Sand Valley
About Sand Valley
Sand Valley has burst onto the Midwest scene in short order, becoming Mike Keiser's inland answer to Bandon Dunes. Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw built the original Sand Valley course in 2017 and followed up in 2018 with the Sandbox, a 17-hole short course. Later in summer 2018, David McLay Kidd's Mammoth Dunes became a favorite of many, riding a ridge no other architect who submitted plans thought to use. All courses are walking only with the option to hire caddies. The accommodations from the lodge room and suites adjacent to Mammoth Dunes to spacious cottages with multiple bedrooms and Crenshaw's Cabin. Beyond golf, there's several dining options, 15 grass tennis courts, hiking trails, three lakes for fishing, bocce and a 24-hour fitness center.Facts
Amenities & Services
Rules
Golf courses at Sand Valley
-
-
-
Nekoosa, WisconsinResort
Images from Sand Valley
Videos about Sand Valley
Reviews
Reviewer Photos
-
The walk down the first fairway. Photo submitted by GolferJake78 on 05/08/2022
-
The 5th is my favorite par 3. Photo submitted by GolferJake78 on 05/08/2022
-
Getting close to sunset looking back down 18 Photo submitted by GolferJake78 on 05/08/2022
-
From 18 green looking west Photo submitted by GolferJake78 on 05/08/2022
-
Photo submitted by noahjurik on 06/29/2021
-
Photo submitted by noahjurik on 06/29/2021
-
Photo submitted by noahjurik on 06/29/2021
-
Photo submitted by noahjurik on 06/29/2021
-
Photo submitted by noahjurik on 06/29/2021
-
Photo submitted by noahjurik on 06/29/2021
-
Photo submitted by noahjurik on 06/29/2021
-
Photo submitted by noahjurik on 06/29/2021
-
Photo submitted by noahjurik on 06/29/2021
-
Photo submitted by noahjurik on 06/29/2021
-
Photo submitted by noahjurik on 06/29/2021
-
Photo submitted by noahjurik on 06/29/2021
-
Photo submitted by noahjurik on 06/28/2021
-
Photo submitted by noahjurik on 06/28/2021
-
Photo submitted by noahjurik on 06/28/2021
-
Photo submitted by noahjurik on 06/28/2021
-
Photo submitted by noahjurik on 06/28/2021
-
Photo submitted by noahjurik on 06/28/2021
-
Photo submitted by Rttrasamar on 10/01/2020
-
Photo submitted by Rttrasamar on 10/01/2020
-
Photo submitted by Rttrasamar on 10/01/2020
-
Photo submitted by Rttrasamar on 10/01/2020
-
Photo submitted by Rttrasamar on 10/01/2020
-
Photo submitted by Rttrasamar on 10/01/2020
-
Photo submitted by Rttrasamar on 10/01/2020
-
Photo submitted by Rttrasamar on 10/01/2020
-
Photo submitted by Back9Ben on 09/24/2020
-
Photo submitted by Back9Ben on 09/24/2020
-
Photo submitted by Back9Ben on 09/24/2020
-
Photo submitted by Back9Ben on 09/24/2020
-
Photo submitted by Back9Ben on 09/24/2020
-
Photo submitted by Back9Ben on 09/24/2020
-
The par-5 5th is a daunting hole with great views. Photo submitted by Back9Ben on 09/24/2020
-
The par-4 6th green is as wild and fun as they come. Photo submitted by Back9Ben on 09/24/2020
-
The par-4 17th is a pure golf hole. Photo submitted by Back9Ben on 09/24/2020
-
The par-4 10th is a great starting hole to the back 9. Photo submitted by Back9Ben on 09/24/2020
-
The par-3 13th is a thing of incredible beauty and challenge. Photo submitted by Back9Ben on 09/24/2020
-
The driveable par-4 14th is the most fun hole on the course. Photo submitted by Back9Ben on 09/24/2020
-
Hole 17 - a wide fairway to a beguiling green Photo submitted by GolferJake78 on 09/02/2020
-
Hole 13 - my favorite par 3 on the property Photo submitted by GolferJake78 on 09/02/2020
-
Hole 10 - with the right wind, this hole would be driveable Photo submitted by GolferJake78 on 09/02/2020
-
Hole 8 - a peninsula green in a sea of sand Photo submitted by GolferJake78 on 09/02/2020
-
Hole 5 - an incredible view and an incredible hole Photo submitted by GolferJake78 on 09/02/2020
-
Hole 4 - the first par 3 is a tough one Photo submitted by GolferJake78 on 09/02/2020
-
Hole 13 with a boomerang green Photo submitted by GolferJake78 on 09/02/2020
-
Hole 11 looks like an homage to the postage stamp hole Photo submitted by GolferJake78 on 09/02/2020
-
Hole 5 has a tricky green and a devilish bunker Photo submitted by GolferJake78 on 09/02/2020
-
Hole 3 is my favorite on The Sandbox Photo submitted by GolferJake78 on 09/02/2020
-
Big bunker on Par 3 (Sandbox) #16 Photo submitted by rangerboy on 11/20/2019
-
Wonderful rooms Photo submitted by rangerboy on 11/20/2019
-
So much sand! Photo submitted by rangerboy on 11/20/2019
-
Mammoth Dunes #10 Photo submitted by dahlryan on 10/23/2019
-
Mammoth Dunes #5 Photo submitted by dahlryan on 10/23/2019
-
Sand Valley #10 Photo submitted by dahlryan on 10/23/2019
-
Sand Valley #1 Photo submitted by dahlryan on 10/23/2019
-
Sand Valley #9 Photo submitted by dahlryan on 10/23/2019
-
Challenging Photo submitted by brianberry31 on 09/02/2019
-
Photo submitted by JasonDeeganGA on 06/13/2019
-
Photo submitted by JasonDeeganGA on 06/13/2019
-
No. 18 Photo submitted by JasonDeeganGA on 06/13/2019
-
Photo submitted by JasonDeeganGA on 06/13/2019
-
Photo submitted by JasonDeeganGA on 06/13/2019
-
Photo submitted by JasonDeeganGA on 06/13/2019
-
Photo submitted by JasonDeeganGA on 06/13/2019
-
No. 9. Photo submitted by JasonDeeganGA on 06/13/2019
-
Hole 1 - Par 4 Photo submitted by BryanTweed16 on 10/30/2018
-
Hole 4 - Par 5 Photo submitted by BryanTweed16 on 10/30/2018
-
Hole 7 - Par 5 Photo submitted by BryanTweed16 on 10/30/2018
-
Hole 14 - Par 3 Photo submitted by BryanTweed16 on 10/30/2018
-
Hole 15 - Par 4 Photo submitted by BryanTweed16 on 10/30/2018
-
Hole 18 - Par 5 Photo submitted by BryanTweed16 on 10/30/2018
-
Hole 2 - Par 4 Photo submitted by BryanTweed16 on 10/30/2018
-
Hole 5 - Par 4 Photo submitted by BryanTweed16 on 10/30/2018
-
Hole 8 - Par 5 Photo submitted by BryanTweed16 on 10/30/2018
-
Hole 10 - Par 4 Photo submitted by BryanTweed16 on 10/30/2018
-
Hole 13 - Par 3 Photo submitted by BryanTweed16 on 10/30/2018
-
Hole 18 - Par 5 Photo submitted by BryanTweed16 on 10/30/2018
-
From behind ninth green. Photo submitted by BrandonWebb on 05/22/2018
-
From behind 10th green. Photo submitted by BrandonWebb on 05/22/2018
-
Driveable par-4 ninth hole from tee. Photo submitted by BrandonWebb on 05/22/2018
-
From behind 18th green. Photo submitted by BrandonWebb on 05/22/2018
-
Par-5 10th approach view. Photo submitted by BrandonWebb on 05/22/2018
-
Par-3 14th hole Photo submitted by BrandonWebb on 05/22/2018
-
The par-4 6th at Sand Valley is a long bender to the left. Photo submitted by TimGavrichGP on 11/21/2017
-
The uphill, short par-3 8th at Sand Valley is tricky because it is hard to discern the exact location of the hole on its elevated green. Photo submitted by TimGavrichGP on 11/21/2017
Amazing, Fun, can't wait to go back
Played at Sand Valley opening weekend. Played Mammoth Dunes twice, Sand Valley once, and The Sandbox once. Had Mez on the bag for three 18 rounds and he was awesome. He previously caddied at Pebble for 17 years. So the weather was tough. It rained a bit the first day, windy (30+ MPH day #2 on Sand Valley) and then cold (38 degrees) the last day. Despite the weather challenges I can't tell you how much I enjoyed the courses. They were fun, fair, the sand was wet, almost like paste which was because of the wetness, greens were so much fun. I am an above average putter so I liked the cool, crazy greens. The fairways are really wide but you can miss them and if you do, you are in trouble. Mammoth has a lot of elevation change and you will be tired when you are done. Food at the turn on Mammoth is after #10 and is a guy with a cart selling hot beef sandwiches for $4 along with drinks and snacks. Very reasonably priced. Sand Valley has Craig's Porch at the turn. The Nye's ice cream sandwiches live up to the hype!! The food at the resort along with the service from everyone was 4 stars all the way. The price to stay there is a bit salty, not going sugar coat it. But the town of Wisconsin Rapids is only 20 to 25 minutes away. It's a cute town that's looks straight out of 1975. Neat downtown with a few local places to eat (Jennings Bar rocks) and numerous hotels. I am comparing Sand Valley to Streamsong. Streamsong gets a very slight edge because it's got three full sized courses and a spa. Once Sand Valley opens their third course (Sedge Valley) and a spa (hopefully) I'd give Sand Valley the edge. The food and service at Sand Valley beat out Streamsong handily. The downside to Sand Valley is it's essentially a six month out of the year place so during the season they are pretty full and making reservations month in advance is recommended. They do have a low season rate the first and last week they are open and also a shoulder season rate for the golf and lodging. Sand Valley will become the Bandon of the Midwest which makes sense given the Keiser's own both places. All I can say is just go and enjoy Sand Valley. You'll be happy that you did!!
Mammoth Dunes at Sand Valley Golf Resort - Best Inland Midwest Course I've Played
The Good: David McLay-Kidd has constructed the flagship masterpiece at Sand Valley Golf Resort, Mike Keiser's budding golf resort in middle Wisconsin. Even more expansive in scale compared to Coore & Crenshaw's Sand Valley course, it features some of the most awe-inspiring sand dune vistas that you will ever see on a golf course. Arguably the best mixture and collection of Par 4's I've played, each with a fair target off the tee but a risk-reward opportunity to score. Several are drivable! Excellent Par 5's that require strategic placement on the approach shots and can be conquered with excellent long iron play. Par 3's are particularly strong, most notably the 8th with a sand engulfed peninsula green, and the 16th with a downhill shot over the largest dune on the course. Fabulous views of the closing holes from the brand new clubhouse. In excellent shape considering the course is in its infancy. Great service and friendly staff. The uber nice pull carts are a nice touch.
The Bad: The greens can be considered TOO large and don't putt quite as quick as the Sand Valley course. Practice facilities require a bus trip from the clubhouse and is a slight annoyance. Limited on-course restroom areas or service.
The Verdict: Mammoth Dunes is the best inland public golf course in the Midwest that I've played. As fair, fun and memorable a course as you will ever play. Playing during the shoulder season during the fall is the way to go!
Best Hole(s): There are so many to choose from, but the downhill Par 4 #5 is one of the most beautiful settings at the the whole resort. Will be one of many spots where pictures are taken. My favorite hole is actually the long Par 4 2nd hole. A tough driving hole and then approach to a demanding, massive green.
-
Hole 2 - Par 4 Photo submitted by BryanTweed16 on 10/30/2018
-
Hole 5 - Par 4 Photo submitted by BryanTweed16 on 10/30/2018
-
Hole 8 - Par 5 Photo submitted by BryanTweed16 on 10/30/2018
-
Hole 10 - Par 4 Photo submitted by BryanTweed16 on 10/30/2018
-
Hole 13 - Par 3 Photo submitted by BryanTweed16 on 10/30/2018
-
Hole 18 - Par 5 Photo submitted by BryanTweed16 on 10/30/2018
Sand Valley - Continues to Get Better With Age
The Good: This is now the third time (and review) of Sand Valley. It continues to get better with age! The Coore & Crenshaw course is a rugged, sandy masterpiece of playable, yet intimidating golf that gives golfers plenty of options and challenges along the way. Fabulously conditioned despite being in its second year and huge, large greens that already putt true. The layout is fair with huge fairways and a strong variety of tough holes sprinkled with short Par 3's and drivable Par 4's to improve your confidence. The Par 3's may be the best collection I've ever played. Practice facility is excellent with full driving range and putting green. Superb service in place with full caddie program and friendly staff. First class clubhouse with extremely nice restaurant and bar, as well as awesome pro shop.
The Bad: Greens are borderline unfair in some areas due to being crowned and all falloff to devilish bunkers. Perhaps a little overpriced at $200+ for a new resort. Luckily I played in October and paid only $105!
The Verdict: Sand Valley is well on its way to being a Top 3 Wisconsin course and one of the best resort courses in the Midwest. While not quite as good as its younger brother Mammoth Dunes, I contend that the most memorable, individual holes are on Sand Valley. An extremely fun, playable track that will only get better with time. A truly memorable golfing experience that will only get better with age.
Best Hole(s): The closing holes on each 9 are great, but there is something about the punchbowl green on the long uphill Par 3 17th that is just magical. It is the most unique green complex I've ever played.
-
Hole 1 - Par 4 Photo submitted by BryanTweed16 on 10/30/2018
-
Hole 4 - Par 5 Photo submitted by BryanTweed16 on 10/30/2018
-
Hole 7 - Par 5 Photo submitted by BryanTweed16 on 10/30/2018
-
Hole 14 - Par 3 Photo submitted by BryanTweed16 on 10/30/2018
-
Hole 15 - Par 4 Photo submitted by BryanTweed16 on 10/30/2018
-
Hole 18 - Par 5 Photo submitted by BryanTweed16 on 10/30/2018
Maybe the best course built in the last decade
I would highly recommend not playing this course in the fall (the frost delay delayed my tee time almost 2 hours), but man this course is good! The sheer quality of the holes is just unreal from the start to finish, with each hole standing out along the way. The fourth hole marks the point when you realize that this course is really something special (If you’ve played here you know what I mean). It’s an uphill par 3 with an infinity green that lies on one of the highest points on the course, and the view from the top is enough to take your breath away. From here you get a little taste of what’s ahead, buybacks I’ll save that because I don’t want to spoil it for anyone who hasn’t played here. Pictures don’t do this place justice, so just hurry up and play it already! I can’t wait to see where this course places on the top 100 list!
Sand Valley Review
Two courses: Sand Valley and Mammouth and a par 3. We enjoyed Mammouth better, but it is pretty easy. The courses are walking only, which is great. Recommend a caddie since there are blind shots and rolling greens and will make for a better experience. Links golf with very little in the way of hazards. Relatively easy for good players. Very generous fairways and large greens makes this a good place for a group with a wide variety of skills. Courses are still new, greens and fairways are hard. Consider playing longer tees since the ball rolls out. Also, there is sand everyone, but none of which is considered a hazard. They don't seem to bother to rake the sand so I ended up in footprints a couple of times.
Overall, overpriced for the quality of golf and the service received. You need to shuttle down to the practice range and you are expected to lug your clubs on and off the shuttle. I was with my wife and the shuttle drivers don't move from their seat to help out.
We found the buildings on grounds to be cold and uninviting. The style is rustic prairie meets modern. The food was good and reasonably priced and wait staff was great, but the atmosphere was lacking. Although the courses are very female friendly, this place caters to men and guy getaways.
Pro shop staff could be a lot nicer. Clothes are over priced.
We play resort courses all over the US and internationally. Sand Valley acts a little haughty considering it is in the middle of nowhere. You think they would be happy to see you. But the place is very busy and seems to be a big success for the owners.
Loved Mammoth Dunes!
Wide fairways, large greens and wonderful experience! Really recommend Mammoth Dunes. Does not have some of the ragged sand bunkers/areas that Sand Valley has on it.
Lot of fun, enjoyable... bad caddie situation
Lots of fun and lots of sand. Yes, you'll most likely spend time in the sand, but not too difficult to get out and plenty of room for misses. The caddie situation sucked! My buddy and I each wanted a caddie and ended up with one caddie carrying two bags. He was never in the right place, couldn't read the greens and spent more time talking about all the people he had caddied for in the past rather than helping us. Ridiculous waste of money. We cancelled out caddie for out next day round at Mammoth Dunes.
30 minutes backup at the turn
We were going along nicely on the front 9. We then got to current turn area and found what would ruin the rest of the round.
As we approached the tent we noticed a large crowd gathering. What we found out that there was one group teeing off in ten and it was not the group in front of us.
We noticed that there were 3 groups, including us waiting to tee off .
Probably 30 minutes to tee off on 10 and the backup continued thru the whole back 9
A third of course employing temp greens
There is a tremendous amount of buzz surrounding Sand Valley right now, with the success of The Sandbox, the resort’s short course, and the opening of Mammoth Dunes, the resort’s second course, in a couple of weeks. A harsh Spring, however, has dealt a severe blow to the Sand Valley course.
One-third of the holes (Nos. 1, 2, 4, 5, 8 and 11) employed temporary greens. And I must say that the regular greens did not look close to returning to the rotation. The course is currently offering 18-hole play at the nine-hole rate, due to the temporary greens. The fairways were thin and sandy.
If you are planning a trip here in the next two weeks, be advised that you will want to call ahead and see how the course is coming along.
I must say, however, that my first trip to Sand Valley was only mildly tainted by the aforementioned conditioning. I could easily tell what makes SV one of the Best New Courses of 2017 and why it will undoubtedly continue to soar up all the course ranking lists.
This is not a tournament golf course. In this regard, it reminded me a lot of Gamble Sands in Washington. Coore and Crenshaw designed SV to be exceedingly playable for all skill levels. Fairways are beyond generous, and though I found the bunkers and waste areas numerous times off the tee, I did not think they were overly penal. This is definitely a second-shot golf course.
There is a ton of construction going on at the facility. More lodging is being created to inevitably handle the flood of players descending once Mammoth is complete. Currently, Mammoth is offering 13-hole preview play.
My only criticism is that the course was “out” of yardage/course guides. As a first-timer walking with my own bag, a book would have been helpful, though it was still mostly navigable without too much issue. A resort of this caliber, however, should never run out of anything in the pro shop. It would have been nice to have.
In conclusion, despite the limitations, I was still easily able to see why there is so much acclaim being garnered by Sand Valley, and look forward to returning in the future to see how it matures with the addition of Mammoth.
-
From behind ninth green. Photo submitted by BrandonWebb on 05/22/2018
-
From behind 10th green. Photo submitted by BrandonWebb on 05/22/2018
-
Driveable par-4 ninth hole from tee. Photo submitted by BrandonWebb on 05/22/2018
-
From behind 18th green. Photo submitted by BrandonWebb on 05/22/2018
-
Par-5 10th approach view. Photo submitted by BrandonWebb on 05/22/2018
-
Par-3 14th hole Photo submitted by BrandonWebb on 05/22/2018
Beautifully designed course, caddie issue
My brother and I stopped to play Sand Valley on the way home to Chicago after being in northern Wisconsin for the weekend. The service and overall "feel" of the resort is very comparable to Bandon Dunes. Because it is very new there is still construction going on but you can see that in the near future it will be the Bandon Dunes of the Midwest.
We only played the Sand Valley course and I must say the views and layout are stunning! We couldn't stop taking pictures from every tee box. I would love to play it again later in the year when the greens are repaired and rolling at true speed.
The one thing that did frustrate me though was the level of knowledge or lack thereof my caddie had of the course and golf in general. On the second hole my "A" caddie informed me that it was his FIRST time actually being out on the course and that we would learn it together because it was also my first time being there. He also had no idea how to give me a yardage, didn't know how to work his rangefinder or how to step off yardages from nearby sprinkler heads. Managing this course by yourself is very difficult as there are many blind shots into greens and from tee box areas. I am not by any means high maintenance when it comes to caddies and I am not upset at my caddie at all (he was a really nice and pleasant guy) but I am upset at the caddie director as obviously there isn't any sort of training. I would be totally fine if this was a junior caddie. But how can you send out an "A" caddie who has never even stepped foot on the course and doesn't know how to give yardage?
U GOTTA GO!
WOW! This is going to be the next #1 new course for the resort when the raters get to it. MAMMOTH means MAMMOTH- Fairways, waste areas, bunkers, greens, elevation changes, views, all larger than life. Hard to miss a fairway as most are 100yds wide or more but if you do you're in native(heavy) sand. Don't try blasting, just pick it clean.
Played in mid May on a not-so-nice weather weekend(cold) but then it is in central Wisconsin. Only 13 holes open(full course open as of May 31). Watch for $1 hamburgers at the turn.
The resort is still pretty new with a tent as a temp restaurant but ALL the staff,-bag attendants, starters, caddy masters, caddies, wait staff, pro shop folks super friendly(almost like family).
Play the Sand Valley course for comparison(an unbelievable course in its own right) and the Sand Box(17 hole par 3 course for fun.
This golf experience is outstanding for nearly any quality golfer. I can’t enough positives about it. Staff, layout, scenic views ...it’s as good as any other destination in Wisconsin or the Midwest!
Carry your own bag!
I played the course last year and enjoyed it very much. I walked, carried my own bag, and had a wonderful time.
This year, going back I attempted to take advantage of some of the amenities, including the caddie service.
Bad move. The first thing the caddie did was to begin going through my bag, without asking, to unload things and make it lighter. Since I carry my bag, and had done so a few days prior, I know it was not unreasonably heavy.
When I catch him, I offer to lighten the load on my own.
The only personal thing left on my bag was a towel. It was lost. Upon returning home and noticing it is missing, I called the course.
I had to leave a message and after two days, and no call back, I had to call them again. Then, instead of getting a call back from a staff member, or the caddie master, I get a text on my personal phone from the caddie.
Towel lost and still no appropriate response from Sand Valley.
Very unprofessionally handled in my opinion.
Also, the course conditions were too difficult for the average player, and probably nearly unplayable for all but single digit handicappers.
It is a beautiful peace of land though, but best enjoyed walking and carrying your own bag.
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.
Great Experience
My group visited Bandon Dunes a couple of years ago and thought it was fantastic because of the golfing experience and scenic views. This is a completely different experience. This has a countryside feeling with beautiful views and some golf skills . Few level lies, some driver carries over natural areas, huge fairways and greens. The rooms are wonderful and the food was especially delicious. Needs to be on any golfer’s bucket list
Sequel better than the originnal
This visit was preview play so I'm going to get too picky on course conditions, caddie knowledge, etc as everyone is still learning.
If the first 9 holes are any indication, it will be better than Sand Valley. The property is massive and the name is fitting. Like Sand Valley, you can play a longer tee box as the course plays shorter than the advertised yardages due to the elevated tees, firm fairways and wind depending on the day. When my wife and I played, the wind picked up between 15-25 mph.
I played well that day. Where the caddie told me to hit it, I actually hit it. The massive fairways give multiple options off the tee to make the hole longer or shorter for your approach. If you hit the speed slot, your drive went 30-40 yards longer and nothing more than a wedge into firm, fast greens. The tees are set so every type of player can take advantage of these options. If you're playing well, you can score. If you're not, you will find the only hazard known at Mammoth Dunes, sand. You have to manage your misses on some holes as anything off the green will require a fine-tuned short game to get up and down. Certain holes offer you the chance to play links-style golf and keep it on the ground or close to it.
I cannot wait to play the drivable par 4 14th. It's not included in preview play but just seeing it makes you want to play it more than once.
When having fun on a golf course is not just what you make of it but what the course itself provides, you're in for a memorable experience and Mammoth Dunes is exactly that. I cannot wait to play the full 18.
There is plenty of love for Sand Valley right now and it shows in the staff and the service. The food in the clubhouse was awesome. Walleye tacos anyone? If you haven't tried the rosemary, parmesan fries at the clubhouse you must and can thank me later. .
Sand Valley Golf Resort (Mammoth Dunes - Preview)
The Good: David McLay-Kidd is in the process of constructing the flagship masterpiece at Sand Valley Golf Resort, Mike Keiser's budding golf resort in the middle of nowhere Wisconsin. Even more expansive in scale compared to Coore & Crenshaw's Sand Valley course, Mammoth Dunes provided preview play for Holes 1-5 & 15-18. The course is engulfed in sand dunes that make it seem like you're on another continent. Excellent variety in Par 4 hole design with good mixture of doglegs and elevation change. Excellent Par 5's that are risk-reward depending the tees you play. Par 3 16th in particular is a masterpiece downhill shot over the largest dune on the course (thus far). Fabulous views of the closing holes from the brand new clubhouse. Great service and friendly staff.
The Bad: No yardage markers yet, but this is typical for a course in preview play stage. The greens are almost TOO large and could lead to a lot of time spent putting. May be a tough hike for those that don't walk many golf courses.
The Verdict: Mammoth Dunes is well on its way to be one of the best public golf courses in the Midwest. A playable, fun experience and can't wait to see the final 9 holes!
Best Hole: The downhill Par 4 #5 is one of the most beautiful settings at the the whole resort. Will be one of many spots where pictures are taken.
Sand Valley Golf Resort (Sand Valley)
The Good: Mike Keiser's "Bandon Dunes of the Midwest" is a majestic sand dunes restoration project in addition to a budding golf resort. The Coore & Crenshaw course is a rugged, sandy masterpiece of playable, yet intimidating golf that gives golfers plenty of options and challenges along the way. Fabulously conditioned despite being in its infancy and huge, large greens that already putt true. The layout is fair with huge fairways and a strong variety of tough holes sprinkled with short Par 3's and drivable Par 4's to improve your confidence. Practice facility is excellent with full driving range and putting green that connects to first tee. Superb service in place with full caddie program and friendly staff. First class clubhouse with extremely nice restaurant and bar, as well as awesome pro shop.
The Bad: Sand and waste area conditions are only course detractor as they need continued improvements as the resort matures. Greens could use another season or two to mature and hold shots better. Perhaps a little overpriced at $200+ for a new resort.
The Verdict: Sand Valley is well on its way to being a Top 3 Wisconsin course and one of the best resort courses in the Midwest. An extremely fun, playable track that will only get better with time. A truly memorable golfing experience that will only get better with age.
Best Hole(s): Each nine closes with fantastic holes: #9 is an excellent short Par 4 that demands precision an the closing #18 is an uphill, beautiful Par 5 that caps a religious golfing adventure.
Mammoth Dunes (Six Hole Preview)
Need to start this review off with a couple of disclaimers –
1) I have played Keiser’s first property the private 9 hole Dunes Club in New Buffalo, MI. A Nugent design it is truly a special place and the very best 9 hole course I’ve ever experienced. If you are invited there do not miss it!!
2) I have not had the opportunity to experience Bandon Dunes but hope to get there someday.
Yes Sand Valley is in the middle of nowhere. It’s also quite a haul from the Chicago area. You can stay there/you should stay there if you can afford it (everything is extremely expensive) and yes it’s all about golf/golf and more golf. Walking only with caddies (or you can rent/bring your own pull cart). I only played the 6 hole preview of the Mammoth Dunes course – it was a beautiful very hot sunny day with light winds. All facilities are built on a surreal links type site with little shade…..the pictures really don’t do it justice. To be honest my impression walking off the preview holes was negative…..but after a few days of reflection I’ve tempered my opinion for several reasons.
I played the holes in benign conditions (hot/sunny) and everything about these six holes was supersized (I termed it Grand Big Mac size) from all aspects – huge bunkers/fairways/green sites……ever play a course that’s claustrophobic with trees/obtrusive housing? Completely reverse that thought - the vistas and site lines here are so vast it can be off putting. This course when it's complete was designed for much cooler weather and some winds to fend with. Extremely links like and very different unless you’ve traveled to Scotland or Ireland but this is a "supersized American links." I’d highly recommend playing it in the spring/fall seasons when rates are cheaper (a full 9 holes of Mammoth will be open in about a month)because a hot summer day doesn’t provide the intended challenges off the tee (the fairways are that large) so really all you’re dealing with is a long range chipping/putting contest which is what you’ll be doing anyway because the green sites are that large....some are a 4 club depth easy depending on where the flag is. Walking the width right to left on the 18th green toward the clubhouse will take you at least half a minute or more because I swear the finishing putting surface has a larger footprint than the clubhouse and lodging at the top of the dune!
Hole 1 – the opener has a large swaled fairway which gives you an option to go left (low) or right (high)….taking the high route opens up the green and allows a more playable rolling in approach. A very fair start/introduction of what’s to come.
Hole 2 – Nice dogleg left par 4 with a mounded bunker on the left but you must drive your ball as far as you dare right of that….fending off and carrying a large waste area down the right side of the fairway.
Hole 15 – a fairly straight away rolling par 5 which features kind of a double fairway for your drive (again a high and low side) and in some areas it’s probably 100 yard plus wide.
Hole 16 – A nice short downhill well contoured par 3 with sort of a large bowl like green.
Hole 17 – straightway par 4 which features a huge gaping deep bunker protecting most if not all of the green. Driving down the left side opens up the left side of the green a tad.
Hole 18 – a par 5 finisher that had the tightest driving area with deep bunkers on the left and right providing a nice risk reward. Your second shot should be routed as right as possible towards another bunker on the right for an easier approach. Going left you are faced with one of the deepest largest waste areas - containing a large patch of unkempt fescue and finally raked bunker protecting the putting surface except on the far right side….this final hazard should be avoided at all costs.
All of the greens are HUGE. Definitely spend time on practice putting green right out the proshop door to practice your feel for 70/80/90 and over 100 foot putts…..you’ll definitely have some of those.
Didn’t have time to experience the Coore/Crenshaw course but again after reflection I would go back to experience entire Mammoth course upon it's completion definitely with cooler conditions and wind.
So many options that each day this course will never play the same - so vast and so different -well named.
Another great addition to the Minimalist movement
It took decades for golf course architects to start intentionally moving as little dirt as possible, but such a philosophy is firmly back in vogue, and Sand Valley serves as a great new addition to this genre of course. The heaving central-Wisconsin sand dunes set a wonderful stage for compelling golf, as Coore & Crenshaw routed holes that tackle them in various ways, from the drop-shot par-3 5th to the curling, around-the-dune 16th and the hill-climbing 18th. The turf is bouncy, the greens are fun to putt, the accommodations are comfy and the people couldn't be nicer. Sand Valley is a winner.