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4.2
9 Reviews (9)
5 Stars
4
4 Stars
4
3 Stars
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2 Stars
1
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.4
Value
4.1
Layout
4.4
Friendliness
4.1
Pace
4.2
Amenities
4.2
88.9%
Recommend this course
8 out of 9 reviews
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About

Holes 17
Type Resort
Par 51
Length 1652 yards
Slope N/A
Rating N/A

Course Details

Year Built 2018
Golf Season Year round
Architect Bill Coore (2017) Ben Crenshaw (2017)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes, for medical reasons only

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Caddies Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted Yes
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Walking Allowed Yes

Food & Beverage

Bar, Restaurant

Lodging

Lodging Available

Accolades

  • Golf Advisor: Top 25 Off-course amenities in the U.S. (2019 #23)

Reviews

4.2
9 Reviews (9)
Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 94
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Michigan Advisor
Top 250 Contributor
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Walked

Fun, Firm, and Fast (Emphasis on Fun)

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).

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
2.0
Previously Played
Walked

Don't trust your reservation

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.

Conditions Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Poor
Pace Fair
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 222
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Top 25 Contributor
Virginia Advisor
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Walked

A Funky, Challenging Short Course

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.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 126
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Iowa Advisor
Top 100 Contributor
First Time Playing
Wet weather
Walked

Quirky and Fun

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!

Conditions Good
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 23
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Perfect weather

Warm Up Time

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.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 734
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Michigan Advisor
Top 10 Contributor
First Time Playing

Just a blast to play

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.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 105
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Top 250 Contributor
Chicago Milwaukee Advisor
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Walked

You will leave with a smile!

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.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 638
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Golf Advisor
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Walked

A buddies hangout

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.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Fun, Fun and Fun

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.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
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Golf Packages

Destination Kohler - Champions' Trail Golf Package

FROM $617 (USD)
KOHLER, WI | Enjoy 2 nights’ accommodations at The American Club or the Inn at Woodlake and 3 rounds of golf at Blackwolf Run (River or Meadow Valleys Course) and Whistling Straits (Straits or Irish Course)

Destination Kohler - To Dye Four Golf Package

FROM $557 (USD)
KOHLER, WI | Enjoy 3 nights’ accommodations at The American Club or the Inn on Woodlake and 4 rounds of golf at Blackwolf Run (River & Meadow Valley Courses) and Whistling Straits (Straits & Irish Courses).

SentryWorld Stay & Play Package

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STEVENS POINT, WI | Enjoy 3 nights’ accommodations at The Inn at SentryWorld and 2 rounds of golf at SentryWorld Golf Course (site of the 2023 U.S. Senior Open).

SW Michigan Golf Around Package

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GRAND RAPIDS/KALAMAZOO | Enjoy 3 nights’ accommodations at Quality Inn – Battle Creek and 3 rounds of golf at The Medalist Golf Club, Angel’s Crossing Golf Club, and The Grande Golf Club.

Best of Battle Creek Package

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GRAND RAPIDS/KALAMAZOO | Enjoy 3 nights’ accommodations at FireKeepers Casino Hotel and 3 rounds of golf at The Medalist Golf Club, Riverside Golf Club, and Binder Park Golf Course.
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