Pebble vs. Bandon: Our Readers Chime In

A lot of West Coast golfers have played all six main courses at Pebble Beach and Bandon Dunes, and they've got strong opinions on which deserves to get your hard-earned dollars. We found that out after a late summer e-blast to FG readers and members of the California-based VIP Golf Club. The effort brought a wealth of responses from across the spectrum -- low handicappers, frequent travelers, guy-trip aficionadoes and married adventurers.

Ultimately, the battle came up a virtual draw. Here's a look at the blow-by-blow.

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I have had the pleasure of playing all six courses within the last three years, both in competition and for pleasure. I would rate both facilities highly, but different in terms of overall experience. Pebble Beach is located in a quaint location offering a pampering situation where Bandon is a pure golf destination.

Take a look at the customer profile at both locations; there are more men playing golf, smoking cigars, and enjoying each other fellowship at Bandon versus the customer profile at Pebble where there are mixed genders not focusing their total experience around golf. There are more shops, restaurants, and sites offered at Pebble. It is a golf destination with more outside amenities to choose from.

In terms of golf, I love both Pebble Beach and Spyglass and could take or leave Spanish Bay. I also love Pacific Dunes and Bandon Dunes and could take or leave Bandon Trials, although I enjoy Bandon Trails more than Spanish Bay. All these courses offer quality golf, great history, different and similar architecture and great scenery and ambiance.

I have been to Bandon four times in the last five years with a group of eight or more. There is no place better to bring a bunch of fellow golfers to enjoy 36 holes a day with appropriate accommodations, good food both at the resort and in the town of Bandon. It has the feel of Scotland — few other places in the United States give us Americans that feeling.
You will not find that type of experience at Pebble Beach. First, it is tough to get the opportunity to play 36 holes in a day. Second, the experience is one of a high-end resort. Third is the affordability factor. Pebble would cost roughly twice the amount to stay and play than Bandon. For the true golf nut, the cost differential probably does not fit into the pocketbook. This is not to say Bandon is cheap.

Again, I think both places are great to play and one should enjoy the surrounding areas for what they are — one a pure golf destination and the other a quality high end resort with vast amenities and pleasures. They both should be rated highly. — Dean Menante, Reno, Nevada

Not a tough choice. I have played Bandon the last four years, all three courses (Trails the last two years since it opened) and the troika at Pebble in 2001. I have to go with Bandon. It is a golf only destination with no other distractions. There are no houses, hotels or roads to be seen. The courses test you to the maximum; Pacific is almost beyond my capability. I love the walking-only rule, the views are as breathtaking as the holes themselves, the accommodations are spacious and the food is down to earth and delicious.

Pebble is on a par with Bandon Dunes and has the history and mystique, Spyglass to a lesser extent. Spanish Bay is hard to even remember, whereas I can picture virtually every hole at the Bandon courses. As to value, I can pay for a three-day package at Bandon in winter that includes golf, room and six meals for not much more than just one round of golf at Pebble alone. They are overpriced for even an above average income, let alone someone in the middle. — Scott Raaum, 
Walnut Creek, Calif.

Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with Bandon Dunes, but if someone from there were to read this email and give me some free golf I would not object. I am a 1-handicap from the state of Washington and I play golf frequently.
I have been lucky enough to play all of the Pebble Beach courses on three separate occasions since 1999, and I’ve played all of the Bandon Dunes courses on four separate trips — some tournaments, some fun trips. On my last trip to Bandon Dunes in August 2006, a friend and I played seven rounds in three days, including a round on Bandon Dunes, Bandon Trails, and Pacific Dunes all on the same day.

I truly enjoyed all six golf courses over the years, but in my mind there is no contest...Bandon Dunes wins hands down for several reasons:

1. Although Pebble Beach and Spyglass Hill have some memorable and legendary golf holes (mostly on Pebble Beach), there isn’t much at Spyglass Hill. The combination of memorable, unique and challenging golf holes at the three Bandon Courses far outweighs the Pebble Beach golf holes.

2. Pacific Dunes may be one of the greatest courses in the world and provides you with different challenges on almost every hole. Is there any golf hole on Pacific Dunes that is not memorable?

3. The “golf experience” at Bandon Dunes is much more memorable and fulfilling. When you are at Pebble, the hotel services and golf are extraordinary, but unless you are a millionaire, in the back of your mind you’re always reminded that this is an exclusive, posh resort. At Pebble you are surrounded by mansions that remind you how poor you really are. This is especially true when the bill arrives. When you are at Bandon, even though you still spend a lot of money, you always feel that golf is the reason you are there and that any person can walk up and play these courses. You see the ocean on one side and the forest on the other. You are happy to pay the bill when you leave and you can’t wait to make your next reservation. Bandon’s replay rate helps you digest the money you spend to play, especially when you play three times in one day.

4. Caddies — The sheer abundance of caddies at Bandon will ensure that almost all players will get a caddie if they wish. You can get anyone from a local high school kind to aspiring golf pros to seasoned old timers.

5. Practice Facilities — Bandon has unlimited real estate and established an outstanding practice facility. At Pebble and Spyglass you feel squeezed into the small amount of space available for practicing.

6. Carts at Pebble and the rounds last at least 5 hours. No carts at Bandon and the rounds last 4 1/2 hours maximum.

7. All of my comments above are backed up by the “official” cumulative course rankings in the big golf publications. — Greg Reese, Seattle, Wash.

It’s been awhile since I played Pebble; it’s too costly and too hard to get on, though I have played the others on several trips in the last few years. My wife and I took a trip to Bandon last fall and I must say it’s as good as it gets for golf. But other than the golf at Bandon the food choices are limited and just OK. A group of guys would for sure have a better time at Bandon: Golf, Drink, Sleep, repeat as needed. But otherwise Pebble is still KING. — Chuck West, California

My wife and I have never played either course and unless we hit the lottery, we cannot afford to play these outrageously expensive courses as seniors. We could not afford them when we were working and raising children. They give no discount to anyone including the military (I am a Vietnam Veteran). The only time they make price adjustments is during the winter months when there is a great chance that you will either freeze to death or be blown off the course.  In fact local Oregonians have turned their back on Bandon Dunes as they get little break for being a resident.

These courses have perpetuated the decline in golfing in America. The golfing establishment wonders why the numbers of golfers is stagnant.  It is simple: all the new courses with these celebrity designers or former/current pro golfers are built at extravagant costs. Now, Tiger has come along and I hear he is getting paid $15 million for his design services. So on top of these outrageous design fees (when in fact you are only buying a name — architects do the real design), you still have to build a course.  They then come in at over $10 million, resulting in outrageous fees and overpriced developments. Many other courses feel they have to copy this defective business model in order to succeed, bring in a celebrity designer and start charging outrageous green fees.

I played a course in Nebraska off Interstate 80 called Wildhorse which was built by farmers for a million and change. They brought in a young architect and he designed a fabulous links golf course which has won raves in all the golf publications.  The fees were reasonable and I would return and play that course 30 times for the cost of playing the Bandon group once.

Finally, if I was foolish enough to spend my hard-earned money playing these elite courses, then after spending all that money, guess how much money would I have left to play the courses in my area? Very little or none. These outrageous courses have taken even more money away from the local golfing community.

I think your research/contest should be directed to finding the best courses in this country that do not attempt to break a golfer’s pocketbook. These courses stand up for Americans by giving us a great value, versus the country club arrogance so commonly displayed by the golfing establishment and CEOs of this country. Even the USGA is a great example of this arrogance by holding its championship at courses that 95% of Americans cannot play, let alone get on the property.  No U.S. Open Championship should ever be played on a course that is not open to the American public.

Please do us a service and either discontinue your contest or redirect it toward the great Americans who make up this country. — Mike Sickels, Oregon

I have not had the pleasure of playing any of these courses, though as an assistant at the Wigwam Golf Resort I worked with a gentleman who became the starter at Pebble Beach back in the early ’80s.

Some close friends went out to play 36 holes a day on their trip to Pebble Beach with that connection. They still thank me 25 years later.

If I would have the opportunity I would take my Father who is trying to shoot his age this year at 72. He has had a couple of 75 already and won all the tournaments at his club The Tippecanoe Lake Country Club in Indiana.
Pebble Beach is Number 1. — David Kissell

I’ve had the pleasure of playing Pebble Beach, Spyglass Hill, Spanish Bay, Bandon Dunes, Pacific Dunes and Bandon Trails. If you’re looking to crown a champion, the title goes to the Bandon Dunes Resort.

The Resorts: Pebble Beach Resorts does a world-class job of providing an all-around resort experience with accommodations and fine dining at The Lodge and The Inn at Spanish Bay, and my wife certainly had no complaints about the spa at Pebble Beach, but when you go to Bandon Dunes, it’s all about the golf there — and they make no bones about it.

Bandon Dunes Resort provides high quality accommodations and the dining experiences offer a little something for everyone (actually, they offer A LOT of something for everyone given the huge portions that I was told are “typical Oregon”), but from the initial reservation phone call to the check-out experience, it is all about the golf. And rightly so. if you don’t like, or don’t play, golf, then Bandon is not for you. But if you love golf, then Bandon is the be all, end all. As I’ve told anyone who will listen, “If there’s golf in heaven, it probably looks a lot like Bandon Dunes.”

The Golf: I played Pebble Beach in January 2002, Spanish Bay in September 2005, and Spyglass Hill in August 2007. Pebble Beach was beautiful, challenging, and fun. But there’s a stretch of holes on the back-9 that are certainly lackluster. And if I didn’t keep playing Pebble Beach in the Tiger Woods video game, I’m sure I would have forgotten some of the holes. Is it worth $500 a round to play there? Sure, but only as long as someone else is paying and they’re able to use it as a tax write-off. I played Spyglass Hill most recently and the course lived up to its legendary challenge. I have a vacation timeshare in Carmel and so we visit the area fairly regularly. Would I play Spyglass Hill again? Maybe — but that’s only if I got tired of playing Spanish Bay. Of the three courses in the Pebble Beach Resorts lineup, Spanish Bay is my favorite. I love a links course. But I think Spanish Bay is my favorite mostly because it reminds me of Bandon Dunes.

I played the three courses at Bandon Dunes in June 2007 (Pacific Dunes twice). Bandon Dunes and Pacific Dunes are as true a links test as you’ll find on the West Coast. Bandon Trails seems to make the most of its coastal northwest setting and offers a nice change of pace to its coast-hugging sisters. I don’t have any of the courses on my Tiger Woods video game, but I can remember every single hole in the entire Bandon Dunes complex. Is there a true signature hole among the three courses? No. There are 54 signature holes in the complex. There was not a single disappointing moment — except maybe for the 9 I took on #7 at Bandon Trails.

As a side note, I also have to say that our caddy (Tyrone) at Bandon could run circles around the caddies I had at Pebble Beach, Spanish Bay and Spyglass Hill.

And while I pick Bandon as the overall winner, I have to add that the prize for best finishing hole among the six courses, and perhaps in all of golf, has to go to Pebble Beach. But it was even better before they took that tree out!

Ambience, Value, Service: I said it before: Bandon Dunes is all about the golf. You feel it the second you drive in the gate. The Pebble Beach Resort has the fortunate distraction of the beautiful Monterey Peninsula and 17-Mile Drive, which is very nice and all, but golf seems more of an accessory to the scenery.

As for value, the prize goes to Bandon hands down. First round of the day is under $200, the replay rate is $100, and if you have enough daylight, you can go out again for free. FREE! I played 44 holes our first day and then 36 holes the second day for less than what it cost me to play 18 at Spyglass Hill. Add in caddy fees and gratuities and the 44-hole day was still less than the green fee at Pebble Beach. And don’t even get me started on comparing the cost of food...
The level of service, I would have to say, is where the resorts are tied. Service at both locales is superior. Granted, once they get to know you at Bandon, things get a little more laid back (which I like — c’mon, it’s Oregon), whereas at the Pebble Beach resorts they maintain the, as I call it, “Mr. Fong Treatment” as in, “How did you play, Mr. Fong?” “Is there anything else I can get for you Mr. Fong?” “May I tie your shoelaces for you Mr. Fong?” That level of service hits right back against the “value” column, though, as it made me feel like I needed to tip the guy who used an air compressor to blow grass off my spikes and out of the cuffs of my pants after my round. It was like landing on the Luxury Tax square in Monopoly, only I gave the guy $5 instead of $75. “Thank you Mr. Fong!”

Overall, I can’t sing the praises loud enough for Bandon Dunes. Pebble Beach has its spectacular finishing hole and that photogenic little #7 (but I played it with no wind so it was just a little punched wedge shot straight at the flag), how Phil Mickelson shot a 62 at Spyglass Hill is beyond me (but it’s nice to see his scorecard framed in the pro shop), and I will definitely return to Spanish Bay for my Monterey Peninsula golf fix. But for my money, it will always be Bandon Dunes. — Curtis Fong, Corte Madera, Calif.

Pebble Beach hands down. The courses are comparable and hard to decide between but for the rest of your criteria it is no contest. Ease to get to, Carmel & Monterey, Big Sur, available accommodations, overall ambiance, etc. Overall it is absolutely Pebble Beach. For the diehard golf fan who is not looking for anything else, Bandon is as preferable.
Also, the weather overall is definitely better at Pebble. — Jim Garvin, Newport Beach, Calif.

Having grown up near Pebble Beach (San Jose area), I have had plenty of opportunities to find myself on that hallowed ground we call Pebble. I have played these three Monterey courses numerous times (having been a Duke’s Club member, which gives you huge discounts at Spyglass and Spanish Bay) and having marshaled in numerous AT&T Pro/Ams and the 1992 US Open at Pebble, I am somewhat partial.

Having said that, I have been to Bandon Dunes twice: The first time when only Bandon Dunes was open (they had the first 9 holes of Pacific Dunes completed) and then I returned there last year and played all three. I find these courses to be exceptionally outstanding. In fact, they truly qualify and signify the special honor of being called “links courses.” I so look forward to returning to Bandon playing at least these three and, if after 2010, all four of their world-class courses!
As much as I have loved the experience of what Bandon has to offer, I must go with my heart and all the heritage and aura that accompanies the thoughts and memories of Pebble Beach. If I had but one last round to play, I must say that I would play it at Pebble Beach.

As Jack Nicklaus has stated, “I loved this course (Pebble) since the first time I saw it. It’s possibly the finest course in the world”. Tom Watson, another lover of links golf (just consider his British Open success), said, “Pebble Beach is the closest thing to perfection in a golf course.”

I rest my case on the reputation and record of these two men. I think they may know a thing or two about great golf courses! — Steve Henderson, Carlsbad, Calif.

I have played three Pebble courses — Pebble Beach, Spyglass, and Poppy Hills. In may of 2005 I stayed at Bandon and played all three. I think Pacific Dunes is the most beautiful golf course I’ve ever played. The Trails was definitely a great test of golf and a superb design, but I thought the other two were spectacular. My vote goes to Bandon. — Kevin Becker, California

It has been about seven years since I last played the Pebble courses. Since that time I have played at Bandon Dunes three times, twice since the Trails opened. I have to go with the Bandon area as the best overall golf experience — true golf without the frills. It’s walking only on courses that appear to be part of the land. Pebble has become a place where people play to be able to say they have played Pebble Beach. People want to look good around the lodge and look important. Bandon is where people play just because they enjoy the game. No frills in the clubhouse, lounge, dining room or in the accommodations.

Avid golfers will love Bandon. Those who would like to be pampered will not. Avid golfers will also love Pebble Beach but will have to put up “spa” people and those trying to impress those around them. Bandon is pure golf. Pebble offers much more in luxury accommodations, amenities and dining choices and certainly more upscale dining choices.

I should mention that I just returned from five days at Bandon today. I truly love both places but am inspired when playing the courses at Bandon. — Gerry MacDonald, Sparks, Nev.

I have not played all the courses, but I have played Pebble Beach, Bandon Dunes and Pacific Dunes. 
There is no doubt in my mind that Pebble Beach is the winner. I played in March 2005 on an absolute perfect day, sunshine and no wind. Besides the course being in excellent shape and fun to play, you could not help but stand there and soak up the history of the game. The bunker at 17 where Watson holed out, the fairway at 6 looking up and wondering how Tiger ever got up in two, the tee box at 7. Need I go on? The Lodge was great and the service excellent and going into Monterey for dinner was outstanding.

I played Bandon and Pacific in June 2007. While the whole experience was great — the cottages, restaurants, the Bunker at night — and the golf was excellent though extra windy when we played Pacific, the atmosphere does not live up to that of Pebble. Not to take anything away from the Bandon courses, but in my mind there is no match to Pebble. — David Guzman, Clovis, Calif.

Having played both areas several times, the Monterey Bay courses in my mind spank Bandon’s attempts. Bandon is nice (c’mon, we’re playing golf) but as far as scenery, overall aesthetics and the experience, Pebble, Cypress, Spanish Bay, etc. is quite a step above. — Chas Halcomb, Santa Cruz, Calif.

If you’re looking for a golf “resort,” Pebble is your place. If you’re looking for a golf “mecca,” Bandon is hands down your choice.

I live in the San Francisco Bay Area and my buddies and I play either Spyglass, Spanish Bay, or Pebble once a month. We also take a yearly trip, usually at the end of September toward the middle of October, to Bandon.

The six courses are arguably the best anywhere and I’ve played all over the world.

Should you be looking for a wonderful, albeit very expensive, getaway with your wife and in-laws, take them to Pebble Beach and play three great golf courses, play tennis on perfect courts, stay at the finest of hotels, eat world class meals, shop in the finest boutiques, and then totally relax at the spa.

At Bandon, you take your pals and play golf, talk about golf, eat great reasonably priced food, drink at the pub, play poker and smoke cigars in the Bunker, stay in a reasonably priced (hardly used) room, and then play more golf.

1. Golf enthusiast (with a decent sized checking account) = Pebble Beach Resort

2. Golf freak = Bandon Dunes

I’m a 2! — Kevin L. Fry, San Ramon, Calif.

I have been fortunate enough to play at both resorts and all six courses multiple times. I would give a definite edge to Bandon Dunes.

There are a few reasons, but first would be cost. If you were to book a three or four day trip and play 36 holes at each venue, the cost of playing Pebble, Spyglass and Spanish Bay would be astronomical when you include lodging. We have worked a similar trip to Bandon Dunes very economically. They have a replay rate which helps quite a bit when playing multiple rounds.

Next would be practice facilities. Again the edge goes to Bandon Dunes with a phenomenal practice facility. The range at Pebble is average at best; Spyglass has a pretty range but again just average. Lodging is about equal. There is a nice variety and quality at both but cost is again a factor, and Bandon Dunes wins this battle.

Finally, the golf courses. I actually prefer Spyglass Hill to Pebble Beach and I do really like Spanish Bay, but as far as strategic golf, all of the courses at Bandon Dunes have it, especially in variety of shots and shot selection. I have played many of the courses in Scotland and I don’t know how they were able to replicate the ground conditions at Bandon Dunes, but it is very similar in the shots you have to play on the ground. The only edge I give to Pebble Beach is tradition and history, but in the near future I believe that Bandon Dunes will host some important events. — Geoff Koren, San Diego, Calif.

I have played Spanish, Poppy and Pebble, but have yet to compare them to Bandon. I have had several friends play the Bandon courses and say they are extremely challenging, but fair. Overall, compared to the Pebble Beach area courses, we all seem to vote for Spyglass. They are all probably the best courses around on the West Coast. — Todd Provines, San Jose, Calif.

Although all the courses are fun to play, Pebble Beach has the best views, most tradition, and most storied history. It is a magical place that cannot be imitated or duplicated, anywhere. — Gerry Kataoka, Pleasant Hill, Calif.

Bandon Dunes is the spirit of golf as it is meant to be. The ambience of the environment is unquestionably unmatched on the West Coast. You go to Bandon Dunes for a golf experience that is almost spiritual in many ways. There is no pretense. — Norman Nash, Reno, Nevada

I haven’t played the courses at Bandon Dunes, but I have played at Pebble Beach, just last year, and there is no doubt in my mind that Pebble Beach is the Crown Jewel of the Pacific Coast. Bandon Dunes is probably more difficult, but the absolute beauty of Pebble has no equal ... and who cannot dream of walking down the 18th at Pebble with one’s caddy alongside, in awe of the view and the history of this magnificent golf course. I vote for Pebble Beach. — Jay Risso

I’ve had the pleasure of playing all courses at Pebble Beach and Bandon Trails. Hands down Pebble Beach gets my vote. — Jason Hyatt, California

To me Spyglass Hill is “The Pebble Beach” of Pebble Beach — thanks to the character, difficulty and fantastic condition it seems to always be in. My attitude might have to do with the abundance of play Pebble Beach gets, and what I think is a course that gets played on pure nostalgia basis and the “I will play Pebble Beach at least one time in my lifetime” attitude.

As for the golf courses in Oregon, I have only seen Bandon Dunes up close (and even then only a few holes) to have an honest professional opinion. I hope to someday play these Oregon courses to experience each one’s character and have a good overall opinion about California’s best against Oregon’s best. I have played Spyglass Hill twice (1999, 2006) and Pebble Beach in 2006 in an NCGA-sponsored tournament.

The ambiance at Pebble Beach and overall experience is at times magical, and overwhelming to some; it can have them shooting 100 or more before they even tee off. At the beginning of your round, under the scorecard they put a questionnaire. What if they asked, “If you rate all of these categories a 10, but shoot a 101, would you really have fun?”

I have another question. Why not slip in Poppy Hills, Poppy Ridge, and Pasatiempo too? Are you trying to reach a certain demographic only? The toughest golf course I have EVER played by far is Pasatiempo in a State Amateur qualifying tournament (Olympic Club is second, Koolau on Oahu third, and The Dragon at Nakoma [now Nakoma Resort] fourth.

My best experience ever was playing the Olympic Club on my 30th birthday in 2001, being on the first hole, one-putting the final green for my 25th putt of the day, shooting a 81, and finally the clubhouse afterwards. I cannot explain or tell you how much emotion I felt, not just in the clubhouse, but over that day.

I must admit the first of my three holes in one is tied with my best experience, not only because it was in a Men’s Club Championship, not because it was witnessed by 40 or so of my golfing friends, not because it put me in the lead, not because I was given $485 for this feat, but simply because one man witnessed it — and when the ball was in flight he told my ball to ”Get in the Hole!” That was my father. (After writing and reading this, I would have to say by far this was and is my No. 1 golfing experience.)

Thank you for giving me a chance to tell and re-capture something very nostalgic and rewarding to me — James C. Hadley, San Lorenzo, Calif.

I would vote for the Bandon golf courses, specifically Pacific Dunes. I like the fact that they are walking only courses — with the possibility of a caddy. Also they are links style courses. — Tom Craig, California

I’ve had the pleasure of playing most of the Monterey Peninsula and all three courses in Bandon. To me, value is part of the equation. The Bandon experience was truly special and to play four rounds for the cost of just playing Pebble, made it even better. Two years ago, I grabbed my brothers and golfing buddies to make a pilgrimage to Bandon. We’re from Connecticut and I run an annual NFL golf event in Northern California each year. Figuring we’re almost all the way there, a trip to Bandon was a must.

We drove 8 hours from the bay area to Oregon, driving through majestic redwoods and visiting Big Foot along the way, which made it fun. We stayed overnight and were first off on Bandon Dunes the next morning. We got a little of everything – rain, wind, sunshine, calmness – all in one round. Then we took advantage of their replay special and tackled Pacific Dunes that afternoon. What a treat, topped off with multiple pints and story telling in the pub that evening. You felt like you were in Ireland (I’ve been there too).

Next day, we were the first off to play Bandon Trails, which again threw a bit of everything at us weather-wise. Again we walked another 36, playing Pacific Dunes one last time before heading out that night for Portland as we played 54 holes at Pumpkin Ridge the following day before catching the red-eye back to the East coast. That’s 126 holes in three days, tons of laughs and one great road trip.

The Bandon management was incredible. I dropped them a line saying how much we enjoyed our experience and being a marketing guru, I commented on how much I like that they had commemorated the opening of Bandon Trails with a coin, given to all those who played the first day it opened. I had mentioned that our group was the first to officially play the course on a Tuesday, since it had just opened the Wednesday before and they sent out coins for the whole group. That class act has garnered them so much, as I continue to sing their praises and send friends and associates out their way.

To me, golf is a function of value. When you factored in their replay special, we played four rounds for around $400 — how do you beat that? Bandon isn’t a machine either, and there is no pretense — it’s you and golf as it should be.

Here’s an example: If you gave me a choice between paying $400 to play Pinehurst No. 2 and $65 for Bethpage Black, it’s Bethpage every time (plus it’s simply a better track anyway). I once ran an event in Pinehurst, who act like golfers should cater to them instead of the other way around. I got so upset with their attitude that I cancelled one of the rounds, booked a coach bus and took my 64 players down the road to play Tobacco Road, sight unseen. Everyone in the tournament, except for one, thought Tobacco Road was better than anything they played at Pinehurst, which includes No. 2. I saved the event $10,000 in doing so and had more satisfied golfers.  I believe at the time Tobacco Road was around $60 and No. 2 was about $380.

Don’t get me wrong, the Monterey experience is indeed great and if someone has the chance and means to experience it, they should. However, Bandon somehow was a notch better. Maybe it was the unpretentiousness, certainly the value — it’s always good to get a good deal. I can’t point to just one thing but they’ve got it. It’s not about the score – it’s about the memory. — Jim Keenan, New Bedford, Mass.

I have had the pleasure of playing all six courses — Pebble about three years ago, Spyglass a few times and Spanish Bay also. While these were excellent venues to play and are rated highly in my memory bank, the trip to Bandon Dunes, for the total golf experience (five days in August 2007) was indeed the best time. The caddies at Bandon made my rounds really enjoyable. The three courses at Bandon were links style to the max, very enjoyable and a 10 1/2 on vistas. In my opinion Bandon is the place to visit. — J. Jackson, South San Francisco, Calif.