Top Montana Golf Destinations

Love golf and Montana?  No problem - there are all sorts of Montana golf vacation packages if you're looking to have everything planned out for you.

Which isn't really all that surprising when you consider all the other things the Big Sky country has to offer - skiing, hunting, fishing, horseback riding and hiking

But, if Montana has one last frontier to explore - it's the golf.

And I speak from experience - bad experience.  Waiting for deer, ground chucks and other wildlife to exit the fairway.  Searching through hundreds of acres of sagebrush for my new Callaway ball (I never found it - but you should see how many other people gave up on their balls out there - I could probably make a living off just that!).  Or trying not to fall in a fast moving mountain stream that managed to swallow yet another golf ball.

OK - so, maybe I'm not the best guy to be talking to about how to play all the Montana golf courses well - but I do enjoy my Montana golf.

So, there's no doubt about it, Montana golf is one of the states most overlooked attractions.

4 Reasons Why Montana is a Great Place to Golf:

1. A Skill Level for Everyone

Not exactly a 'scratch' golfer?  Montana is dotted with little 9-hole gems that will keep you smiling the whole way.  Not only are they abundant - but they're built with the high handicapped golfer in mind.  

Or, you can take in some of the resort courses that Montana has where the prices are higher and the handicap lower.

And speaking of prices...

1. Golfing in Montana is Cheap by Most Standards

Most 9 hole golf courses will set you back around $13-$18 per 9 holes.  A full 18-hole public course in most parts of the state will run you around $25.  Of course, these prices don't include golf carts.  But, compared to most states this is a bargain.

1. Golf Courses are Generally NOT Crowded

Montana golf has a lot to offer: prices, terrain and courses.  But the one thing it is short on is a playing season - particularly in the more elevated parts of the state.

This means fewer people on the links.

Of course, there are a few die-hards out all the time and it is crowded in some spots during the peak summer months, but you can generally have a nice round of golf if you:

• Plan your golf during the weekday
• Plan your golf in the early morning hours

1. Montana Has Some Very Unique Courses
   

• Set a tee time to play The Old Works (or just "The Works" as many locals refer to it.)  It's a signature Jack Nicklaus course.  With the Pintler Mountains set as the scenic backdrop you may find yourself battling not only the elements (can get cold and windy on bad days - think British Open) but also the hazards.  The most unique thing about the Old Works is the many bunkers on the course are filled from 'slag'. 

        The slag is a byproduct of the smelting process involving copper ore.  In Anaconda stands a behemoth smokestack (touted as the worlds         largest) standing in at 585 feet tall.  It's so large in fact that the rim at the top of the stack is wide enough to accommodate a school bus.

• It's not in Montana - but it's a hop skip and a jump from the border.  What is it?  Of course, I'm talking about the world-famous "Floating Green" of Couer d'Alene Resort.  It's one of the pricier courses around ($199-$919 depending on package).  So bring your checkbook.  Actually, that's not all - make sure to bring your patience and plenty of golf balls...

The final word

If you plan on making a trip to Montana anytime in the summer I think you would be making a mistake NOT looking into playing some golf.  Montana can offer you a lot of what other places can't: really reasonable prices, varied terrain/skill levels and generally uncrowded courses.