I walked 32-ish miles at Sand Valley—and loved every step.
I arrived at Sand Valley after 10:00 p.m. on a Sunday night. In the heart of Wisconsin, there are no city lights to guide you in—just quiet roads and the hum of anticipation. I had no real sense of what surrounded me as I pulled into the resort. After a quick and friendly check-in, I dropped my bag in the room, grabbed my jacket, and stepped back outside to explore in the dark.
My friend Jeff Marsh was already there, doing what he does best—capturing the beauty of a golf course. He had texted me saying the Northern Lights were putting on a show. I caught a faint shimmer in the sky—a small hint of what Jeff saw while taking photos out on The Lido—but even that glimpse felt magical.
The next morning, I opened the curtains and finally saw what I had missed: rolling sand dunes, golden light, and the Sandbox short course just outside my window. It felt like I had been transported to a golfer’s paradise.
The day began with breakfast at The Gallery, next to Sedge Valley. My friend Tom Farrell (we’ve got a great story on how we met) had invited me to play in the media preview for The Commons, scheduled to open Memorial Day weekend. Designed by Jimmy Craig, it’s a stunning course—smart, playful, and full of energy. I’ll save a deeper dive for another time, but getting to play it before it opens to the public is something I won’t take for granted. The course was incredible, but the walk with Tom, Jason, Zane, and friends made it even better.
That afternoon, Jeff and I teed it up at Mammoth Dunes. If there’s one word to describe it, it’s fun. The scale is massive, but the course invites creativity. We hit our share of great shots—and plenty of bad ones—but every miss opened the door for some kind of wild, memorable recovery.
If you ever play Mammoth Dunes, do yourself a favor: grab a $1 brat. Yes, one dollar! You’ll notice a theme here.
On the 14th hole, we turned to watch the group behind us and nearly witnessed a hole-in-one on a par 4. To this day, I don’t understand how that ball stayed out. None of us did.
After the round, it was time to clean up and find some food. I’m no shower critic, but the showers at Sand Valley are elite—great setup, great water pressure, exactly what you want after a long walk. Dinner at the Mammoth Bar that night was filled with stories, laughter, and the kind of camaraderie that makes golf trips unforgettable.
Tuesday morning brought new playing partners—now friends—Paul Seifert and Cody Retlich, along with our caddie, Victor, for a round at Sedge Valley. Though it opened in 2024, it already feels like a classic. It’s strategic without being punishing, compact but endlessly interesting. Some holes invite boldness, others reward patience, but every one leaves you wanting another go. And yes—another $1 must-try: the Italian beef sandwich at the turn.
That afternoon, I played the original Sand Valley course with two guys from Milwaukee who knew it well. I had heard it might be a favorite, and by the end of the round, I understood why. The routing, the views, the rhythm—it’s pure golf.
There’s always debate when it comes to ranking courses at a Dream Golf property—you hear it all the time about Bandon Dunes—but for me, Sand Valley might top the list (aside from The Lido). Maybe it helped that I played one of my better rounds of the trip, but the course just fit.
Now, one more food recommendation—and maybe the best one yet: the tacos at Craig’s Porch. They’re $1. Maybe the best part is that Craig's porch is where you start your round at Sand Valley, where you make the turn, and where you finish! And yes, it's ok to get a taco anytime you pass by. Even if you’re not playing, hop on a shuttle, grab a few, and watch players come into 18 as the sun sets.
Wednesday—my final day—also happened to be my birthday. I don’t think anyone at Sand Valley knew, but getting to play The Lido with Jeff Marsh felt like the perfect gift. Everything you’ve heard about it is true. It’s remarkable. You forget you’re in Wisconsin. It’s a course that will sit near the top of rankings for a long time.
No trip to Sand Valley is complete without a walk around The Sandbox. If you took the word fun and turned it into a golf course, this would be it. Bill's BBQ. Music playing. Shirts untucked. Shoes off. Laughter on every hole. It was the perfect ending to a perfect trip.
Sand Valley snuck up on me—arriving in the dark, revealing itself in the light, and leaving me with a heart full of memories. Every course has its own charm. Every meal tells a story. Every round gives you moments you’ll talk about long after you’re gone.
It’s more than a golf destination. It’s a place where the game feels alive—and where a $1 taco somehow tastes like a small piece of heaven.
It’s a 32-ish mile walk I hope to take again soon.
And I’d encourage you to do the same.
*Note: This story has been written in my head since September, but it was finally time to put it to paper.