Courtesy of Jon Cavalier
Courtesy of Jon Cavalier
Courtesy of Jon Cavalier
Courtesy of Jon Cavalier
Courtesy of Jon Cavalier
Rock Creek Cattle Company
Deer Lodge, MT•Private
Awards
Panelists Score
Rock Creek Cattle Company
105 Pauly Dr
Deer Lodge, MT 59722-9634
United States
Overview
In the Rocky Mountain foothills north of Deer Lodge, Mont., Tom Doak fashioned a splendid inland links from a working cattle ranch. His broad, looping routing starts in pasture, makes a slow but steady climb to the seventh tee, then plays through pines and over the ravines of Rock Creek, as gorgeous a fly-fishing stream as can be imagined. At the ninth, the course bursts back into the open, atop rolling hills offering hogback, punchbowl and sideslope fairways, then rolls downward and homeward, finishing back along the stream. Doak moved little earth because it was so rocky. Greens are huge to fit the scale, and bunkers are shaped to emulate those blown out by constant winds. Rock Creek Cattle Co. is high-country golf at its finest.
About
Golf Digest Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 Greatest / Best In State Scores
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“Rock Creek Cattle Company is big, bold, adventurous golf with outstanding variety and distinctiveness set in a pristine and stunning mountain valley near Deer Lodge, Montana. The course works its way up valley through open land on holes 1-3 and then kicks into high gear with dramatic mountain features and vistas on holes 4-8. The course then transitions back to an open meadow on holes 9-15 before ending with a trio of holes where the natural, spring-fed Rock creek comes into play low in the valley. Each hole has its own identity and begs you to come back to challenge it again. Ample width off the tee and heavy contours on the green complexes create wonderful shot options. This combined with stunning mountain scenery and top notch conditioning -- firm and fast with true and slick greens -- make Rock Creek a course with very high marks on the "how soon can i get back to the 1st tee?" test."
Read More2026
Review
“This is a wonderful Doak design in an incredible setting. The 4 holes that run in and around the creek are very well designed and the fun ratio is off the chart."
Read More2026
Review
“For years, I’ve read about and studied this course from afar, trying to understand what makes it so special. About a week has passed since playing, and each day something else either special, unique, or wonderful comes to mind. I love that Doak embraces being unconventional, whether that be in the routing, the greens, or the subtlety or severity of any given hole. Rock Cattle Creek Company is an amazing example of how to take eighteen individual holes and making them each feel like a small of something much greater."
Read More2026
Review
“The green complexes are among the toughest I’ve seen. The wide fairways flow over the rolling land with a grace and ease. A brilliant move not moving much dirt during construction. The same design principles — fairway contours that either shunt you out of position or send you to the ideal location, hazards that appear ageless and demand you reassess how to best play each hole from one day to the next. Wind plays a significant role in strategy. looping routing starts in pasture, makes a slow but steady climb to the seventh tee, then plays through pines and over the ravines of Rock Creek, a gorgeous fly-fishing stream. ninth, the course bursts back into the open, atop rolling hills offering hogback, punchbowl and sideslope fairways, then rolls downward and homeward, finishing back along the stream. The vibe of the club is exceptional."
Read More2026
Review
“The course at the sprawling Rock Creek Cattle Company ranch is as big as the Montana sky above it. Tom Doak took advantage of an expansive plot of land frought with impressive elevation change and contour to craft 18 exciting and challenging holes that are visually inspiring and strategically complex. No detail was overlooked here, even the forward tees present a unique challenge that all golfers could enjoy."
Read More2026
Review
“Set in a remote and scenic environment, Doak crafted a very fun and interesting course. It's hard to pick a stronger nine, but the finishing 4-5 holes are a great climax to a strong layout. Nice variety among the par 3s, with really not a weak one among them. Fair and fun with a good balance of challenge. If you get an invite here--don't turn it down!"
Read More2026
Review
“Set in a remote and scenic environment, Doak crafted a very fun and interesting course. It's hard to pick a stronger nine, but the finishing 4-5 holes are a great climax to a strong layout. Nice variety among the par 3s, with really not a weak one among them."
Read More2026
Review
“Could play this every day and never tire High marks in layout variety with a terrific set of par 3 holes- long, short and in between. Some terrific par4 holes. Short and drivable and long and uphill. Spectacular scenery with views on every hole."
Read More2026
Review
“Doak at his best. A great layout that is both unique in America and full of design intricacies making the round unique and engrained in the players. Great green complexes change the round and challenge each day. Rugged beauty and great design make this a place that you can play everyday, thank you Mr. Doak."
Read More2026
Review
“This was some of the most fun I have had on a golf course in a very long time. The course layout requires all types of shots and imagination. The layout keeps holes fresh and not seeming like you just played the hole either at this course or another one by the designer."
Read More2025
