Welcome to our review of Rock Creek Cattle Company in Deer Lodge! 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.
Rock Creek Cattle Company Review Index
- Golf Course Stats
- Course History
- Driving Range & Practice Facilities
- Rock Creek Cattle Company Hole by Hole
- Rock Creek CC Conditions and Review
- Pro Shop
- Food & Beverage
- Rock Creek Cattle Company Real Estate
Golf Course Stats
Rock Creek Cattle Company Golf Course: Built 2008, Designer: Tom Doak
Course Length: 7466 Yards from Back Tees, Par 71
Phone Number: 406-846-3474 Email: contact@rockcreekcattlecompany.com
Rock Creek Cattle Company History
The Rock Creek Cattle Company Golf Course sits on 350 acres of a 30,000-acre working cattle ranch. Bill Foley purchased the ranch in 2004 and added the golf course in 2008.
The land where Rock Creek Cattle Company sits was once part of the historic Grant-Kohrs Ranch that covered 10 million acres of southwestern Montana.
Rock Creek Cattle Company is still a working cattle ranch. It is a membership-only facility and not open to the public. If you would like information on becoming a member, click here.
Rock Creek CC Driving Range and Practice Facilities
The driving range and practice facilities at Rock Creek are second to none! The range has a large tee that is set up with numerous stations. Each station has towels, balls, tees, a club rack, and an alignment stick. There are 5 target greens to aim for on the range.
The Goodnight Academy is located at the far end of the complex. There is a building that has a large bay that opens up to the range. The building is equipped with the latest golf swing analysis technology. There are 4 video cameras, large screen TV’s, and monitors to analyze your swing.
A large chipping green sits to the left of the range tee. There is a large bunker for practice and a sizeable turf area for wedge shots. Behind the range tee is a large putting green with plenty of undulations that mimic the greens on the course.
Rock Creek Cattle Company Hole by Hole
In this section, I will describe each hole at Rock Creek Cattle Company 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
The opening hole at Rock Creek Cattle Company is a perfect example of what is to come. The tee shot will require a carry over natural area to a wide landing area with strategically placed bunkers. The easiest shot is to play down the right, but that leads to a more difficult approach over greenside bunkers. If you can carry the bunkers in the middle of the fairway, or play to the left of them, your approach will be much easier. Your approach will be over another natural area to a green that runs diagonally away from you. The green is protected by bunkers on the front right.
#2 Par 4
Hole number 2 turns away from “civilization” and heads out into spectacular ranchland. The best tee shot here is just to the right of the fairway bunkers. This will put you in a good position to avoid the bunker complex on the right front of this green. The easiest pin placement on this green is back left where there is a little bowl that will keep your approach shot close to the flag.
#3 Par 5
The first Par 5 at Rock Creek Cattle Company is hole number 3. There is a wide landing area once you carry the natural area off of the tee. Aim for the fairway bunkers in the middle.
If you play your second shot down the right side of the fairway, you will have the best approach into this green the is protected by bunkers on the front left.
#4 Par 4
The 4th hole at Rock Creek is ranked as the toughest hole on the course. From the tee box, this long uphill par 4 has one of the best settings I have ever seen. Hit your drive just to the right of the fairway bunkers and you will be in a good position for the approach. There are greenside bunkers on the front right but there is a steep hill on the left that will funnel your ball on to the green. A miss to the left is OK.
#5 Par 4
This short Par 4 is all about the tee shot. If you play it safe down the left side, you will have a blind uphill approach over bunkers to the green. The best drive needs to carry the fairway bunkers on the right. This will give you a good view and an easy approach to the green.
#6 Par 4
The sixth hole looks much easier from the tee than it actually is. If you hit your drive just to the left of the right-side fairway bunker you will be in the best position for the approach. You may be left with a blind approach since the fairway drops way down just past the bunker. Choose enough club for the approach since this green has a false front and anything short will roll back to the fairway.
#7 Par 4
This Par 4 is a great hole. Aim for the partially exposed boulder in the middle of the fairway and your drive will roll down into a good position for the approach. As you will see, this green is nestled in between 2 hills. There are no bunkers on this hole but an accurate approach is needed to avoid the natural areas and the false front of this green.
#8 Par 3
This spectacular Par 3 requires an accurate shot over Rock Creek to a green that is surrounded by bunkers. There is a large approach area if you come up short, but there is no room to miss anywhere else. Rock Creek runs in front of the tee and down the right side of this hole.
#9 Par 4
The front nine finishing hole has a wide landing area. Play down the left side to set up the best approach angle. The greens runs away from the fairway and there is a large bunker complex on the front right .
#10 Par 5
At the turn, you will be faced with this monster Par 5. If you hit a big drive just to the right of the fairway bunkers, you will catch the downhill slope and gain a ton of distance.
You will want to play your second shot down the left side in order to avoid the bunkers and natural area that fall off the right side of the fairway. The hole slopes from left to right near the green so keep that in mind on your approach shot.
#11 Par 4
The tee shot on this hole is critical to setting up the approach. Aim between the fairway bunkers to avoid a large dropoff on the right side of the fairway. A drive hit to the right will require an approach over a natural area and a bunker on the right side.
#12 Par 3
The first of two Par 3’s in a row, we have yet another spectacular setting. Choosing the right club is the key to this short Par 3 that is surrounded by bunkers.
#13 Par 3
As opposed to the last hole, this Par 3 is very long. There is a bunker on the right side of the green but the key here is to hit enough club to make it to the putting surface.
#14 Par 4
This monster Par 4 will require a long drive in order to have a chance at par. You should aim down the left-center of the fairway in order to have a view of the green on the approach. The green is located through the bottleneck in the fairway with a bunker behind.
#15 Par 4
The next hole is a big change from the last Par 4. This green is driveable but well protected by bunkers. The best play is to relax and hit it down the middle to set up a short approach shot. All of the trouble is in front of this green but the big hitters will find going for it hard to resist.
#16 Par 4
With another beautiful setting, the tee shot on this hole should be aimed at the left side fairway bunkers. This hole slopes from left to right, so a shot down the left side will end up in the middle of the fairway. Your approach shot should also be played to the left side to take advantage of the slope and to avoid the greenside bunkers on the right.
#17 Par 3
Yet another spectacular Par 3, club selection is the key to this hole with no room to miss. Rock Creek runs in front of this green and down the left side. There is a small area on the right to bail out if needed. A back-left pin placement will test your nerve.
#18 Par 5
The finishing hole at Rock Creek Cattle Company is a solid Par 5. Rock Creek runs in front of the tee and then continues down the entire left side of the hole. Aim your tee shot down the right-center of the fairway.
Your second shot should be hit down the left-center of the fairway to avoid the fairway bunker on the right. Rock Creek flows along the left side of the green, so any miss on the left will be in trouble. The hole slopes to the left so a shot short right will funnel down to the green.
Rock Creek Cattle Company Conditions & Review
Rock Creek Cattle Company is consistently ranked as the best course in Montana and one of the best courses in the nation for good reason. The course was in perfect condition when I played it at the end of July. The greens were rolling 11 on the Stimpmeter and the fairways were in perfect condition.
As you can see in the photo below, the course uses native grasses and plants in the surrounding areas and around bunkers.
The design of this course is perfect. On most holes, you will have spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and ranchland but you will not see any other holes. Many of the holes look like they have been there forever. It is hard to believe that more than 2 shovels full of dirt were moved in order to build most holes.
There are large landing areas and wide fairways to help the higher handicap players, but from the back tees, this course is a challenge for better players. The minute I finished playing, I was ready to play again. If you ever have the chance to play here, jump on the opportunity. It doesn’t get any better than this in Montana.
Pro Shop
Like everything else at Rock Creek Cattle Company, the Pro Shop is top of the line. Located behind the 18th green in a rustic ranch building, the Pro Shop has men’s and women’s golf attire, golf clubs, and golf accessories for sale. Lessons are available from PGA Teaching Professionals. The Pro Shop will also set you up with a Forecaddie or a Walking Caddie for your round.
Food & Beverage
The main clubhouse at Rock Creek Cattle Company sits along Rock Creek. There is a bar and great room located on one end and a dining room on the other. The entire backside of the clubhouse is a large deck/patio that sits right above the creek, providing a spectacular spot to enjoy a meal. As you can imagine, the menu is filled with Montana fare. Since you are at a Cattle Company, I would recommend the steak!
Rock Creek Cattle Company Real Estate
The real estate around Rock Creek Cattle Company is made up of large custom homes, cabins, and townhomes. There are still building lots available around the property. Over the past year sales at Rock Creek Cattle Company ranged in price from $625,000 for a 2 bedroom/ 2.5 bathroom fully furnished townhome up to $2,195,000 for a 3 bedroom/ 3.5 bathroom fully furnished custom home. If you would like more information on buying a home at Rock Creek Cattle Company or in the Deer Lodge area, please visit Montanaliferealty.com or email montanaliferealty@gmail.com.
