Best Golf Experience You've Had?

[mr_divots]

I can't travel easily with my health, so I have a couple fun experiences near home anyway.

One, I was sent to Hazeltine National by Ping for a full bag fitting. Yes, very cool. No, I don't belong on any such course or grounds at my income! lol!

 

The other was going up north to play 3 courses in Northern MN. Two at Giants Ridge in Biwabik (The Legend, and The Quarry) and then a little further north to Tower for the Wilderness at Fortune Bay Casino. Three really fun courses, and where else can you get eaten by a bear playing golf? Sadly, no longer amigos with the guy I went with.

[PlaidJacket]

For me so far it's been Bandon Dunes. I've had many others but this one was the most unique and dramatic. Me and three other guys flew to Portland and met up with one of the guys brother. It was my first and only experience playing golf in the Pacific Northwest. We went in late May 3 years ago and the weather was perfect at Bandon. By that I mean no rain-outs or winds. Temps were cool to warm. I've got to tell you; and anyone else who has been there will probably say the same. Bandon is truly a man's golf destination from start to finish and everything in between. It's expensive. I think each round cost about $300 including the caddie. The caddies double bag. If I had played Bandon's courses a few times I might skip a caddie. But trust me... you'll want one the first time for sure. My caddie knew the courses forward and backward and his green reading skills were dead on. I don't think I ever read a putt correctly. We played Pacific Dunes, Bandon Dunes, Old McDonald and Bandon Preserve; the 13 hole par three course. My favorite of the 18-hole courses was Pacific Dunes. Each of the 18-hole courses were challenging and fair. Advise: wear comfortable shoes. The turf is hard and fast.

 

We stayed in the Chrome Lake units. There are 21 of them and each one has an upstairs 2BR apt and the same downstairs. We rented two upstairs units and each man had his own king bed and bath. It was heaven. And the view and surroundings were gorgeous. These units were $600/night. 

 

Each course has it's own Pro Shop and dining facilities. (or something nearby) There are also other places I recall. Each restaurant-bar-pub at Bandon is awesome. You will not find a bad meal. The menus are are moderately priced I thought but you can drop some bucks on a fancy evening one night or two. The food in general has man grub written all over it. It's good. Everywhere. Trust me. There is also a good selection of beers, wines, etc. You won't go dry.

 

Everyone that worked at Bandon was friendly and helpful. What more can I say. Great golf, great food, great drink, great accommodations. Once we drove onto the property we never left until we had to at the end.Treat yourself one day and go. Plan to drop some serious bucks and enjoy yourself. Life's too short.

[Kenny B]

For me so far it's been Bandon Dunes. I've had many others but this one was the most unique and dramatic. Me and three other guys flew to Portland and met up with one of the guys brother. It was my first and only experience playing golf in the Pacific Northwest. We went in late May 3 years ago and the weather was perfect at Bandon. By that I mean no rain-outs or winds. Temps were cool to warm. I've got to tell you; and anyone else who has been there will probably say the same. Bandon is truly a man's golf destination from start to finish and everything in between. It's expensive. I think each round cost about $300 including the caddie. The caddies double bag. If I had played Bandon's courses a few times I might skip a caddie. But trust me... you'll want one the first time for sure. My caddie knew the courses forward and backward and his green reading skills were dead on. I don't think I ever read a putt correctly. We played Pacific Dunes, Bandon Dunes, Old McDonald and Bandon Preserve; the 13 hole par three course. My favorite of the 18-hole courses was Pacific Dunes. Each of the 18-hole courses were challenging and fair. Advise: wear comfortable shoes. The turf is hard and fast.

 

We stayed in the Chrome Lake units. There are 21 of them and each one has an upstairs 2BR apt and the same downstairs. We rented two upstairs units and each man had his own king bed and bath. It was heaven. And the view and surroundings were gorgeous. These units were $600/night. 

 

Each course has it's own Pro Shop and dining facilities. (or something nearby) There are also other places I recall. Each restaurant-bar-pub at Bandon is awesome. You will not find a bad meal. The menus are are moderately priced I thought but you can drop some bucks on a fancy evening one night or two. The food in general has man grub written all over it. It's good. Everywhere. Trust me. There is also a good selection of beers, wines, etc. You won't go dry.

 

Everyone that worked at Bandon was friendly and helpful. What more can I say. Great golf, great food, great drink, great accommodations. Once we drove onto the property we never left until we had to at the end.Treat yourself one day and go. Plan to drop some serious bucks and enjoy yourself. Life's too short.

It is a really great experience. My wife and I stayed at the lodge at the Bandon Dunes course overlooking the ocean and 1st tee. When we arrived at 3pm it was pouring rain and 20 mph wind. It rained all night, the rain beating on our windows. When we got up in the morning, it was still raining. Had breakfast in the dining room looking out over the ocean when the sun came out. It was beautiful the rest of the day. Yes, the caddies double bag, but it was the same price as two caddies and I wanted my own. Actually, my wife wanted to bring hers home!! Yes, it is expensive, but it is a real experience. I'll go back.

[Mike Z]

Last year, as a whole, was my best golf experience.  Truly, a bucket list year.  In May we had a foursome go to Ireland.  Warm up round at Killarney Golf and Fishing Club and then Waterville, Ballybunion and Lahinch.  Two months later I got a chance to play Oakland Hills CC (and even though I am from the area I never before had the chance to play it).  Then in December I played a round at Torrey Pines.  Somehow on a Saturday I got out off the tee by myself.  It was so awesome to take in that place at my own pace.  Only had to worry about keeping pace of play between a threesome ahead and four behind.  Plenty of time to take it all in.  Toward the end of the round, the threesome ahead finally asked me to join them - great guys all in from Denver to see the Broncos play.  Had a couple of cocktails with them after the round.  Turns out they were all from Cherry Hill.  If I ever get to Denver, I might have a chance to play there.

 

That is a year that will be tough to beat.  I am very grateful that I had all those opportunities.