Montana’s epic dude ranch golf experience

I chuckled each morning as my golf shoes and sticks sat next to my cowboy boots near the door of my rustic, TV-less cabin. The experience at Mountain Sky Guest Ranch is unlike any other for golfers.

Less than an hour from Yellowstone (the park) and a little more than an hour from Bozeman, Rising Sun Golf Course, the ruggedly scenic 18-hole Johnny Miller design, is among a select few in the U.S. that are affiliated with a working dude ranch. And golf is just one of a host of outdoor activities and adventures at Mountain Sky, a 17,000-acre American West escape owned by Arthur Blank, an avid golfer whose better-known ownership interests include the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons, Home Depot and one of the nation’s biggest golf retailers, PGA Tour Superstore. Blank purchased the ranch—one of four he owns in Montana—in 2001, and the golf course debuted a decade later.

Golf is just one part of a bigger story at this high-end ranch experience (starting at $14,350)—a rare place where a morning round of golf can be followed by an afternoon cattle drive. Weeklong stays are the minimum, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the ranch. Horseback riding, guided hikes, yoga and other activities, plus many for kids, are included in the price. Off-ranch excursions are add-ons.

Photos courtesy of Mountain Sky.

There’s a communal aspect to Mountain Sky that almost feels like a throwback to summer camp. In the main lodge, there’s a bulletin board with sign-up sheets for each day’s activities. On the same board is a list with guest names—of families, couples and groups staying on property.

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The dinner bell rings—quite literally—at a set time every day, where the same meal is prepared for all, from oven-roasted bison tenderloin and whipped potatoes to pan-roasted Tazman salmon and grilled citrus polenta. Don’t try to come for a late seating.

After dinner, the nearby saloon comes alive. Drinks flow, the fireplace crackles and guests swap stories. Just down the hall is live music, with guests and staff alike dancing to country music played by local musicians. It’s a bit unlike most 19th-hole conversations.

You won’t have much competition for a tee time at Rising Sun, where the front nine winds around the base of rolling hills and through the natural grasses of the aptly named Paradise Valley. Mountains and hills frame every hole with dramatic elevation changes and “wow” moments throughout. The back nine offers a different look, dramatically playing into and away from some of the surrounding Montana peaks.

I walked away from the week with my first pair of cowboy boots, which can be borrowed for the week if you’re not ready to make the full commitment.

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