Leaving next week for 4 days at Bandon and wondering if someone has recently played there -- looking for thoughts on Old McDonald and are the conditions good? Thanks in advance.

I played last week. Played Pacific Dunes course, which they said is #1 rated course in USA. Well, it's different, for sure. If you're looking for a well-manicured course, seeing as how the green fee is $275, you'll be shocked. It's links golf, truly built on sand dunes, thus, the grass is not exactly lush. Tight lies. Lots of humps and bumps and swales. And bunkers from hell. Incredibly deep. I made a 10 on a par four. Thought I hit a good approach. Ball went over green and it was a huge dropoff on other side. Took four shots to chip onto the green. In fact, I finally just hit it OVER the green.

The fairways just turn into greens, you can hardly tell where fairway turns to green. Greens look like hell but as the pro said, they putt true and fast. And they did. They are very hard, you must run the ball to the hole.

Scenery is spectacular for this course, it's on the ocean. Wind blew very hard.

I shot 50-40 = 90 and I am currently playing to 6.8 index.

As for me, I think the golfers I know would need to be cautioned to go with the mindset that this is going to very different golf, not lush, manicured but with fabulous scenery, hard, fast greens and many severe hazards.

No carts, it is mandatory walking. Pull cart is $5. Rental clubs, $60, include six balls.

What's Old McDonald?

Perfect! I can't wait to go. The prices on golf and lodging drop on November 1st. What is the weather like then?

I've had some perfect 70* days with barely any wind in November, and I've also had days in the 50's with 30+ mph winds and rain/hail. Its really kind of a crapshoot with Bandon that time of year, but for me that is part of what makes the experience so exciting every time I get to go down there.

I was there last week and I got a bit of a chill, wind blowing hard, and temp was probably near 70.

Old McDonald is the new course up/going up at Bandon

I was there in April and have played there many times. I agree with the earlier poster to prepare for something different than you may be used to. It is much more "British" and less "American". Not as lush as we are used to. Not bad just different. The scenery is unbelievable and it is a fantastic golf experience. Make sure you check out the breakfast buffet at the lodge and leave plenty of time for hitting practice balls. Their practice facility is first class. Although, for some reason the practice green is the size of a football field. Personally, I prefer Bandon over Pacific, although both are awesome. Most people disagree, but it's just one guys opinion. As far as Old Macdonald, I walked a few holes but did not play the loop. It looks fantastic. It was slightly more green and lush than the other courses.

Have a great time. It is a great experience.

PS: Downstairs in the lodge is a bar/pool room that allows cigar smoking if you are so inclined.

Golf as it was meant to be.




LOL

Thanks for the advice. I should have mentioned this is our second trip to BD so I appreciate comments about 'conditioning'.

Last year, our foursome (hcps 5-8) spent the first day working with the tighter lies and understanding how to play as much on the ground than in the air.
The second day, I think we questioned whether we really liked the elements that characterized links golf.
The third day, our Americanized perception of golf lifted and we were head over heels in love.

To further the earlier comment, Old MacDonald is the fourth course -- built for the most part by Keiser. Just ten holes are open now and whether it joins the others at the tops of most lists remains to be seen.

What a joy it is to read this! I only hope that more golfers get to experience this style of golf and spread the word such that a true renaissance in American golf can begin to take place.

There is a reason why you really need a caddie at least once, they will tell you which greens you can fire at and which ones you need to run short and to one side of the green.

Best golf resort in the world.

Just finished competing in the Oregon Am there 2 weeks ago. Bandon Dunes is in great shape. Greens are very fast, especially downwind. Wind is blowing very hard this time of year. During one of my rounds the wind was a constant 40mph and on the 6th hole (directly into the wind) I had to hit driver and barely made the green.

Fairway lies are tight as always. Recommend you bring a low-lofted iron if possible to replace a lob wedge (if you have one) since those are pretty useless on the courses there, especially if the wind is blowing.

10 holes are open on Old MacDonald and they want $100 (or $110) to play it. Personally I am going to wait until the course opens in 2010 and play it in the winter of 2010 when it will cost $75 to play. From what I have seen of the course, it may supplant Pacific Dunes as the highest rated course on the property.

I have no idea about the current condition of Pacific or Trails.

Yeah I heard Bandon was pretty brutal for the Oregon AM. Had some friends play and they said it was tough

Yup. I got the bad end of the draw (Monday afternoon) when the wind was blowing like crazy. Add that to playing the course at 7200 yards (black tees are only 6700 yards) and it made for a tough day.

I almost made matchplay, missing out by a single stroke

Just got back from Bandon last night. 13 of us from our club went, including our head pro. This is my 2nd time to Bandon, the first being 6 years ago, before Bandon Trails opened up.

The weather was phenominal. 3 days of slightly overcast to sunny skies with very little wind and temperatures in the 60's.

The first day we played Pacific Dunes. I got set up with Scott Curry for my caddie. As far as I'm concerned there is no one better than Scott. He was spot on with reading the greens. By the back nine, he was pulling clubs for me. I went back out for a replay on Pacific that afternoon. My friend wanted to take his caddie so we used Dave for the afternoon. He was not as good reading the greens.

Bandon Trails was course for the second day. My expectations were not as high for the Trails, but was I wrong. Trails is one awesome course. No ocean views, but it was made up with great challenging holes. I didn't play in the afternoon, due to my sore feet after walking the Trails. Lots of elevation on this course. Scott was on my bag again, and saved me atleast 5 strokes.

Finally my trip came to an end with an early tee time at Bandon Dunes. Bandon was much greener the last time I played it. The conditions have turned more like Pacific Dunes in the last 6 years. Typical links conditions. I had another enjoyable round with Scott on the bag.

All in all, it was one of the best golf trips, I have ever taken. It has surpassed my Pebble Beach experiences. The people at the resort are very friendly, and the food was great also.