Montana State has plenty to offer golfers venturing out to play different courses with family and friends alike. Some testing layouts await and choosing the 5 best golf courses in Montana is a tough ask.
This task has been eased with a collaboration with TheGrint, our favorite mobile app that helps golfers track their handicap and stats. They have collected golf course reviews from millions of real golf rounds from real golfers.
Ranking in order 1 to 5
- Old Works Golf Club
- Canyon River Golf Club | Canyon River
- Bridger Creek Golf Course
- Cottonwood Hills Golf Club
- Pryor Creek Golf Club | Johnny Walker
1. Old Works Golf Club
- Site Link
- Location: Anaconda, Montana.
- Par: 72
- Length: 7,043 meters off the Tips and 5,616 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
4 tees options available.
Signature Hole – The 178-meter par 3 4th is the signature hole and it plays slightly uphill from the tee.
Named the “Flue” after the large structure that frames the hole behind the green.
The 2-tiered green will test the putter.
A Jack Nicklaus designed course which incorporates the old flue structures, furnace, and slag heaps.
A unique feature is the use of slag as black sand in the bunkers. The sand is dense, and very few plugs lies will occur.
Warm Springs Creek features on the layout and some very challenging and impressive holes on both 9s add value to the course.
Fantastic views of many mountain ranges form the backdrop throughout the course.
Large greens and false fronts require precision on approach shots.
2. Canyon River Golf Club | Canyon River
- Site Link
- Location: Missoula, Montana.
- Par: 72
- Length: 6,367 meters off the Tips and 4,902 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
4 tee options available.
Signature Hole – The 164-meter par 3 14th is the signature hole and plays downhill from the tee.
The hole looks straight down the canyon and the green is surrounded by bunkers and trees guard the entrance.
Should play a club or two less than the distance suggests.
Golfers are in for a treat as the round commences. The stunning views of the Canyon and tree-lined generous fairways will make for a good fun day of golf.
The rugged feel, especially on the back 9, is special.
The 5 par 3s are a feature and the 221-meter par 3 7th is a beast.
Accuracy off the tee is rewarded as the round progresses.
What a place to play golf!
3. Bridger Creek Golf Course
- Site Link
- Location: Bozeman, Montana.
- Par: 71
- Length: 5,952 meters off the Tips and 5,500 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
2 tee options available.
Signature Hole – My choice of signature hole is the 352-meter par 4 5th.
Accuracy off the tee to the fairway is a must and water left and OB right are no-go areas.
The 2nd shot to the smallest, elevated green with slopes on both sides, is a real tester.
Make par and run!
A magnificent testing layout that an accomplished golfer will relish.
Course strategy and precision are well rewarded and the many risk and reward holes heighten the challenge.
Elevation changes on both greens and fairways, doglegs left and right, strategic mounding, gnarley rough, and the Bridge Creek meandering through the course, will keep the concentration level up.
Play from a tee that suits your game and enjoy the round rather than fight the course.
4. Cottonwood Hills Golf Club
- Site Link
- Location: Bozeman, Montana.
- Par: 71
- Length: 6,372 meters off the Tips and 5,583 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
3 tee options available.
Signature Hole – The 373-meter par 4 5th hole is my choice of signature hole.
Although not long in length, accuracy is required to both the tee and approach shots to an even-opportunity green complex.
It is the no 1 rated hole on the course.
Cottonwood Hills golf course is a links-style rather than a mountain-style layout with open fairways and holes that run parallel to one another.
The terrific views on offer can distract from the golf, but the challenging yet friendly course will be enjoyed and playable by all skill levels.
An irrigation-ditch meanders through the course and the bunkers and tough rough can devour the ball.
Water hazards feature on the layout and are well placed.
Fast, sloping greens add to the test and the enjoyment.
5. Pryor Creek Golf Club | Johnny Walker
- Site Link
- Location: Huntley, Montana.
- Par: 71
- Length: 5,514 meters off the Tips and 5,233 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
4 tee options available.
Signature Hole – It is rather unusual for the opening hole to carry the stroke 1 on the card, but this par 5 is a good test and my choice of signature hole
It plays out at 489-meters and is a genuine 3-shotter.
Playing from the fairway allows the opportunity to start with a birdie.
A great attraction in Montana as this facility hosts 36 holes of challenging play.
The Johhny Walker course has 2 very different 9s and whilst enjoyable can unsettle the scorecard.
5 par 3s in the layout can get the scorecard rollicking.
The front 9 moves through plenty of undulation and elevation change from the tee and at the green complexes.
Check the landing areas on the fairways, as the ball will bounce off the sloped terrain.
The new 9 opens up and the “big dog” can let fly from the tee.
The tree-lined fairways are generous to a point, but wild shots will be penalized.
Tricky, fast greens with subtle breaks are difficult to master.
Final Thoughts
The state of Montana is a beautiful venue for all golfers to test their mettle and prowess at this great game we play.
The courses are suitable for all skill levels and family outings, at reasonable rates.
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Nick is the founder of GolfSpan and an avid golfer. He's not quite a pro but has over 15 years of experience playing and coaching golfers worldwide. His mission is to bring the golfing community a better experience when it comes to choosing the right golf gear and finding the right setup for your game.
