Sand Valley Golf Resort - The Sandbox

Few short courses manage to feel like true miniature versions of big golf. This Coore & Crenshaw gem scales everything down: most greens, bunkers and even the trees feel just a little smaller than what one expects to find at the rest of the resort. This was not my first trip around the Sandbox, but it was by far the most revealing, as I opted for the first time in my life to try my hand at hickory golf (you can rent such clubs at Sand Valley). I absolutely loved engaging with the course in this way and cannot recommend the experience enough.

While it’s been great to see short courses proliferate at resorts and even in municipalities, some of them have ended up being a bit heavy-handed in their shaping, to the point where they don’t quite fit their stated purpose as an on-ramp for new golfers. The Sandbox, however, is pitch-perfect.

Its 17 holes are mostly short enough to be played with one or two wedges, but exhibit such inspiring shot variety that playing the courses often makes one wonder if golf would be more fun if fewer clubs were involved. Golf courses that engage the mind and imagination as readily as The Sandbox does are in short supply.

If you’re looking for endless fun, look no further than the Sandbox. It’s so good that my group was rushing to play it after a 36 hole, 12-mile day. The masterminds at Sand Valley know not everyone enjoys golf in the same way and the Sandbox serves as a place to let loose and play the game your way. We hit shots on this short game playground until the pitch-black night sky overtook us both days we were there. I don’t think there’s a better metric for success than that. The food truck and hang-out space by the 1st tee is a nice touch as well. I could play the Sandbox every day for the rest of my life and not run out of ways to enjoy myself (and sharpen my short game).

Need to kill time while onsite at Sand Valley? Probably not but the Sandbox is worth 2 hours of your time. The 17 par-3 holes all play shorter than 150 yards and yet you'll struggle to score better here than at just about any other short course you've played.

From mind-boggling slopes to extra firm surfaces, The Sandbox is best enjoyed as a casual round to have fun and not for scoring well. Many of the pins are in impossible locations and the best way to play each hole is often the most indirect way with a club you'd never normally consider (arguably the best way to play the course is with just three clubs: a putter, a sand wedge, and a short iron).

However you choose to play the course, just make sure you don't leave Sand Valley without playing it, you won't regret it.

We had called weeks ahead to schedule an actual tee time here as we were staying 30 minutes away. We got there an hour before our tee time and the pro told us no rush, but he could get us off early if he wanted. When we went to tee off 15 minutes early, they told us they were going to have to kick us off earlier to get a bigger group in. Pretty disappointing,to get no call ahead of time or even tell us when we got their early to start right away. Seems like sandbox is super casual and if you aren't staying at the resort I would not recommend heading over cause it seems unorganized.

The Sandbox at Sand Valley Golf Resort is a nice little add-on to any round at the resort. It's a good way to tune-up for a round on one of the big courses, or to wind down after a round at one of the big courses.

This Coore/Crenshaw short course has a wide variety of holes, ranging from very short (39 yards at 13 the day we played) to 120+ yards. Many holes can be played along the ground, but some do require flying it on the green.

The greens are very demanding and firm, such that many less than perfect shots end up being rejected, leaving a challenging up and down.

At $65, I'm not sure The Sandbox is worth multiple plays when you're on-site, but it should be played at least one time.. Additionally, it can get to be a longer round, as 17 holes (even short ones) takes 90+ minutes to play, so make sure you budget enough time.

My favorite hole is the 3rd hole, which has a green that I feel will lend itself to holes-in-one!

This was our second time playing the Sandbox, we use it as a practice session rather than beating balls on the range. Since it's a short course it can be played with 2/3 clubs easily, and that allows for different shots and the ability to work on some different shot shapes. All 17 holes can be played with a putter it you prefer or have a late night bet to settle.

Since we played in early May, all holes had to be played off the built in mats, that's fine for me as tight lies from 65-100 yards are pretty difficult to execute shot after shot, at least for me. The greens are large have a great deal of slopes. You are able to see the majority of the slopes from the tee boxes it allows each person to try and play something a bit different and see who can execute the shot better.

As mentioned both times playing this course it was used as a warm up, but I can just picture a buddies group up there and finishing up the day on the short course. One of the best features about the short course, a few cottages are located right on the 17 green. Would recommend for anyone playing a stay and play get away.

Just what you would expect from a C&C short course. Wild greens and bunkering that will test your short game. You will have a blast.

The Sandbox...what a course, it is one of the most fun experiences I have ever had on a golf course and when the longest hole measured at 114 yards that should tell you how much fun it is. What a great experience the course requires you to think on every shot but have so much fun at the same time if you hit the wrong hump or bump the ball could end up farther than when you started OR it could take it right down to the hole like the toilet bowl hole #9. The course was in great condition the course was designed amazingly and the amenities were great ( a canoe filled with beer for $2 how can you beat that). I have not been to Bandon or played the Cradle but The Sandbox has to be close to those it is so much fun you just laugh the whole time.

The service at Sand Valley is amazing the place is stunning, it some place everyone needs to visit once a YEAR. Loved every minute of my trip their. Only downside would be price of Sandbox in the summer. We played on a package price so it was all good.

I don't think the Sandbox is as compelling as The Preserve at Bandon Dunes or as endearing as the Cradle at Pinehurst, but it certainly delivers the fun, if done right.

I walked it solo when I should have begged my way into the six-some a couple holes behind me. They were having a great time and the alcohol was flowing. There's a bartender and a canoe filled with beer serving groups on the first tee.

Most of the course is wedge/half-wedge shots to treacherous, sloping greens. Some pins get tucked behind evil bunkering.

Beyond the 145-yard second hole, it's not until holes 14-16 that golfers hit more 8 or 9 irons. Those holes play from 120 yards to 149 yards. The final green, the 17th, is guarded by perhaps the scariest bunker on property, a deep and dark pit. Avoid it at all cost. Unless you want to drop a ball in there and give it a go.

Coors and Crenshaw learned a lot from their Bandon Dunes experience . These 17 holes are just so much fun to play and practice your short game. You go up and down and around. It is a true test of your distance control and putting abilities. You Do not want to miss the experience when you are visiting Sand Valley.