Created in partnership with Paul Storie, Open Links
Over the past 15 years, I’ve made five trips to what is arguably the greatest golf resort on the planet: Bandon Dunes in southern Oregon. My first visit to the original “Dream Golf” destination was in 2010, and I’ve since returned in 2011, 2014, 2017, and most recently in 2022.
Over the course of those trips, I’ve learned quite a bit about how to plan, pace, and get the most out of the Bandon experience. If you’re thinking about making the pilgrimage, here are my best tips for making the most of your visit.
Planning Your Bandon Dunes Golf Trip
If you want to go to Bandon, it helps to plan early and stay patient.
In the past, booking a trip was fairly straightforward if you planned ahead. You could set a reminder, call when the reservation window opened, and usually secure something if you were organized. That process has changed. Bandon now uses lodging reservation drawings for certain future dates, so getting a trip on the books can take more persistence than it used to. As of now, the resort is taking standard lodging reservations through May 2027, while November–December 2027 requests are being handled through the drawings process.
If you don’t get selected right away, the best approach is simply to keep entering during each reservation window and remain flexible with your dates.
That said, smaller groups may still be able to piece together a Bandon Dunes golf trip on shorter notice. On our last visit, there were a few open tee times scattered across the sheet. If you have a smaller group and are willing to stay off property, there is still a chance you can make something work closer to your travel date. Bandon also notes that non-hotel guests may book tee times for April through mid-November more than 21 days in advance at a premium rate, which can be another option if lodging doesn’t come together.
Getting to Bandon Dunes
On my first four trips, I flew into Portland and made the roughly five-hour drive south to the resort. On my most recent trip, I flew into the nearby regional airport—Southwest Oregon Regional Airport (OTH) in North Bend—for the first time.
OTH offers connections through cities like San Francisco and Denver. While it did not save a great deal of time once layovers were factored in, I do think it saved money overall because I didn’t need to rent a car.
And that is an important point: once you’re on property, you really do not need a car. It will mostly just sit there, and with rental cars and gas being what they are, flying into OTH and taking a shuttle can be a smart option. The shuttle ride is straightforward and makes for an easy arrival.
The Portland drive is certainly manageable—especially on the way down, when everyone is excited—but after several days of walking and golf, that drive back can feel a lot longer.
I also shipped my clubs via ShipSticks, which made the travel day much easier. On a trip that covers a lot of miles and can include multiple flight connections, it was nice not to have to drag clubs through every airport and instead have them waiting for me when I arrived.
Weather at Bandon Dunes
One of the best things about Bandon Dunes is that it is playable year-round. Still, if you want your best chance at ideal conditions, summer is the safest bet.
Our most recent trip was in early August, and the weather was excellent. My first trip, in March 2010, also brought near-perfect weather: low 60s, very little rain, and calm conditions. My second March trip, in 2011, was the complete opposite—low 50s, steady rain, and even a little hail mixed in.
That’s the tradeoff. You can often find better value during the shoulder seasons, but the weather is less predictable.
On my recent summer trips, I’ve found the conditions to be more consistent, with firmer and faster turf that creates the kind of links golf Bandon is known for. If you have several first-timers in your group, I think it is worth going during peak season to improve your chances of good weather and ideal playing conditions—especially since Bandon is not the easiest destination to reach.
Suggested Bandon Dunes Golf Trip Itinerary
Below is a suggested itinerary that I’ve fine-tuned over years of traveling to Bandon. It takes into account both course proximity and overall playability.
Day 1
Travel Day
Late afternoon: Par-3 contest at Bandon Preserve
Dinner at Trail’s End
Day 2
Early morning: Bandon Dunes
Early afternoon: Bandon Trails
Dinner at McKee’s Pub
Day 3
Early morning: Sheep Ranch
Afternoon: Free time or Shorty’s (or Charlotte’s)
Early evening: Putting contest at Punchbowl
Dinner at Pacific Grill
Day 4
Early morning: Pacific Dunes
Early afternoon: Old Macdonald
Dinner at Ghost Tree Grill
Day 5
Travel Day
Itinerary Notes
I like to begin with a par-3 contest late on Day 1 because it is a travel day, and members of your group are likely coming in from all over the country. Flight delays happen, so if there is one round people might miss, it is better for that to be the par-3 than one of the regulation courses.
Based on past experience, the wind tends to pick up in the afternoons. That is why I like Bandon Trails in the afternoon on Day 2—it is set in the woods and offers a little more shelter from the wind. I also like Old Macdonald in the afternoon on Day 4 because its wide fairways and large greens give you a bit more room for error if the conditions get more difficult.
We have played 36 holes per day on previous trips, and while that is certainly doable, it can start to feel like a grind. I’ve found that the trip is more enjoyable when you build in a more casual day in the middle—one where people can sleep in, relax, and enjoy the property a bit more.
I also tried to factor in course proximity when building the schedule. Bandon Dunes and Bandon Trails are close to one another, as are Pacific Dunes and Old Macdonald. Sheep Ranch sits more on its own, which made it the natural standalone round on Day 3. We also tried to align dinners with where we finished playing each day—for example, Trail’s End after Bandon Preserve and Pacific Grill after Punchbowl.
Food at Bandon Dunes
If you have a larger group, I recommend booking dinner reservations as early as possible. At least for some of the main dinner venues, the resort now recommends reserving well in advance, and Ghost Tree Grill notes that reservations can be made up to six months before your visit.
In general, here is how I think about the dining options:
Ghost Tree Grill and The Gallery are the more upscale choices. The resort describes Ghost Tree Grill as a Pacific Northwest-inspired steakhouse and raw bar, while The Gallery & Puffin Bar has a more elevated feel in the Main Lodge.
Trail’s End and Pacific Grill feel a bit more casual.
McKee’s Pub is the most laid-back and is a great option for a relaxed dinner or post-round drink.
For lunch, I highly recommend stopping by Charlotte’s near the practice area. The pulled pork may have been the best thing I ate on my last trip.
McKee’s Pub is also a great spot for post-round beers, while the Bunker Bar at the main Lodge is the place to go if you want to keep the night going a little longer. There is a pool table, cigars, and a great late-night atmosphere there.
For breakfast, the main Lodge has an excellent buffet, and Pacific Grill is also a strong option. If you want a more substantial breakfast before your round, I would lean toward one of those.
Other Bandon Dunes Golf Trip Tips
Spend Time at Punchbowl
From late afternoon until dinner, Punchbowl is one of the best scenes on property. There is music, a bar, and plenty of banter. It is a fun, lively atmosphere every day. Just keep in mind that there are no lights, so it closes at dusk.
It is also free, which makes it one of the best values anywhere at the resort.
On-Property Transportation Is Excellent
It truly does not matter much where you stay on property because the shuttle system is incredibly efficient. We stayed in the Grove Cottages, which are farther from the main Lodge, and the shuttle would still pick us up within about five minutes.
Bandon runs an exceptionally smooth operation.
Check Out Charlotte’s Par-3
Do not overlook Charlotte’s, the 9-hole par-3 course (FKA Shorty’s) near the practice area. It’s a great extra option if your group wants more golf without the full commitment of another regulation round.
It is a fun course with creative greens and can easily be played in under two hours. The conditioning is not the same as the main courses, but it is still a great time—especially with a larger group. On one trip, we played a two-man scramble as a tensome, and it ended up being one of the most memorable parts of the entire trip.
Get a Caddie
The caddies at Bandon are world-class, and I would highly recommend using one—if not for every round, then at least once a day.
You will save your legs and get much better insight into the course, especially if it is your first trip. Several players in our group used pushcarts in the morning and took caddies in the afternoon, which worked out well.
One helpful note: you can take out “Caddie Cash” at the pro shops and charge it to your room if you need cash for tips.
Take a Hike
If you have some extra time—and some extra energy—take advantage of the hiking trails around the property. Trail maps are available at the concierge, and most of the walks are short and manageable.
I walked the Beach Trail one morning, and it was a great way to finally get down to the beach you spend so much time looking at from Bandon Dunes and Bandon Preserve.
If you are short on time, the walk to the Labyrinth takes only about 10 minutes. It is a peaceful spot dedicated to Howard McKee, one of the resort’s founders, and well worth the visit.
Do Not Rush the Experience
Yes, you could condense this trip into three days and still play all five regulation courses—18 on the afternoon of Day 1, 36 on Day 2, and 36 on Day 3.
But doing that means skipping Bandon Preserve, Punchbowl, and a lot of what makes the resort special beyond the golf.
Bandon takes some effort to get to. Because of that, I strongly recommend staying onsite and building in enough time to enjoy the full experience rather than rushing through it.
Final Thoughts
I hope this guide is helpful as you plan your own Bandon Dunes golf trip. It is one of the most special destinations in golf, and with the right planning, it can become an unforgettable experience for your group.
And if you are planning future golf trips beyond destinations like Bandon—especially trips built around a city or region rather than a self-contained resort—be sure to check out Birdie, an AI-powered golf trip planner. Give Birdie a few key pieces of information, and it can help you build an itinerary in minutes, along with flight and lodging recommendations. It is an easy way to save time and simplify the planning process for your next trip.