USA · Links
Sand Valley
Wisconsin's answer to Bandon Dunes — four walking-only courses on sandy terrain 3 hours north of Chicago. The Lido is the most talked-about new course in America. For groups who loved Bandon but want something more accessible from Toronto.
BEST TIME TO GO
May–September
EST. COST / PERSON
$2,500–$5,500 CAD
BOOK IN ADVANCE
16–40 weeks
TRAVEL TIME
10h drive from KW
MUST-PLAY COURSES
The Lido at Sand Valley
#12 Public Course USA (Golf Digest)
Recreation of the lost C.B. Macdonald Lido course. Broad, strategic, links perfection.
Sand Valley
#21 Public Course USA
The original. Sand ridges, native fescue, fast fairways.
Mammoth Dunes
#25 Public Course USA
Widest fairways in the world. Links philosophy, maximum fun.
Sedge Valley
#51 Public Course USA
Doak's newest addition. Quick to earn a ranking.
WHAT A TRIP LOOKS LIKE
Arrive & Settle In
The resort's lodge accommodation is genuinely comfortable — request rooms in the main lodge building for group proximity. Arrive in the afternoon and walk the property to preview the routing before dinner in the lodge restaurant.
Sand Valley Course
The 2017 original on native fescue sand ridges — natural terrain, minimal earthmoving, and a routing that plays very differently in morning calm versus afternoon wind. Caddies are available and worth booking for the first round.
Mammoth Dunes
David McLay Kidd's widest-fairways-in-the-world philosophy results in a round where the whole group feels genuinely competitive — high handicappers and scratch players both find scoring opportunities. Best day for the group scramble format.
The Lido
Coore and Crenshaw's Lido is the one round on this property that requires pre-reading — the C.B. Macdonald design philosophy rewards golfers who understand the intended lines and punishes those who simply aim at flags. Worth studying the routing the night before.
Sedge Valley
Tom Doak's 2024 addition is already ranked #51 public USA — a quick rise that reflects the quality of the design. More intimate than the other three courses, with Doak's characteristic precision-target philosophy throughout.
Lido Again & Depart
A second round on The Lido wraps up the trip — most golfers say they finally understand Macdonald's design language on the second visit. Day 6 is the drive to Madison or Chicago for the flight home.
GROUPS 12+ — Sand Valley's resort accommodation books up 6–8 months in advance for summer dates — the property is small relative to Bandon and demand for The Lido especially is high. Block rooms at the same time as tee times, and request a group room cluster in the main lodge.
BEST MONTHS
Ready to plan Sand Valley?
Tell us your dates and group size — we'll take it from there.