Sandy Pines Golf Club

This course and facility is nothing short of amazing. I came from Indy and a friend came from Chicago- 2 hours for each of us. The clubhouse and food was excellent. They offered a full breakfast and lunch. Nice bar too. Well manicured. Curbed cart paths. stone bridges. Plenty of water and amazing waste bunkers. I can’t give this place enough compliments.

Cold but well worth the Drive.,a hidden gem in Northern Indiana. I'll be back!

If you haven’t played here before, you need to. Course is immaculate, greens are lightning fast, staff is friendly, and the grill is delicious. Will be back to play again for sure

Great track and everything is awesome once you get there it’s a ride but worth the trip!!! Great conditions even while raining drains awesome

Haven’t played this course for a few years. It didn’t disappoint. Will be back in the near future.

I played Sandy Pines with two other friends on 10/22/20. I always try to play there at least once a year and I have mixed feelings on writing this review because I really enjoy playing this course. I booked a 1:20 tee time online for that Thursday knowing the day I was going to be sunny and clear out; and we would not have any trouble finishing before dark. I also knew that the greens and fairways would be aerated, which does not bother me at all and is to be expected at this time of the year. We checked in at the pro shop and that is when the fun began. While checking in, I asked the young lady behind the counter if they had a senior rate for one of my friends and her sarcastic reply was “no, it is the same for everyone”. I said, “OK I was just asking”. I proceeded to check in with the starter and he asks “what? do you want to try to get out early?” I said no, I’m just checking in and to see if we were “on time”. He said they were about 40 minutes behind because of fog. While standing around waiting for a golf cart I asked the group next to me what their tee time was and they replied 1:20. Knowing I booked 1:20, I went back to the pro shop to confirm with the young lady. I waited for her to finish with her cel phone and asked if she can confirm my tee time. She replied sarcastically, “you need to talk to the starter”. I go back to the starter and he replies your group is at 1:15 and the group behind is 1:20. I asked, “so you are teeing people of every five minutes?, that’s impossible”. His reply was “I don’t know what they are doing in the pro shop”. I wish that would have been the end of the bad, but the day got worse. We waited to hit our shots on every hole. I noticed, while teeing off of the 4th tee, the 6th green was being replaced. After finishing the 5th hole, we drove directly to the 7th tee and waited for four groups (foursome, twosome, twosome & threesome) in front of us, to tee off. Needless to say, the wait did not help. There were the same number of groups backed up on the tenth tee. We finished in the dark, with multiple groups behinds us. It took us 4:45 to finish.

The Good:
The course is beautiful.
They are replacing the sixth green and looks like they are going to re-shape the fourth green.
They are clearing out and trimming A LOT of trees. I am assuming for better air circulation.
Changes / improvements are always good.

The Bad:
Better customer service behind the counter
Better communication on the website, to inform people of the construction taking place.

I would give Sandy Pines 4.5 stars if I could, but since I can’t I will give it 5 stars. I will be happy to come back. I just hope they able to take the constructive criticism.

I played Sandy Pines during the COVID-19 pandemic so I can't speak to the off-course amenities, but everything about this course is top-notch, from the range, to the brand new GPS carts, to the conditions of the track itself. There's a level of public courses that are like Sandy Pines-they've figured out how to make the golfing experience the best that it can be- and then there's everybody else. The course is absolutely beautiful with so many memorable shots and views. My only complaint is that there are too many par-4s that feel a little gimmicky and you have to hit a mid-long iron off the tee to avoid water or bunkering. However, it does keep the round fun and interesting and I would prefer that over the playing the same dead straight 400 yard par 4 over and over again. I drove about an hour and 20 minutes from Chicago to play and it was well worth the $30 to play 18 at 3pm with a cart. Sandy Pines is an absolute no brainer to play in Northwest Indiana.

Who would've thought, just about in the middle of nowhere, would be such an excellent track.

We woke up before the sun and drove an hour and 30 minutes to check out what we've been hearing about Sandy Pines and they did not dissapoint.

On arrival we were impressed to learn that the carts were equipped with GPS, and the most comfortable seats I've ever sat in on a golf cart.

After hitting the range and practice green, we set out and were in aw on about every hole.

This course will test all assets of your game. Don't be suprised to find yourself in some sand at some point of the day. Many of the holes, though they appeared to be short, are very much risk/reward type of holes. Most times we found ourselves taking less than driver in order to ensure we were safe off the tee. The greens are huge, roll true and were very receptive to approach shots.

This has probably taken my #1 course ranking in Indiana. I can't wait to go back.

Afterwards we ate at the courses restaraunt, and it was delicious.

Amazing course that keeps getting better each year. A bit of a ride from the Chicago area, but a value that can't be matched. Perfect greens, well maintained fairways, elevated tee boxes that give it a Pete Dye feel. You would pay 3 times as much for a course of this quality near Chicago.

Played on my way back to Indy from Chicago. I had tried once before, but we got bumped off by traffic (making me late) and a couples' night had the front, so I didn't get to play the whole course. I was glad to get a full 18 in this time.

This place is fantastic. Both times, they've had a good crowd going (in no small part due to the restaurant being great too). The land north of Lafayette and south of Merrillville is flat, mostly cornfield and easy to drive by. This place is maybe 6 miles from the interstate, but feels a world away. As far as I can tell the community is all-in on Sandy Pines, and for good reasons; it's like a little golf island in the cornrows!

The course is a bit quirky (in a good way) and the more you play, the better you'll be at aiming your tee shots. It's not overly long, but while it may lack in some distance, it makes up for it in fun. There are several bunkers guarding the "garden spots" and the green complexes are top-notch and quick. The sand in "Sandy" is one of the primary defenses. You're going to use every club in the bag.

The tees, fairways, greens, rough and bunkers were almost all in mint condition. All are well-grassed, tees were level and the greens were legit-fast, so be prepared. There are a lot of bunkers, and naturally not all were in perfect shape (lazy people golf everywhere), but most were well-sanded and groomed.

The front opens up with an easy par 4 to get you going, then introduces you to the great Par 5 second hole: off the tee choose your line over the bunker wisely; the same for the approach down the hill if you're going for the green. The seventh is a big, brawny par 5 with two greens - a longer one to the left and another, shorter to the right. Pretty sweet.

The back nine challenges much the same as the front, offering risk/reward shots and a few more quirks. The flow between front and back is pretty seamless, even though they were built at different times. A few more classic features make it cool too: some new sod-faced bunkers, a few driveable par 4s and even a nice beach bunker on seventeen. Throw in the pine trees, and you can easily fool yourself into thinking you're much farther south.

The restaurant was hopping both times I've been here, and I've enjoyed both meals I've had. They have a few outdoor seating areas too. The staff have been great both trips. While you're waiting to tee off, see if you can bomb in one of your putts on the Matterhorn putting green (you'll see).

I wish this place was in my backyard, they'd have my money for a membership for sure. I hear they're adding some tees to beef up the length, which will kick up the difficulty if you want. It's not needed to have fun out here though. This is a top-notch place in NW Indiana (aka...The Region) so don't just zone-out and drive by the exit: make a plan to visit Sandy.

Got invited to play Sandy Pines and it was a drive for me. I had read the prior reviews and can't believe there has not been any current ones. This course is beautiful, challenging, great condition from tee to green. Pro shop staff is friendly and they have a unbelievable restaurant. Course is in the middle of nowhere Indiana from what I could tell but it looked like I was in North Carolina! The only reason I gave the course a 4 rating was that it this time there is no driving range, but one is under construction. Honestly there is no reason not to try this wonderful course. Going to plan to bring my golfing friends back to this Indiana secret.

I HIGHLY recommend checking out Sandy Pines Golf Club in DeMotte, Indiana if you haven't already been there before. This place is unbelievable in every aspect from the Pro Shop, Golf Course, and Restaurant! The course itself is in excellent shape and the golf carts are brand new with the latest and greatest GPS Systems equipped. I'm sure you will fall in love with this place! With this course located in Northwest Indiana, it has many characteristics and similarities of what you would see in the Carolinas. This course is located Right off I65 at Exit 230, Roselawn/DeMotte Exit. You are in for a REAL TREAT! Check it out for yourself at sandypinesgc.com I believe this public course is one of the TOP 5 Courses in the State of Indiana if not TOP 3!

Considering its remote location, I am astonished by the quality of this golf course. My brother's son-in-law, who lives in the area, recommended Sandy Pines proclaiming it was one of his favorites. I can see why. It is a high quality track with an intriguing design. A very good score can be had as long as you keep it in play, and you don't necessarily need driver off the tee all the time, either. There are not an extreme number of forced carries, but plenty of trouble in play with slightly offline shots. Water hazards, deep bunkers, heavily wooded areas, conspicuously placed shrubbery are plentiful, and must be avoided. Things don't get easy once you reach the green, though. They are very quick, and most of them have a great deal of undulations. The good news is that they are pretty easy to read and roll true, but you must have the correct speed to make a lot of putts. Plus, there are very few gimmes. Don't take those shorties for granted. In general, I feel the holes on the front required more thought and imagination than the ones on the back. However, this does not mean you can let your guard down on the back nine. This is a very good, thinking man's track. I understand why Sandy Pines is so well thought of by the locals.