The Lido Course
Nekoosa, WI, USA
Born anew from the ashes of a legend, The Lido at Sand Valley echoes the spirit of its Long Island predecessor, resurrected amidst the sprawling sandscapes of central Wisconsin. The course, an audacious reimagining of C.B. Macdonald's masterpiece, sprawls across exposed dunes and sweeping valleys, a testament to the Golden Age ideal of strategic golf. The sandy soil allows for a firm, fast playing surface, rewarding creativity and punishing indecision. This course challenges golfers with its cleverly routed holes, favoring those who can shape shots and navigate the wind, an element as vital to the course's character as the sand itself. Architects Tom Doak and Renaissance Golf Design meticulously recreated the essence of the original Lido, employing Macdonald's design principles and the iconic template holes. They worked from original maps and photography, bringing back the most difficult holes in the world. The course, while a tribute, stands on its own merits, offering a stern but fair test in a unique geographical setting. While the club hasn't hosted major professional championships, it is quickly gaining notoriety for its challenge, architecture, and pure golf experience. Sand Valley itself draws golf aficionados seeking an escape from the ordinary, eager to test their skills against a course that demands respect and rewards thoughtful play. The resort is more than just a golf destination; it's a place where the spirit of the game is celebrated and shared. The Sand Valley experience offers a unique combination of challenge, charm, and culinary delight. After a round on The Lido, one can find themselves in the clubhouse enjoying the quintessential Wisconsin tradition of a Friday Fish Fry, a perfect pairing of local flavor and golfing camaraderie. It is a course of reflection and beauty.
Ranked by CV ratings from golfers who've played this course. Positions are shown worldwide, by country, and by state; the Public column compares courses anyone can play.
Best in World
Public: #70
Best in USA
Public: #24
Best in WI
Public: #3
Golfers say The Lido is one of the most strategically interesting and unique courses they've played, a faithful recreation of C.B. Macdonald's golden-age design featuring template holes, extreme green complexes, and numerous blind shots that demand multiple rounds to fully appreciate. Most praise the course's variety and challenge, noting it plays dramatically different in wind and rewards creative shot-making, though several caution that higher handicaps may struggle with the severe greens and that first-time visitors can feel overwhelmed by the sensory complexity. Reviewers consistently note that a caddie is essential and that there's no on-site range—shuttles run to Sand Valley's facilities—while conditioning draws mixed feedback, with some finding greens bouncy or spotting dead areas in the fairways. A few feel the course works better from an aerial view than ground level and question whether it merits its lofty rankings after just one play, though others consider it a must-visit destination that grows more rewarding with familiarity.
8.8
198 players
Unlike any course I’ve played. A bit like abstract art, I can appreciate it but I’m not sure whether I actually like it. Conditions were excellent and I would have been lost without a caddie. I expected a technical test but felt like I could bomb driver and spray the ball without much concern. Flat and surreal. Might need to play again to develop a better appreciation. Warm up area is sad and the only real negative.
It doesn’t feel like you’re in Wisconsin. It feels like you’re on Long Island. They thought of everything. They placed each hole the same way it was in Long Island so it would have the same wind patterns.
Brutally hard especially for first time player. Some shots appear impossible to pull off. Caddy was a smartass….but worthy of the hype. No booze was interesting angle….
Before you play make sure to watch the YouTube story about how this course was built in WI at the Sand Valley resort. The course is very challenging with blind shots and hidden bunkers. Template greens since it is a CB McDonald design. Very interesting course and fun to play. Driving range is at the resort a shuttle ride away. Would not want to play everyday but definitely worth the trouble to play.
The Lido is a trip back in time. While I do think the exaggerated the elevation changes and depth of some features, I think this course is a peak into the extremes of golden age architecture. This course drove me crazy the first two times I played it. By my 4th round I’ve learned to love it; a sign of a great course in my book.
One of the most interesting golf courses you will play, and nothing else quite like it. Many blind shots, course is nearly impossible without a caddy giving you targets / multiple loops. Great challenge with high-risk / high-reward shots. Must visit if you find yourself at Sand valley.
If not the best, certainly very nearly the best, mostly flat golf course I’ve ever played. You have a few large dunes, but the course is mostly gently rippled, yet there are so many interesting shots you must play. If the wind is up, the course can play brutally difficult while still giving you chances for birdies with well played shots.
Played 2025 Wisconsin State Am here. Such a strategic golf course with multiple ways to attack each hole. Green complexes may be the craziest I have ever seen and are even extreme for CB Macdonald standards. An absolute joy to play and not one day plays the same. When it’s windy, look out because it’s a true links course. Still a relatively new course with some growing in to do. No range on site at Lido, have to use range at SV and shuttle over.
Played it awhile ago… greens were extremely bouncy and impossible to hold.
Needs multiple plays to fully appreciate. It’s a bit of a sensory blitzkrieg the first time around. So much going on. Changes significantly in different winds, bunkers that were easily clearable in one wind are tough to clear in another. Possibly the most strategic course I’ve ever played. If you’re a 15 handicap or higher you may be playing ping pong across the greens. The Lido is a grower, which is a tough sell for a resort course that most people only play once or twice. Would be an incredible place to be a member.
Public courses closest to The Lido at Sand Valley Golf Resort.
FAQ
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
The Lido at Sand Valley Golf Resort has a Course Vaults score of 8.8 out of 10 based on 101 explicit golfer ratings.
The Lido was designed by Charles Blaire MacDonald and Tom Doak.
Yes. The Lido at Sand Valley Golf Resort is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at The Lido is 72.
The Lido plays 6,782 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The Lido is a 18-hole course.
