Sand Valley - Is the walk to challenging?

[Bob_Garvelink]

Hi Gang,


I plan to make my first trek to SV in May.  I have read many posts about SV and most have nothing but praise.  The few knocks on the course is that the front is an extremely difficult walk.  Others have posted that this difficult walk has caused longer than normal rounds for a resort such as SV.


Would love to know your thoughts on the following:


Is the front of SV to difficult of a walk for the average weekend warrior?


Does the walk have anything to do with the 5 hour rounds or is it more of the difficulty of the course?


Is this the most difficult walk of the modern day CC courses?  I have walked both Streamsong Red and Warren and both were very easy walks so this was shocking to hear that some say SV is a bit to challenging of a walk.

[John Kavanaugh]

Some walks are just more difficult than others. This was recognized many years ago and how we play the game was bifurcated. The golf cart was introduced to much acclaim. What could have possibly gone wrong?


btw. Both Bandon Trails and Sand Hills are difficult walks. No biggie.

[Adam Lawrence]

It's a big property but I wouldn't say it was a particularly hard walk. If you think it might be too much, you can always take a caddie; it's hard for me to imagine that it would be too hard for anyone in vaguely normal shape without a bag to carry.


For reference I would say that Bandon Trails is a much stiffer walk.

[Craig Disher]

Does the difficulty of the walk come from green to tee distances or elevation changes - or both?

[Tom_Doak]

Does the difficulty of the walk come from green to tee distances or elevation changes - or both?

Elevation change is the difficulty.  The green-to-tee walks are mostly short.


To me the question is whether you can walk 36 a day.  That's kind of the whole idea of Bandon and Sand Valley.  I know that including a par-3 course is meant to alleviate this for those who have a tougher time, but if the rest of the visitors are suffering, that's not ideal.


 

[Rick Shefchik]

I'm a 65-year-old guy who had a knee replacement in Nov. 2016, and I walked San Valley last August. I plan to do it again next summer. The hike up the par-5 fourth hole can get you winded, but I agree that Bandon Trails is tougher.

[Jason Topp]

We walked  it twice and on the second day played it after playing 16 of the 18 holes at the newer course.   I took a caddie for the second round but do not remember it being a difficult walk.  The 18th is a climb so you feel it at the end. 

[Peter Gannon]

Can't wait to get to SV, but I'm more the 36 holes + par 3 course kind of Weekender vs 18 + par 3 course. 


Bandon Trails is a tough walk, but walking IS golf, isn't it?   Right?  (except in Texas.  I grew up in Texas, and some courses have 1/2 or 1/4 mile green to tee.)

[CJames]

My father, who was 83 years old at the time, walked 36 holes at Sand Valley on a Thursday and 18 on Friday. 

[PCCraig]

I don't think the walk at SV or MD is all that bad. I handled 36+ last August, but I would be lying if I said I wasn't tired at the end of each day.

[William_G]

12 miles a day is about 36 holes a day

proper shoes and socks are a huge factor

plus if carrying, a light golf bag is a must, pushing your bag on a pushcart isn't necessarily a bargain for your back

I would hire a caddie for my first rounds at SV and MD

[Jim Tang]

Walked Sand Valley with a caddie last July after having walked 36 at Lawsonia the previous day.  I didn't think the walk at Sand Valley was difficult, at all.  I'd say of the C & C courses I've played, the walk at Bandon Trails and Sand Hills is much more demanding.

[V_Halyard]

I would say that the courses at Bandon and defintley Trails has more elevation change. The only long-ish climbs are 4 coming home on 18 on SV.

[Bob_Garvelink]

Well....it looks as if SV is a course that most people will not have major issues walking the course which is a relief to me.  We have an older gentlemen who was concerned about being able to handle 18 but having played with him I dont think it will be that big of a deal.  The elevation was my major concern on the front but it appears nothing out of the norm from similar courses. 


Thanks again for all the feedback!

[Brandon Urban]

Walked Sand Valley with a caddie last July after having walked 36 at Lawsonia the previous day.  I didn't think the walk at Sand Valley was difficult, at all.  I'd say of the C & C courses I've played, the walk at Bandon Trails and Sand Hills is much more demanding.

I enjoyed the walk with Jim and would agree that is was a nice stroll only because I don't really remember anything about the walk... which is usually a great sign.

[JC Jones]

I'm less concerned about the difficulty of the walk at Sand Valley than I am about the difficulty public school educators have with difference between to and too. #charterschools

[Joe Hancock]

I'm less concerned about the difficulty of the walk at Sand Valley than I am about the difficulty public school educators have with difference between to and too. #charterschools

I’m glad you didn’t type “...then I am about the difficulty.....”. I was ready to ambush...but you’re one step ahead of me. BTW, didn’t you attend public schools? How did you get so smart? (Insert smiley face here)

[Bob_Garvelink]

I'm less concerned about the difficulty of the walk at Sand Valley than I am about the difficulty public school educators have with difference between to and too. #charterschools

JC,


Nice catch    ....charter schools, private schools, public schools......we are all on the same team with the same mission.  If you're ever in Northern Michigan and need a 4th don't hesitate to send me a PM as I'm sure we would have a blast together.


Pure Michigan!