GolfWest List: Top 10 Flathead Valley & NW Montana’s Longest courses | GolfWest

May 2017

GolfWest List: Top 10 Flathead Valley and NW Montana’s Longest Golf Courses

If you’re heading down south, you might want to take the time to play one of Montana’s longest golf courses.

by Keith Powell

There are a lot of Canadians who head south come the summer season and play the golf courses of the Flathead Valley and Northwest Montana. The region has an array of beautifully manicured, challenging golf courses. These golf courses rival any in the State of Montana for playability, condition, challenge and length. We here at GolfWest thought it would be interesting to determine the Top 10 longest golf courses in the Flathead region, from Ronan to the south to the Canadian border in the north.

Here is the Top 10 Flathead Valley and NW Montana’s Longest Golf Courses…

The Wilderness Club – Eureka 7,207 yards (Black tees)

The Wilderness Club – Eureka,
The Wilderness Club – Eureka, 7,207 yards

— Photo courtesy The WIlderness Club

A Nick Faldo design, the Wilderness Club provides a golf experience you will not find anywhere else. Ranked the No. 1 golf course in the state of Montana by Golfweek, Wilderness Club leaves nothing to be desired. Paved pathways grant you unencumbered views of the spectacular surroundings to the lush all-grass driving range.

Iron Horse Golf Club (Private) – Whitefish 7,028 yards (white tees)

Iron Horse Golf Club (Private) – Whitefish
Iron Horse Golf Club (Private) – Whitefish, 7,028 yards

— Photo courtesy Iron Horse Golf Club

Iron Horse’s eighteen distinctive holes of golf, designed by Tom Fazio, are a wonder of their own. The beautiful bluegrass fairways weave through a forest of Fir and Tamarack trees, and distant views of mountain ranges and Whitefish Lake provide a dramatic backdrop for nearly every hole.

Northern Pines Golf Course – Kalispell 7,015 yards (Green tees)

Northern Pines Golf Course – Kalispell
Northern Pines Golf Course – Kalispell, 7,015 yards

— Photo courtesy Northern Pines Golf Course

A unique use of two distinctly different types of land enabled two time US Open Champion Andy North to journey from rolling Scottish on the front nine to the elevation changes of the serene back nine. At 7015 yards from the tips to 5800 yards from the front tees this course changes personalities in many different ways.

Polson Bay Golf Course – Polson 7,008 yards (Blue tees)

Polson Bay Golf Course – Polson
Polson Bay Golf Course – Polson, 7,008 yards

— Photo courtesy Polson Bay Golf Course

Polson Bay Golf Course. Open to the public since 1938 and a Flathead Valley favorite for decades, its twenty-seven breathtaking holes boast spectacular lake and mountain views and comprise the only golf course with fairways adjacent to the shores of Flathead Lake, the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi.

Whitefish Lake Golf Course – Whitefish 6,898 yards (Black tees)

Whitefish Lake Golf Course – Whitefish
Whitefish Lake Golf Course – Whitefish, 6,898 yards

— Photo courtesy Whitefish Lake Golf Course

The Whitefish Golf Course features both the south and north courses. They offer golfers unique challenges and require a variety of shots to navigate the course layout.   With spectacular views, beautiful trees, water hazards, well placed bunkering and huge greens the course provides all the elements required to be known as one of the best in the state.

Meadow Lake Golf Course – Columbia Falls 6,718 (Blue tees)

Meadow Lake Golf Course – Columbia Falls
Meadow Lake Golf Course – Columbia Falls, 6,718 yards

— Photo courtesy Meadow Lake Golf Course

At par 72, Meadow Lake Golf Course was rated by Golf Digest as a 4-1/2 Star Course and one of the best four public play golf courses in Montana. Golf Magazine says Meadow Lake Golf Course is a “must play” course.

Eagle Bend Golf Course (Semi-Private) – Bigfork 6,711 yards (Blue tees)

Eagle Bend Golf Course (Semi-Private) – Bigfork
Eagle Bend Golf Course (Semi-Private) – Bigfork, 6,711 yards

— Photo courtesy Eagle Bend Golf Course

Eagle Bend Golf Club is a 27-hole championship course located on the north shore of Flathead Lake. Eagle Bend is Montana’s only golf course to be rated #1 by Golf Digest for six consecutive years and in the top 50 in the United States. William Hull designed and built the original 18 holes. In 1995 “Nicklaus Design” designed and built the “Nicklaus Nine” which lives up to the Nicklaus reputation, with challenging golf and gorgeous views of Flathead Lake and the Swan Mountains.

Cabinet View Golf Course – Libby 6,674 yards (Blue tees)

Cabinet View Golf Course – Libby
Cabinet View Golf Course – Libby, 6,674 yards

— Photo courtesy Cabinet View Golf Course

This 18-hole course is located on a hill above Libby and has beautiful views of the Cabinet Mountains. Wildlife is frequently seen on and near the golf course, including deer, moose and wild turkeys. Golfing enthusiasts will find a driving range, club house, practice green and pro-shop. A full-service bar is available at the club house.

Buffalo Hills Golf Course – Kalispell 6,605 yards (Silver tees)

Buffalo Hills Golf Course – Kalispell
Buffalo Hills Golf Course – Kalispell, 6,605 yards

— Photo courtesy Buffalo Hills Golf Course

“Rich in tradition”—that’s what best describes the beautiful Buffalo Hill Golf Club and the members of the Kalispell Golf Association. Dating back to 1915 when a few ambitious players hit the sand greens, Buffalo Hill has seen seven major renovations and layouts and has evolved into one of the best golf courses in the State of Montana.  One of Golf Digest’s highest ranked courses in Montana, and voted the best golf course in the Flathead Valley 8 out of 10 years, this is a “must play” course.

Indian Springs Golf Course – Eureka 6,600 yards (First tees)

Indian Springs Golf Course – Eureka
Indian Springs Golf Course – Eureka, 6,600 yards

— Photo courtesy Indian Springs Golf Course

Indian Springs Ranch golf course has been carefully designed to take full advantage of the unique landscape offered by Northwest Montana. From rolling hills to dramatic mountain views, every hole offers its own distinctive perspective. First opened to the public in 2010, the links-style, 18-hole championship course has always strived to put the fun back in golf.

So the next time you are ready to hit the golf course, check out these Top 10 longest courses of the Flathead Valley and Northwest Montana.  Just be sure to have your big drivers along with you.