Wisconsin

Sand Valley

Courses: 5
From: $1.7k
Best for: Buddies
Courses: 5
From: $1,695/pp
Best for: Buddies Trips
Airport: Dane County Regional Airport (MSN)

Sand Valley is one of America’s premier modern golf resorts, built across massive sandy terrain in central Wisconsin. The destination now combines five distinct golf experiences — Sand Valley, Mammoth Dunes, Sedge Valley, The Lido, and The Sandbox — with walking-first golf, understated lodging, and a pure buddies-trip atmosphere.

Courses: 5 courses
Best months: May – October
Ideal length: 3–5 days
From airport: 1h 45m
Trips from: $1,695

Golf Courses at Sand Valley

Wisconsin · Course 1

Sand Valley - Sand Valley Course

Holes: 18
Par: 72
Yards: 6,913
Est.: 2017

A stunning course that embraces the natural sand barrens of Wisconsin, offering a unique links-style experience.

Wisconsin · Course 2

Sand Valley - Mammoth Dunes

Holes: 18
Par: 73
Yards: 6,988
Est.: 2018

Designed by David McLay Kidd, this course is known for its massive fairways and dramatic elevation changes, providing a thrilling round for golfers of all skill levels.

Wisconsin · Course 3

Sand Valley - The Sandbox

Holes: 17
Par: 51
Yards: 1,652
Est.: 2018

A fun and challenging 17-hole short course that offers a variety of creative shots, perfect for honing your short game skills.

Wisconsin · Course 4

Sand Valley - Sedge Valley

Holes: 18
Par: 68
Yards: 5,829
Est.: 2024

Sedge Valley is Tom Doak’s intimate Sand Valley course, inspired by heathland and links golf with strategic angles, smaller scale, and firm, creative playing conditions.

Wisconsin · Course 5

Sand Valley - The Lido

Holes: 18
Par: 72
Yards: 7,000
Est.: 2023

The Lido at Sand Valley is a Tom Doak/Renaissance Golf Design recreation of C.B. Macdonald’s lost Long Island masterpiece, rebuilt in central Wisconsin.

Trip Packages at Sand Valley

Starting points. Everything is built around your dates, group size, and the courses you want to play.

Sand Valley Architecture Trip

From $2,295 per golfer

A complete Sand Valley itinerary built around the resort’s core golf lineup: Sand Valley, Mammoth Dunes, Sedge Valley, The Lido, and The Sandbox. Ideal for groups that want multiple walking rounds, short-course matches, caddies, and on-property lodging.

All golf and lodging taxes and fees included. Excludes flights, airport transfers, and caddies. Rates subject to change.

Sand Valley Long Weekend

From $1,695 per golfer

A shorter stay-and-play trip focused on Sand Valley, Mammoth Dunes, Sedge Valley, and a casual Sandbox round for groups with limited time.

All golf and lodging taxes and fees included. Excludes flights, airport transfers, and caddies. Rates subject to change.

What to Expect at Sand Valley

Why visit

Sand Valley is a must-play destination for golfers who care about architecture, walking golf, and trips built almost entirely around the game. Coore & Crenshaw’s Sand Valley delivers firm, strategic ground-game golf; David McLay Kidd’s Mammoth Dunes adds huge scale and fun; Tom Doak’s Sedge Valley brings a smaller, more intimate style; The Lido recreates C.B. Macdonald’s lost Long Island masterpiece; and The Sandbox gives groups a 17-hole short-course option that is perfect for replay, matches, and late-day golf. With on-property lodging, caddies, shuttles, fire pits, and a remote golf-first setting, Sand Valley has become one of the best modern golf trips in the country.

Accommodations

Guests stay on property in lodge rooms, suites, cottages, Lake Leopold cottages, and estate homes. The lodging is built for golf groups, with private bathrooms, shared gathering spaces, fire pits, resort shuttles, and easy access to the courses.

Resort amenities

Sand Valley is built around a pure golf-resort experience with walking-only courses, caddie services, practice facilities, on-property shuttles, resort dining, fire pits, and lodging designed for golf groups. The property combines championship architecture, short-course golf, large natural landscapes, and understated hospitality rather than a traditional country-club feel.

Five Golf Experiences
Walking-Only Golf Culture
Caddie Program
Lodge Rooms, Suites & Cottages
Short Course & Practice Facilities

Where to stay

4 hand-picked stays.

Each property is selected for proximity to the next round, the kind of evening that fits a long golf trip, and the feel we want for the group.

4 properties

Hotel01 / 04

Sand Valley Lodge Rooms

Single King / Double Queen Lodge Room

Modern lodge rooms with single king or double queen layouts, golf-club storage, and easy access to the main resort core.

Best for smaller groups, couples, or golfers who want the simplest on-property setup.

From

$265

Hotel02 / 04

Sand Valley Suites

Suite

Larger suite-style accommodations, including Mammoth and King Suite options, designed for golfers who want more space while staying close to the resort core.

Good fit for premium golf groups or smaller parties wanting more room than a standard lodge room.

From

$600

Villa03 / 04

Sand Valley Cottages

2-Bedroom / 4-Bedroom / Lake Leopold Cottage

Two-bedroom, four-bedroom, and Lake Leopold cottage options with private bedrooms, private bathrooms, and shared gathering areas for golf groups.

One of the best options for buddies trips because the layout keeps the group together between rounds.

From

$925

Villa04 / 04

Sand Valley Estate Homes

Estate Home

Large private homes for bigger groups, offering expanded living space, multiple bedrooms, and a more private stay within the Sand Valley property.

Best for larger groups, corporate retreats, or premium golf trips.

Included in package

Plan Your Trip to Sand Valley

Getting there

Sand Valley is located in Nekoosa, Wisconsin. Dane County Regional Airport in Madison is the closest practical commercial airport at roughly 1.5 to 2 hours away, while Milwaukee, Chicago O’Hare, Chicago Midway, and Minneapolis–St. Paul are common options for larger groups using rental cars or resort-arranged transfers.

Best time to visit: The best time to visit Sand Valley is May through October, with late spring, summer, and early fall offering the strongest mix of firm conditions, daylight, and Wisconsin golf weather. Peak summer has the most energy, while May, September, and October can be especially good for groups looking for cooler temperatures.
Who it's best for: Best for buddies trips, walking-golf purists, golf architecture fans, and groups looking for a remote, all-in golf resort experience.
Address: 1697 Leopold Way, Nekoosa, WI 54457
Season: Seasonal golf operations; lodging and resort amenities vary by season
Course details: Features Sand Valley, Mammoth Dunes, Sedge Valley, The Lido, and The Sandbox short course. The resort is walking-only, with caddies and push/pull carts available.
Location: Nekoosa, Wisconsin
Nearest airport: Dane County Regional Airport (MSN)
Trip style: Modern Golf Resort
Best for: Buddies Trips, Golf Architecture Enthusiasts, Walking Golf

Frequently Asked Questions about Sand Valley

How many golf courses are at Sand Valley?

Sand Valley currently features five main golf experiences: Sand Valley, Mammoth Dunes, Sedge Valley, The Lido, and The Sandbox short course.

What are the main courses at Sand Valley?

The main 18-hole courses are Sand Valley by Coore & Crenshaw, Mammoth Dunes by David McLay Kidd, Sedge Valley by Tom Doak, and The Lido, a recreation of C.B. Macdonald’s lost Long Island course. The Sandbox is the resort’s 17-hole short course.

Is Sand Valley walking only?

Yes. Sand Valley is a walking-only golf resort, with caddies available and push/pull carts available to rent.

Can you stay on property at Sand Valley?

Yes. Sand Valley offers on-property lodge rooms, suites, cottages, Lake Leopold cottages, and estate homes.

What is The Sandbox at Sand Valley?

The Sandbox is a 17-hole short course with holes generally ranging from about 40 to 140 yards. It is one of the best replay and match-play experiences on property.

What is the best time to visit Sand Valley?

May through October is the primary golf season. Summer offers the longest days, while May, September, and October are excellent for cooler temperatures and firm conditions.

What airport should golfers use for Sand Valley?

Dane County Regional Airport in Madison is usually the closest practical commercial airport, while Milwaukee, Chicago O’Hare, Chicago Midway, and Minneapolis–St. Paul are also common options for groups.

Is Sand Valley good for buddies trips?

Absolutely. The combination of multiple courses, walking golf, caddies, on-property lodging, short-course replay options, fire pits, and a remote golf-first setting makes Sand Valley one of the best buddies trip destinations in America.

On the map