Sandpines Golf Links

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10 Essential Tips for Playing Sandpines Golf Links – A PGA Pro’s Guide

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Florence Golf Links (better known as Sandpines Golf Links), located in the scenic Florence, Oregon, offers a stunning yet challenging golf experience along the Pacific Coast. With its links-style layout, unpredictable weather, and dynamic coastal winds, it’s crucial to be prepared. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a novice, these 10 expert tips will help you improve your game at Florence Golf Links and make the most of your round.

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1. Choose the Right Tee Box for Your Game

With six different tee options ranging from 5,245 to 6,877 yards, selecting the appropriate tee box is crucial. The course’s location at sea level subjects it to coastal winds and cooler temperatures, which can significantly affect ball flight. These elements often result in shorter distances than usual, so choose tees that match your skill level and the day’s conditions for an optimal experience.

Pro Tip: If you’re unsure, err on the side of choosing a shorter tee, as it will help you manage the course’s challenges more effectively.

2. Understand and Respect the Wind

Florence Golf Links is renowned for its coastal winds. Whether the wind is at your back or in your face, adjusting your club selection is vital. Windy conditions can make a significant difference to ball distance and trajectory. When the wind is strong, use a lower club for a tailwind and a higher one for a headwind.

Remember: “When it’s windy, swing easy” — a great mantra for controlling your shots on windy days.

3. Master the Bump-and-Run for Low Shots

Florence’s firm, fast fairways and greens make the bump-and-run shot an essential tool in your arsenal. High, soft shots may not hold the greens due to wind and speed. Instead, practice using a 7-iron or 8-iron for low, controlled shots that roll smoothly toward the pin, especially on greens that are hard to stick.

Pro Tip: Practice your bump-and-run technique on the driving range to gain confidence when the conditions call for it.

4. Always Take an Extra Club on Par 3s

The Par 3 holes at Florence Golf Links are among the toughest in Oregon, with two requiring a carry over water and all playing longer than their listed yardage. To maximize your chances of success, it’s wise to take an extra club, ensuring you make it over any hazards and reach the green with ease.

Tip: Aim for the center of the green for a safer approach, rather than going directly for the pin.

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5. Leverage the Terrain for Extra Distance

The undulating terrain at Florence Golf Links offers opportunities to gain extra distance or position. By reading the subtle breaks in the fairways and greens, you can position your shots to take advantage of natural rolls. Utilize the terrain to guide your ball toward the center of the fairway or help it roll closer to the pin.

Pro Tip: Learn the layout of the course before your round to better anticipate how the land will affect your shots.

6. Be Prepared for Fast and Slippery Greens

Florence Golf Links is famous for its fast greens. These greens are firm, often requiring precise putting. Focus on controlling the speed of your putts—too firm and they’ll roll off the green; too soft and they may fall short. Practicing your lag putting will help you handle the pace with greater control.

Pro Tip: Spend extra time on the practice green before your round to become comfortable with the speed of the greens.

7. Play Smart in the Bunkers

Florence features strategically placed bunkers around the greens. If you land in one, it’s essential to focus on getting the ball out with a controlled swing, aiming for the center of the green or a safe position for your next shot. Avoid trying to overpower bunker shots—a smooth, steady swing is key.

Tip: Practice bunker shots at the course’s practice area to fine-tune your technique before your round.

8. Be Ready for Changing Weather Conditions

Florence, Oregon, is known for unpredictable weather. Expect the possibility of rain, fog, or rapid temperature changes. Dress in layers and bring waterproof gear, including a windbreaker, hat, and gloves. A light jacket or umbrella is also useful for sudden rain showers.

Tip: Check the weather forecast before heading out, and plan for unpredictable shifts in conditions.

9. Stay Out of the Rough

The thick rough at Florence Golf Links can be punishing, especially with the mounding that lines many of the holes. It’s difficult to get a clean strike from the rough, so aim for the fairway with each shot. Hitting fairways consistently will give you a better chance to avoid trouble and set up easier approaches to the greens.

Pro Tip: Focus on making controlled, accurate shots off the tee to stay in the fairway and avoid penalty strokes.

10. Cultivate Patience and Consistency

Florence Golf Links is a true test of patience and mental toughness. The unpredictable weather, fast greens, and challenging terrain can be frustrating. However, by focusing on sticking to your game plan and making smart decisions, you’ll be able to keep your cool. Consistency is key to mastering this course.

Pro Tip: If you encounter a tough hole or challenging weather, take a deep breath, reset, and stick to your strategy.

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Meet The Team: Director of Golf – Nik Remer

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Everyone knows and loves our Director of Golf, Nik!

Nik has a history that runs deep with Sandpines Golf Links, and we are so very lucky to have him as the face of our operations!

A wealth of knowledge, learn more about Nik’s journey (back) to Sandpines & Florence:

“I was born in Oregon, but my childhood was far from typical. My entrepreneurial parents moved frequently, and by the time I was 12, I had already lived in Oregon, Hawaii, California, Nevada, and back to Oregon.

In 1991, we settled here in Florence, where I discovered my passion for golf. At the time, my family had just opened The Westward Ho! Paddle boat business, which kept my parents busy, leaving me searching for something to do. My dad, an avid golfer with a single-digit handicap, was eager to introduce me to the game. I spent my summer at Ocean Dunes Golf Links, where the golf pro, Vern Smith, took me under his wing. In exchange for cleaning carts and picking balls on the range, I had free access to the course and early instruction from Vern, which set me on the right path with my swing.

By 1993, I was playing on my high school’s state championship golf team and working my first paying job at Sandpines Golf Club, a new course in Florence. I was hired as a cart kid under Jim Skaugstad, the first golf professional at Sandpines. Over the next few years, I balanced high school, golf, and working at the course. My game progressed to the point where I earned a spot in the 1996 U.S. Junior Amateur in Flagstaff, Arizona, and received a golf scholarship to Portland State University.

After college, I took a job at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club, where I spent four summers at their Ghost Creek course. There, I started the PGA program and learned to teach from top instructors such as Jerry Mowlds, Verne Perry, Bruce Furman, and Christopher Smith. It was at Pumpkin Ridge, mentored by Ben Hay and Dylan Campy, where I discovered my love for teaching golf.

In the winters, I spent time in Indian Wells, California, at a private club called The Reserve and eventually moved to La Quinta full-time in 2003. The Coachella Valley, with over 120 golf courses and perfect weather, became my new home. I earned a position as an assistant golf pro at Bermuda Dunes Country Club, a prestigious club where over the next 10 years I was able to become a PGA member, advance through the ranks, and host the Bob Hope Classic for many years. Over that time I got married, became a father, and was promoted all the way to Director of Golf. I grew in my career and life, but my passion for teaching and helping others improve their game remained constant.

In 2014, when my daughter Violet turned 3, the desire to raise our family in Oregon grew stronger. Unfortunately, the catalyst for our move was a cancer diagnosis for both my father and father-in-law within six months of each other. Christina and I decided to move back to Florence in 2015 to be closer to family. During the next few years, I worked for my in-laws at the Oregon Home Center. We welcomed our son Mikey into the world, and spent a winter in San Jose del Cabo, Mexico, as the Director of Instruction at Querencia Golf Club.

In 2018, I heard that Sandpines Golf Club had been sold and renamed Florence Golf Links. I sent the new owners a letter, hoping for an opportunity to return to my roots. I shared my experience in the golf industry and expressed my love for raising a family in Florence. In June of 2019, I was hired as the General Manager and Head Professional at Florence Golf Links. Coming back to the course where my golf career began has been one of my proudest moments. It is why I was so thrilled to be able to contribute to the restart of the Siuslaw high school golf program after it had been gone over a decade! 

Over the past five years, our family’s connection to Florence has deepened. We settled into our forever home, adopted a golden retriever named Caramel and a German Shepherd named Chai, and now have two cats, 10 chickens, and a 5-foot ball python named Uni. Christina has been the middle school art teacher for several years, and both kids thrive in school, enjoy the performing arts, sports, and love their hometown.

Today, I’m incredibly grateful for the journey that brought me full circle. I am excited to share my passion for golf through our community’s youth programs. Watching my own children, Violet and Mikey, grow in the game, along with other young golfers, is incredibly rewarding. My love for golf, my family, and my community have shaped who I am and it’s very fulfilling to be able to give back to a sport and community that has meant so much to me throughout my life.”

Nik Remer

Director of Golf, Florence Golf Links

PGA Member