Sand Valley: Trip of a lifetime

[TCUfrog]

Boarding my flight back from Sand Valley and Lawsonia Links. I travel for golf a lot, and I can tell you this is undoubtedly on par or better than any other golf resort in the world. 
 

We arrived on Thursday and immediately looped the Lido course, which is the newest Sand Valley course (although they’re about to open Tom Doak’s Sedge Valley this July). The Lido is a rebuilt course that’s a carbon copy of a 1920’s Long Island Club whose course was lost during WW2. The course is littered with blind tee shots, deceptive bunkering, and MASSIVE greens, the 18th green is over 22,000 sq ft. After that 18, we bounced over to the Sandbox, the Coore & Crenshaw designed 17 hole short course. Following a dinner at the new Italian restaurant, we packed it in early cause Friday was set up to be a marathon.

With a 7:40 tee time on Sand Valley, the original 18, we set out on what can only be described as a golf sickos perfect day. 18 holes at Sand Valley then 5 $1 tacos and 3 $2 beers then a sprint back to the short course sandbox to play 17 holes barefoot. Once we finished at the Sandbox, we all sat down for another beer and a 30 min break before we finished our day at Mammoth Dunes, the David Mclay Kidd designed course and the most fun golf you’ll ever play. After a quick thunderstorm that blew through while we were on 15 tee, we finished the last 4 holes in absolutely perfect weather that you can see in photos below. Somehow after 53 holes of just pure golf our day got better when Friday night we got to sit outside our room and watch the northern lights dance over our heads  

 

 

After Friday, we played 18 more at mammoth dunes in the morning in extremely windy and tough conditions then drove over to Green Lake, Wi to play a local muni, White Lake Golf Course and Sunday morning woke up to play Lawsonia Links, another outstanding track. 
 

159 holes of golf later, I’m beatdown and tired but couldn’t be much happier. 

 

Edited May 12 by TCUfrog

[jtowns43]

I am from WI and may be looking to do a day trip here for 36 later this year.  However, if you ever do this trip again, I would highly recommend playing Lac La Belle in Oconomowoc.  Was my favorite course I played last year.

[wdberk96]

Sand Valley is about as good as it gets.  I'm heading north for the 5th time in the last 4 years in 11 days - not that I'm counting.  Was lucky enough to go 2x last year - once in the spring to play the regular rota at SV + the courses at Lake Arrowhead and again in late summer for a 24 hour trip to play Lido & MD.  Lido was better than expected, and I'm a nerd who know enough about the history of the place well before it came into existence for a second time.  In a few years when everything grows in that place is going to be unbelievable.  

Our 2024 Trip is with 2 first timers, but one went to Bandon last fall, so he's got an idea what he's in for. I love bringing newbies up and watching them walk thru the tunnel at Mammoth.  It's a great experience to share. 

We're not staying on property for the first time ever, which made Lido inaccessible, even with the contacts I've made over the years.  BUT we did luck out and score some solid tee times including preview play @ Sedge Valley a week before it opens to the public.  Had Stevens Point Country Club in that slot, but the opportunity to play Sedge bumped it.  

Day 1 - Sandbox AM / Sand Valley PM
Day 2 - Mammoth AM / Lake Arrowhead - Lakes Course PM
Day 3 - Sedge Valley AM / Bullseye Golf Club PM
Day 4 - Lawsonia Links AM / Lake Arrowhead - Pines Couse PM

Pics to follow.  

[cksurfdude]

Wow those were great posts. SV & Mammoth Dunes had been on my bucket list for a while!

Was not aware there's also a Lido course - I grew up and live now on Long Island and used to pass by the original Lido on the way to Long Beach. Now I wanna play that one, too!!

[wdberk96]

1 hour ago, cksurfdude said:

Wow those were great posts. SV & Mammoth Dunes had been on my bucket list for a while!

Was not aware there's also a Lido course - I grew up and live now on Long Island and used to pass by the original Lido on the way to Long Beach. Now I wanna play that one, too!!

The “original” Lido you speak of is a shadow of what it once was. The Lido at Sand Valley is as exact a replica as what was originally constructed near the site of the present day Lido in Long Island in 1917 by CB McDonald. 
 

check it out - https://thelido.com/

[wdberk96]

Got home this morning. 

Sedge Valley is going to change the game. It’s easily the best course on property - and it’s not close.

Ive played SV & MD a half dozen times, and Lido last fall.  I love Lido, adore Mammoth Dunes, and respect Sand Valley. But none of them come close to  Sedge.  The course is visually stunning, the holes are well thought out, leading to perfectly placed greens, which are the best on property.  
 

All of the Par 3’s are great, the one Par 5 is challenging, and 18 might be one of the best finishing holes in golf.  I’m excited to see where it ranks moving forward, because Doak NAILED IT. 

It’s a great walk and one I’m humbled to of been able to take before the public unveiling. 

As far as the rest of the trip went - Bullseye Golf Club was great, the courses at Lake Arrowhead are a lot of fun and pretty challenging, and Lawsonia Links was interesting. The front 9 and back 9 are very different. 
 

 

 

 

[JFish350]

Question, I've been to Bandon a couple times, and love it. Is sand Valley ran the same way, Shuttles, pubs, restaurants etc etc?  

[wdberk96]

21 minutes ago, JFish350 said:

Question, I've been to Bandon a couple times, and love it. Is sand Valley ran the same way, Shuttles, pubs, restaurants etc etc?  

Yes. SV is much smaller in scale (for now) so logistics are simple. There are shuttles running all over.  There are two restaurants in the main club house - Aldo’s (more upscale) and Mammoth Bar (bar & Restaurant) and a new spot near Sedge called The Gallery (also a bar & restaurant).  There’s Bills BBQ near the Sandbox, and Craig’s Porch at Sand Valley.  
 

Lodging is spread out but it’s easy to get around. Shuttles are all over.  

[stevehernes]

Amazing shots! I'm planning my next golf trip as well and curious if anyone has had experience with Cypresswood Golf Club customer service. Whether it's good or bad, I would really appreciate hearing some comments. Choosing the right golf club can make a big difference in the overall experience, from the course conditions to the service provided. Any insights or recommendations would be extremely helpful as I finalize my plans.

Edited July 18 by stevehernes

[Rob Person]

On 5/12/2024 at 3:42 PM, TCUfrog said:

Boarding my flight back from Sand Valley and Lawsonia Links. I travel for golf a lot, and I can tell you this is undoubtedly on par or better than any other golf resort in the world. 
 

We arrived on Thursday and immediately looped the Lido course, which is the newest Sand Valley course (although they’re about to open Tom Doak’s Sedge Valley this July). The Lido is a rebuilt course that’s a carbon copy of a 1920’s Long Island Club whose course was lost during WW2. The course is littered with blind tee shots, deceptive bunkering, and MASSIVE greens, the 18th green is over 22,000 sq ft. After that 18, we bounced over to the Sandbox, the Coore & Crenshaw designed 17 hole short course. Following a dinner at the new Italian restaurant, we packed it in early cause Friday was set up to be a marathon.

With a 7:40 tee time on Sand Valley, the original 18, we set out on what can only be described as a golf sickos perfect day. 18 holes at Sand Valley then 5 $1 tacos and 3 $2 beers then a sprint back to the short course sandbox to play 17 holes barefoot. Once we finished at the Sandbox, we all sat down for another beer and a 30 min break before we finished our day at Mammoth Dunes, the David Mclay Kidd designed course and the most fun golf you’ll ever play. After a quick thunderstorm that blew through while we were on 15 tee, we finished the last 4 holes in absolutely perfect weather that you can see in photos below. Somehow after 53 holes of just pure golf our day got better when Friday night we got to sit outside our room and watch the northern lights dance over our heads  

 

 

After Friday, we played 18 more at mammoth dunes in the morning in extremely windy and tough conditions then drove over to Green Lake, Wi to play a local muni, White Lake Golf Course and Sunday morning woke up to play Lawsonia Links, another outstanding track. 
 

159 holes of golf later, I’m beatdown and tired but couldn’t be much happier. 

 

That last Pic is amazing!  An angel!

[cksurfdude]

May have said it before in here but .. wanna go wanna go wanna go!!

Fyi Matt Saternus at Plugged In Golf recently posted a very favorable review of Sedge Valley (and yes he loves all the other courses there, too)...

https://pluggedingolf.com/sedge-valley-golf-course-review/

 

[bigzb4412]

I did a big Wisconsin trip last summer and have wanted to go back ever since. Sand Valley holds a special place in my heart and I'm itching for another opportunity. Our group did this schedule:

Day 1: Arrive at SV Resort, check in, play The Lido, rest, play the sandbox, beers at the cabin.

Day 2: 7 am at Mammoth, lunch, afternoon at Sand Valley, drive to Green Lake.

Day 3: 36 at Lawsonia Links.

Day 4: Wake up and drive to Erin Hills for 18. Drive to MKE and fly home.

 

We loved all the courses we played but agreed that next time we will be limiting the trip to Sand Valley Resort only. Stay 3 nights in a cabin, play 36 only one of the days and enjoy what a special property this is a little bit more. Just pinged the boys this morning about setting up 2025 and it looks like if things align we will be headed back. It's a year away and I couldn't be more excited.

[Ben_Howell34]

Looks incredible.

For anyone who has been, what is the earliest you can go in the year to play here? We do our trip in late April usually. I’d imagine I’d need to move it back somewhat? 

[bens197]

Looks incredible!  Thanks for sharing the pictures!

[bigzb4412]

For anybody thinking of going, I just booked July 2025 and we were hard pressed to find multiple nights. We were luck enough to get a 3 night stay for 4 guys and a bunch of rounds but are waitlisted for a Lido tee time. I encourage you to call ASAP if you're trying to go next year because it seems pretty booked up all season.

 

[wdberk96]

15 minutes ago, bigzb4412 said:

For anybody thinking of going, I just booked July 2025 and we were hard pressed to find multiple nights. We were luck enough to get a 3 night stay for 4 guys and a bunch of rounds but are waitlisted for a Lido tee time. I encourage you to call ASAP if you're trying to go next year because it seems pretty booked up all season.

 

That’s always a challenge.  

We stayed off property this time, and it was actually really nice. While if took Lido out of play, I wasn’t heartbroken having played it in August 2023, and our VRBO 10 minutes away was awesome (and pretty damn cheap). Day guest tee times are simple to book online and quite plentiful. 2025 trip is going to be elsewhere, but 2026 plan on returning with a neighbor and our sons, and we’ll stay off property again for sure.