The Lido at Sand Valley is Tom Doak and Renaissance Golf’s hole-by-hole rebuild of C.B. Macdonald’s lost 1917 Long Island course, and you can play it only if you stay at the resort in Nekoosa, Wisconsin, Sunday through Thursday.
Expect to walk with a required caddie, pay at least $325 for 18 holes in peak season plus a $100 caddie fee, and book as early as you can, so keep reading for a more detailed explanation.
The Story Behind the Lido: From Long Island Original to Wisconsin Rebuild
The original Lido Golf Club
The original Lido sat on the barrier island at Lido Beach, New York. Charles Blair Macdonald designed it, and his engineer Seth Raynor built it between 1914 and 1917. The site was swamp, so the land itself had to be made.
Five hydraulic dredges pumped more than two million cubic yards of sand out of the channel, which built hills up to forty feet high, and crews planted nearly a million beach-grass plants to hold the dunes in place.
The project cost nearly $800,000 (about $20.8 million today), making it the most expensive course attempted up to that point.
Macdonald also borrowed ideas from outside. Alister MacKenzie’s winning entry in a design contest became the 18th hole, J.C. Walsham’s entry became the 6th, and Tom Simpson’s entry inspired the 15th.
Golf’s biggest names of the era took notice. In 1924, Bernard Darwin called it “the best in the world,” and Walter Hagen had already placed it in golf’s “Big Three” alongside National Golf Links and Pine Valley.
That standing didn’t last. The U.S. Navy took over the property in 1942 and destroyed the course, and housing now covers the site.
How the Wisconsin version came together
The rebuild began with Peter Flory, a Chicago-area golf historian. He spent about three years turning vintage photos, drawings, and press accounts into a photorealistic 3D model of the course.
Michael and Chris Keiser saw it and decided a faithful rebuild was possible. Tom Doak had approached Flory in early 2018 about rendering work, and he learned of the Keisers’ plans in late 2019.
A 3D model can’t guide a bulldozer on its own, so the team needed a translation step. In September 2020, digital mapping specialist Brian Zager converted the model into a GPS topographic map.
GPS-guided bulldozers shaped the site from that map, and then Brian Schneider (who spent more than 230 days on site) and Brian Slawnik finished the greens and hazards by hand.
Doak has been quick to point out who deserves the credit: “Lido is not my design. We just built it.” Michael Keiser Jr. framed the goal the same way, describing it as restoration rather than inspiration.
Members began playing on May 15, 2023, and resort play opened on June 28, 2023. The changes from the original were minor, limited to drainage and longer tees.
Where it ranks
The rankings suggest the effort paid off:
- GOLF Magazine: No. 48 in the world for 2025-26, up from No. 68, and No. 4 among playable U.S. courses.
- Golfweek: No. 13 in the U.S. for 2026.
- Golf Digest: No. 69 among America’s 100 Greatest, No. 12 among public courses, and No. 3 in Wisconsin.
The course also has tournament credentials. It hosted the 2026 U.S. Mid-Amateur and is booked for the 2029 U.S. Junior Amateur.
How to Get a Tee Time at the Lido: Access, Booking, and Costs
Who can play and when
You can only play the Lido if you’re staying at Sand Valley Resort. Day guests who book golf-only times can play the other courses but not this one.
The Lido is a private club that hosts resort guests, and access runs Sunday through Thursday. One outside source lists Monday through Thursday, so confirm the days with the resort when you book.
Booking strategy
Lido times come attached to lodging reservations, and inventory is scarce. In 2025, some guests who had secured lodging were still waitlisted for the Lido. Large groups should plan about 18 months ahead.
Demand for 2027 shows how competitive this is. A sign-up queue opened in February 2026 and reportedly filled quickly, with thousands of people waiting. To hear when 2027 and 2028 inventory opens, join Sand Valley’s Insider email list.
Know the cancellation terms before you commit. For golf-and-lodging bookings, the notice period is 7 days for April 24-30 and October 5-18, and 45 days for May 1-October 4. Golf-only bookings require 30 days. The deposit is the first night’s room plus the first green fee, plus tax.
What it costs
The resort doesn’t post a separate Lido green fee. Its 2026 rates for 18 holes, before tax, are:
- April 24-May 20: $235
- May 21-October 4: $325
- October 5-18: $235
In 2025 the Lido was priced like the other courses ($220 in the shoulder seasons and $295 in summer), so it likely follows the same structure this year.
Add the caddie, who costs $100 per bag plus a tip, paid in cash. In peak season, that puts your realistic all-in cost at $325 plus $100, plus tip and tax. Lodging is separate: single-king lodge rooms run $265-$350 per night, and suites and cottages are also available.
There is no Lido-specific stay-and-play package, since Lido access comes with any on-property stay. Hosted group trips that include the course sell out early. One three-night trip in 2026 cost $4,575-$5,925 per person and covered the caddie fee.
Policies to know
- Pace of play: Rounds before 8 a.m. should finish in under four hours. Later rounds should take 4 hours 15 minutes or less.
- Rain: Once you tee off, you’re committed to the round. If you skip play because of weather, you’re still charged and receive a voucher for future golf.
- Contacts: Call reservations at 888-651-5539 or email reservations@sandvalley.com. For the golf shop, email golfshop@thelido.com.
Course Layout, Tees, and Ratings: Choosing the Right Setup
Layout basics
The Lido plays to a par of 72, split 37 on the front nine and 35 on the back. The front nine circles the outside of the property, while the back nine forms an inner loop. Space is generous: fairways run 50 to 150 yards wide where holes join, and greens average more than 12,000 sq ft.
Tee options
Ten tee combinations are available, from 4,016 to 7,387 yards:
| Tee | Yardage |
|---|---|
| Tips | 7,387 |
| Navy | 7,027 |
| Navy/White | 6,778 |
| White | 6,535 |
| White/Green | 6,257 |
| Green | 5,990 |
| Green/Orange | 5,440 |
| Orange | 4,885 |
| Orange/Royal Blue | 4,476 |
| Royal Blue | 4,016 |
The ratings show how demanding the course is, even from shorter tees. From the Navy tees, the course rates 75.2/149 for men and 82.3/155 for women.
The White tees rate 72.5/144, White/Green 70.7/141, and Green 69.6/134. The ratings drop as the yardage shrinks, down to 59.7/112 at Royal Blue. Every set from Green back slopes above 130.
Choosing a tee
Play one tee shorter than you would at Sand Valley or Mammoth Dunes. Most mid-handicappers will have a better round from the White (6,535) or White/Green (6,257) tees than from Navy.
Be careful with third-party apps, which often show older yardage and rating figures. Use the official numbers above for handicap purposes.
What makes it hard
Three features do most of the damage:
- Blind shots: Aiming rocks sit on top of dunes, and the correct line is often far from the direct line to the flag.
- Hidden bunkers: Many can’t be seen from the tee, and reported counts range anywhere from 140 to 211.
- Scale: Large greens leave you with long, tricky putts when you miss your spots.
The scoring numbers back this up. In the 2026 U.S. Mid-Amateur, the stroke-play scoring average was 75.42 on the Lido versus 76.13 on the Sand Valley Course. Medalist Bobby Massa shot a 64, and only a dozen players broke 70.
Hole-by-Hole Guide: How to Play All 18
Yardages are listed as Navy / White / Green. The Lido is a par 72, so the holes below add up to 37 on the front and 35 on the back.
Front nine
- First, par 4 (403/375/354): The fairway looks wide and harmless, but about 14 bunkers sit out of sight, and the green is blind even after a good drive. Take your caddie’s line and don’t overswing.
- Plateau, par 4 (441/396/382): Aim the blind drive over the boulder right of the walking path, which can feel up to 75 yards right of where you’d expect. The 2nd runs parallel to the 11th, so check you’re aiming at the right green, a double-plateau surface of more than 18,000 sq ft.
- Eden, par 3 (168/157/144): This is the subtlest of Macdonald’s par-3 templates, and landing short and running the ball up is often the best play. Ripples in the approach can kick low shots off line.
- Channel, par 5 (550/523/503; 602 from the tips): The hardest hole on the card. The left fairway is the safe drive, though it adds length and has water down the left. The right-hand island fairway needs a much longer carry and is the only realistic way to reach in two, and an eight-foot-deep trench bunker guards the elevated green, so most players should take the safe route and fly the approach.
- Cape, par 4 (361/338/271): A Cape template on a short par 4 with a “small” green that is still over 10,000 sq ft. Missing it leaves tough recoveries from sand and waste areas.
- Dog’s Leg, par 5 (500/467/417): Your caddie will point you far left, toward the flagpole left of the clubhouse, even though the green is well to the right. From there the route in opens up.
- Hog’s Back, par 5 (526/472/435): A three-shot hole with a diagonal cross-bunker, and a real birdie and eagle chance for strong players. Both 2026 Mid-Amateur medalist Bobby Massa and champion Andrew Bailey eagled it.
- Ocean, par 3 (236/212/183): A long par 3 with a Biarritz-style green. Take enough club and use the ground where the green complex allows.
- Leven, par 4 (364/344/325): It’s short on the card, but the tee shot is tricky. Placement matters more than length here.
Back nine
- Alps, par 4 (401/385/367): Modeled on the 17th at Prestwick. Drive as far up the right side as you can, toward the 1st green, to get a look at the green hidden behind a high hill. From the left, the second shot is blind over the hill on an aiming-rock line, and the green is a two-tier bowl, so check the pin sheet.
- Lagoon, par 4 (446/427/346): A long par 4 beside the 2nd and the water. Make sure you know which green is yours.
- Punch Bowl, par 4 (450/416/365): The second-hardest hole by stroke index. The drive bends right around water flowing from the Channel, and the green sits beyond deep bunkers. The bowl gathers slightly off-line approaches toward the middle, so you have more room than it looks.
- Knoll, par 4 (341/319/292): It’s short enough to tempt a driver, but the crowned green won’t hold a running shot. Reviewers call going for it “fool’s gold.”
- Short, par 3 (143/128/113): The shortest hole on the course, decided by distance and spin control.
- Strategy, par 4 (422/402/389): Based on Tom Simpson’s contest entry, with sand and contour everywhere. As on the 6th, your caddie will give you an aiming point far left of the visible hazards.
- Redan, par 3 (216/202/179): A high right side feeds the ball left around a front-left bunker, with more sand left and long. Play toward the right-center and let the slope work for you.
- Long, par 5 (610/550/534; 623 from the tips): Based on the 14th at St. Andrews and played into the prevailing wind, over some of the most rumpled ground on the course. Most players need three full shots.
- Home, par 4 (449/422/391): Your blind drive over a rampart lands in a fairway roughly 100 yards wide, with bunkers strung diagonally across it. The green is about 22,000 sq ft, so pick a route that fits your game and the day’s wind.
Caddies, Conditions, and On-Course Rules
Caddies and forecaddies
Caddies are required for all rounds at the Lido, and they usually carry two bags. Request yours at least a week before you arrive. If you need to charge a caddie advance to your room, use the “Caddie Cash” option at the golf shop.
Junior caddies cost $60 per bag and usually fill single-bag requests. Forecaddies are an option as well, at these resort-wide rates plus gratuity:
- Foursome: $40 per player
- Threesome: $50 per player
- Twosome: $60 per player
Confirm in advance whether a forecaddie satisfies the Lido’s caddie requirement for your group, since that detail comes from third-party trip listings rather than official policy.
Conditions
Fairways are firm and heavily contoured, and the greens roll true, though some players find them slower than they expected. The site is open and treeless, so even light wind affects play. When it gusts, keep the ball low and play along the ground rather than through the air.
Bunker sand is fine and dense, so bunker shots call for an aggressive swing that uses your whole body, not just your arms. Greens are huge, which means putts of 70 to 100 feet are common.
Walking and gear
Every course at Sand Valley is walking only, and you should expect to cover more than six miles at the Lido. Push carts rent for $10 a day, and ADA carts are available by application for medical conditions.
Caddies ask for a carry bag under 25 lbs. A good load is about six balls and one extra layer.
Rules and etiquette
- Arrival: Show up 30 minutes before your tee time.
- No alcohol or music: The Lido doesn’t serve alcohol, and you shouldn’t play music during your round.
- No lockers: Arrive ready to play.
- No drones: They’re prohibited across the resort.
- Dress: No official dress code is published for the Lido. Treat it as a private club, wear traditional golf attire without denim, and confirm with the golf shop.
If you want a break from the modern game, hickory club rentals and lessons are available through the Lido golf staff. Lido-branded gear is sold only at the Lido shop, and staff will hold your purchases during your round.
Preparing for Your Round: Practice, Strategy, and How the Lido Compares
Warm-up options
The Lido has no driving range, so plan your warm-up before you get there. On site, you’ll find a large multi-tier putting and chipping green near the golf shop and a two-stall hitting net.
For full swings, use the Practice Center that Sand Valley opened on August 3, 2026. It has a full grass range, 25 mat stations, and target greens, and it’s open from sunrise to an hour before sunset.
Warm up there, then take the resort shuttle to the Lido golf shop. Older wording says the range closes at 5 p.m. on Thursdays, so check current hours before you plan around it.
Pre-round preparation
Watch the official “Course Preview” hole flyovers on the Lido page before you go. Knowing the blind lines in advance makes the first few holes far less confusing.
Then spend part of your warm-up on lag putting. With greens this big, you’ll face putts of 70 feet or more, and three-putts are part of the deal.
Strategy checklist
- Follow your caddie’s lines, even when they look wrong from the tee.
- Play safe on the 4th: Take the left fairway.
- Play right on the 16th: Let the slope feed the ball toward the hole.
- Leave the driver in the bag on the 13th: The crowned green won’t hold a running shot.
- Bump and run in the wind: Putt or chip from off the green when it makes sense.
How it compares with the other Sand Valley courses
The Lido is the hardest course on the property. A starter quoted in June 2025 said it plays ten strokes harder than the others.
Sand Valley’s own description of Mammoth Dunes is “enormous fairways, big accessible greens,” while the Lido asks for precision and careful course management. It’s also the only course where a caddie is required.
If you plan to pair the Lido with Mammoth Dunes or the Sand Valley Course in one day, know that it’s the most tiring combination on the property. Schedule it early in your trip.
Golfers who enjoy architecture, history, and puzzle-solving will likely rank the Lido first. A minority of reviewers find the blind tee shots repetitive, and higher handicappers who want relaxed scoring may have more fun at Mammoth Dunes.
Before you book
Keep a few details in mind. Sand Valley doesn’t post a separate Lido green fee, so the 2026 rate here is inferred from the resort’s 18-hole pricing.
The booking-queue details, forecaddie use, and dress-code expectations come from forums, trip operators, and third-party listings rather than official policy.
Confirm them with reservations at 888-651-5539 or reservations@sandvalley.com, or with the Lido golf shop at golfshop@thelido.com.
Conclusion
The Lido is a tough, rewarding round, and your best shot at playing it starts with booking resort lodging early and requesting a caddie ahead of time.
Once you’re there, play a tee shorter than usual, learn the blind lines before you arrive, and trust your caddie when the target looks wrong.
To lock in 2027 or 2028 dates, contact reservations or join Sand Valley’s Insider email list so you hear when inventory opens.
