Missoula golf Courses: Canyon River vs The Ranch

[Chanceman]

I hear a lot about Montana golf and these two seem the main options for those who cant play Rock Creek and co - also they are similar, both allow public play, similar price, similar layout even. I am just wondering how they compare and which you would rather play and why? Clubhouse, service, layout, conditioning etc? Well aware that Old Works is just down the road and may be better than both but I am interested in these two.

[Petethreeput]

Canyon's first impression as you drive up will leave you a little empty. The clubhouse is a double wide on stilts. You walk to the window, they give you your stuff, and off and you go. Ranch has a nice clubhouse, someone will meet you at the parking lot, the pro shop is nicely done, they have locker rooms and a dining facility.

I believe the RC has complimentary range balls. The range is nice and is grass. The practice green is next to the parking lot, and there is no chipping green to get a feel for the bunkers. CR has a range with a wire running across it and a chipping green with a deep bunker next to it. The hum of the power line crossing the range is a big negative, unless you try to hit it to hear the funky twang sound it makes. You pay for range balls.

CR is the easier of the two courses. There are large bailout areas and the course is framed nicely from the tee so you have a pretty clear idea of what you need to do. There are some very fun holes on the course, and then of course there are some meh holes. The upkeep is not as pristine as the RC, but overall I would say it is in good shape last I saw. RC is "links" course built on clay. There is about 6" of dirt, the fairways tend to hold water, the greens are nice and roll true. RC is a golf slog. The only thing making it difficult or interesting is length. So if you are looking for playability I would go to CR.

Lastly, everyone is different. If I am going to splurge on golf 9 times out of ten I am going to CR. I am there for the golf. I don't care if someone comes to grab my bag from the parking lot. I have no interest in sitting on the overbuilt deck at RC and drinking $5 domestics. I also have no interest in talking about the one interesting hole on the course and reflecting on that one time I hit the 400 yd drive and could go for it in two. If you want a "feel" go the RC all day long. If you want a playable reasonably interesting golf course with negative "feel" go the CR. One thing i will recommend is to get a riding cart at both. They are both built into housing developments and if I remember my pedometer correctly both are about a 7 miles walk.

[PNB_Golf]

The Ranch Club was a little underwhelming I thought

[MTgolfer]

I used to live in Missoula and had a pass to Canyon River. Played a lot and think it’s a great course. I always hear people say it’s too long to walk because of the housing development, but I walked every time I played in never really thought about it. It had some fun holes and was always in good condition, although that was many years ago that I lived there. Never played Ranch club so can’t give any helpful advice on that.

[jkody]

I know this is an old thread but the Ranch Club is now fully private...and with a waiting list.