.   https://www.greenbrier.com/

Pro tips:  The Greenbrier has bowling allies and a casino.  

Pinehurst, Pinehurst, South Carolina

The largest golf resort in America, its first course dates to 1897. Each of its nine courses are simply known by the order in which they were constructed.  The most celebrated is Pinehurst #2, the site of more golf championships than any course in the country. 

Accommodations feature beautifully updated rooms at the century old Holly Inn, the Four-Diamond, 230-room Carolina Hotel, or the historic Manor Inn built in 1923.  https://www.pinehurst.com/

Pro tips:  H ave a mint julep at TheDeuce, on the veranda overlooking the 18 th hole on #2.  

For more great articles on travel, food, drinks and the wonderful wide world we live in, check out wonderlusttravel.com .