Looking to play the best golf courses in Montana? GolfReviewsGuide.com picks out the top courses to play in Montana.

The state of Montana isn’t the most populated area in the United States. In fact, there isn’t a major metropolis in the state, nor is there one really that close with Seattle far to the west and Minneapolis far to the east.

However, the appeal of Montana to some is undeniable: the hustle and bustle of the big cities are nowhere near this northern and mountainous state. And it makes for a great place to play golf.

While trip planning, be sure to research seasonality for any course in Montana that you plan to venture to as this is a state that receives a lot of snow in the winter.

If you are looking for golf destinations, then we’ve put together a list for you. Despite the fact that the courses are often set in small cities or more secluded areas, the big names in golf design still appear in this top-5 list.

Our top picks for the best golf courses in Montana are:

1. Reserve at Moonlight Basin Golf Course

Having opened in 2016, the golf course at the Reserve at Moonlight Basin is a relatively new par-72 effort that Jack Nicklaus designed.

The course design is certainly on the brave side: you won’t see that many golf courses, even championship ones, that feature 8,025 yards in length.

However, that’s what golfers on the back tee can expect at this Nicklaus course with even the closer white tee totaling 7,800 yards in course length.

The high elevation of the course should help redeem the chances for par on many holes: it is set at 7,500 feet.

The course is close to the Big Sky Resort with the Missoula International Airport the closest significant airport in the vicinity.

The terrain in this area is rugged while the course takes full advantage of the mountain scenery. What results is a beautiful inland course that is a favorite destination for golfers heading to the Big Sky state of Montana.

2. Iron Horse Golf Club

In Whitefish, near Glacier National Park and Flathead National forest, golfers will find the Iron Horse Golf Club.

This par-71 course is the creation of legendary golf-course architect Tom Fazio.

The course, with 7,028 yards in length, is not the most lengthy golf course that you will find on this list.

But it is made up of bluegrass fairways, smooth bent-grass greens, and golfers have enjoyed the views of the Montana Rockies since the course opened in the year 2000.

The ratings are high for this course and that satisfaction level is certainly in line with what Fazio fans have come to expect at the courses of his design.

3. Wilderness Club Golf Course

In Eureka, at the Wilderness Club, one will find a Nick Faldo creation. It certainly lives up to its name.

This is a very northern golf course in the USA, one that opened in 2009 with paved pathways, water hazards, warm-up holes, and bluegrass fairways. In fact, the course is so north that any errant shots might have to clear Canadian customs.

On that matter, golfers traveling to this venue could land in Calgary (YYC) if they are looking for an international airport. Spokane, Washington (GEG) is another option, one that avoids clearing customs for those that originate in the USA.

The par-72 course plays 7,207 yards in length from the back tee.

The club, as the name suggests, is in a remote location and close to the Kootenai National Forest and a 21-acre lake.

4. Yellowstone Country Club Golf Course

A historic course in Montana, the private golf course at the Yellowstone Country Club (not to be confused with the Yellowstone Club in Big Sky) opened in 1958 following the design of architect Robert Trent Jones (Sr.).

From the championship tee, this is a relatively short 7,121 yards and a par-72 located in Billings, Montana.

A nearby attraction to this course includes the Camelot Ranch with Billings Logan International Airport the best landing pad for those traveling to this golf course.

The golf course at the Yellowstone Country Club is one of the region’s best and most prestigious. The course is located under the Billings rimrocks, geologically formed cliffs that you find in parts of Billings.

5. Rock Creek Cattle Company Golf Course

Tom Doak, who was more known for close-to-water courses than anything inland (such as Pacific Dunes in Oregon), designed the exhilarating Rock Creek Cattle Company golf course.

It is a venue that opened in 2008 against the backdrop of Montana’s scenic mountains.

The course is about average length at 7,466 yards and challenges golfers to make a par-71 with the forgiveness that wide fairways offer.

In Deer Lodge, Montana, this course is close to the Mount Powell mountain peak with Helena Regional Airport a landing spot nearby.