Welcome to our review of Old Works Golf Course in Anaconda! In this article, we will break down the golf course hole by hole, practice facility, pro shop, food and beverage, and real estate around the course.
Old Works Golf Course Review Index
- Golf Course Stats
- Green Fees
- Driving Range and Practice Facilities
- Old Works Hole by Hole
- Old Works Conditions and Review
- Pro Shop
- Food & Beverage
- Old Works Real Estate
Golf Course Stats
Old Works Golf Course: Built 1997, Designer: Jack Nicklaus
Course Length: 7705 Yards from Back Tees, Par 72
Phone Number: 406-563-5989 Email: MDUNLOP@TROON.COM
Old Works Green Fees 2019
Green Fees Include Cart and Range Balls
Summer & Holiday Green Fees: $86-$129
Off-Season Rates: $69-$92
Club Rental: $50, includes 6 new Callaway golf balls
Old Works Driving Range and Practice Facilities
The driving range at Old Works Golf Course is located across the creek from the clubhouse. The driving range has a large tee and there are target greens and Elk and Bear silhouettes to shoot for. Range balls are included with your green fees.
There is also a large putting green and chipping green between the driving range tee and the first tee. The chipping green has a bunker black sand that you will find on the course. You will definitely want to hit a few shots out of this bunker, this “sand” has a different feel than most.
Old Works Golf Course Hole by Hole
In this section, I will describe each hole on the Old Works Golf Course. I will give you my opinion on how you should play the hole and my thoughts on each hole. Remember, these are only my opinions based upon my background and experience in the golf world. Feel free to comment below with your own opinions! If you would like to know more about my background, read this.
#1 Par 4
Old Works opens with a straightaway Par 4. A good drive will be down the right side of the fairway. This will help you avoid the bunker on the left front of the green for your approach. The creek runs down the entire left side of this hole but it really doesn’t come into play.
#2 Par 4
The 2nd hole is a shorter Par 4 that moves slightly right at the green. A good drive here is down the middle left. There are 2 large bunkers along the right side of this green. The fairway is narrow and tall grass surrounds the hole.
#3 Par 5
Number 3 is a dogleg right Par 5. Try to keep your drive on the right side of the fairway in order to set up a shorter 2nd shot. Cutting the corner from the tee is not really an option.
The 2nd shot should also be aimed to the right side. There are bunkers on the left front of this green that can be avoided with a well placed 2nd shot.
#4 Par 3
The first Par 3 at Old Works is number 4. The green runs diagonally away from the tee and is protected by a large bunker on the front right. A back-right hole placement makes this all carry off of the tee. There is a small bailout area on the front left of the green.
#5 Par 4
This long Par 4 requires a big carry over a natural area to the fairway. There is a fairway bunker on the right side and a pond on the left near the green. A drive down the right side of the fairway will give you the best angle for the approach. There isn’t much room to miss on either side of this green.
#6 Par 5
The 2nd Par 5 on the front side requires a couple of well placed shots to avoid trouble. Aim your drive just to the right of the fairway bunker.
This will set up a good angle to avoid the slag pile on the right side of the hole. There is a large bunker on the front left of this green and a back left hole placement is very difficult.
#7 Par 3
Club selection will be the key to this hole! A long downhill Par 3, it is all carry to the green. Any wind in your face will make this a very difficult hole to get par.
#8 Par 4
A good drive on this hole will be just to the left of the 150 post. It is a very narrow landing area with a huge bunker on the right and natural area and slag piles on the left. There is a large bunker that protects the right side of this green.
#9 Par 4
This straightaway Par 4 has a wide landing area. A good drive will be down the right side in order to avoid the bunkers on the left side of the green.
#10 Par 4
From the back 2 sets of tees, this Par 4 will require 2 shots over the creek. A long drive will be required in order to give you a chance to reach the green. The drive should be down the left-center of the fairway to avoid the trees on the right of the green. The creek runs directly in front of this green so make sure you have enough club to get to the green on the fly.
#11 Par 5
The 11th hole is a long Par 5 that curves left all the way to the green. There is a fairway bunker down the entire left side of this hole and mounds and OB along the right side. Aim your drive just to the left of the right-side fairway bunker.
Keep the 2nd shot down the middle to set up your approach over the creek that runs in front of this 2 tiered green. Make sure to choose the right club to get to the proper tier.
#12 Par 4
One of the few holes without bunkers, this straightaway Par 4 allows you to go for a big drive. The only real trouble is if you miss the green long. There are mounds and natural areas off the backside of the green.
#13 Par 3
With a pond the runs down the right side, club selection will be key on this Par 3. There is plenty of room to bail out on the left side.
#14 Par 4
A good drive here will be just to the right of the left-side fairway bunker. This will set up the best approach angle to avoid the large bunker on the right side of the green. This green is surrounded by mounds and tall grasses.
#15 Par 5
This Par 5 goes on forever. A big drive and second shot is needed to have a decent approach shot into this green.
There is plenty of room on this fairway but it would be best to be on the right side for the third shot into the green. A large bunker on the front left of the green can be avoided by coming in from the right. There are bunkers most of the way down this hole on the right edge.
#16 Par 4
After finishing the monster Par 5 on the last hole, you are rewarded with a monster Par 4. A pond runs down much of the right side of this hole, with a bunker picking up where the pond ends. The big question on this tee box is how much of the pond are you willing to try and carry. A well hit tee shot will end up on the left side of this fairway. This will help you avoid the bunker on the right side of this green.
#17 Par 3
This Par 3 is all about club selection. It is all carry to get to this green. Anything short will end up below the green in the rough or a bunker. There is tall grass and natural area to the right.
#18 Par 4
The finishing hole at Old Works is a straightaway Par 4. There is a fairway bunker most of the way down the right side. There is also a greenside bunker on the right. A tee shot down the left side will give you a great chance at par or better on this final hole.
Old Works Golf Course Conditions & Review
Let me start out by saying that I have never been a fan of Nicklaus designs. Playing Old Works did nothing to change my opinion. I feel like Nicklaus thinks everyone is a scratch golfer and he designs his courses with that in mind. I played this course from the Gold Tees and many holes were not enjoyable. Take for example #7. A 215 yard Par 3 that is all carry. We had a breeze in our face which made the green almost unreachable.
I found that on many of the Par 4’s, I was hitting 3 or 4 irons on my 2nd shot. That does not lend itself to many birdie chances. Hole #10 was a great example of this point. I hit an OK drive down the middle but it wasn’t all that long. I was then faced with a 190 yard shot that had to carry the creek in front of the green. Not fun!
The course itself was not in great condition when I played it at the end of July. The fairways are Bentgrass and there were many burned up spots in landing areas. This made for even more difficult iron shots. The greens also had some bare spots and were not very smooth in some areas. I am not sure if this was caused by irrigation issues or budget issues. The greens were rolling just over 9 on the Stimpmeter.
The history of this area and the golf course is fascinating (here is a great video about the history of the course). I enjoyed reading the historical plaques around the course and looking at the old equipment that is displayed around the course. All I can say is that if you are not a scratch golfer, play the forward tees and enjoy the history.
Pro Shop
The pro shop at Old Works is located to the right of the dining area in the clubhouse. They have men’s and women’s golf attire, golf clubs, and accessories for sale. You may also purchase range balls in the pro shop. There are PGA Teaching Professionals available if you would like lessons.
Old Works Food & Beverage
Jack’s Grille is located next to the Pro Shop in the Clubhouse. There is a full bar and dining room, and an outdoor patio to enjoy your meal or drink after the round. Jack’s Grille is open daily at 8:00 AM.
Old Works Golf Course Real Estate
The golf course is located on top of a superfund site so there are no homes or real estate available on the course. If you would like more information on buying a home or property in the Anaconda area, please visit Montanaliferealty.com or email montanaliferealty@gmail.com.
