Montana’s 90 golf courses offer some of the most visually spectacular golf in the United States — a combination of Rocky Mountain peaks, Glacier National Park adjacency, pristine glacial lakes, and big sky that makes even an average round feel extraordinary. Golf here is a secondary industry to outdoor adventure, which means courses are uncrowded, affordable, and designed to work with the landscape rather than against it.
Montana’s most distinctive golf story is Old Works Golf Course in Anaconda — a Jack Nicklaus design built on a former EPA Superfund copper smelting site using actual black slag for bunker sand. It’s one of the most unusual and acclaimed public courses in America. The northwest corner of the state, near Glacier National Park and Flathead Lake, concentrates the best resort golf in a stunning natural setting. The season is short — typically June through September — but those months offer some of the finest outdoor conditions in the country.
Montana Golf by Region
Flathead Lake / Whitefish / Glacier Country
Northwest Montana around Flathead Lake and the Whitefish area is the state’s golf destination hub. Whitefish Lake Golf Club operates two courses — the North and South — on a property widely considered Montana’s most popular golf destination, just a short drive from Glacier National Park’s west entrance. Eagle Bend Golf Club (Bigfork) overlooks Flathead Lake with Rocky Mountain peaks as a backdrop; Meadow Lake Golf Resort (Columbia Falls) gives resort visitors quality public access near the park. Green fees in this region run $45–$90 depending on course and time of day.
Missoula / Western Montana
Missoula is Montana’s second golf market, anchored by a mix of municipal and private courses. Larchmont Golf Course in Missoula is the city’s best-known public layout; the Ranch Club serves the upper-end private market. Western Montana’s topography — river valleys between mountain ranges — naturally produces interesting course routing even on modest budgets. Missoula’s university presence keeps the golf culture active and the municipal courses well-patronized.
Bozeman / Southwest Montana
The Bozeman area has grown significantly as a resort destination, bringing golf investment along with it. Black Bull (private, 19-hole Nicklaus design) is the area’s premium private option, while public courses serve a rapidly growing population and visitor base. Old Works in Anaconda — about an hour from Bozeman — is the region’s must-play public course, a Jack Nicklaus design on an EPA Superfund site with distinctive black slag bunkers that make it unlike any other layout in America.
Top Courses in Montana
- Old Works Golf Course (Anaconda) — Jack Nicklaus design (1997) built on a historic copper smelting Superfund site; black slag (instead of white sand) fills all bunkers. Consistently ranked Montana’s top public course nationally. Green fees ~$40–$65.
- Whitefish Lake Golf Club (Whitefish) — Montana’s most popular golf destination; two courses near Glacier National Park. Scenic mountain and lake setting with full resort amenities. Green fees ~$45–$85.
- Eagle Bend Golf Club (Bigfork) — Public course with stunning Flathead Lake and Rocky Mountain views; Tom Blixseth design through diverse terrain. Green fees ~$50–$80.
- Black Bull (Bozeman) — Private 19-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature design on 500 acres in the Gallatin Valley. Considered Montana’s top private layout.
- Meadow Lake Golf Resort (Columbia Falls) — Resort public course near Glacier National Park’s west entrance; excellent mountain views and family-friendly amenities. Green fees ~$45–$70.
- Larchmont Golf Course (Missoula) — Well-maintained public municipal in Missoula; best-value everyday round in western Montana. Green fees ~$25–$40.
- Mission Mountain Country Club (Ronan) — Scenic semi-private course below the Mission Mountains with spectacular views of the range across the Flathead Valley. Green fees ~$30–$50.
When to Play Golf in Montana
Montana’s golf season is firmly June through September, with the peak window in July and August. Snow can linger at higher elevations through May, and shoulder-month (May and October) play is possible but weather-dependent. Midsummer temperatures in western Montana run 75–85°F with low humidity — ideal golf conditions. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in July and August; morning rounds are advisable to stay ahead of the weather. Eastern Montana (Billings, Great Falls) has slightly warmer, drier summers and a marginally longer season than the mountainous west. The Glacier/Whitefish area typically runs Memorial Day through mid-October depending on snowpack year to year.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many golf courses are in Montana?
Montana has 90 golf courses in our database. Despite its vast size, the state’s small population keeps the course count modest — but quality is high, green fees are very affordable, and the natural scenery surrounding most courses is exceptional.
What is the best golf course in Montana?
Old Works Golf Course in Anaconda (Jack Nicklaus, 1997) is Montana’s highest-nationally-ranked public course, famous for its black slag bunkers and unique industrial-reclamation history. Whitefish Lake Golf Club is the most popular destination course in the state. Black Bull in Bozeman is the private benchmark.
When is the best time to golf in Montana?
July and August for the most reliable warm, dry weather. June is excellent if you don’t mind cooler mornings. September is beautiful — lower crowds, cooler temperatures (60–70°F), and stunning early fall color — but book early as shoulder season can surprise with cold snaps.
How much does golf cost in Montana?
Montana is one of America’s most affordable golf states. Public municipals run $20–$40; quality public and semi-private courses charge $40–$70; and top resort courses like Whitefish Lake and Eagle Bend run $50–$85. Old Works charges $40–$65 for a national-caliber course — extraordinary value by any standard.
Is Montana good for a golf trip?
Yes — especially if you combine golf with Glacier National Park (Whitefish and Columbia Falls courses are both within 30 minutes of the park entrance), Yellowstone (Bozeman-area courses), or the unique Old Works experience in Anaconda. The short season means you’re always playing on courses in prime summer condition.
All Golf Courses in Montana
Browse all 90 Montana golf courses in our database below, including green fees, location, and course details.