Summer Golf Trip: Sand Valley or Erin Hills?

[secretmidam]

Making my first golf trip in quite some time. I am choosing between Sand Valley or Erin Hills (unless I am missing somewhere in the midwest that you can recommend?). All input is appreciated!

[ND2005]

Sand Valley is more of a "destination" I would say - 2 on site courses plus an 18 hole short course - with more dining options.

If I had to pick one that would be my preference.

What we did for our trip to SV was tack on one extra night at the end and play Erin, then fly out of Milwaukee to get home.

[mci711]

I love Erin Hills. One of my favorite courses. I'd go to Sand Valley though. Much better destination for a "trip." I live in Chicago so Erin is a short drive in the morning, I couldn't really see myself staying there for a couple days.

Mammoth Dunes at Sand Valley may be the most fun course in the country. Sand Valley course is a great course, a little bit more challenging, but also a great time. The resort as a whole is awesome. Great pro shop and food, the staff was great, just an awesome atmosphere there. Plus you have the Sand Box par 3 to play.

You're going to get recommendations for Kohler, Lawsonia and others, but I would 100% do Sand Valley. Depending on your trip you can do a few places in Wisconsin, but Sand Valley has it all if you stay in 1 place.

[Drwoods2017]

Yeah Sand Valley if you're spending multiple days there. You really can't go wrong either way. Erin Hills might be my favorite course I've ever played but Sand Valley has more for a trip. Don't miss out on the sand box. Par 3's have become one of my favorite parts of golf trips and that one is fantastic.

[secretmidam]

Thanks for the suggestions. Going to book hopefully next week! So Mammoth is a more playable course vs. Sand Valley?

[Drwoods2017]

The fairways on mammoth fell like they are about 100 yard wide on most holes which makes it way more playable. Sand Valley is definitely harder but both are a lot of fun. Mammoth also has a few driveable holes with weird greens including one shaped like a C.

[mci711]

I thought they were both very playable. You would have to really mess up to be "out" of a hole on Mammoth though. Huge fairways, but you really get rewarded for being in the right spot. Hitting a speed slot, or having the right angle in will be much more rewarding than just hitting the fairway. But for an average golfer, they can bomb it out there and mostly not worry about being in trouble and having a shot to hit the green. Greens are way they will get you. Just a really fun course.

[monty09]

SV is more fun and better hang... the sandbox is perfect with a 6 pack..

[golfingforfun]

Erin Hills may be one of my favorite courses of all time. If you have an extra night after Sand Valley I would play a round in the afternoon, then 36 the following day if you have time. We are a group of 8 right now in Kohler and we played Erin our first morning then drove over.

[krawchukery]

Having lived in WI and golfed both, you can't go wrong with either. Erin Hill's would be my vote, given the ease of access from major airport/large metropolitan area and ability to play other great less known courses close by.

 

[briggek8717]

You will have a lot more fun at Sand Valley and Mammoth than you will at Erin Hills. If you are looking to play 36 ad have more fun, definitely go to Sand Valley. If you are looking for more of a challenge and to play a course where a major was played, go to Erin Hills.

[golfnut071]

Sand Valley would be my #1 choice. I have played both SV and EH and they are fun to play. If you want to add a couple extra courses near Sand Valley, Lake Arrowhead also has two courses and are virtually across the street from SV.

[Argonne69]

I'd suggest Sentry World. 'About as different from SV as you can get.

 

[Drwoods2017]

Loved Sentry World also. I think they might still be closed though. If not definitely give it a go.

[rtraudt]

Yep, remain closed. Just sent an email that mentioned maybe opening in September, but it’s still TBD.

[Guest]

Erin Hills if you have just one day or night. Otherwise a longer stay would recommend Sand Valley

[kizdoc]

We're doing a guys golf trip to Erin Hills, then driving to Sand Valley and staying on property for 3 days at the end of August. Can't wait.

[rtraudt]

You won't be disappointed! Only thing I would do differently would be to add on a round at Lawsonia Links if you can on the way to or from SV, but I'm a Lawsonia proselytizer...

 

[Chicagofigure]

I'm doing 2 full days at SV, then heading to Lawsonia, and rounding out the trip with Erin hills

[mci711]

Both are. SV and MD are amazing walks though. Erin Hills gets a lot of talk about it being super hard, but I think you are a normal walker it wasn't bad at all.

[JNewsted]

I find Erin Hills to be a great experience, but Sand Valley is an entire weekend of max out fun.

[1lovesputters]

Is Sand Valley now in prime condition? Do the latest groups who have played it believe the Greens are mature?

[DavePelz4]

You can use a push cart on both SV courses while Erin Hills is either caddie or carry, and if you're going to play EH, go caddie.

Although you can't go wrong, Mammoth Dunes is about as fun of a course you can play with SV not too far behind. And if you happen to meet one of the girls at the bag drop who goes by Bubbles, tell her VNutz says hi.

 

[secretmidam]

Thanks for the suggestions. Settled on Sand Valley. Played Mammoth Dunes for the first trip, and The Sandbox. Mammoth Dunes did not disappoint. Lodge was amazing! Sitting by the fire pits watching the sunset and seeing the course at dusk was breathtaking. Already planning my second trip.