The 10 Best Golf Courses in Montana You Can Play (2026)

The best golf courses in Montana you can play are Old Works in Anaconda, The Wilderness Club in Eureka and Whitefish Lake Golf Club. Old Works is a Jack Nicklaus design on a reclaimed smelter site. For a value-minded round, try Buffalo Hill in Kalispell, a nonprofit public course since 1918.

The list at a glance

| # | Course | Location | Access | Best for | |---|---|---|---|---| | 1 | Old Works Golf Course | Anaconda | Public | A Nicklaus design on a reclaimed smelter site | | 2 | The Wilderness Club | Eureka | Resort guests, limited public | A remote Nick Faldo design | | 3 | Whitefish Lake Golf Club | Whitefish | Public | 36 holes in a ski town | | 4 | Northern Pines Golf Club | Kalispell | Public | Links-style golf by the Stillwater River | | 5 | Fairmont Hot Springs Resort | Fairmont | Public (resort) | Golf and a hot-springs soak | | 6 | Bridger Creek Golf Course | Bozeman | Public | Creek-side golf under the Bridgers | | 7 | Buffalo Hill Golf Club | Kalispell | Public | Historic public golf since 1918 | | 8 | Polson Bay Golf Course | Polson | Public | 27 holes on Flathead Lake | | 9 | Pryor Creek Golf Club | Huntley | Semi-private | 36 holes in south-central Montana | | 10 | Larchmont Golf Course | Missoula | Public | Big greens in the Missoula valley |

How we chose

Every course in the top 10 takes public tee times, or resort-guest reservations where noted, confirmed on the course website or Visit Montana. We ranked them on published rankings, design pedigree and the experience for a traveling golfer, and spread them across the state's regions. Facts were checked in October 2026; private clubs are listed separately.

1. Old Works Golf Course

Location: Anaconda, MT · Access: Public · Holes: 18 (par 72) · Designer: Jack Nicklaus (ground broken 1994) · Region: Southwest Montana

Old Works is the highest-ranked fully public course in Montana. Golf Digest's Best in State list for 2025-26 ranks it No. 7 in the state, and GOLF Magazine's 2024-25 Montana list puts it No. 5.

The course sits on the site of a former copper smelter that became a Superfund cleanup site in 1983. Its bunkers are filled with slag, a by-product of copper smelting, and smelter ruins are visible on the front nine. At up to 7,705 yards, it suits players who want a championship test with a story.

Around the greens: Slag bunkers are an unfamiliar surface, so favor the fat side of each green and give yourself chips from grass instead.

2. The Wilderness Club

Location: Eureka, MT · Access: Resort guests; limited public play · Designer: Nick Faldo · Region: Northwest Montana

The Wilderness Club ranks No. 5 in Montana on Golf Digest's 2025-26 list and No. 3 on GOLF Magazine's 2024-25 list. GolfPass's 2026 Golfers' Choice awards also named it Montana's top public course. It is a Nick Faldo design measuring about 7,200 yards.

It is a membership club, but resort guests can play with advance reservations and the club offers limited public play. The property covers about 550 acres near the Kootenai National Forest, about seven miles south of Canada. Plan an overnight stay rather than a drive-up round.

Around the greens: The club describes its greens as fast, so ask for the day's speed and shorten your landing zone accordingly.

3. Whitefish Lake Golf Club

Location: Whitefish, MT · Access: Public · Holes: 36 (North par 72, South par 71) · Designer: Bill Trippett (North, 1930s; remodeled by John Steidel), John Steidel (South, 1994) · Region: Flathead Valley

Visit Montana calls Whitefish Lake Montana's first 36-hole complex. A nonprofit association runs it and leases the North Course from the City of Whitefish. Its log clubhouse came out of a 1930s federal works project finished in 1937.

The North Course reaches 6,898 yards and the South 6,551. Both are lined with pine and birch, and the club is about seven blocks from downtown Whitefish. Tee times book online or by phone, so it suits a ski-town golf trip of two or three rounds.

Around the greens: Two courses mean two sets of greens; roll a few practice chips before each round instead of assuming they match.

4. Northern Pines Golf Club

Location: Kalispell, MT · Access: Public · Holes: 18 (par 72) · Designer: Andy North · Region: Flathead Valley

Northern Pines ranks No. 8 in Montana on Golf Digest's 2025-26 Best in State list. Two-time U.S. Open champion Andy North designed it. It plays to 7,015 yards.

The front nine is rolling, Scottish links-style golf. The back nine changes character, with holes along the Stillwater River. Call the pro shop to book; it opened for the 2026 season.

Around the greens: On the links-style front nine, a low runner often beats a lofted pitch; save the high shot for the back nine.

5. Fairmont Hot Springs Resort

Location: Fairmont, MT · Access: Public (resort) · Holes: 18 (par 72) · Region: Southwest Montana

Fairmont's course sits at the base of the Pintler Mountains, about 15 miles west of Butte. GolfPass's 2026 Golfers' Choice awards ranked it No. 4 among Montana's public courses. It measures 6,741 yards.

The fifth hole is nicknamed "mile high, mile long." The resort books tee times online. A round pairs easily with a soak in the hot springs. Old Works is nearby, which makes this a strong two-course trip.

Around the greens: Mountain air adds carry on full shots, but chips barely change; adjust your landing zones for green speed, not altitude.

6. Bridger Creek Golf Course

Location: Bozeman, MT · Access: Public · Holes: 18 · Designer: Mac Hunter (1994-95) · Region: Southwest Montana

Bridger Creek bills itself as Bozeman's public course, set at the base of the Bridger Mountains about ten minutes from downtown. The front nine opened in July 1994 and the back nine in 1995. It reaches 6,511 yards from the blue tees.

Bridger Creek and Rocky Creek meet behind the second green to form the East Gallatin River. Tee times are booked by phone, and it suits visitors staying in Bozeman.

Around the greens: Several greens are two-tiered, so land your chip on the same tier as the hole whenever you can.

7. Buffalo Hill Golf Club

Location: Kalispell, MT · Access: Public · Holes: 27 (Championship 18 and Cameron 9) · Opened: 1918 · Region: Flathead Valley

Buffalo Hill has been Kalispell's public course since 1918. It runs as a nonprofit on land leased from the City of Kalispell. Its 27 holes include the Championship 18 and the Cameron 9.

The 2026 season runs through October 31. Pair it with Northern Pines and Whitefish Lake for a Flathead golf week.

Around the greens: The crew raises green heights in fall, so late-season greens can roll slower; land chips a little farther on.

8. Polson Bay Golf Course

Location: Polson, MT · Access: Public · Holes: 27 · Opened to public: 1938 · Region: Flathead Lake

Polson Bay has been open to the public since 1938. Visit Montana calls it the only golf course on the shores of Flathead Lake. It has 27 holes.

Tee times book online, and the club is already selling 2027 season passes. It suits golfers on a Flathead Lake vacation who want a relaxed round.

Around the greens: On unfamiliar greens, hit a few practice chips with your stock club to calibrate roll-out.

9. Pryor Creek Golf Club

Location: Huntley, MT · Access: Semi-private (public on the Johnny Walker course) · Holes: 36 · Established: 1980 · Region: South-central Montana

Pryor Creek is a 36-hole facility, one of only two in Montana by the club's count. The public plays the Johnny Walker course; the Elmer Link course requires a member in your group. GolfPass's 2026 Golfers' Choice awards ranked Pryor Creek No. 3 among Montana's public courses.

The holes sit in the Pryor Creek valley, with natural elevation changes, rolling hills and bluffs. Posted 2026 rates include a walking option. It is the eastern anchor of this list.

Around the greens: Elevation changes mean uphill and downhill chips; adjust your landing zone for slope (see uphill and downhill chipping).

10. Larchmont Golf Course

Location: Missoula, MT · Access: Public · Holes: 18 · Region: Western Montana

Larchmont is Missoula's public championship course, in the middle of the valley with mountain views. The course highlights its large rolling greens and deep bunkers. Tee times book online.

It is the easiest course on this list to fit into a Missoula visit. It suits golfers who want a solid round without a long drive.

Around the greens: Large rolling greens make long chips common; a less-lofted club controls distance better (see what club to chip with).

Private clubs worth knowing

• Rock Creek Cattle Company (Deer Lodge): No. 1 in Montana on Golf Digest's 2025-26 Best in State list. Member invitation required.
• The Reserve at Moonlight Basin (Big Sky): No. 2 in Montana on the same Golf Digest list. Member invitation required.
• Stock Farm Club (Hamilton): No. 3 in Montana on Golf Digest's 2025-26 list. Member invitation required.
• Iron Horse Golf Club (Whitefish): No. 4 in Montana on Golf Digest's 2025-26 list. Member invitation required.
• Eagle Bend Golf Club (Bigfork): A private 27-hole club on the north shore of Flathead Lake. Member invitation required.

Tips for playing golf in Montana

• Season: Montana golf is a summer game. Buffalo Hill's 2026 season runs through October 31, and Whitefish Lake schedules fall aeration in late September and early October.
• Check 2026 status: Big Sky Resort's golf course is closed for summer 2026, so confirm any mountain course before you travel.
• Altitude: At higher courses such as Fairmont, whose fifth hole is nicknamed "mile high," full shots fly farther. Chip roll-out depends on green speed, not altitude.
• Walking: Whitefish Lake allows walkers, and Pryor Creek posts walking rates. Ask about walking when you book elsewhere.
• Plan by region: Whitefish, Kalispell, Polson and Eureka make a Flathead trip; Anaconda and Fairmont pair in the southwest. If you fly via Spokane, see our Spokane golf guide and the best golf courses in Idaho.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best public golf course in Montana?

Old Works Golf Course in Anaconda is the best fully public course in Montana. Golf Digest ranks it No. 7 in the state for 2025-26, and GOLF Magazine ranks it No. 5. Jack Nicklaus designed it on a former copper smelter site, with bunkers filled with smelting slag.

What is the best value golf course in Montana?

Buffalo Hill in Kalispell is a strong value-minded pick. It has been public since 1918, runs as a nonprofit on city-leased land and offers 27 holes. Larchmont in Missoula and Bridger Creek in Bozeman are other good public options in Montana's college towns.

Can the public play The Wilderness Club?

Partly. The Wilderness Club in Eureka is a membership club, but resort guests can play with advance reservations, and the club offers limited public play. Golf Digest ranks it No. 5 in Montana for 2025-26. Plan to stay at the resort for the best access.

When is golf season in Montana?

Most Montana courses play from spring through October, with summer the peak. Buffalo Hill's 2026 season runs through October 31, and Whitefish Lake aerates in late September and early October. Check each course's dates before you book.

How do I handle unfamiliar green speeds on a new course?

Ask the pro shop for the day's Stimpmeter reading, then roll a few chips on the practice green to confirm it. Faster greens need a shorter landing spot, slower greens a longer one. Our green speed guide explains how to adjust.

Find your landing zone on every green

From links-style turf in the Flathead to mountain courses near Butte, Montana's greens roll at very different speeds. Green speed changes where every chip should land, and it changes from course to course. ELZS (Essential Landing Zone Systems) turns three inputs, your distance to the hole, your club and the green speed, into the number of paces to land the ball so it rolls out to the hole. It was built by former teaching pro Chaz H. Smith and comes as an app for iOS and Android and as a waterproof pocket chartbook. Before your next round, ask the pro shop how fast the greens are running, then look up your landing zone and chip with a plan.

Download ELZS for iPhone · Get ELZS on Android · Learn how landing zones work