Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, Bandon

Maybe your passion for golf is getting in the way of the rest of your life? Wife, family, job - all suffering from your lack of attention? I recommend a few days on the golf courses at Bandon Dunes. Play all four courses now - no cheating. Start with Pacific Dunes for your baptism in 30 - 50 mph winds. Fun, eh? Then maybe to the Bandon Dunes course for more wind and just to confirm that all the greens here are going to be ridiculously big and the surfaces too hard to handle anything but a putter from 50 yards in. On the most benign of mornings you might actually enjoy Old McDonald except for e-i-e-i-o those last four holes designed to remind you that this resort prides itself on bringing its guests to their knees. But on your last day, for your last round, be sure to walk Ben Crenshaw's unputtable, unplayable Bandon Trails. Ben, et. al., pride themselves on not moving much dirt to build this course. Hint: buy some shovels, boys, and start with the greens. These greens are so huge, hard and hilly that getting down in two when you finally do get the ball to stay on the "putting" surface is a world-class achievement. Rumor has it that Ben himself has yet to part #14. Nice vistas? You bet - above average grandeur! But this is hardly golf, no matter how Scottish-this or Irish-that you want to pretend it is. So, if you're a single-digit handicapper who enjoys shooting in the 90s and you love windburn and chap lips, make the jumbled up reservations that are required to reach this place (considering the convoluted travel arrangements required to get here, it's easier to get to Scotland or Ireland). Otherwise, consider this medicinal, an effective cure for your addiction to the game. I'm taking two weeks off, then I'm going to quit.

This is a gorgeous golf course with lovely grounds and lodging. It is quite expensive. However, even if you don't stay or golf there, it is worth a drive in to see the grounds and eat at the pub, McSweeney's (used to be Mulligan's). The food is great.

Given the quality of the greens and fairways, Bandon Dunes is highly overrated and not worth $220 per round. I stayed 2 nights in mid Oct and played three days with rounds on Bandon Dunes, Pacific Dunes and Old McDonald (10 hole preview) and was very disappointed. The greens were all hard, sandy and bare. The fairways were thin and dry. I learned from our caddie that they mow the fairways once a week which tells you the grass doesn't grow very well. If you appreciate well maintained courses you will be disappointed. I played Pine Valley two weeks ago and can tell you there is no comparison. Bandon seems to be resting on their laurels and my guess is things are catching up with them as it was not very busy and there were lots of open tee times. With so many other great options around the country, given the difficulty in getting there and the poor condition of the courses, I would go elsewhere. I will not be back any time soon.

This place is spectacular! I rate Pacific Dunes the best followed by Bandon Trails and Bandon Dunes. All of the courses are a treat. Caddies are a must. I had never had one previously. It is a tremendous boost to your golf experience. You will have sensory overload as you walk these courses. It is expensive to play and stay at the resort. Figure about $350 per round with a caddie, but this is truly golf the way it should be played. I just played there last week and I am already planning my next trip.