Sand Valley + Erin Hills + Straits

[SDL]

I agree that SV is a more difficult course, but I've had a lot more fun playing MD so I would pick MD for an extra play. In fact, that's exactly what I did last year. I had played both SV and MD in 2018 and was able to play only one of the two "big" courses when I returned for a quick visit in 2019. I generally like Coore-Crenshaw courses and SV is a very good course, but it is not my favorite of their designs. Cabot Cliffs has that honor among the C-C courses I've played. The point Phreddy makes about shot-making is very true, and someone pointed out to me that SV has a larger proportion of greens that repel even pretty well-struck balls while MD has more receptive greens that still remain interesting and fun. I especially enjoyed the boomerang green on #6 and the scary but beautiful green cut into the hillside on #13 at MD.

MD has a very open feel to it, which I enjoy, and it has many really interesting and challenging holes. If you can hit the "speed slots" that Phreddy mentioned, several holes (#14 for example) can become exhilarating experiences. If you are playing with a group of low handicappers, it may be a toss-up which course they would prefer, but if you've got a wide mix of handicaps in your group, I would guess that the majority would prefer MD.

[DRB72]

Hi all. I’m visiting Chicago in May, and I’ll have about 6 days free to play some of the great courses in that part of the world. I was planning on just driving up to Kohler and playing the 2 at Whistling Straits and the Blackwolf 2, and maybe Erin Hills on the way back. It feels pretty ‘easy’ (not much driving, 4 great courses in one place) but reading these forums I’m not sure I can leave out SV and MD. Sentryworld looks pretty amazing too.

if you had to to choose between the 4 courses in Kohler vs the ones around Sands Valley, where would you go?