Welcome to Flathead Valley, Montana—where our nationally ranked golfing is not only a way to test your skills, it’s one of the best ways to get to know this Northwest country: from river bottom to scenic little streams, or greens and tees that celebrate mountain majesty and offer wildlife sightings, 18-holes of golf in the Flathead is as much about getting to know the local landscape as it is about improving and enjoying a great game of golf.
The best part of about golfing in the Flathead is that every course borders the best of what the area offers as far as scenery—so you can get to know the most beautiful parts of Columbia Falls, Whitefish, Bigfork and Kalispell—as well as Glacier National Park—as you stroll to your next shot.
Now that summer has set upon on the Northern Rockies, you can always count on a great round of golf. And with a wealth of both private and public courses available, the possibilities and the scenery are endless, from Whitefish’s grand 36-hole public golf course, Kalispell’s two riverfront public courses and the 18-holes that sit beside Glacier National Park to Columbia Falls beautiful Meadow Lake private course, the exclusive Big Mountain Golf Courses in Kalispell and Bigfork’s illustrious Eagle Bend—there’s more than just golf action awaiting you here.
Golf Magazine ranked the Flathead as on of its top 50 golf destinations—and when you set up for a hole along a river fairway with the birds chirping their encouragement, you’ll understand why this area is a top contender. Because while Montana’s top tourist attraction is wildlife viewing—instead of hours of trekking to find that illusive wildlife, you can encounter all kinds of animals on any given Flathead rough, green and fairway. This year a moose caused quite a stir in Whitefish and come fall, bears sightings are always a possibility.
And because Flathead golf courses are nestled amongst our bounty of forests, bird lovers can turn to the game of golf for uncommon sightings of our fine-feathered friends (the Flathead Valley is home to over 95 species and 10 species that are “of special interest”). From spring migrations to summertime nesting and finally, fall’s preparations for journeys to the south—bird watching can be a colorful backdrop to your golfing game in the valley.
But local golfing is more than just a pretty fairway, put yourself in the Flathead Valley and you put yourself in striking distance to nine championship courses—all within a 45-minute drive. When one course becomes too comfortable you can get to know a nearby course without changing lodging.
If you’re new to golf, most area courses offer clinics and classes courtesy of the resident golf pro—clinics range from ladies only, juniors and can polish chip shots and pitching or teach novice golfers all they need to know to get started in the game.
But perhaps the best part of Flathead golfing is the beautiful lake views available at almost every course. From fabulous peeks at the emerald waters of Flathead Lake via Eagle Bend’s course in Bigfork, to breezes that blow off of Whitefish Lake onto the Whitefish Golf Course—local lakes are always at hand during a round of golf.
And while most people think of golf in the midst of summer months, each season brings a different backdrop to the game. Fall foliage and golden days mark September and October, and spring golf can bring drama and excitement to the blue Montana skies as storms breeze in and out. Summertime may mean the most memorable rounds of golf in Big Sky country, but Flathead’s endless variety fuels more than just great golf skills—it gets you back to some of nature’s most beautiful spots and brings you close to local wildlife.
For more information on all of our local golf courses and a host of other things to do while traveling in the Flathead Valley, visit the Flathead Convention & Visitor’s Bureau on the web at www.montanasflatheadvalley.com
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