u/Beginning_Front_8966

This was my (42M) first trip to Bandon, which was last week (end of May). Rather than a long write-up of everything, trying to add a few pointers below.

I'd heard so many great things, but also that there was a waitlist/lottery out to 2027. I really started researching / reading posts here in late January, and booked a trip at the beginning of February.

I was there ~72 hours, and played all five 18 hole courses, and played The Preserve. I stayed at both Chrome Lake and the Inn. Here are some random thoughts/tips:

The only way to get on-site lodging is to just keep calling. While they will tell you that you are on a "waitlist" and they'll call you if something opens that fits, my experience is that they won't. Now, when I did ultimately book a night, it was one night at the Inn (and the online calendar didn't reflect any availability). When I called back again to make a tee time change and I inquired, I was able to book my first two nights at Chrome Lake and my last night at the Inn.
- I don't know if the online lodging availability calendar is just inaccurate or I was just lucky to call after a cancellation, but as I got rooms, they were not on calendar or the Trip Planner as available.
Golf as a single is plentiful. This was late May, so the end of the "non-peak season" so that may have something to do with it, but I was able to book a great itinerary back in February, and then alter it as I got within the 21 day window (I still didn't have lodging at that point), and then make a bunch of changes once I was there.
One night of lodging will get you the reduced "Resort Guest" greens fees rates for both the day you check in and the day you check out, which really reduces the overall price.
My golf itinerary, FWIW, was:
- 18 (PD) on Tuesday teeing off straight from the airport
- 36 on Wed (Old Mac, Sheep Ranch)
- 36 on Thurs (Bandon Dunes, Bandon Trails)
- 13 on Fri morning at the Preserve before leaving for the airport
As a 42 year old, in good shape, I was very concerned that this was going to be "too much", but it ended up being perfect. If I had more time, I wouldn't have played any more golf - I was tapped out, but I was also still grinding for pars on the back 9 at Trails. (I did take a caddie for all of the 18s).
If you have time, walk to the beach. The trail map says 30 mins each way, but it took me just over 15 mins each way. You'll see the beach while you are playing - it is so interesting being maybe 200 yards of absolutely flat beach. Lots of trees and such washed up. You will get plenty of sand in your shoes though walking to/from.
The hotel doors can act funny. I heard another person call maintenance. You put your keycard up to the door and it flashes green and you hear the click, but the door won't open. The trick is to try lifting the handle up. I don't know why sometimes pushing the door handle down works and why sometimes it doesn't.
How many balls to bring? I brought 15 and came home with 6. I lost 9. That was a lot, to be honest. I am an 11 index, and generally hit 275, but I had some wicked slices. Still found plenty of those balls, but some landed straight into gorse, and you've got no chance. So mid handicapper that doesn't have absolutely wild 200 yard straight / 200 yards to the right drives... you'll likely make it through any round with only three balls. Bring a dozen total if you are playing 90+ holes.
Bring or buy hand warmers at the pro shop.
The crows will open the zippers on your bags while you are putting. Snacks are at risk.
Skip the Punchbowl as a single. It looked like fun for groups, but as a single, the practice greens at each course generally have some big undulations. Imagine trying to lag a 40 foot putt over some big undulations. Ok, I hit two shots, one got within 6 feet. Now do that over and over on the punchbowl? No point unless you are with friends.
Morning itinerary: Order a shuttle from your room to the the Practice Center. You'll be there in 5+ mins including wait time for a shuttle. Hit some balls, order a breakfast sandwich from the pavilion. Order a shuttle to the course and eat your breakfast once you arrive.
The shuttles are so convenient.
Airport: landed at 1:23pm at OTH. There is only one flight coming in at a time. The Hertz and Enterprise rental counters are right at the one and only baggage carousel. I was in my rental car at 1:45pm (20 minutes after landing!) with my golf bag. 40 mins to the course.
I played with some threesomes that were buddy trips (2x), I played with another single and a two-some (2x), and I played as a single. Was welcomed in on all occasions, so don't be concerned about inserting yourself into someone else's tee time.
I had dinner at McKee's Pub, The Puffin, and Ghost Tree. Had zero issues getting a spot as a single. Ghost Tree was such an amazing meal.
Yogurt parfait at the Trails/Preserve clubhouse was actually my favorite breakfast, but the breakfast sandwich and burrito at the Practice Center was very good.
The shoe dryers in the rooms were great. I brought two pairs of shoes and rotated, but nice to have the dryer. I ran them at night (3 hour limit) as a white noise machine.
Pants. I brought every good pair of shorts I had, but never wore them. Weather was mid 50s into the 60s the whole time. Generally comfortable, except for one windy, grey round and that's when the hand warmers and my wool hat were really helpful.
Wool socks. See above about pants. Wouldn't recommend little ankle length cotton socks.
Ranking: PD and BD at the top. If I could go back again tomorrow and play just one, I'd play PD again, because I shot my worst score there, and that influences how you think about the course. All courses were great. I originally didn't have SR on my itinerary, and even though it was cloudy and it didn't have the views it is known for, I really really liked the course.

Solo trip, some tips for those considering