Itinerary: Golfing the Rockies

There are hundreds of excellent golf courses throughout the region, and golfers are constantly surprised at what they can find in places they never thought possible. They’re also surprised to find out that they can play golf on many courses six to seven months a year amid national parks and spectacular scenery. But in addition to the variety of courses throughout the region, there are world-class resort courses rated in Golf Digest’s “America’s 75 Best Resort Courses” as well as by the National Golf Foundation.

Days 1/2 – Arrive Spokane
Spokane’s 18 golf courses are affordable, accessible, and diverse and are all located within an hour’s drive of town. Golf Digest magazine recently declared, “Washington’s second city, Spokane, offers rock-solid golf at rock-bottom prices.” Green fees ranch from $14 to $22 during the eight-month playing season. Overnight Spokane.

Days 3/6 – Spokane to Coeur d’Alene and Flathead Valley
The Coeur d’Alene Resort (with its now world-famous floating 14th green) is rated #11 overall in the Golf Digest rankings, and is one of the most spectacular and scenic resort courses in North America.. Destination golf vacations are a popular part of the many things Montana’s Flathead Valley area has to offer, with 10 courses and more under development. World-class courses include Meadow Lake, Buffalo Hill, Eagle Bend, Whitefish Lake and Polson Country Club. Within the valley, tee-times can be arranged through the Flathead Valley Convention and Visitors Association (FCVA) in Kalispell. Overnight Coeur d’Alene, Flathead Valley (Kalispell or Whitefish).

Day 7 - Flathead Valley to Anaconda
The challenging “Old Works” Course (designed by Jack Nicholaus) in Anaconda, Montana is gets rave reviews. Overnight Anaconda or Fairmont Hot Springs.

Days 8/10 - Anaconda to Black Hills
The Black Hills of South Dakota features several fine courses including the 18-hole par 72 Meadowbrook course in Rapid City that’s rated in the top 50 public courses in the nation. Southern Hills Golf Course west of Hot Springs is a nine-hole course chosen by the National Golf Foundation as one of the best in America’s heartland, and Dakota Dunes, designed by Arnold Palmer, has been named the best course in South Dakota by Golf Digest and Golfweek. Overnight Rapid City and Hot Springs.Days

Days 11/12 - Black Hills to Sheridan
The Powder Horn Golf Course near Sheridan is an 18 hole championship golf course designed by The Bailey-Isaksen Group. It boasts one of the best practice facilities in the US. Overnight Sheridan.

Days 13/15 - Sheridan to Jackson Hole
Jackson Hole boasts two top 50 courses in sight of the Grand Tetons, including the par 72 Jackson Hole course (#10) designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. & Jr., and the par 72 Teton Pines (#49) designed by Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay. Overnight Jackson Hole.Days

Days 16/19 - Jackson Hole to Sun Valley
Although best known for world-class skiing, Sun Valley’s resort pleasures are alive all year. Golf can be played on four alpine courses, including two 18-hole, par 72 courses designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr. These two courses, Sun Valley and Elkhorn Resort, are rated highly every year in Golf Digest’s Top 75 in the country. Overnight Ketchum/Sun Valley.

Days 20/22 - Sun Valley to Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City is a mecca for golfers with 22 courses in the immediate area (including Wingpointe course which is at the airport!) and 25 more within an hour drive and a season that runs from March to November. Green section representatives at the United States Golf Association (USGA) claim that Salt Lake has the most accessible, least expensive and best maintained public courses in the country with green fees around $16-20. Overnight and departure from Salt Lake City.

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