Black Butte Ranch
A classic Central Oregon resort under the snowcapped Cascades, with two contrasting par 72 courses, Big Meadow and the revamped Glaze Meadow, framed by ponderosa pine, lava rock and the dark cone of Black Butte itself.
Photo: Black Butte Ranch, Big Meadow Golf Course via Google.
The verdict
Black Butte Ranch is one of the Pacific Northwest's most loved family golf resorts, spread across meadow and forest at the foot of the Cascade Range near Sisters. Its two courses could not be more different in feel: Big Meadow, the original Robert Muir Graves layout from the early 1970s, is open, walkable and welcoming, while Glaze Meadow, reborn in 2012 under a multi million dollar John Fought renovation, is the tighter, more strategic test that has lifted the resort's reputation among traveling golfers.
Together they make Black Butte a true two course destination where the scenery does as much work as the architecture. Wide fairways, mountain air at over 3,000 feet, and views of Mount Washington, Three Fingered Jack and Black Butte give every round a sense of place. This is golf for the buddies trip, the family week and the player who wants Bend area golf without the crowds of the bigger resorts.
Black Butte Ranch at a glance
- Opened
- Early 1970s
- Designer
- Graves and Fought
- Type
- Mountain meadow
- Par
- 72 and 72
- Courses
- Big and Glaze Meadow
- Green fee
- From about 95 dollars
Designer and renovation history verified June 2026: Big Meadow was designed by Robert Muir Graves and opened in the early 1970s; Glaze Meadow, originally designed by Gene Mason in 1982, was rebuilt by architect John Fought and reopened in 2012. Big Meadow plays around 6,850 yards and Glaze Meadow around 7,000 yards, both par 72. Indicative green fees of roughly 95 to 145 dollars reflect the 2026 Central Oregon summer season and change by season and demand, so always confirm directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
Big Meadow is the gentler introduction, a parkland style spread of generous fairways and large greens where the trouble is honest and the views are constant. The long par 4s reward a confident driver and the closing stretch brings water and the mountains together for a memorable finish.
Glaze Meadow is where the architecture earns its keep. Fought tightened the corridors through the pines, rebuilt the bunkering and added contour and bite to the greens, so position off the tee matters far more than on its sibling. The result is a course that asks better players real questions while still giving the higher handicapper room to enjoy the walk.
Play both over a few days and Black Butte reveals its charm: a relaxed, deeply scenic resort where the golf is good enough to satisfy and the setting is good enough to keep you coming back. Carts are easy to come by, but both courses walk beautifully in the cool Cascade mornings.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Public resort courses; open to resort guests and the public, tee times advised |
| Green fee | From about 95 to 145 dollars, indicative 2026 summer season; rates vary by course, season and demand |
| Booking | Book online or through the resort; stay and play packages and two round punch cards are common |
| On the day | Walkable and cart friendly; allow time for both courses; soft spikes and standard resort dress |
| Getting there | Near Sisters in Central Oregon, about 30 minutes from Bend and Redmond airport (RDM) |
| Best months | Roughly May to October; high summer and early fall are prime, mountain mornings are cool |
Access and fees verified June 2026; resort pricing and the mountain season change year to year, so always confirm current rates, opening dates and availability directly before booking.
Where to stay nearby
Black Butte Ranch is a resort in the fullest sense, with lodge rooms, cabins and vacation homes scattered across the property and a full slate of pools, trails and bike paths that make it a genuine family base. The simple move is to stay on site, play both courses, and let the rest of the family use the pools and the mountain.
For a wider Central Oregon golf trip, Black Butte pairs naturally with the high desert courses around Bend and the remote reversible golf at Silvies Valley Ranch further east.
Looking for a base nearby? See our recommended hotels and resorts.
Build a Central Oregon golf trip
We arrange the Black Butte stay and tee times across Big Meadow and Glaze Meadow, pair them with the best of Central Oregon golf and book the lodging around them. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Black Butte Ranch questions
Who designed the courses at Black Butte Ranch?
Big Meadow was designed by Robert Muir Graves and opened in the early 1970s. Glaze Meadow, originally designed by Gene Mason in 1982, was rebuilt by architect John Fought and reopened in 2012 after a major renovation.
What is the difference between Big Meadow and Glaze Meadow?
Big Meadow is the original, more open and forgiving parkland course. Glaze Meadow is the tighter, more strategic layout following John Fought's 2012 redesign, with reshaped bunkers and greens. Both are par 72.
How much does it cost to play Black Butte Ranch?
Indicative green fees run from about 95 to 145 US dollars in the 2026 summer season and vary by course and demand. Stay and play packages are common. Always confirm directly before booking.
When is the best time to play Black Butte Ranch?
The Central Oregon golf season runs roughly May to October, with high summer and early fall the prime months. Mornings at over 3,000 feet are cool, so the courses tend to play firm and fast through the warmer months.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designers, renovation history and format verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.