Sand Valley

The Resort Complex is nice but the over priced Lido course was the disappointment of our stay. The club house is small the prices were high. The course has no shade and no facilities around the course. Water was pumped from three wells by hand. No cart girl. The caddy we had was not much help. After playing Erin Hills the day prior the Lido was a big disappointment. Won’t be back.

If I had not played the Lido, this would be my favorite course at Sand Valley. The course has some wonderful rolling terrain and some very unique and challenging golf holes.

I left my round going over the many signature/

Unique holes from Sand Valley for many days after my round, which is one of the best testaments in my book of a good to great course.

Norms have always been a hindrance to true creativity in golf course design. How many inferior golf courses have been forced onto a tight piece of property just to satisfy a perceived need to measure more than 7,000 yards, par 72? Luckily for golfers, Tom Doak and Renaissance Golf tossed away such arbitrary constraints, instead blazing a brave trail through forest and meadow to create a par-68, sub-6,000 test of golf that takes every bit as much golfing skill to navigate as courses 1,200 yards longer.

Sedge Valley has been described as “intimate,” but that is a relative term, as its corridors feel plenty large. It’s just that trees and native grasses define those corridors, while the property’s other courses feel more open, even if holes’ boundaries do emerge when one wanders far enough from the racing line. The middle of the course – especially holes 8 through 12 – feature some of Sand Valley’s very best golf. Any golfer who turns their nose up at Sedge Valley after looking at the scorecard is a fool.

When the concept of Lido – revive and transplant, with painstaking fidelity, a long-lost links from the south shore of Long Island – was unveiled, it was understandable to be a bit skeptical. But Tom Doak, Renaissance Golf and a cast of golf history buffs pulled off the cross-generational feat of bringing a pre-World War II golf course into the 21st century.

Lido comes as close to approximating the mystique of The Old Course at St. Andrews as any latter-day design. Seemingly random and often frustrating fairway and green contours and occasionally draconian bunkering turn a round into a test not just of golf shot execution, but of will and even humor. The odd routing of two side-by-side counterclockwise loops adds to the quaintness of it all, while several utterly unique individual holes and features turn it into as much a piece of land sculpture as sporting field. Its one arguable flaw is that it can brutalize middle- and high-handicappers, but for any avid golfer, it is as engaging a set of 18 holes as America offers. Best of all, Sand Valley resort guests can arrange to play it. I cannot recommend it highly enough, and I am dreaming of the opportunity to try to qualify for and compete in the 2026 United States Mid-Amateur there.

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.

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.

I was lucky to play Sedge Valley after a round at Lido. Not a bad 36-hole day. I was thoroughly impressed at the scorecard trickery going on. Golfers will take one look at this sub-6,000-yard routing and think its 'go' time for a low round. Sedge Valley is the exact opposite of a pushover. Yard for yard, it feels more like a bully. With only one par 5 and a handful of longer par 4s, Sedge Valley guards its par of 68 better than some regulation-sized courses. Golfers will still have fun trying to go low, though.

Seeing Lido for the first time is so disorienting. You step off the resort shuttle to a mostly flat and treeless landscape that allows you to see what feels like the entire course. It looks so ... uninspiring ... until you get a club in your hand. This one blew me away. I had so much fun playing its template holes. There were so many optical illusions that would have led to missteps if the caddie wasn't guiding me where to hit it or, most important, where to miss it. It's hard to pick my favorite Tom Doak course, but this one's on the short list of contenders.

This course feels and plays like nothing I have experienced to date. The simple fact that they were able to restore CB Mac's long lost masterpiece is astounding. The layout was unchanged other than widening or separating some of the holes for safety reasons. I am sure many will not understand why the 18th hole finishes where it does - not getting that the original Lido Lodge was just behind the 18th / 8th tee on the ocean.

I know many purists will not like the aiming stones / rocks they have added to many holes, but boy am I glad they did as a first time player of the course. The size and undulations of these greens can not be aptly described and must be witnessed in person. I believe the 18th green is 25,000 SF alone.

The Lido has many of CBM / Raynor's templates and even three new holes that were entries from a golf architect competition: one by Alister MacKenzie and one by Tom Simpson. The Biarritz 8th hole is one of the most difficult I have ever played.

The course is private, but does allow some resort play. However, I have heard they are booked through 2024 already. If you get the chance, it is a must play for the golf purist.

The Sand Valley Resort is incredible. The golf, the staff, the food, the location, everything was amazing. I went for a quick 2 day trip and was able to play Mammoth Dunes twice and Sand Valley once. Mammoth is not as challenging as SV, but is such a fun course. Super wide fairways, large greens and large bunkers make this course a bombers paradise, but accuracy still matters if you want to have the right angles into pins/greens. The course was in excellent condition and the onsite staff and amenities were all very pleasant. The food here is a hidden gem with $1 sandwiches, hot dogs and tacos. Also reasonably priced beer and liquor. Overall an amazing experience and I can't wait to go back.

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

No golf course has ever made me feel like Mammoth Dunes did. I pride myself on a great sense of direction, but I was completely lost while traversing Mammoth’s incredible landforms. Some courses make you feel like you’re separated from the rest of the world, but here, you feel like you’re on your own planet. I have never been as excited to hit golf shots in my life. The variety of landscapes and shot requirements are out of this world. There’s nothing like watching a golf ball bound, ricochet, and tumble on these enormous golf holes. You have a stadium all to yourself and it’s hard not to smile. It’s a routing masterpiece. Sand Valley is a really special place and Mammoth Dunes just might be the best (and most fun) course I’ve ever played. I’m already planning my next trip.

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.

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).

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

We were fortunate enough to stay on site for 4 days and play this course twice. It’s was enjoyable for me at a 12 handi and my brother in law who totes a 27. It was unforgettable fun, for everyone in our group of 16 golfers. The layout was great and with the wide fairways that you can’t miss....except the fairway bunkers that called to me a few times, made the pace of play just right. We never waited and never held anyone up. This is a top 10 destination for any golf group who likes to stay and play rather then drive all over to get to play a great set of courses like the two they have on site. Great caddies made golfing there a pleasure. Great pro shop also with fair pricing

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