Sand Valley 2026 Reservations CLOSED

[underwaterDMS]

The new process is a bit crazy.  But, as others have pointed out, this is simply appropriate demand for an excellent product at (what I consider to be) a very reasonable value.  As they build more courses on property, it really underscores the importance of building more rooms.

 

I feel lucky to have been in the right place at the right time and responded to the reservation email within 6 minutes.  I was given slot #753.  I received my call yesterday (Thursday) morning.  I did not have much hope, but was pleasantly surprised.  Weekends were (as I had expected) more or less completely gone.  However, I was able to book two itineraries that I was fairly pleased with, including tee times that allowed for 36 each day.  I bring an 8-pack up every June.  I was able to pull off a two day Monday/Tuesday night stay in one of the Lake Leopold cottages in late June.  I also like to return in September with a foursome, and was able to snag a two night Wednesday/Thursday night stay in two 2-queen rooms.  I was able to book a Lido round for both itineraries.

 

For those not aware, Sand Valley and Lido tracks are closed for the vast majority of September and early October for the USGA Mid-Am championship tournament.  This unfortunately puts even more of a squeeze on an already tight supply of available rooms and tee times.

 

For those still in line... keep hope alive.  When I initially saw #753, I figured that I had ZERO hope of an 8-man trip, and only marginal hope for any reasonable itinerary for a foursome that allowed for 36 hole days.  

[bcc624]

Why does Sand Valley allow 3rd party companies to make group reservations for the purpose of reselling to the public at an upcharge?

 

I emailed them last May about tripcaddie and this was their response:

 

”The packages that they are offering are legit. They are just through a third party that made the reservations with us.”

 

Examples:

https://www.premiergolf.com/wisconsin/sand-valley/
https://tripcaddie.com/play-sand-valley-this-summer/

https://quotes.epicgolftravel.com/custom-client-quotes/jess-wantz-group-sand-valley-golf-trip-june-2025/

[The Milkman]

Its no different than any of the memberships like Fried Egg or Golfers Journal that do a trip with their members.

[bcc624]

3 hours ago, The Milkman said:

Its no different than any of the memberships like Fried Egg or Golfers Journal that do a trip with their members.

At least that’s a community driven group event that’s hopefully not driven by profits.  These are just resellers selling to anyone.

[ESOX ZO]

1478 

[AUTIGER07]

5 hours ago, ESOX ZO said:

1478 

1253 here. Expecting a call sometime during Masters week

[ESOX ZO]

17 hours ago, AUTIGER07 said:

1253 here. Expecting a call sometime during Masters week

Was thinking Memorial Day, might have to drive up to Greywalls and Sweetgrass instead next year. 

[MountainKing]

On 3/8/2025 at 6:25 AM, bcc624 said:

Why does Sand Valley allow 3rd party companies to make group reservations for the purpose of reselling to the public at an upcharge?

 

 

 

Why would they care?  Their goal is to sell times and rooms, and this helps accomplish that goal. 

[pmccallum86]

On 3/10/2025 at 5:56 PM, bcc624 said:

At least that’s a community driven group event that’s hopefully not driven by profits.  These are just resellers selling to anyone.

 

 

They are totally driven by profits, they have staff to pay and overhead to cover.  At least you know those groups will be like minded if you go that way though. 

[wtoomey]

Thought I’d change the title seeing as they have closed the queue. 
 

When I started this thread I was 1262 in line on day one, 20 days later I was 103 when it closed. Obviously a bummer we didn’t get a chance to make our reservations, just proves that destination golf is as popular as ever. 

[AUTIGER07]

I called this morning and left a message about wanting to book one of the leftover stays for next April / May. We’ll see what happens.

[ESOX ZO]

Gotta make the best of 2025 now! RIP 2026 SV yearly trip.

[ode1]

8 hours ago, ESOX ZO said:

Gotta make the best of 2025 now! RIP 2026 SV yearly trip.

Damn that has to be a buzzkill.  Agree, make the best of this year!  Plenty of good golf courses to play that you don't have to wait in a queue or beg someone to play!

[jjthomp2]

for anyone that's been before are there courses that are better to play earlier in the day rather than later? Similar to Bandon (Old Mac mornings, Trails afternoon?)

[Kdot09]

I was around 5000 in the queue when it closed. I then filled out a waitlist inquiry on their website and received a call back the next day. They said they had availability towards the end of April 2026. So Maybe do that? FYI the lido doesn't open until May 11th. 

[pmccallum86]

On 3/20/2025 at 10:54 AM, jjthomp2 said:

for anyone that's been before are there courses that are better to play earlier in the day rather than later? Similar to Bandon (Old Mac mornings, Trails afternoon?)

 

I really don't think it matters honestly.  Twilight on Mammoth is spiritual though. 

[underwaterDMS]

3 hours ago, pmccallum86 said:

 

I really don't think it matters honestly.  Twilight on Mammoth is spiritual though. 

I can't agree more... twilight on Mammoth is something else.  Last September, we finished out 11 extra holes on Mammoth after a full 36 on Sedge and Sand Valley.  We tee'd off more than an hour after the last group went out.  We didn't see a single soul the entire time.  In the golden hour, sun setting.  It was a top three moment in my golf life.  We just started having trouble watching our balls in the air as we played up 11.  The shuttle was waiting for us at the brat shack adjacent to 12 tee to whisk us back to the clubhouse.  Absolute.  Perfection.

 

The course that changes the most over the course of the day is Sand Valley.  It is the course most affected by wind, which comes up more in the afternoon.  Plays easier in the morning.  It can be a real different animal in the afternoon.  IF you have time to play courses more than once, that would be the biggest potential bang for the buck when it comes to seeing a course in different conditions AM vs PM.  

[ESOX ZO]

Sandbox evening round - no shoes - just the boys - magical. 

[Bsarosi]

I called the day the queue closed and was able to book golf-only for 2026 for a group of 12 (added to the lodging waitlist).

 

Courses and times were slim-pickings (6:30-6:50am and 12:30-12:50pm tee times each day for us) but happy we could book something. Our group had flexibility to visit on weekdays so that certainly helped but it sounded like there were tee times available, just no lodging.

[AUTIGER07]

I called today and was able to grab 3 nights in a row for May. Two of us going and got times for all 4 courses plus Sandbox.

 

Sounds like for 1-2 players there are still some decent options in April / May for those interested.

[Ryan19jwu]

Random, but thought I'd try. I have booked some tee times on 8/1 and 8/2, but was unable to get lodging onsite. Anyone with an extra room they don't want to get stuck with?