Sand Valley Golf Resort - Sand Valley Course

When the original Sand Valley course opened in 2016, it made a strong statement about the viability of linksy – or, more accurately, heathland-style – golf in the American interior. Even as other architects have sought to outdo Coore & Crenshaw’s effort here, the original course remains strong, with stunning variety on firm, fast turf.

It can be quite scoreable, but never feels like it panders to golfers with abundantly easy holes. Even the massive punchbowl long par-3 17th is tricky in its own way. Even after more courses have come on line, there will be plenty of golfers who feel the S.V. O.G. remains their favorite course at the resort. It is tough to argue with them.

This was my 2nd trip to Sand Valley resort, but it was my first time actually playing Sand Valley. Sand Valley sits away from the main clubhouse, and seems mysterious given that all you really see from the main site is Craig's porch.

Standing on the first tee, you're greeted with a sprawling layout, where it's obvious very little dirt was moved to create the tough, but fair and fun layout you're about to tackle.

The opener is actually fairly easy, and is driveable for longer hitters. But it isn't very long before you're hit with a series of really challenging holes where great shots are rewarded, but less that stellar shots are repelled by the runoff areas around the greens.

Sand Valley really presents a nice contrast to Mammoth Dunes. While Mammoth is wide and forgiving and more "shaped", Sand Valley is rougher around the edges, a bit more penal and definitely requires more thinking to get around. Our caddies said that most golfers shoot 7-10 shots higher on Sand Valley. This was definitely true for me.

Speaking of caddies. Our foursome had two great ones. I definitely recommend spending for the caddies. They made the entire experience even better.

With Sedge Valley opening in 2 years, and options for guests to play Lido, Sand Valley is going to be the premier Midwest golf resort. And the namesake/original course will always be a must play!

First off-SV is notches below Bandon Dunes .Service from front desk was lacking big time. I still haven't received a cop of my bill a month later.I cant possibly describe how bad my caddie was but in general I paid for a forecaddie for the group and not once in 36 holes was any fore caddying done-just to give you an idea.The courses are good not great-SV was blah.Mammoth dunes was very enjoyable.My room was excellent.Not worth the trip from the East Coast-go all the way to Bandon or head overseas

I don’t normally go on vacation to get my teeth kicked in by a golf course, but that’s what happened at Sand Valley (and I still had a blast). Not much can compare to that anxious feeling I got while standing on Craig’s Porch, waiting for the starter to call me over. It’s hard to take everything in while mentally preparing for what lays ahead.

The course is immaculate, views are surreal, and shot requirements are unmatched. The incredible routing makes for a surprisingly easy walk, despite the massive inland dunes you traverse. It’s one of those courses that you need to feel your way around; you can throw your normal golf game out at the door (thankfully, the Sandbox prepares your short game).

Each hole throws you a new problem to solve and you won’t find yourself pulling the same clubs very often. The magnitude of this golf course paired with the resort experience made for some incredible fun. Sand Valley is a pretty unforgettable golf course.

I loved sand valley. The hotel we stayed in was nicer than most hotels and is right next to the sandbox par 3 course. The clubhouse is massive with an amazing pro shop, food, and places to hang out. The main range is 400 yards long and their is a smaller range that is up by the sand valley course and a smaller putting green. Sand Valley has incredible views and is very fun to play with holes that are reachable with a drive and also has holes to lay up on. It is pretty easy and the greens are huge. It feels like a links course combined with a sand dune combined with a christmas tree farm. My favorite holes were 1,2,3,8,12

I have booked golf trips for my brothers and our friends for 30 plus years at many great golf resorts.. Only a few would I say is a must and this property and it’s golf courses is a must. They know what the golfer’s needs are and delivery an over the top experience . The course and their caddies were a match made in heaven for every player regardless of their skill level. Everything was fantastic, the food, accommodations , golfing and the staff know how to make us golfers feel like we were the most important guests they would have that day..... and that was everyday. It’s a value based on what you got and how you are treated at every course and meal

Had an incredible time here. Fairways are slighter tighter than Mammoth Dunes but still provide ample targets. Course was in superb condition with very fast greens. Tee boxes are links style so not always flat. Holes are challenging to the eye with deceptive fairways and hidden greens and if you're not in the sand you'll be hitting from a very firm lie.

The accommodations here are super nice and very clean. So many picturesque spots. If you can go for a couple days I highly recommend. Staff was super nice and the caddies were helpful and amenable.

Much like its sister course Mammoth Dunes, Sand Valley offers a unique golfing experience that rises to a near-spiritual level. The ambiance of the scenery and the contours of the course elicit an emotion I've rarely encountered anywhere else. To walk this course is like a 4-hour glimpse of heaven.

Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw are the perfect architects for this plot of land. The design fits so seamlessly with the terrain you'd swear it was already here when they built the resort.

Sand Valley is also the perfect compliment to Mammoth Dunes. Its features are more subtle and conservative but perhaps even more beautiful and pristine. The variety of holes and shots to play will entertain you from now through eternity. You could probably play the whole course with just a single club from your bag 14 different times and have fun each time in different ways.

The conditions are immaculate, every aspect of the course is in perfect shape and looks and plays wonderfully. That does come at a cost: at $225, there are few who would call this place a "great value" but it certainly earns its premium price tag. But perhaps playing it in the off-season would be worth the chuck of change saved.

The resort is great as well, with friendly, professional staff and great food.

Make the trek to Sand Valley, spend 4 hours walking the course then spend another 4 hours walking Mammoth Dunes and soak it all in. It will be the highlight of your year, I guarantee it.

Had the opportunity to play with a group of buddies in early June for the first time. Place is immaculate and had the best time out there. Both Bandon Dunes & Cabot Links are next on my list to play! They really have made it magical at Sand Valley. Playing there again this Labor Day Weekend and staying on property for the first time. More reviews to come... I'd absolutely recommend making the drive or flight to play Sand Valley in middle-of-nowhere Wisconsin!

Every review and discussion I had heard going into this round lead me to believe Sand Valley, although being built first, was playing second fiddle to Mammoth Dunes. Having played Mammoth last October I thought I knew I would be able to compare the two, and let me first say that I think it's every bit as good as Mammoth. The scale seemed just as large stepping to the first tee.

The greens seemed every bit as large as Mammoth and those undulations allowed for some extreme lines for the putts. Although there appeared to be marshals out on the course they never seemed to enforce pace of play, we had to wait on almost every shot. I know it's a special round for many golfers, me included, but it's a little tough to get into a rhythm. The walk is not the easiest and the wind was really blowing, so I'm sure that played a factor in the time.

The fairways allowed for some significant roll out which allowed our group of somewhat shorter hitters to play from 6,500 easily. The greens rolled fast and true, the sheer size caused a few three putts, but it was still enjoyable from start to finish.

One nice touch that I don't see very often around central WI was the food at the turn. Instead of the traditional hot dog and hamburger, Craig's Porch was serving tacos that were absolutely delicious. The staff was incredible considering the COVID restrictions, sanitizing wipes on each tee box and the starters made sure to maintain distances throughout the staging area through the first tee. This will be a repeat course in the future, I have no doubt about it.

Sand Valley is the original 18 at the Sand Valley Golf Resort and is well worth the trip to central Wisconsin. The green complexes at Sand Valley are incredibly interesting and difficult and make the course what it is. The punchbowl green on #17 is one of the most unique green complexes in the country. Tee to green is enjoyable as well. This course is more difficult than its companion course, Mammoth Dunes but equally enjoyable.

Wild ride in Wisconsin. Bold everything and sand everywhere. I loved the layout, rolling terrain and wild greens. The punch bowl 17th, wild 18th and 10th have to be seen to be believed.

What an experience. This place is so cool . The amount of fun you can have here is endless. The course are so playable but challenging at the same time that it doesn't matter if you are a 5 handicap or 20 you will have fun. We got in on a great package deal through the WSGA played all 3 course and a night stay for $310.

The Sand Valley course is terrific. The layout the conditions are all great. To me it was just a touch behind Mammoth Dunes but not by much. 1st hole is a great hole. It is a wide open par 4 to ease you into the round. Once you get through about the first 3 then the teeth of the course starts to show. The fairways are huge greens are forgiving but if you hit ball in wrong spots or off the wrong hump and you are in trouble. #8 and #9 were my favorite holes. 8 is a super short par 3 played at 102 yds but has a false front and is up hill guarded well by bunker (which is most greens guarded by sneaking bunkers or humps and bumps). #9 is a short par 4 but is very tight with the only water on the hole property. Plays to an up hill 2 tier green. The whole course is fun we all left smiling.

Amenities at this place are nuts. The rooms are awesome the bar/restaurant is great for watching games with reasonable prices. Craig's Porch is a must it is at the Sand Valley Course, $2 beer's $3 mixers and the best taco's you will eat for $1.50 a taco. Make sure to get a Nye's Ice cream sandwich too.

A most for golf lovers!

Played both courses 2x in mid September 2019. Conditions were excellent, caddies did a great job and kept pace of play moving. Courses are very deceptive and must follow caddies direction. We had a group of 8 and there’s is always one guy who thinks he knows more than the caddies and complains his caddie was giving bad reads.

We rented 2 fantastic houses each with 4 bedrooms and 4 private baths. The one disappointing aspect is only 1 restaurant on property, and it can get crowded for dinner. Food was good and nice selection on menu. Have to experience Wisconsin cheese curds.

Great trip, look forward to returning soon.

Played Sand Valley in September 2019. Played Sand Valley and Mammoth Dunes but didn’t have time for the Sandbox. Both courses are amazing but Mammoth definitely stands out being just more dramatic. Incredible property and fun golf. Friend of mine popped for caddies which was very nice but not necessary. Staff is beyond friendly and the place is just a top notch golf destination. I stayed off property at a townhouse rental and saved 50% which I would do again. I put a lot of stock in the conditions of the course when I rate golf courses. This being said SV technically isn’t pristine, but the rustic, somewhat linksy, wind swept bunkers had a cool feeling. Greens were in tip top shape which is #1 in my book. At the end of the day I definitely recommend visiting this property.

I didn't fall in love with Sand Valley the first time in 2017. A couple tee shots bothered me - over or around the trees on the par-5 12th and the blind tee shot on the par-3 17th. Solving them a second time helped me appreciate the routing a little more.
This is my favorite kind of golf. The ball rolls for days and the greens are easy to hit and hard to putt. It's engaging golf but not penal - kind of the hard par/easy bogey mantra that RTJ Sr. employed.

Played at Sand Valley opening weekend. Played Mammoth Dunes twice, Sand Valley once, and The Sandbox once. Had Mez on the bag for three 18 rounds and he was awesome. He previously caddied at Pebble for 17 years. So the weather was tough. It rained a bit the first day, windy (30+ MPH day #2 on Sand Valley) and then cold (38 degrees) the last day. Despite the weather challenges I can't tell you how much I enjoyed the courses. They were fun, fair, the sand was wet, almost like paste which was because of the wetness, greens were so much fun. I am an above average putter so I liked the cool, crazy greens. The fairways are really wide but you can miss them and if you do, you are in trouble. Mammoth has a lot of elevation change and you will be tired when you are done. Food at the turn on Mammoth is after #10 and is a guy with a cart selling hot beef sandwiches for $4 along with drinks and snacks. Very reasonably priced. Sand Valley has Craig's Porch at the turn. The Nye's ice cream sandwiches live up to the hype!! The food at the resort along with the service from everyone was 4 stars all the way. The price to stay there is a bit salty, not going sugar coat it. But the town of Wisconsin Rapids is only 20 to 25 minutes away. It's a cute town that's looks straight out of 1975. Neat downtown with a few local places to eat (Jennings Bar rocks) and numerous hotels. I am comparing Sand Valley to Streamsong. Streamsong gets a very slight edge because it's got three full sized courses and a spa. Once Sand Valley opens their third course (Sedge Valley) and a spa (hopefully) I'd give Sand Valley the edge. The food and service at Sand Valley beat out Streamsong handily. The downside to Sand Valley is it's essentially a six month out of the year place so during the season they are pretty full and making reservations month in advance is recommended. They do have a low season rate the first and last week they are open and also a shoulder season rate for the golf and lodging. Sand Valley will become the Bandon of the Midwest which makes sense given the Keiser's own both places. All I can say is just go and enjoy Sand Valley. You'll be happy that you did!!

The Good: This is now the third time (and review) of Sand Valley. It continues to get better with age! The Coore & Crenshaw course is a rugged, sandy masterpiece of playable, yet intimidating golf that gives golfers plenty of options and challenges along the way. Fabulously conditioned despite being in its second year and huge, large greens that already putt true. The layout is fair with huge fairways and a strong variety of tough holes sprinkled with short Par 3's and drivable Par 4's to improve your confidence. The Par 3's may be the best collection I've ever played. Practice facility is excellent with full driving range and putting green. Superb service in place with full caddie program and friendly staff. First class clubhouse with extremely nice restaurant and bar, as well as awesome pro shop.

The Bad: Greens are borderline unfair in some areas due to being crowned and all falloff to devilish bunkers. Perhaps a little overpriced at $200+ for a new resort. Luckily I played in October and paid only $105!

The Verdict: Sand Valley is well on its way to being a Top 3 Wisconsin course and one of the best resort courses in the Midwest. While not quite as good as its younger brother Mammoth Dunes, I contend that the most memorable, individual holes are on Sand Valley. An extremely fun, playable track that will only get better with time. A truly memorable golfing experience that will only get better with age.

Best Hole(s): The closing holes on each 9 are great, but there is something about the punchbowl green on the long uphill Par 3 17th that is just magical. It is the most unique green complex I've ever played.

Two courses: Sand Valley and Mammouth and a par 3. We enjoyed Mammouth better, but it is pretty easy. The courses are walking only, which is great. Recommend a caddie since there are blind shots and rolling greens and will make for a better experience. Links golf with very little in the way of hazards. Relatively easy for good players. Very generous fairways and large greens makes this a good place for a group with a wide variety of skills. Courses are still new, greens and fairways are hard. Consider playing longer tees since the ball rolls out. Also, there is sand everyone, but none of which is considered a hazard. They don't seem to bother to rake the sand so I ended up in footprints a couple of times.
Overall, overpriced for the quality of golf and the service received. You need to shuttle down to the practice range and you are expected to lug your clubs on and off the shuttle. I was with my wife and the shuttle drivers don't move from their seat to help out.
We found the buildings on grounds to be cold and uninviting. The style is rustic prairie meets modern. The food was good and reasonably priced and wait staff was great, but the atmosphere was lacking. Although the courses are very female friendly, this place caters to men and guy getaways.
Pro shop staff could be a lot nicer. Clothes are over priced.
We play resort courses all over the US and internationally. Sand Valley acts a little haughty considering it is in the middle of nowhere. You think they would be happy to see you. But the place is very busy and seems to be a big success for the owners.