By Life In Big Sky
Big Sky is home to two of the most talked-about private golf courses in the Rocky Mountains, and they could hardly be more different in feel. One is Tom Weiskopf's course at Spanish Peaks Mountain Club, the other is Jack Nicklaus's design at The Reserve at Moonlight Basin. If you are weighing these Big Sky golf courses as part of a club membership or a home purchase, here is how the two stack up, from the people who help buyers find their place in both communities.
Key Takeaways
- Spanish Peaks features a Tom Weiskopf course, while The Reserve at Moonlight Basin is a Jack Nicklaus design
- Both are private, accessed through club membership or a stay at the community's on-site hotel
- The Reserve plays longer and higher, while Spanish Peaks leans toward playability and flow
- Golf season in Big Sky runs roughly June into mid-October
The Two Marquee Big Sky Golf Courses at a Glance
These are the two courses everyone means when they talk about private golf in Big Sky, MT, and both are tied to luxury ski and golf communities. Each sits at 7,000 feet or higher, plays to a par of 72, and frames nearly every hole with mountain views. The big differences come down to length, elevation change, and the personality each designer left behind.
How the Two Courses Line Up
- Designer: Tom Weiskopf at Spanish Peaks, Jack Nicklaus at The Reserve at Moonlight Basin
- Length: Spanish Peaks plays around 7,200 yards, while The Reserve stretches to roughly 8,000 from the back tees
- Elevation: Spanish Peaks sits near 7,000 feet, The Reserve starts around 7,500 with major elevation change
- Access: both are private, opened to members and to guests of the on-site Montage and One&Only hotels
- Ownership: both communities are developed under the same ownership through Lone Mountain Land Company
The Tom Weiskopf Course at Spanish Peaks
Tom Weiskopf carved the championship course at Spanish Peaks Mountain Club in 2007, and it has stayed private ever since. Weiskopf lived in Montana for the last two decades of his life, and his feel for the terrain shows in a course that rewards smart play over raw power. Set on rolling ground where no two fairways touch, it is widely rated among the best in the state.
What Stands Out About Spanish Peaks
- A 7,200-yard, par-72 layout at roughly 7,000 feet, ranked among Montana's top courses
- A signature par-3 15th that plays downhill over water with a mountain backdrop
- Weiskopf's trademark short, tempting par 4 that invites you to take a risk off the tee
- Wide views stretching toward the Spanish Peaks, the Gallatin Range, and beyond
- Tom's 10, a separate 10-hole par-3 course that was among Weiskopf's final designs
The Jack Nicklaus Course at The Reserve at Moonlight Basin
The Reserve at Moonlight Basin is a Jack Nicklaus Signature course, and Nicklaus has called it the most beautiful course he has ever designed. Big and dramatic, it sprawls across about 1,000 acres with more than 10 miles of cart paths and over 1,000 feet of elevation change. The opening tee shot alone plunges more than 250 feet to the fairway below.
What Stands Out About The Reserve
- One of the longest courses in Montana, stretching to roughly 8,000 yards from the back tees
- A starting elevation near 7,500 feet, among the highest in the region
- A jaw-dropping par-5 17th that measures a remarkable 777 yards
- Sweeping views of Lone Mountain, Fan Mountain, the Spanish Peaks, and the Madison Valley
- A national spotlight when it hosted a televised celebrity match in the summer of 2021
How They Compare for Members and Buyers
For buyers, the choice often comes down to the kind of round and community you want. Spanish Peaks tends to feel a little more approachable and playable, and it pairs with the Montage Big Sky hotel and ski-in, ski-out access to Big Sky Resort. Moonlight Basin leans bigger and bolder, anchored now by the One&Only resort that opened in late 2025.
Things to Weigh Before You Choose
- Spanish Peaks pairs golf with direct ski access and the Montage at its core
- Moonlight Basin pairs The Reserve with the One&Only resort and a vast mountain footprint
- Membership at both is tied to the community, so the home you buy shapes the golf you get
- Both clubs are adding to their golf offerings, including new short-course and practice options
- Either way, the short June-to-October season packs in long evenings, with daylight into the night
FAQs
Can I play these Big Sky golf courses without being a member?
Both courses are private, so the most common path is club membership tied to owning in the community. Guests staying at the on-site hotels, the Montage Big Sky at Spanish Peaks and the One&Only at Moonlight Basin, can also get access, though tee times are limited.
Which course is harder, Spanish Peaks or The Reserve?
The Reserve plays longer and with more elevation change, so it can feel more demanding from the back tees. Spanish Peaks rewards placement and touch over distance, which many members find more playable round after round.
When can you golf in Big Sky?
The season is short because of the snow, running roughly from June into mid-October. The trade-off is wonderful, since summer daylight stretches late into the evening and lets you fit in a full round after a full day.
Reach Out to Us About Golf Community Living in Big Sky
Choosing between Spanish Peaks and Moonlight Basin is really about choosing a lifestyle, and the golf is only part of it. We know the homes, the membership structures, and the day-to-day feel of both communities, and we are happy to walk you through how each one lives across the seasons.
When you are ready to find a home on or near one of these courses, reach out to us, Life In Big Sky. We would love to help you match the right community to the way you want to play and live.
When you are ready to find a home on or near one of these courses, reach out to us, Life In Big Sky. We would love to help you match the right community to the way you want to play and live.
