This Small Wisconsin Community’s Golf Course Just Ranked No. 2 Among The Best Public Courses In The State

A legendary golf course vanished in the 1940s, and someone rebuilt it hole for hole roughly a century after it first opened. Not on Long Island, where it started, but in the sandy pine country of central Wisconsin. The original was designed by C.B. Macdonald and opened in 1917.

Golf fans called it a masterpiece, then it was gone for about 80 years.

A historian used old photos to build a computer model of every green and bunker. Architects then turned that model back into real ground, and the result opened in May 2023.

Imagine standing on the first tee knowing you’re about to play a course that disappeared decades ago. How many golf destinations can offer that kind of connection to history?

A Lost Long Island Legend Got A Second Life In Wisconsin Sand

Golf history rarely gets a do-over, but The Lido at Sand Valley Golf Resort is exactly that. It’s a faithful, hole-for-hole recreation of the original Lido Golf Club.

That first version opened on Long Island in 1917. C.B. Macdonald designed it, and many golf experts considered it one of the finest courses ever built.

Then it disappeared in the 1940s, and for decades it lived only in old photos and stories. Golf architecture fans talked about it the way music fans talk about a lost album.

Fast forward to May 2023, when The Lido officially opened in Nekoosa. The setting changed from seaside New York to the sandy heart of Wisconsin, yet the holes follow the original plan.

I appreciate how wild that idea sounds on paper. A course from a different century, rebuilt in a different state, and somehow it works. For golfers, this means playing something close to what players saw over 100 years ago. For everyone else, it’s a pretty great story to tell at dinner.

The Rankings Read Like A Golf Fan’s Wish List

Numbers tell this story fast. Golf Digest placed The Lido among the top three in its Best In State list for Wisconsin. That alone would be enough to brag about. Yet the national lists push things even further.

Golf Digest ranks it No. 12 on America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses. GOLF Magazine puts it at No. 4 on its Top 100 Courses You Can Play in the U.S. Golfweek lists it at No. 13 on its Top 100 Courses in the U.S.

GOLF Magazine also ranks The Lido No. 48 in the world in its 2025–2026 rankings. Think about that for a second. A course that opened in 2023 is already rubbing shoulders with famous names that have been around for generations.

The USGA noticed too. Sand Valley Resort was selected to host four USGA championships, beginning with the 2026 U.S. Mid-Amateur at The Lido and Sand Valley courses.

So when your golf buddy says Wisconsin can’t compete with the big coastal courses, you have plenty of proof otherwise. Just be polite about it. Mostly.

Old Photos And A Computer Brought Every Bunker Back

Rebuilding a course nobody had seen in person for decades sounds impossible. Golf historian Peter Flory found a clever way around that problem.

He created a detailed computer simulation of the original Lido. It was based on historical photos and other materials from the course’s early days. That digital model became the blueprint for the real thing. Every slope and hazard could be studied before a single shovel hit the ground.

Next came the builders. Architects Tom Doak and Brian Schneider of Renaissance Golf led the modern recreation. Doak is one of the best-known course designers working today. Having him on the project helped turn an old dream into a serious, playable course.

I love that this mix of history and technology made it happen. Old snapshots and modern software basically teamed up to bring back a legend.

When you play here, you’re walking on ground shaped by research as much as by machines. That gives each hole a little extra weight. It’s like a history lesson where you also get to hit a driver.

Famous Template Holes Will Test Every Club In Your Bag

Alps, Redan, Biarritz, Channel, and Eden. They sound like a travel itinerary, but they’re actually famous hole designs. C.B. Macdonald loved using these “template” holes. He borrowed ideas from great courses overseas and built his own versions of them.

The Lido brings those classics back in full. Each one asks for a different kind of shot, so you can’t just swing the same way all day.

A Redan usually features a green that slopes away from the golfer. A Biarritz is known for a deep dip running through the green, which can make putting a real adventure. An Alps hole often hides part of the target behind a rise. That means some faith is required before you swing.

For golf design fans, seeing these templates together is a treat. They act like a greatest hits album from the early 1900s. Even casual players will notice how different each hole feels. Bring patience and a sense of humor, because these holes were built to make you think.

Greens Here Are Big Enough To Need Their Own Zip Code

Over 12,000 square feet. That’s the average size of a green at The Lido, which is far bigger than most golfers are used to. Landing on the green is only half the job. A long putt across one of these surfaces can feel like a small hike.

The course plays as a par 71, with a championship layout measuring approximately 7,200 yards. Its extended tees accommodate modern equipment while preserving the original design.

Big scale shows up everywhere. Deep hazards wait for wayward shots, and they don’t hand out free escapes. Instead of regular trimmed rough, the course uses large sandy waste areas. The ground looks natural and wild, which fits the sandy land of central Wisconsin perfectly.

My advice is simple. Spend extra time on the practice green before your round, especially on long lag putts.

Focus on the experience rather than the scorecard. A course this challenging rewards smart choices more than raw power, and enjoying the ride matters more than any number you write down.

Lace Up Comfy Shoes, Because Carts Are Not Invited

Walking is the only way around this course. The Lido is a walking-only layout, so leave any cart dreams at home. That fits the old-school spirit of the place. Golf in Macdonald’s day was meant to be played on foot, one step at a time.

Good shoes matter a lot here. The ground is sandy, and a full 18 holes adds up to plenty of steps. Taking a caddie is a smart move, especially on a first visit. Some shots are blind, and the huge greens can hide sneaky breaks.

A caddie can point out where to aim when the target isn’t obvious. That local knowledge can save a few strokes and some frustration. Bring water, sunscreen, and a hat on warm days. The course is wide open with no trees, so shade is hard to find.

Walking also lets you really soak in the design. You’ll notice the shapes of the land and the bunkers in a way a cart ride would rush past.

Here’s The Secret To Actually Landing A Tee Time

Getting on this course takes a little planning. The Lido operates as a private club connected to Sand Valley Resort. Resort guests receive limited access, generally from Monday through Thursday. That means staying on property is your ticket to play.

The golf season runs roughly from April to October. Spring and fall trips can be lovely, while summer offers the longest days. Book early if you have your heart set on a round. Limited access means spots don’t sit open forever.

The resort address is 1697 Leopold Way, Nekoosa, WI 54457. Nekoosa is a small community in central Wisconsin, surrounded by sandy land and pine forests. Once you arrive, use the resort shuttle to get to the course. It keeps things simple and saves you from any parking confusion.

Pairing The Lido with other rounds at Sand Valley makes a great golf getaway. Plan a couple of nights, and you’ll have time to play, rest, and enjoy everything else around the property.

Cheese Curds And Wood-Fired Pizza Make Great Post-Round Fuel

Eighteen holes of walking builds a serious appetite. Luckily, Sand Valley offers several places to refuel after a round at The Lido.

The Gallery serves traditional Italian food, including handcrafted pizzas and Italian classics. It overlooks Court Tennis, which gives you something unusual to watch while you eat.

Mammoth Bar leans into Wisconsin flavor. Expect classic state-inspired dishes and elevated bar food, including cheese curds. Coming to Wisconsin without eating cheese curds feels like skipping a hole. Consider it part of the full experience.

Aldo’s Farm & Table takes a more modern approach. This farm-to-table restaurant uses local ingredients and looks out over the Mammoth Dunes course. That variety helps when traveling with a group. Some folks want comfort food, while others want something fresher and lighter.

A couple of seasonal spots at the resort are taking a break this year and plan to return in 2027. Still, the open options cover plenty of cravings, from cheesy snacks to a sit-down dinner with a view.

Grass Tennis, Lake Paddles, And Winter Curling Keep Non-Golfers Happy

Sixteen grass tennis courts sit at Sand Valley’s Tennis Center. That’s a rare sight anywhere, let alone in central Wisconsin.

The 13,000-square-foot facility also includes Court Tennis, one of the few such facilities in the United States. It’s an old indoor racquet sport that most people have never even seen. Outdoor fans have plenty to explore too. Miles of wilderness trails are open for hiking and fat-tire biking.

The lakes add even more options. Guests can swim, paddleboard, kayak, or cast a line for some fishing. Winter changes the whole menu of fun. Curling, broomball, and snowshoeing offer plenty of reasons to visit when the snow arrives.

Brave souls can even try a cold plunge in a frozen lake. I’ll cheer from a warm spot, but I respect the courage.

All of this makes The Lido at Sand Valley Golf Resort great for mixed groups. Golfers chase birdies, while everyone else finds their own adventure, and nobody ends up bored waiting in the clubhouse.