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. 

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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. 

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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. 

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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. 

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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: 

For golf

• 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. 
• Advil
• CBD
• 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. 

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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.

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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
• History: 7
• 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