Sand GC, Sweden - Hills/Forrest (pictures)

[Eric Franzen]

So, I finally had my first Arthur Hills/Steve Forrest experience two weeks ago. The setting was carefully selected. I drove down to Sand Golf Club, three hours south of Stockholm, with a feeling of anxiety.
Sure. I read about Mr. Hills on the Internet but I felt that I just had to put all preconceived opinions aside and try to perform – straight from the heart. I approached the first tee tenderly with a 4 mw in my hand. Not to fast, not to slow – I whispered to myself as I launched my first tee shot.

Four hours later I found myself behind the wheel again.
I was confused.
Some parts left me a bit disappointed (most of the par 3’s).
Some parts left me satisfied (two of the par 5’s and a couple of the par 4’s) and craving for more.

Sure, she might look a bit over the top and some parts are not that pretty.
But I might see her again in the future.
In the meantime I’ll just try to entertain you all with some gloomy pictures.


1st, par 4


2nd, short par 5


6th, short par 4 with alternate fairway


12th, par 4


14th, short par 4


15th, par 3

[Bill_McBride]

Eric, that 14th hole par 3 looks pretty good - is that pin cut on a little bitty tier way back?  How long?  In general, the photos make the course look pretty good.  What didn't you like in particular?

[John Foley]

Boy does that look like Eagles Nest!!!

[Eric Franzen]

Bill,

Here is a more proper view of the 15th (220 yds from the tips). Easily the best par 3 on the course.



A good example of what I didn't like is the 3rd hole, par 3 (200 yds), which was quite dull. There are a bunch of holes like that between the 3rd and 12th, that lacks character.

[Pete Lavallee]

Eric,

Thanks for the photos. From the last picture, it shows the ground on the tee side of the water is quite sandy. Are the greenside dunes natural or manufactuered?

[Eric Franzen]

Pete,

They are manufactured.

The shaping is done by Brian Smith, who also bulldozered Whistling Straits.

[Glenn Spencer]

Eric,

Clearly you have chosen one of Hills' best works. That looks like a nice golf course. I would think about lifting the ban for that one. 14 looks pretty good and so do many others. 12 looks fantastic. If you didn't like that one, I suggest you stop your Hills pilgrimage, because it doesn't get any better than that course, you just played. I promise you that.