At Mountain Sky Guest Ranch, leave your phone (and your worries) behind

There’s a course north of Yellowstone, nestled in the heart of Montana, that you’ve probably never heard of. And to play there, you have to book a week-long stay at a dude ranch owned by billionaire tycoon Arthur Blank.

You will love every second of it.

Rising Sun Golf Course may only see 1,000 golfers a year, but last year I became one of them, making it to a breathtaking place where the course crew often outnumbers the players.

Sunrise is a part of Mountain Sky Guest Rancha small resort (and working farm) an hour outside of Bozeman in Emigrant, Mont. The goal at this ranch is simple – channel an old western ranch lifestyle, mix it with luxurious modern flair and create a stress-free getaway.

(There’s little to no service or WiFi on the farm, but you don’t notice it soon enough. You’ll be happy just using your phone as a camera.)

In today’s world where it’s often difficult to completely unplug, Mountain Sky excels at giving you space to escape, explore and relax. Some of life’s most peaceful moments are when we can break away from our daily routines. That’s part of the appeal of golf, getting away from everyday life to play a silly game for a few hours.

I found that peaceful feeling standing in the 15th car of Rising Sun. The entire round was filled with stunning views of Emigrant Peak in the Absaroka Range, but the 15th tee is off the cover of a magazine. They call this Paradise Valley, which makes sense because your round starts in the valley below and the views keep getting better on your way to the epic crescendo on the 15th.

My favorite rounds are when the course encourages you to work with the terrain instead of trying to conquer it. Make no mistake, Rising Sun is a tough course, but that didn’t take away from the immense fun I had trying to solve the questions it asked.

There’s also plenty to do after the round, with fly-fishing, archery, cross-country skiing, horseback riding and even learning how to drive cattle like a Yellowstone character. (Not to mention the great dining.) The staff is involved in your stay from start to finish, making sure you leave with the same love and appreciation for the place that they have. Most return too – only one in 10 people was there for the first time.

The best part about a small resort – and a course reserved for guests only – is that you can go an entire round without seeing another person on the course. Finish your round and want to go out and play another nine? The tee is yours. Short on time? Fast forward to the 15th and play the postcard-worthy closing pitch. There is also a newly opened short course that you should check out. A teaching professional is also on hand for a quick lesson in case you get down with the yps.

Your time at Rising Sun and Mountain Sky Ranch is extremely customizable. My recommendation? Play as much golf as you can because once you leave, all you’ll think about is how to get back. So does everyone else.

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