GreenlitBETA
Nekoosa, Wisconsin

The Sandbox at Sand Valley Golf Resort

A 17-hole masterpiece where golden-age green complexes meet modern playfulness on restored Wisconsin sand prairie.

About the Course

The Sandbox, the 17-hole short course at Sand Valley, provides an intimate connection to the sand county landscape of central Wisconsin. Located 50 yards from the Clubhouse and in the backyard of some of the lodges, The Sandbox plays through a restored sand prairie that sits within the same V-shaped sand ridge that frames Mammoth Dunes. With holes ranging from 40 to 140 yards, the short course features unique green complexes found on the property, including a biarritz, double plateau, lion's mouth, and a redan. These 17 holes are just so much fun to play and practice your short game. You go up and down and around. It is a true test of your distance control and putting abilities. Designed by the legendary Coore & Crenshaw partnership and opened in 2018, The Sandbox stands apart as an homage to golf's golden age, offering wickedly fun and challenging short holes that demand creativity and precision on every shot.

Why It's Great for Groups
  • Ranked No. 10 in Golfweek's Top 40 Par-3 Short & Non-Traditional Courses in the U.S.—legitimate championship-quality golf in bite-sized form
  • Iconic green complexes lifted directly from golf history (Biarritz, Redan, Double Plateau, Lion's Mouth)—museum-quality holes you can actually play
  • Perfect pacing for group golf: plays in roughly 90 minutes, making it ideal for warm-ups, wind-downs, or standalone group entertainment
  • Coore & Crenshaw brilliance at an intimate scale—the same minds behind the resort's flagship Sand Valley course, but with 17 strategic puzzles instead of 18
  • On-property convenience mere yards from the clubhouse and lodging—your group can squeeze in a round between big rounds without logistical headaches
Courses on Property
The Sandbox17 holes · Par 51

A 17-hole short course featuring iconic golden-age green complexes with holes ranging from 40 to 140 yards.

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Key Details
💰
Green Fees
$65–$75/person est.
🚶
Walking Friendly
Yes
🎒
Caddies Available
Yes
📅
Best Time to Visit
<cite index="41-2">The best time to visit is between May and October, when the weather is ideal for golfing in Wisconsin.</cite> May through early October offers firm, fast fescue conditions that make the course's demanding greens even more strategic. Avoid November through April when winter weather can make walking conditions challenging.
LinksParklandHidden GemWalking OnlyCaddies AvailableResortOff the Beaten PathValue PlayFamily Friendly
Stay on Property
<cite index="12-16,42-4">Sand Valley offers diverse lodging options – whether you prefer spacious cottages, private suites, or cozy lodge rooms, each is designed to reflect the simplicity and warmth of the Wisconsin wilderness.</cite> <cite index="47-26">The resort provides lodge, suites, and one-bed, four-bed and eight-bed cottages, each room developed with traveling golfers in mind.</cite>

<cite index="12-16,42-4">Sand Valley offers diverse lodging options – whether you prefer spacious cottages, private suites, or cozy lodge rooms, each is designed to reflect the simplicity and warmth of the Wisconsin wilderness.</cite> <cite index="47-26">The resort provides lodge, suites, and one-bed, four-bed and eight-bed cottages, each room developed with traveling golfers in mind.</cite>

Nearby Lodging