Lac Du Flambeau, WI

Sandy Point Resort DG Ranch

4.345(based on 35 reviews)
Filter course reviews

Filter reviews

Filter reviews

Sandy Point Resort DG Ranch reviews

Filter
32 0
DFrah
Gold level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 5.8 years 227 played 224 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Wonderful, relaxing destination course in northern Wisconsin

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 28, 2022 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Sandy Point Resort and Disc Golf Ranch is set in the northern Wisconsin forest on an inland lake. The "disc golf" aspect consists of a single 29-hole course.

This course is nearing its 30th birthday, but it has clearly been upgraded over the years and is superbly maintained. The course is technical, with accuracy valued over distance throughout. There is a nice mix of fairways cut through the woods - definitely plenty of right-turning holes to balance out the left turns for LHBH/RHFH throwers. If and when your discs stray off the fairway, the rough is thick enough to add challenge - yet thin on the ground so disc loss is unlikely. There are some really nice elevation changes incorporated into holes 4-11 or so - and although the rest of the course is predominantly flat, I thought the designers did a good job of taking advantage of any minor slopes present (e.g. by installing baskets on the top of mounds).

A couple areas of this course still stick in my mind over two months later:
- Hole 6 plays 400'-500' (depending on chosen layout) through the woods. It starts in a flattish area, playing along a relatively wide and straight fairway. After maybe 250', it curls slightly to the right and gives way to a beautiful wooded valley that has clear left and right approaches to the pin. This was my favorite individual hole on the course.
- Holes 9-11 - for those who love "valley" holes (playing down a valley then back up the other side), here are three in a row. #9 and 10 are short and tight, then #11 is longer and more open.
- The finishing holes 26 and 27 feature the only significant water hazard on the course - but wow is it significant! #26 is a sub-200' downhill putter throw - but straight at the lake, which is no more than 10' behind either pin. The fairway here is also pretty open, so wind off the lake could make things even trickier (fortunately, there was almost zero wind the day I visited). Then, #27 plays along a beach with the lake defining the right side of the fairway. The long basket is on a small peninsula, again within feet of the water. Fortunately, the lake all through this area is not deep so you should be able to retrieve any errant throws - if you are willing to get your feet wet!

There are two baskets per hole. The short baskets are DGAs that have definitely been around a while, but are still in decent shape. The long baskets are blue banded DISCatchers that looked pretty new. A couple of the tee signs identify third pin positions, but no idea how often pins get moved (if at all). If I'm really nitpicking, I'd like to see the design stick to two permanent pin positions per hole, and the DGAs replaced with a second set of banded DISCatchers in a different color. I played one round to the short baskets, then a second round to the long baskets. Each round took about two hours solo, with only a couple of other groups on site.

There is generally one tee location per hole (a couple of holes have short tee options). The tee pads are concrete, and where necessary they are framed in wood to help them remain level on sloping terrain. The tee signs are older but have all of the info you could ask for regardless of your chosen layout. These also appear at the few short tees that are present. I believe there was a bench and a broom at every tee, and trash plus recycling bins at many of them.

The navigational signage is good, nailed to trees wherever needed. The only spot where I thought a couple more arrows would be nice is after hole 20, where you can easily miss the two "extra" holes 20A and 20B, and you could also even miss #21 and 22. The navigational signs have a few different designs, some of which are Star Wars themed. There is other fun signage sprinkled around the course too. I think the owners should lean into that more!

Holes 1-12, 13-24, and 25-27 all loop back to parking lot so it is easy to play an abbreviated round if you find yourself short on time.

The front of the course has all of the extras you can imagine. There are at least four practice baskets, a flush toilet, a drinking fountain, and a well-stocked pro shop. I did not actually see a course map posted anywhere, but the pro shop employee gave me a scorecard that contained a map - and he also gave me a full verbal walkthrough of the course including hints for a couple of holes, common details that people miss, etc. The shop has a large selection of Sandy Point Resort branded discs and apparel. If you are a history buff, the Wisconsin Disc Golf Hall of Fame is also on site.

Cons:

I noted a couple of minor safety concerns. From the parking lot, you have to cross hole 25's fairway to get to the restroom and drinking fountain. Fortunately, this is a line-of-sight situation. There are a couple of places where the resort drive could be in play, and a couple of holes that play pretty close together.

I personally liked the hole distances, but big arms might feel like they are a little short - even playing to the long baskets. The course will challenge most disc golfers, but definitely does not have a layout that requires championship level power.

Large portions of the course are pretty much flat.

The parking lot seemed to be quite small. This wasn't an issue when I visited, but I'm not sure where people park for tournaments or on busy summer weekend days.

The finishing holes 26-27 are closed during the summer months because of their proximity to the beach, which is often in use by non-DGers. This means that if you visit in the summer, you won't be able to experience any water hazards. Holes "20A" and "20B" are intended to be "replacements" for those holes so that summer visitors can still play a 27 hole course. But really there is nothing different about those "replacement" holes besides the numbering, so if you visit in the offseason you just get to play 29 holes instead of 27. I think it would make more sense to just number the holes 1-29, but that preference doesn't affect my rating.

Other Thoughts:

This course costs $5/day to play. If the pro shop is open, you can pay inside with a credit card. Otherwise, cash is accepted in a slot outside the door.

Cell phone service is fine here.

The "resort" part of the property consists of several individual cabins, each equipped with modern amenities. The pro shop employee told me that the resort is usually fully booked from June thru mid August and that most summer visitors aren't even DG'ers - they just like the location on the beach and lake (hence those two holes being closed). I suspect the bugs are probably thick in summer too, but they were nonexistent when I visited in late September - the day after what may have been the first frost of the year.

I really loved Sandy Point - both the course, and the place in general. It's not just a 4.5, but a strong 4.5 in my book. The only things holding this course back from a 5.0 rating are the minor safety concerns, relatively short distances, and lack of elevation change on much of the course. That said, I don't even want the owners to change the layout. As is, it makes for a challenging yet relaxing round that many different skill levels will enjoy. It is also a nice contrast with Highbridge Hills - another noteworthy DG destination in northern Wisconsin where I had spent the previous two days. Even with lots of other solid-looking courses within a 60-90 minute drive, I don't regret taking a full day at Sandy Point and playing a second round here. I highly recommend you do the same - or maybe even rent one of the cabins and make it your home base for exploring northern Wisconsin disc golf!
Was this review helpful? Yes No
22 0
EspressoPatronum
Gold level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 18.6 years 232 played 223 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Add to the Long "Best of Wisconsin" List

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 17, 2022 Played the course:once

Pros:

- tons of disc golf action packed into a dedicated space
- multiple practice baskets
- good built in bridges/platforms over creeks and low lying wet areas
- concrete tees, some holes have multiples
- tee signs have maps
- plenty of benches and trash cans throughout course
- cabins/overnight accommodations on site
- very reasonable $5/day for non-overnight guests
- aptly named with sandy, near-water type of soil
- tons of great technical challenge
- mostly wooded with a good variety of distances
- great navigation aids
- pro shop on site (with cool course posters made by a Wisconsin artist, among many other things)
- owners are very kind and very helpful
- maintenance is fantastic; course is in excellent shape
- exquisite natural beauty that evokes a true Northwoods Wisconsin feeling
- rough is limited and finding discs is not difficult
- excellent incorporation of the elevation change available

Cons:

- parking is a bit limited since most is taken up by overnight guests
- some people may feel a lot of holes are too short
- holes are packed pretty tightly together, but never presented any safety issues
- tee signs and baskets are fairly basic, but are serviceable
- can be a bit wet and muddy, especially by lake holes (26-27)
- with overnight guests, it could potentially get busy, though this was not the case while i was there
- long walk between 25 and 26 is the only place where signage could be better
- some overuse of dogleg right shots
- could use some built in stairs on some steep inclines

Other Thoughts:

Sandy Point is a true disc golf destination I've been wanting to hit for some time. The 29 holes honestly put me off a bit, since on trips up north I try to hit as many courses as I can and longer courses take up a lot more time. I think I ended up finishing Sandy Point in under 2 hours, or right around 2 flat. The holes are relatively short on average and the layout is great so there's not tons of walking between holes, so it actually moves pretty quickly.

Ordinarily, I prefer courses to stop at 18 holes rather than push for "filler" just for hole count. That is NOT the feeling at Sandy Point. Most holes are very unique. There is tons of elevation change in the first 10 or so holes, with later holes being mostly flat until 26 near the lake at the end. There is wooded technical challenge throughout, with cool moss covered hillocks, water hazards, and tons of variety. The feel on this course is like you're in a temperate rainforest, almost like the Pacific Northwest, and you're out of the sun for the majority of your round.

The tee signs and baskets were a bit basic here, but worked well enough. Everything is in excellent shape, and in talking to the owners they pride themselves on keeping things well maintained and seemed genuinely pleased I commented on it. As others have noted, the map on DGCR is not up to date; I didn't see an updated map at the course but asking the owners/shop employees is worthwhile if it is open. I managed to navigate fine due to the excellent next tee signs/navigation aids on this course, but I did somehow miss holes 20A and 20B (which make the +2 with the "labeled 27" holes for the full 29). I didn't realize this until the end of the course and decided it wasn't worth going back to find them.

The lake holes, 26 and 27, are closed during the summer but were open again by mid-September when I visited. These are really cool, with the first one a very short and steep downhill throw with the lake behind you. I threw a midrange with enough hyzer to fade hard to limit distance and STILL ended up in the water. The elevation really pushes your disc out there so it can mess with our head. The next hole throws along the lakeshore and potentially out over the lake, making for some really cool water hazards.

I absolutely loved the natural beauty of this area and all the mossy trees and paths. This is a really special piece of land and is WAY away from civilization, making for a peaceful disc golf retreat where you really feel immersed in nature. Practice baskets are sprinkled throughout the cabin area; this really is a disc golf ranch. My only hesitation staying overnight is there aren't many other courses around. Having another course here akin to something like Highbridge has would go a long way in attracting more visitors, but this course really stands alone as a great destination. If you are in the area, North Lakeland is a newer 9 hole course up in Manitowish Waters that is totally worth hitting (probably 40 minutes north).

I got a really cool Sandy Point poster in the shop and I love that the course has items like this specific to a destination I went out of my way to visit. They also have clothing, discs, pins, drinks, etc.

The challenge is pretty decent here. The course is very fair but it probably caters to intermediate players and above. While some distances are shorter, there is lots of technical challenge to make you exercise a variety of shots. I do think the holes were skewed a bit towards RHFH/LHBH throwers, as there were a lot of dogleg right type shots, though you could also throw some anhyzer shots depending on the line.

Overall, this was one of the coolest courses I played on this trip. It's hard to pick a favorite between Tailings (UP), City Park (UP), Wilderness, Rollin Ridge, and this, but Sandy Point might be one of my top 2 out of all those awesome courses. Highly recommended even though it's a bit out of the way. If you want to play the best Wisconsin disc golf has to offer, and there's a lot of it, this is one you have to add to your list.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
1 3
BlackberryGirl
Experience: 15 played 15 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Still awesome! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 15, 2021 Played the course:once

Pros:

Great course. Was in summer layout (adding 20A and 20B and removal of 2 beach holes for summer usage). Great folks. Well Maintained. Technical course. $10 fee.

Cons:

Hard to come up with any.

Other Thoughts:

I had been wanting to visit this for the last 20 years.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
1 12
Avery24
Experience: 1 played 1 reviews
5.00 star(s)

Awesome course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 5, 2020 Played the course:once

Pros:

Excellent course. The course is a bit tight and challenging, but there are some open holes as well.

Cons:

It's a bit buggy at times.

Other Thoughts:

Really good course overall. Bring bug spray. It's worth the $5 green charge.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
26 0
Stardoggy
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 12.6 years 1002 played 214 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Tight, technical, and great. 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 11, 2016 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

27 (sometimes 25) hole course located on a fantastic property on a lake, with lots of camping and water type activities available. A great northwoods WI destination.

Concrete tee pads on every hole. Most holes have one tee, but a few have two. They're decent enough, and perform well. They are bordered by wood, though, so be careful if they're wet...they can get slippery. Also, every hole has a broom at it...a super nice tough, especially in a place with sandy soil.

Basic old school tee signs, with hole, distance, and par. Perfectly fine here. Navigation is pretty easy, as the course flows well, and there are well worn paths to each next hole.

Mach3 baskets, which work fine here. They're not the newest things in the world, but we had no complaints. One pin position per hole.

If hilly, short, and technical are you favorite game, then this is the place for you! The majority of holes here are under 250', but they are definitely not gimmes. The lanes are filled with trees, and tight. That's not to say they're not fair, as most holes have one or two well defined lines to hit.

The rough can be punishing, but only in a disc golf sense. If you miss your lines, many times you're stuck with no shot, or a very difficult scramble (which is how it should be!). Precision is key.

Lots of rolling hills, which play into many of the shots. You'll throw across valleys as well as up/down hills. Nothing too severe, but it definitely affects shot selection.

The two finishing holes involve the lake, especially 27.


Cons:

The biggest con here is how short many of the holes are. It can get a bit repetitive throwing at 200' holes over and over. I wouldn't call Sandy Point a pitch n putt, but there are portions that definitely feel like it.

While there are some longer holes (500'+), they're definitely not grip n' rip type holes. If you like open bombers, this isn't the place for you.

Not overly cart friendly.

Other Thoughts:

This is a fun, scenic, beautiful course. There's no two ways about it. Spending a weekend here with the family would be quite solid. The owners are some of the best people you'll ever meet, which does nothing but enhance the experience. Also, Mike is one of the longest standing Innova dealers in the state, and his pro shop is nothing short of amazing.

This is a destination, especially when you factor in Highbridge being a relatively short distance away. Do yourself a favor and book a weekend here.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
13 0
Badger45
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 22.9 years 131 played 22 reviews
5.00 star(s)

The gem of the Northwoods 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:May 29, 2016 Played the course:once

Pros:

- First impression as you drive in is that everything is well maintained. Nice driveways, nice teepads, great looking cabins, bathroom / laundry, and proshop.

- Parking right next to the Proshop and Hole 1 are a great way to start a round!

- All teepads had brooms, but were cleaned and ready to go for us.

- Garbage cans throughout the course, but not on every hole.

- Teepads and baskets are in great condition. Never once did I have to think about my footing on a drive.

- Fairways are clean of garbage and decently smooth in most areas. Some stumps to watch for, but not enough to matter. Terrain can be played with a cart, but there are a few areas to be careful.

- Safe landing zones off the ends of tee areas that need them.

- Course is designed to make you play through many of your shots. A good mix of long / med / short, as well as right / left / straight drives. and uphill / downhill drives. The rough is not going to be an easy out, but most areas allow you to at least get out in one throw.

- This course could be enjoyed by a range of players. Beginners would have a tough time on many holes, but would most likely enjoy the scenery and the challenge. Int - Open level players will find some fun challenges, mixed with opportunities for ace runs.

- Owners are great people who love the game. They took time to talk with us in the shop and are clearly passionate about what they do. Sandy Point is run well and with great care, which can't be said of many private courses.

- Cabins on-premise, or camping / rentals nearby around the Mont Du Lac and Minoqua areas.

Cons:

- If I'm being very nit-picky, there was a long walkway over water between 4 and 5 that had a section loose. Everyone walked over just fine, but it looked a little scary. Nothing to worry about there, and I imagine it will be repaired very soon.

- Not really a con, but a caution - bring bug spray. It's just the way things are, so plan for it.

Other Thoughts:

Sandy Point has been one of my best disc golf experiences to date. I would completely recommend that you try to get there at least once...so you get hooked and return many times. It embodies the charm of the Wisconsin Northwoods, but doesn't feel run-down or dirty, as many places tend to be. The $5 to play is a great value. The proshop is full of great discs that you probably are not going to see inside a B&M store. Lots of Innova Factory Store and Airforce discs were on the shelves, as well as CFRs and a huge selection of stock discs, accessories and gift items.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
3 1
Spike Hyzer 23
Experience: 30.6 years 92 played 87 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Northwoods Heaven 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Apr 17, 2005 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

This is quite simply one of the most beautiful places on earth (and really, isn't that as much what disc golf is about as any technical aspects?). The course is not the longest, but the technical challenges are exceptional. It's densely wooded and modestly elevated with the water of nearby lakes in play on several holes.

You will not find a greater disc golf challenge on the planet in this distance range. Many courses are longer and force you to throw 3 of the same shots just to reach a hole, but this course will wear you out by testing your ability to throw a variety of shots from a variety of stances and around unusual obstacles.

You won't be disappointed.

Cons:

Just about the only con to playing in WI in the summer in the northwoods is mosquitos. Be prepared.

Other Thoughts:

It is pay for play, but it's also a lush vacation resort that includes free play when you stay in their cabins.
The amazing Highbridge Hills is only about 45 minutes away, as well as the wonderful city of Ashland and the South Shore Brewpub.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
10 0
jasonc
Silver level trusted reviewer
Experience: 20.9 years 258 played 35 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Wisconsin Northwoods gem by the lake. 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Nov 7, 2015 Played the course:once

Pros:

--Excellent elevation and variety throughout this 27 hole course. Most holes are moderately to heavily wooded. Water hazards courtesy of Squaw Lake on 26 and 27 provide a nice finishing touch.

--Private course with a pro shop next to Hole #1. Well worth the $5 green fee to squeeze in as many rounds as you can in a day.

--This is a very well maintained piece of property. Much time and effort has been put into this course and it is evident throughout the round.

--Tee signs were good and included distance to ALL pins. Easy enough to follow for short and long tee pads.

--Teepads were excellent, long concrete pads with a plenty of room for a follow thru. Brooms were also provided, which is a nice touch.

--Routing/navigation. Maps are available at the pro shop but there are plenty of next tee signs to ensure that you don't get lost out.

--Baskets are solid and catch well with number plates on top.

--Signature hole(s). #11 with the big elevation change and super tight fairway. #15 with a number of guardian trees at 530' from the long pad. Also, #26-27. Risk/reward factor is high on both holes with the baskets sitting very close to the lake.

--High fun factor if you enjoy wooded courses.

Cons:

Not much but....

--No true "grip it and rip it" type of hole for those who prefer them.

--If you are unable to stay on the fairways, you're going to have a bad time...especially from the long tees.

--I heard the bugs are bad during the summer months, but I was here in early November and didn't see 1 mosquito.

Other Thoughts:

When you arrive at Sandy Point, you know you are in for a real disc golf treat. From the pro shop to the course and everything in between, Sandy Point should be on your wish list if you ever get an opportunity to travel to Wisconsin.

--The proshop includes a large selection of plastic, shirts, bags, etc along with books and jewelry for those interested in something other than disc golf.

--Rent a cabin for a night or 2 while you are here to fully immerse yourself in the Wisconsin northwoods.

Mike & Michelle Cozzens...thank you so much for a truly unique disc golf experience! Hope to get back up there soon!
Was this review helpful? Yes No
7 3
jeremyhilss
Silver level trusted reviewer
Experience: 11.5 years 50 played 30 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Challenging and in great shape 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 4, 2015 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

BEAUTIFULLY maintained - tee boxes are in great shape, nice benches at every hole, no long grass or weeds, trash cans

Pro shop on site

Challenging - lots and lots of narrow, long lanes to hit - and number six. Oh boy number six will eat you up and spit you out if you are not dead on

Elevation - I can't even count how many tees are at the top of a ravine, and you shoot across or down it. A few shoot steeply up them as well.

Beautiful location, the woods that this course is in are magical

Water holes - if you can make it when 26 and 27 are open, they are awesome. Not long but the pins are precariously close to the water which of course is OB


Cons:

A couple more open holess would even out the experience a bit

In all honesty, I think a COUPLE trees could be removed here and there. It makes it extremely challenging, but I think there's a bit of spray and pray on a few holes

Other Thoughts:

Overall gorgeous course, one of the best maintained I have EVER been to thus far, and will be sure to provide a great time
Was this review helpful? Yes No
2 5
rsulli03
Experience: 26.7 years 24 played 1 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Great Course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 18, 2015 Played the course:once

Pros:

Nicely wooded, yet well groomed. It was a pleasure to walk through the moss covered woods. Signage is well placed. Didn't have any trouble navigating the course the first time through.

Cons:

Unless I missed it, something to show which hole placement is in use would be great, but as many of the holes are of reasonable legnth, taking a few steps to scout the pon location is not a big deal.

Other Thoughts:

I'll return next time I'm within range.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
21 3
apdrvya
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 13.9 years 350 played 293 reviews
5.00 star(s)

the hosts with the mosts 2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Jun 10, 2015 Played the course:once

Pros:

Aesthetic-- area is largely disc golf exclusive. Some holes throw near the amenities and cabins but are separated enough to keep them "safe." The lake holes (26/27) are closed in the summer due to increased traffic and need to keep the beach safe from disc hits.

Teesigns-- Nicely done old school DGA signage gets the job done. Shows distance to ALL pins. Easy enough to follow. Long and short tees both have signage.

Teepads-- Some of the best out there. long concrete teepads with a gravel box for follow through. These are especially needed on the front 12 as there are plenty of tees that "overlook" the valleys where you could fall down a hill with a bad throw. Multiple tees in play on many holes keep the excitement factor high.

Routing/nav-- let me first start out by saying the map uploaded here is out of date. However, the proshop will readily give you a map and help to guide you through the course. Secondly, the abundance of next tee signs don't ever let you get lost out here, along with nicely worn paths through the woods.

Baskets-- DGA baskets with orange neck bands. Flags are used in areas where the basket could be hard to see in the thick woods

Rough-- the rough here is a tricky bitch but for the most part, finding a disc is pretty easy. The trick is, (of course) to keep it on the fairway, but with the over abundance of trees, bouncing out is always a challenge.

Signature holes-- #15 is the signature hole per the staff. I kind of look at this hole as a Jurassic Park hole. It looks like something out of a long-forgotten time. Very bright fairway (a definite change from the darker valley holes) with a LOT of guardian trees. Hole plays 500+ from the longs, in any course that's a challenge, in a heavily wooded course, bring your A game. And the lake holes, although we didn't make it to the lake holes due to mosquito anemia, the lake holes are the true signature here. Make it to the lake holes before they close for the summer, the window is VERY narrow.

Challenge/ Variety/ Elevation-- the challenge here comes from the variety. The front half is dominated by elevation in the form of many many valley holes, uphills and downhills with tight fairways. The back half is more flat but doesn't disappoint with the challenge factor. There is always the constant threat of trees and other fun in the woods.

Drainage-- the course drains nicely as it is mostly sand. It rained quite heavily the night before and the only real wet spots were the creek bed and surrounding. Other than that, there was no concern of soaked shoes.

Upkeep-- Immaculate. Not only were the fairways and greens freshly cut and easy to navigate, there were plenty of recycle/garbage cans throughout the course. This course screams pride in ownership and pride of locals.

Amenities-- Benches throughout were greatly appreciated as the course is a little physically punishing (not overly). The hall of fame, proshop, cabins (each with a practice basket), the communal practice basket and everything else truly add to the experience.

Cons:

Very few cons here, and some of them are minor and/or uncontrollables.

Bugs-- Holy crap. bug spray bug spray bug spray, about every 10 minutes or so. Bring 100% DEET if you can, and they may give you a little longer respite. the front half was definitely worse than the back as a creek runs through the front half and the areas are much lower but by the time we were done we were both about a quart low.

Out-of-Towner disadvantage-- It would be nice to have a list of what pin position the pins are in before you hit the course. It's not a huge deal as many drives here are placement shots but it would be nice to have as some of the alternates are on different sides of the fairway from the others.

Other Thoughts:

Mike and Michelle are unbelievable hosts. Not only did I get to meet and talk to both of them about our road trip but I was able to talk plastic with them!!! The proshop is amazing having a wide variety of plastic for sale (and some of my trip stamps now, wink wink) and I saw they got grip bags in the day we were there, shortly after
Was this review helpful? Yes No
3 8
Pinhigh
Experience: 2 played 2 reviews
5.00 star(s)

Disc Golf Heaven 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 5, 2014 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Perfect combination of elevation and scenery. Cabins and facilities on site as well as a pro shop. Unique holes ( car hole, lake holes, etc). It's easy to see why many call this place disc golf heaven

Cons:

too far away from my home, but well worth it
Was this review helpful? Yes No
8 0
michaelzenith
Experience: 5 played 5 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Sandy Point 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 28, 2014 Played the course:once

Pros:

Beautiful lay out of 27 holes
Each hole has a very unique personality
Multiple concrete pads for each hole that are clearly marked with a broom at each tee.
All throws must be used
Very clean, many trash and recycle cans through out the course.
All holes are very well marked. We never had to guess where the next pad was.
Pro shop and bathrooms were some of the best I have ever used on a course, great personality.
Very friendly staff.
Stunning views

Cons:

Bugs, If it is spring and summer you must play with heavy duty bug spray. Our second time playing we ran out and needed to leave after 12 holes. We ran out of spray and just called it a day.
The course is on a beautiful resort so parking can be an issue.
The course will take some travel time to get there, but worth it.

Other Thoughts:

Sandy Point gets very high grades with it's personality. If you want to know what the northwoods of Wisconsin can offer I encourage you to check this gem out!
My wife had played about 5 rounds with me before this course and seemed interested in the sport. AT HOLE 18 SHE TURNED TO ME AND SAID. "I GET IT, I'M HOOKED."
Since that time she has worked daily on her game. So Sandy Point gets huge points in my book for this alone!
Well done Sandy Point! Outstanding course, fantastic setting, wonderful experience.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
15 0
wolfhaley
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 19.9 years 970 played 542 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Pretty much as good as it gets 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 3, 2013 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

The course is laid out in beautiful Lac Du Flambeau. There are huge, level grippy concrete tee pads on every hole. Four holes have long and short tee locations. These holes are 6, 8, 14 and 15. There is some great elevation changes here with many up and downhill shots throughout. The course is very well marked with lots of next tee signs throughout which is always nice. They also provide you with a very detailed map in the pro shop before you start your round and have no problem answering any questions you may have. The pro shop is the best I've ever seen at any course. It's open from 10 A.M. to 5 P.M. daily. They've got hundreds of discs to choose from as well as stickers, towels, hats etc. There's multiple pin locations on all but 3 of they 27 holes. Theres a few with 3 different locations and hole 11 even has four possible pin locations. There are very nice Mach 3 baskets on every hole. These are all in excellent condition and catch great. There are a few outhouses throughout the course as well which is always nice to see. They also have brooms by most of the holes to brush any dirt or debris off the tee before you throw. This is an awesome little touch. Theres a pretty decent variation in hole length though most are on the shorter side. They can range anywhere from 134 feet up to 570 feet. Though most holes are shorter there are a number of extremely challenging lanes you need to hit to score well. Unlike some courses, these lines are challenging yet doable with most offering a few lines to choose from. They are garbage and recyclable cans throughout the course if you can't pack it out. The tee signs have hole #, a basic hole layout with the multiple pin locations shown, and distances for all pins as well. The Wisconsin disc golf hall of fame is located right behind hole 25's basket. This is a pretty cool little thing to check out while you're here. There are never too many people playing here at any given time making it a very peaceful, tranquil round of golf. The landscaping is also top notch, with there being bridges over any of the water that flows through the course and nice routes down and up the various hills you will traverse. It would be pretty hard to lose a disc here unless it really gets away from you. For as heavily wooded as it is the rough really isn't that thick. The old 54' Pontiac on the left side of hole 22's fairway is a cool little touch as well. Just an all around top notch course on a beautiful piece of property.

Cons:

The two lake holes aren't open all year. Also the course is only open from the beginning of May to the beginning of November. There could be a few longer holes in an ideal world but that's not what this course is about. This is a tight extremely wooded course that will test your accuracy more than your distance. The only other thing I got is that the parking lot only has 5 spots. However I've never seen all 5 being used at once so again not that big of an issue.

Other Thoughts:

If you are in the area or even have to go out of your way to play this course I would strongly recommend it. This is probably the nicest course I've played to date in Wisconsin. And that's 75 courses so far. Totally worth the $5 to play all day. The only reason I gave it a 4.5 is that I haven't played every course so I don't give any course a 5. So a 4.5 speaks to how awesome this course is. A must play for any serious disc golfer.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
1 28
Jmpviper
Experience: 9 played 8 reviews
1.00 star(s)

Way too many trees! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 8, 2012 Played the course:once

Pros:

Some of the holes have a nice view. The water holes are good.

Cons:

So many hills and trees that the holes start to bleed together. There aren't any holes where you can just throw the disc as hard as you can without worrying about losing your disc in the trees or water. Not enough parking.

Other Thoughts:

I suggest playing a different course. There are so many better ones out there and this one doesn't deserve to even be in the discussion for best in Wisconsin.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
3 20
ActionJackson
Experience: 42 played 3 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Over Rated 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 7, 2012 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

People who run this place are great! To have a good course this far up North Wisconsin is awesome. Landscape and scenery is nice and the water holes when open are a lot of fun.

Cons:

Short and a lot of repeat throws. When it's busy the parking is not good. It's a decent course but in no way deserves the rating it has.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
16 1
harr0140
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 15.2 years 1508 played 475 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Finally Made it to Sandy Point 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Nov 3, 2012 Played the course:once

Pros:

1) Nice DGA baskets.
2) Excellent large concrete teepads are a necessity to the enjoyment of this course as it would be tough to throw on dirt or grass on many of these holes.
3) Plenty of benches around the course for those interested in a nice relaxing round or for any tournament round.
4) Directionals are used very well to help guide you through the course.
5) There are some garbage cans around the course for those unable to pack it in and pack it out.
6) Brooms placed at every tee and attached to the tee-signs.
7) Yet another course with the use of an easement of some sort to create a cool and unique hole. This one is a tough slightly downhill and then uphill 15' wide fairway that is dead straight. I would recommend two mid-range shots that land flat with no skip.
8) Incredible shot selection on this course with all of the holes. 27 holes and not a single hole felt the same.
9) Water, trees, some moderately open shots, left to right, right to left, etc etc etc. There is enough variety here to make this an extremely fun course.
10) This course most definitely gets a private course/ambiance boost. The mystique of this course has been around for a while (much like Flip City) and I think it affects people as they come to play the course. This does not mean the course is any less than its rating, but at Sandy Point it is all about the experience . . . coupled with the disc golf. If I were to have only played this course at the Northwoods Open, I might rate it even higher than I did with this review, done very close to the close of the course for the season.
11) Beginner friendly . . . which may not be expected on such a highly rated course, but because they can do short, challenging, scenic, and still fun, beginner's will not want to miss this course. I think it is a little bit of a testament to how this course will stand up over time (again like Flip City). Old school players still love it, beginners can still enjoy it, and for a tournament course the ambiance is incredible. It is simply uniquely Northern Wisconsin.
12) Just an incredible piece of property for disc golf. This land couldn't be used for a big development, it couldn't be a sportsfield or a municipal park . . . it is so perfectly crafted for disc golf. Although they have thrown in some cabins and the disc golf hall of fame . . . it all is simply just a great place for disc golf . . . with a little resort on the side.
13) Nice elevation change on this course. It is always a huge benefit to be albeit to have to throw shots up and down and across the existing hills. I did not expect as much elevation as was available on this course so I was pleasantly thrilled.
14) Very nice landscaping on this property! Whoever was involved has put in some time out here.
15) Cabins for rent right on the property .. . it is called Disc Golf Ranch!!!!
16) 27 holes of fun and challenge and the North Woods

Cons:

1) There is a bit of monotony of the hole distances on this course. It is mostly short with a handful of longer holes. More variety is better, but I can still enjoy all the short holes too.
2) There could be a few more garbage cans, but I assume they are just taking care of it without charging us and adding more locations. Either way the bathroom is appreciated.
3) There are all sorts of stumps all around the course to potentially trip you.
4) There are a large amount of "potholes of the earth" where old trees must have lived or the soil has moved tremendously. I am not sure of the impact of this on you, but it is worth noting.
5) There are some areas where compaction has left the area with bare soil. I imagine this would be slick when wet, but it also leads to further erosion because there is nothing to resist the movement of the soil. This is an issue on every disc golf course and Sandy Point is no different, but it is something every course should address when funds are available. Erosion is one of the worst thing that a disc golf course causes at least environmentally speaking.

Other Thoughts:

I thoroughly enjoyed my round at Sandy Point, even in spite of the fact I got a $175 speeding ticket just ½ mile short of the course. Darn city folk coming to the country!!!! This is the perfect course for my tastes, lots of trees and mostly wooded course. It has elevation, water, variety of foliage and foliage density, and a whole lot more. It just has a little of everything. The holes are short enough for me to reach most, but still often times challenging. It makes execution extremely important and is a lot of fun when you pull off that great shot to get a birdie or even when you make an outstanding recovery shot to save par.
With this said, I was mildly disappointed compared to everything I had ever heard about Sandy Point. I can say that it is likely because all of the stories I have heard about this course and how awesome the place is, are coming from people who come up here to play the Northwoods Open. It falls on Labor Day Weekend and the whole event is just an experience on its own. I think those that play the Northwoods Open get a little "extra credit". The disc golf is 4.0-4.5 disc worthy, but the experience of the Northwoods, the hospitality of the Cozzens family, and the feeling of the Northwoods of WI add to that rating. This is not really a criticsm of the course or my experience, I just think my impression was super elevated because of all of the stories.
Did I have fun? Absolutely. Was it an awesome course? Yes. Would I come back again? If the State Troopers allow me to, Yes. Is the course one of the best in WI? Yes it still is one of the best courses in WI. But did it meet my lofty expectations? No, but only by a small margin. Had the Cozzens family been there, had I been able to browse the WI Hall of Fame and the proshop, had I had 30 of the top WI and beyond pros standing there while I throw my shot down to the lake on #26, and had I been able to hangout with all of my disc golf friends for an entire 3 day holiday weekend, I am sure my assessment of Sandy Point would match all of those stories that I have heard.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
11 1
SleekrBeekr
Experience: 14.8 years 63 played 20 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Sandy Point 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 31, 2012 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

27 hole layout.
Multiple tees.
Multiple pins.
Nice maps on all the tees.
Multiple practice baskets.
Lots of elevation changes.
Very well groomed.
Private course.
Sandy Point Hall of Fame room/game room on-site.
Garbage cans.
A couple holes play near the water.
Pro shop with a nice selection.
Cabins for rent.
Beautiful north woods country.

Cons:

A bit of a walk from one hole to another in a few spots.
Water holes closed in summer when the beach and dock are being used.
Pay to play, but well worth the cost
Bugs get pretty bad.

Other Thoughts:

This is an amazing course that plays through some beautiful north woods forests. The layout is 25 holes with the two water holes as bonus holes. There are multiple practice baskets, multiple tees, and multiple pin locations. All adding to the very high replay value of this course.
Most of the fairways require a decent amount of accuracy, as the trees are abundant here. A few holes are tight and long, but most just require some nice touch. The use of elevation is nice on this course, with some tees built into the side of hills and others at the base of hills. There is a nice mix of left to right, right to left, and straight tight shots.
This course can be a challenge, but is also very fun for families and groups. There is a half dozen or so cabins for rent on the same property. There is lake access and a nice dock as well. Another nice feature is the hall of fame room/rec room, offering a nice look at some amazing disc golf memorabilia and a place to play a few games.
All in all this is a great course with amenities galore, and enough layout combinations to never get repetitive. A little in the middle of nowhere, but the area offers enough to keep most people occupied for at least a few days.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
8 1
Ishb83
Experience: 21.8 years 127 played 2 reviews
5.00 star(s)

The True Beauty of Wisconsin's Northwoods 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:May 24, 2012 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

This is the kind of course that you take someone to who doesn't understand your passion for the sport and for certain courses and as soon as they are finished playing it will silence all their doubts. This course highlights the true beauty of Wisconsin's northwoods. This course offers up ample amounts of fun for both the beginners and the experts. Multiple pin settings are always a plus in my opinion and it also has some holes with multiple pads to add challenge for the better players. This course is a must play for me at least once a year if not twice. It truly allows you to step away from the real world and just enjoy nature and disc golf. The course also allows for a great exercise with all the up and downs among its terrain. I am a big fan of wooded courses that take you away from the real world and this course goes far and beyond succeeding in that. In the past few years a couple of new tee pads have been added to give a couple of holes even more challenge which shows me that the owners of the course are interested in continuing to improve the already outstanding course. This course has short holes, long holes, holes that finish up hill, holes that finish downhill, holes to the right, holes to the left...it has it all. If you are lucky enough to play it, especially in spring or fall, then you will be able to experience their two water holes. Hole 27 may be my favorite hole to date. 300+ along a beach line with the basket on a peninsula with a creek behind it. The biggest pro at this course is that every year I go there it seems to get better and improve and I love seeing that in a course. There is also a pro shop located right next to hole one for another plus.

Cons:

Only cons here is that the water holes, 26 and 27, are not open all year so if you happen to stop there in summer you may miss out on two of the most fun holes there.

Other Thoughts:

If you have the chance to make it there do not hesitate. This course is well worth the trip. There are cabins located on the property that are available for rent and if you get a group together it is well worth the trip. Also, if you get a chance to play in one of their tournaments do not hesitate either because they are always a great time. Typically a gallery of people enjoying the sun on the beach and watching people from other divisions throwing hole 27. Just an all-out great experience every time. Also the course changes a great deal in challenge from the short pins to the long pins and this is an added benefit.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
4 1
sunnya527
Experience: 11.9 years 33 played 4 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Summer 2012 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 9, 2012 Played the course:once

Pros:

Very Nice course long enough to get some good walking in. Love the uphill throws. I am newer to discing but completely thought this was fun and challenging.

Cons:

For people who don't know where to look for the "next tee" signs you have to look up in the trees. some are hidden a bit as I had to help some people figure out where to go. 2 holes I was looking forward to close for summer. could use more garbage cans and maybe porta potties.

Other Thoughts:

Little confusing sometimes on pin position. Bring good bug spray. Don't wear flip flops or lose shoes and there are some spots you can slide easily.
Was this review helpful? Yes No

Latest posts

Top