Sand Valley?

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

I am thinking about a QUICK weekend get away to Sand Valley, Mammoth Dunes and Links Lawsonia in May. I might go as a single. What is everyone's experience with these courses? I also need a course to play on the way up there; I was thinking University Ridge or playing Sand box on day of arrival instead. Any others I should consider? SUnday I wil lonly have time to play Lawsonia and then drive 7.5 hours back to Ohio.

[mci711]

3 hours ago, BEND OF THE RIVER GC said:

I am thinking about a QUICK weekend get away to Sand Valley, Mammoth Dunes and Links Lawsonia in May. I might go as a single. What is everyone's experience with these courses? I also need a course to play on the way up there; I was thinking University Ridge or playing Sand box on day of arrival instead. Any others I should consider? SUnday I wil lonly have time to play Lawsonia and then drive 7.5 hours back to Ohio.

 

I'd rather play SV, MD, and Sand Box over anything else. Lawsonia is overrated. It is good, but nowhere near the level of Sand Valley courses.  Sand box is a good idea to get use to the greens/tight lies you'll have on SV and MD. You may have trouble getting a room, I am pretty sure they are close to booked up this summer. If you need a course to play Sunday I'd play Erin Hills 10 times out 10 over Lawsonia. But cost wise it is quite a bit more. I do like University Ridge. It is a fun course. 

[BG5]

SV and MD are amazing.  I like MD more because its you can score low.  The SB is great as well and we played 53 holes in a day and started with the SB and we are glad we did because it did get us ready for course conditions.  Consider taking a caddie....it will be worth it and they offer you caddies as well that are a lot cheaper and damn near as good.  I had a 14 year old kid on my bag and he was one of the best caddies I have ever had.  I made sure to take care of the young lad because he was just that good 🙂

[ode1]

Wild Rock is worth a look and I'm sure there will be quite a few options along the route you end up taking.

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

I have always wanted to play Links Lawsonia, so I will definitely play it. I won't be back that way for a few years, so I should probably play the sandbox the day I get up there.

 

They still have rooms in May, which is when I will go!

[mci711]

1 hour ago, BEND OF THE RIVER GC said:

I have always wanted to play Links Lawsonia, so I will definitely play it. I won't be back that way for a few years, so I should probably play the sandbox the day I get up there.

 

They still have rooms in May, which is when I will go!

 

Nice. You'll have a blast. Literally the most fun combo of courses I've played at one place. I think it is the best golf resort anywhere in the midwest. Get the tacos at the turn on Sand Valley.  

[BG5]

23 minutes ago, mci711 said:

 

Nice. You'll have a blast. Literally the most fun combo of courses I've played at one place. I think it is the best golf resort anywhere in the midwest. Get the tacos at the turn on Sand Valley.  

tacos are amazing 👊

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

I am looking forward to getting away alone to golf for a few days, my wife won't golf at walking only places and she really only likes to play 9 holes and then ride in the cart looking pretty. (lol).

[klebs01]

Depends on your goals between U Ridge, Wild Rock or something else. Erin is the best of the bunch if there are no constraints. U Ridge is really solid though it been a couple years for me. Definitely on my list for the season. Wild Rock doesn’t do a whole lot for me. One tee box with good views for WI, but it’s just a mid range resort course with 5+ hour rounds and people playing beer cart on vacation. 
 

Im on the opposite side of the spectrum MCI on Lawsonia. Yeah, it’s a rustic course that costs $70 to play. It’s not conditioned like a $400/round course. That doesn’t bother me in the least. I don’t have a problem with inconsistent bunkers, they are hazards, don’t hit it there. The design and greens are top notch. Some of the best greens and surrounds I’ve played anywhere. I try to get up there at least once a year. 

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

Well they do not have any rooms in the lodge for the 2nd weekend of May, I'll have to call back a few times to see if anyone cancels between now and then. You can only make tee times 30 days out if not staying on site, so, hopefully I wont have difficulty making tee times as a single, I don't care about being paired up at all. I would prefer to stay on site it I can however, sounds like more fun.

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

Well, it looks like I got lucky tonight! Sand Valley had a cancellation and I now have a room in the lodge and set tee times on all 3 courses in May.

 

Fri - Play the Sandbox in the evening

Sat - 36 holes, AM on Sand Valley with a caddy, PM on Mammoth Dunes, without a  caddy.

Sun - AM Links Lawsonia

 

Should be a pretty good weekend!

Edited January 26, 2022 by BEND OF THE RIVER GC

[jerebear21]

I’m in the camp of staying at sand valley as long as possible.  Even if I’m playing MD or SV again.  Lawsonia Links isn’t on the same level if SV is my destination.  On it’s own, I’ll play lawsonia.  

[Phreddy]

It is a shame you are coming in May.  Sentry World will reopen June 1.  It is within spitting distance of SV.

[TBone0576]

On 1/25/2022 at 5:30 PM, BEND OF THE RIVER GC said:

Well, it looks like I got lucky tonight! Sand Valley had a cancellation and I now have a room in the lodge and set tee times on all 3 courses in May.

 

Fri - Play the Sandbox in the evening

Sat - 36 holes, AM on Sand Valley with a caddy, PM on Mammoth Dunes, without a  caddy.

Sun - AM Links Lawsonia

 

Should be a pretty good weekend!

Enjoy!   I played MD and SV in the same day early May last year.  Not sure it matters what order you play them but SV is more difficult.   Only complaint was that play was slow on MD and we had zero time at the turn so we hustled into the bus and they dropped us up at SV and just kept going.  Would have loved even 20 minutes in between.   Keep your fingers crossed for decent weather.  We had a dry day and it got into the high 50s.  Not bad. 

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

I have a 9am tee time (with a caddy) on Sand Valley first. Mammoth Dunes is at 2 or 2:15 I think, but I did not request a caddy for the Mammoth Dunes round. Hoping I have a little time to chill and eat some of those tacos! I'll get up early, and drive to Lawsonia Links for my Sunday AM round. 

 

 

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

May is the only time I can get away "alone for the weekend". I just want to golf, no other distractions. Sentry World? I'll get that the next time I am up as I will want to play Erin Hills and the new Lido course at SV when it opens!

[sleuth]

On 1/24/2022 at 2:26 PM, BEND OF THE RIVER GC said:

I am thinking about a QUICK weekend get away to Sand Valley, Mammoth Dunes and Links Lawsonia in May. I might go as a single. What is everyone's experience with these courses? I also need a course to play on the way up there; I was thinking University Ridge or playing Sand box on day of arrival instead. Any others I should consider? SUnday I wil lonly have time to play Lawsonia and then drive 7.5 hours back to Ohio.

This will be a great series of courses.

 

I personally like The Woodlands over Links. I didn't understand the allure of The Links, but it's still a good course. They also have Finn Scooters for rent, but cost a bit more than a traditional cart. I'd recommend it simply for the experience. It makes the round so much more enjoyable.

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

I'll definitely try one of those scooters!

[JoeHatesSnow]

On 1/24/2022 at 6:16 PM, ode said:

Wild Rock is worth a look and I'm sure there will be quite a few options along the route you end up taking.

If the OP is still thinking about a course on the way I second this suggestion.  I personally prefer it to University Ridge, YMMV.

[PureGolf313]

People probably get sick of me saying this but literally right outside the gates of SV are the two Lake Arrowhead courses which are VERY good, my family has had a lakehome in the Lake Arrowhead development for 20 years and these courses are an excellent value and always in great condition. Every time I bring a group up to play SV I always include one of these in the rotation and everyone always is very impressed with the LA courses. If you want to criss cross all over the state or you have time yes Lawsonia is great but if you want to stay close to SV these are a great option. https://www.lakearrowheadgolf.com/

 

Also Stevens Point Country Club has some open play or Bulls Eye CC in Rapids are also great options. 

Edited March 9, 2022 by PureGolf313

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

On 1/26/2022 at 11:51 AM, jerebear21 said:

I’m in the camp of staying at sand valley as long as possible.  Even if I’m playing MD or SV again.  Lawsonia Links isn’t on the same level if SV is my destination.  On it’s own, I’ll play lawsonia.  

 

I switched up my trip. Gonna wait to play SV and MD. Playing Erin Hills and Lawsonia instead this time around.

[Chillidipper1]

Lawsonia is one of the best courses I've ever played, you will not be disappointed. 

 

I love Sand Valley, making my fifth trip up there in late May, so make sure you take time to get there. If you are not making the return trip to SV soon it's not a bad idea to wait until Sedge and Lido are done.

 

Looking forward to the review of Erin Hills. I haven't made the trip over there yet. 

 

[vandyfan]

Planning my 40th birthday (1.5 years from now) and of all the places I can go and play golf for 3 days...I think this is the spot (having never played there). Good conditions, interesting layout but also fairly friendly off the tee and relatively benign weather (compared to somewhere like Bandon). I have looked at the courses at least 10 times each on GoogleEarth, read all the reviews, etc. Now to see if I can book this far in advance and determine how many other sickos there are in my life that also want to come. 

 

I am sure Bandon is incredible and an amazing golf experience but I don't love playing in the wind, especially not on a once in a lifetime trip, or getting beaten up. As a mid single digit I can get around most golf courses but in order to really score I need a fair amount of "help" and open landing zones. 

[Wham49]

On 1/24/2022 at 2:26 PM, BEND OF THE RIVER GC said:

I am thinking about a QUICK weekend get away to Sand Valley, Mammoth Dunes and Links Lawsonia in May. I might go as a single. What is everyone's experience with these courses? I also need a course to play on the way up there; I was thinking University Ridge or playing Sand box on day of arrival instead. Any others I should consider? SUnday I wil lonly have time to play Lawsonia and then drive 7.5 hours back to Ohio.

My nephew is a Caddy at Sand Valley, He loves it, said it is unbelievable to play, Lawsonia is wonderful as well. The great thing is residents of the city, at teh end of the season can get a Tee time with very reduced rates. I think it is in October. I would check it for sure, Beautiful in that part of Wisconsin. Pretty desolate up there though not much else going on up there

[StudentGolfer4]

1 hour ago, Chillidipper1 said:

Lawsonia is one of the best courses I've ever played, you will not be disappointed. 

 

I love Sand Valley, making my fifth trip up there in late May, so make sure you take time to get there. If you are not making the return trip to SV soon it's not a bad idea to wait until Sedge and Lido are done.

 

Looking forward to the review of Erin Hills. I haven't made the trip over there yet. 

 

Unless something has changed, Lido is not going to be available to resort guest and Sedge Valley is still a long way off. The Sand Valley website claims Sedge will be opening 2024. 
 

I’m in the camp of never put off a good golf trip. You never know what might happen over the next few years. 

[DandyDon]

Thinking about a trip in the end of May, we would most likely fly into Milwaukee.....What courses in between (at least somewhat in between anyway) SV and Milwaukee would be worth a play?

 

A few years ago we played Whistling, Erin Hills and Bull at Pinehurst, probably don't want to spring for Whistling again though.  

[ode1]

57 minutes ago, DandyDon said:

Thinking about a trip in the end of May, we would most likely fly into Milwaukee.....What courses in between (at least somewhat in between anyway) SV and Milwaukee would be worth a play?

 

A few years ago we played Whistling, Erin Hills and Bull at Pinehurst, probably don't want to spring for Whistling again though.  

URidge, Wild Rock, Lawsonia Links, Washington County.

[MountainKing]

23 hours ago, DandyDon said:

Thinking about a trip in the end of May, we would most likely fly into Milwaukee.....What courses in between (at least somewhat in between anyway) SV and Milwaukee would be worth a play?

 

A few years ago we played Whistling, Erin Hills and Bull at Pinehurst, probably don't want to spring for Whistling again though.  

 

If you're looking to play SV in May, hopefully you have it booked, if not call and get on the waiting list asap.  We tried a hail mary for this year back in June and then tried next year and they're almost fully booked through 2023.

[DandyDon]

6 hours ago, MountainKing said:

 

If you're looking to play SV in May, hopefully you have it booked, if not call and get on the waiting list asap.  We tried a hail mary for this year back in June and then tried next year and they're almost fully booked through 2023.

Ha Ha, just got a call on my voicemail telling me they only had one of the nights available.....Whoops.

[MountainKing]

3 hours ago, DandyDon said:

Ha Ha, just got a call on my voicemail telling me they only had one of the nights available.....Whoops.

It's crazy