With nine public courses offering challenging layouts and unique golfing experiences, it’s no wonder visitors to Montana’s Flathead Valley often bring golf clubs along with fishing poles and camping gear. Named to Golf Digest’s top “50 Golf Destinations” in the world based on courses, service, transportation, setting, quality accommodations, travel to and around the destination, and value, Flathead Valley golf has it all.

The diversity of courses will challenge even the most avid golfer’s priorities. Luckily, with Flathead’s northern latitude responsible for sixteen hours of summer daylight and some of the most beautiful weather available anywhere allows plenty of time to experience a variety of courses. Given the marvelous diversity of Flathead’s numerous golf opportunities, it is understandable if you chose to golf from sunrise to sunset. Depending on your group or handicap you may opt to visit a different layout every day, or choose a course that offers that “something for everyone”.

Three valley courses are more than 50 years old with mature, well-tended greens, tree-lined fairways and impressive log cabin clubhouses. After a challenging 9 or 18 holes you can relax on the deck of the clubhouse over cocktails or an excellently prepared meal. Golfers enjoy beautiful mountain vistas and pristine lakes and rivers not to mention an occasional encounter with wildlife such as deer, elk or a bald eagle overhead. More contemporary courses offer open links-style layouts, bent grass greens, and plenty of water hazards. Courses are usually open from April through October. Golf pros are available to help you improve your game and give advice about the challenges of each course. Specials and packages are available at many of the lodging properties in the valley. In season, fees range from $25 to $60 a round.

With one simple phone call to the Flathead Valley Golf Association's central reservation number, you can advance book tee times at any of these nine courses: Eagle Bend, Meadow Lake, Big Mountain, Polson Country Club, Glacier View, Mission Mountain, Buffalo Hill, Village Greens and Whitefish Lake. Just dial 1-800-392-9795 for tee time reservations, further information on golf packages, or accommodations Monday-Friday, 9 am - 5 pm (MST).