How hilly is Sand Valley compared to Erin Hills?

[King_Slender]

Have played Erin Hills twice and it is a TOUGH walk - 8 miles with tons of elevated tees and greens.  

 

Heading on a trip there in August and then to Sand Valley / Mammoth Dunes and want to give the other guys a heads up on what the walks will be like at SV/MD. 

[BG5]

I have played both......similar walks and I dont think there is much difference between the 3 courses in terms of walking

[King_Slender]

9 hours ago, BG5 said:

I have played both......similar walks and I dont think there is much difference between the 3 courses in terms of walking

 

Do SV/MD have as many elevated tees/greens?  Seems like every tee box is a hike up a hill after you putt out - even if you hiked up to an elevated green.

[Drwoods2017]

43 minutes ago, King_Slender said:

 

Do SV/MD have as many elevated tees/greens?  Seems like every tee box is a hike up a hill after you putt out - even if you hiked up to an elevated green.

IMO not as many elevated tees and greens as Erin Hills.  Mammoth and Sand valley have hills you climb and then head back down.  They also have a bunch of flat holes though that don't require much of a walk.

[BG5]

I would say Erin Hills is the hardest walk but Sand Valley is not much easier.  Agree with the fact of elevated tees at Erin Hills makes it a tad bit tougher.  Get yourself a caddie as it will make your experience that much better.  They also have junior caddies (High school kids) at Sand Valley and they are pretty good.  Almost as good as a normal caddie and a bit cheaper

[TBone0576]

1 hour ago, Drwoods2017 said:

IMO not as many elevated tees and greens as Erin Hills.  Mammoth and Sand valley have hills you climb and then head back down.  They also have a bunch of flat holes though that don't require much of a walk.

This is kind of my feeling on it.   Erin Hills has more constant ups and downs while Sand Valley you do some climbing but I remember a lot of relatively flat fairways and more gentle slopes.  Both are certainly solid walks. 

[Drwoods2017]

9 minutes ago, TBone0576 said:

This is kind of my feeling on it.   Erin Hills has more constant ups and downs while Sand Valley you do some climbing but I remember a lot of relatively flat fairways and more gentle slopes.  Both are certainly solid walks. 

You climb hole 4 on sand valley then its immediately back down. Same thing on 8 and then the final climb is really 18.  The rest of those holes are fairly flat. Mammoth the same way. You climb the hill then stay on top for a few holes then back down on 14 to stay down on the bottom.

[ode]

I've not played Erin Hills, but understand that it is a long walk.....I did not find it excessive between holes, etc. @ SV/MD, so in that regard it should be easier.  I walk most rounds and did not find SV/MD a difficult walk.  Yes there is elevation change, but IMO it's gradual vs. ski slope type elevation.  I used a 3 wheel push cart and used the my playing partners caddies as a guide when needed and tipped accordingly after the round.

[King_Slender]

10 hours ago, TBone0576 said:

This is kind of my feeling on it.   Erin Hills has more constant ups and downs while Sand Valley you do some climbing but I remember a lot of relatively flat fairways and more gentle slopes.  Both are certainly solid walks. 

 

Ok, I think we have it setup correctly for our trip then - Erin Hills followed by Sand Valley then Mammoth Dunes.

[Phreddy]

I think of Sand Valley as having slopes and Erin has hills.  I know that sounds silly, but to me, at Erin you feel like you do some climbs and SV is more of a ascending a grade.  There are times at Erin you think you need a sherpa to get from the green to the next tee.

 

Phred

[klebs01]

Just depends on if you are used to walking. 36 a day is very doable at all three. Sv/md are easier but also shorter. 

[eboettne]

Sand Valley and Mammoth Dunes are significantly easier walks than Erin Hills in my opinion, especially if you're not taking caddies.  The slog from the greens to the tee boxes at Erin Hills suck if you're carrying your own bag.  Erin Hills is the toughest course I've ever walked, save for a private course in Colorado I used to have to carry a member's tour bag at.