Bandon Dunes Golf Resort Trip Planning Information

Bandon Dunes Golf Resort is the ultimate walking golf experience.There is likely no one else in the world where three top public walking only golf courses are located in such proximity to one another. With the addition of Old Macdonald, Bandon will be firmly ensconced as the ultimate walking golf destination in the world.

As a first time visitor, I thought I had prepared well for the trip but there were a few things that I was unaware of upon arrival.

The information below may be helpful for first time visitor to the resort.

For more information, please check out the Bandon Dunes Golf Resort website.

Weather, Clothing and Choosing a Time to Visit

Since you are going to the Oregon coast you are probably expecting rain – it is a good idea to expect the unexpected and pack for all weather conditions.

November, December, January, February and March are the wettest months in Bandon, while June, July, August and September are pretty dry. It is possible to get a wonderful long weekend any time of the year at Bandon, which is why many local and some return golfers roll the dice and visit in the late fall or early spring, but if you want clear skies then late June through September are probably your best bet.

Average temperatures at the resort range from 54/38 in the winter to 68/48 in the summer. The climate along the coast is fairly temperate, never too hot or too cold, although there is always the chance of snowfall in the winter or a heatwave in the summer.

The most consistent element at Bandon is the wind, which is present all year round. Calm periods are quite rare and apparently tend to occur around late September to early October. Normally, however, expect to play with winds in the 10 mph to 30+ mph range. During my visit, the first morning was calm, probably 10 to 20 mph, but the rest of the time it was 25 mph to 40 mph. This is links golf, so wind is part of the experience, just be prepared.

Since the wind, rain, and temperature can vary significantly over short periods of time, it is wise to pack a fairly heavy bag for Bandon with an assortment of clothing options for your stay. In the summer, you might be able to wear shorts, but pants will protect your skin from the wind. On the ocean holes, a long sleeve top or light jacket will probably add to your comfort, while short sleeves will often suffice on the inland holes.

During the spring, fall and winter, a really good rain suit is a grand idea. Most of the water-proof pants that are made by top manufacturers will be comfortable enough to play in for your entire trip. Skillful layering will allow you to stay dry and add on or peel off clothing as necessary throughout the round.

In making a decision about the best time to visit, I would recommend performing a thorough cost/benefit analysis. While the “off season” is certainly cheaper, it is much easier for an Oregon or Nor Cal resident to shrug it off if the weather is brutal enough to make the golf too difficult to handle. If you are travelling in by plane, then it may be wise to consider visiting in the high season, or the months immediately on either side, with the hopes of landing some decent weather.

Getting to Bandon

As my friend and fellow Society member Matt Lang discovered, getting to Bandon with several connections can be a dicey proposition. Matt had a three leg flight from New York to Denver, then to Portland, and finally to Coos Bay. A broken plane, some bad weather and a missed connection got him to the resort a day late. More importantly, he missed a morning round at Pacific Dunes!

Bandon is a four to five hour drive from Portland, so it may worth considering a direct flight into PDX, followed by a drive down to the resort. While Matt may have been unlucky, I have heard of others who have found themselves in a similar situation. How often does one plane leave on time, nevermind two or three?

If you are going to pick up a connection into Coos Bay, then try to find a direct flight to San Francisco or Portland, with at least an hour or two layover, to minimize the impact of potential delays on the flight in.

If you can fly private, well, let me know if you are passing through Portland so I can hitch a ride!

Contact the nice people at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort to coordinate a shuttle to and from the airport at Coos Bay.

Lodging at the Resort

There is an abundance of Lodging options at the Resort, which is nice. The Grove consists of four bedroom cottages, Chrome Lake has twenty-one cottages with up and downstairs units, the Lily Pond buildings have affordable and comfortable two bedroom units, The Inn has thirty-nine individual rooms located near the 18th Green at Bandon Dunes, and The Lodge, which consists of single bedrooms and suites, is located at the center of the resort.

I thoroughly enjoyed our quarters in the Lily Pond and would highly recommend them. They are a short walk to the Lodge, and the rest of the resort can be accessed via shuttle.

Remember that after parking your car in the lot, you will probably not venture from the resort during your stay as it is nicely self contained.

Food and Drink

There are several dining options at the resort.

The Lodge holds The Gallery Restaurant, The Tufted Puffin Lounge and The Bunker Bar. McKee’s Pub is located a short walk from The Lodge and was my favorite place to eat and have a pint or glass of wine after the round. They have a solid bar menu and the food is affordable.

Both Pacific Grill, at Pacific Dunes, and Trails End, at Bandon Trails, are great for pre and post round food and drinks. There is excellent food at the course clubhouses, with the Sliders at Trails End the culinary hi-lite of the visit.

The Practice Area and Short Course

The practice area at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort is excellent. There are dual ranges, a mammoth putting green, a chipping area and bunkers. If you are not worn out from thirty-six holes a day it is easy to burn that last bit of energy banging balls on the range.

The Short Course is a ton of fun and a hidden gem at the resort. If you have a chance, get up to the short course before your first round and get a quick refresher course on links golf. The bunkers and greens on the short course are very challenging and it is a great chance to practice those bump and runs that you will be using throughout your stay.

The wind really howls at the practice area and short course, so if you can control your ball flight and ground game up there then you are set for the big courses.

Caddie Services

Bandon Dunes Golf Resort is a walking only resort, since it provides “golf as it was meant to be.” As many guests play a great deal of golf on their visit, it is wonderful that the resort has one of the best caddie programs in the world.

There are two “classes” of caddie at Bandon Dunes – Professional Caddies and Evans candidates, who are apprentices.

The Professional Caddies at the resort have years of experience and varied backgrounds. Some have been at Bandon since it opened, others have caddied on various pro tours, others at exclusive clubs or overseas at famed links courses like St. Andrews.

The Evans candidates are high school kids who are hoping to become Evans Scholars, who are college students who have won Evans Scholarships. The Evans Program is an amazing way for young men and women to learn about golf, make some money and receive a college education.

The fee for a caddie is $55, plus tip per round.

For the base fee, a golfer would expect their caddie to carry their bag, pull the pin, provide some basic yardage, and keep the clubs clean.

If a golfer is interested in “basic” caddie services, then an Evans candidate is a great option. These young men and women are paid $55 per round and no gratuity is expected for their services.

If a golfer is interested in the “full” caddie experience then a Professional Caddie can provide additional services such as club selection, green reading, course insight and history, along with some great stories. A $25 tip per round is the equivalent of a 10% tip for a waiter at a restaurant, so if you choose to take a Professional caddie for a round, or for all of your rounds, then expect to pay about $100 per loop for their services.

It is possible, and often wise, to request a particular caddie for your visit if you choose to take one. If available, your Professional Caddie or Evans Candidate of choice will likely accept your bag and join you on your daily golf adventure at the resort.

In high season, about 75% of guests will employ a caddie, while over the course of a year that average is about 63%. So if you have a caddie in mind for your trip, contact the resort as early as possible to ensure their availability.

Course Reviews

Just click on the course for a full photo tour and course review:

- Bandon Dunes

- Pacific Dunes

- Bandon Trails

- Old Macdonald

Enjoy your time at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, it is a very unique and special place designed specifically for passionate walking golfers.

All Photos by Rob Rigg, 2009
Review by Rob Rigg, 2009