Bell Nob Golf Course | Gillette

Bell Nob Golf Course stretches across the rolling outskirts of Gillette, where open prairie meets neatly sculpted fairways. It has the calm, wide-sky atmosphere typical of northeastern Wyoming, with long views that seem to reach all the way to the Bighorn Mountains on particularly clear days. The course combines approachable public-course friendliness with enough elevation changes, water hazards, and wind-shaped challenges to keep both casual golfers and seasoned players engaged.

Setting and First Impressions
Arriving at Bell Nob, you notice the blend of natural prairie textures and manicured greens. The air often carries a faint scent of sage or freshly cut grass, depending on the season. The clubhouse sits modestly near the entrance-simple, functional, and welcoming in the way local courses tend to be. Morning tee times bring soft light drifting across dew-coated fairways, while late-afternoon rounds stretch into golden hours where the greens glow almost theatrically.

A steady Wyoming breeze is part of the character here. It’s not unusual to hear golfers talk about “playing the wind” more than playing the hole. That breeze gives the course both personality and unpredictability.

Course Layout and Play Experience
Bell Nob offers an 18-hole championship course paired with a 9-hole par-3 layout. The main course unfolds over a mix of gentle rises, wide fairways, and strategically placed bunkers. Several holes line up in sight of one another across open swaths of land, creating a spacious, uncluttered feel.

Highlights of the main layout often include:

Elevated tees that give you a framed view of the fairway below, with rolling distances that feel slightly longer than they look.

Water features-small lakes and ponds that come into play on a few key holes, adding a reflective calm in the morning and a real test in the afternoon wind.

True-rolling greens that tend to run firm in late summer, with subtle breaks you only catch after a couple of rounds.

The par-3 course is shorter and more relaxed, ideal for beginners, warm-ups, or players who want a mellow evening loop. It has the same big-sky atmosphere, just in a more compact format.

Driving Range and Practice Areas
The driving range spreads out behind the clubhouse, offering ample space and long-distance targets. In the early hours, you can hear the steady rhythm of drivers cracking through the cool air. There’s also a practice putting green and short-game area, typically dotted with players working on chips and pitches before teeing off.

These practice areas sit slightly elevated, giving you a clear line of sight across portions of the course and toward the surrounding plains.

Seasonal Conditions and Atmosphere
Bell Nob changes noticeably with the seasons:

Spring brings soft, freshly revived fairways and the occasional gust carrying the smell of thawing earth.

Summer delivers long playing days, golden light in the late evenings, and firm turf that rewards well-struck shots.

Fall covers the course in amber tones, especially around the cottonwoods that dot the edges.

Winter quiets the landscape, though the course remains a scenic open space even when frost lines the grass.

The weather and wind shift regularly across the high plains, giving each round a slightly different personality.

Clubhouse and Local Character
The clubhouse blends pro-shop functionality with a comfortable, community feel. Staff tend to know many local players by name, and you might overhear friendly conversations about last week’s leagues or tournament results. The patio area overlooks parts of the course, making it an easy spot to sit after a round, sip something cold, and watch the last groups finish their approach shots.

Events, Tournaments, and Community Use
Bell Nob hosts leagues, charity tournaments, junior programs, and seasonal events that draw players from around Campbell County. The atmosphere during these gatherings becomes livelier-golf carts humming in quick succession, groups lining up at the first tee, and bursts of laughter rising from the practice green. Even during busier times, the course keeps a laid-back Wyoming tone that never feels rushed.

Overall Character
Bell Nob Golf Course is the kind of place that balances openness and challenge. Its wide fairways and approachable layout make it welcoming to newcomers, while its elevation changes and ever-present wind provide enough nuance for experienced golfers to sharpen their game. The landscape never loses that distinctive Wyoming feel-big horizons, clear air, and a sense of space that makes each round feel expansive.

Whether visitors come for a full 18, a casual par-3 loop, or just a sunset walk along the practice range, Bell Nob offers a grounded, scenic experience shaped by the land and the people who take care of it.