Golf Course Beer and Wine Licenses
A Golf Course Beer and Wine License is for use at a golf course. The person or entity that owns and operates the golf course must be the one who applies for this unique license type.
What the license allows depends on who owns the golf course. Privately owned courses and those owned by the state, a unit of the university system, or a local government follow different rules.
You may not apply for this license if you have held a beer and wine or all-beverage license within 12 months of the application date (16-4-109, MCA).
Privately Owned Golf Courses
These rules apply when the golf course is owned by someone other than the state, a unit of the university system, or a local government.
What's Allowed
Hours and season
You may:
- Sell beer and wine only during the time of the year that the golf course is open for business.
- Provide beer and wine between 8 a.m. and up to 1 hour after sunset.
- Be open year-round if you have an indoor simulator.
Where and how to sell
You may:
- Sell beer and wine in the building or other structural premises constituting the clubhouse or primary indoor recreational quarters of the golf course.
- Sell beer and wine at any place within the boundaries of the golf course from a portable satellite vehicle or other movable satellite device that is moved from place to place.
- Sell beer and wine to go in original packaging.
- Apply and be approved to sell beer and wine in an additional building or other structure — one per 9 holes of the golf course — designed to serve golfers during the course of play.
Endorsements and additions
You may:
- Apply for a catering endorsement and cater alcoholic beverages, but only when the golf course is open.
- Apply for a non-contiguous storage area.
- Apply for a delivery endorsement.
- Lease the license to an individual or entity approved by the department. Submit the Alcoholic Beverage License Lease Application – Form ABLL (PDF) along with your application.
What's not allowed
You may not:
- Lease the license.
- Transfer ownership of the license.
- Concession.
- Provide curbside pickup.
- Serve more than 75 persons in the on-premises area where beer and wine are sold.
- Have gambling.
What's required
- The course must consist of at least nine holes and 2,500 lineal yards.
- It must be either within the limits of an incorporated city or town or within 5 miles of the limits of an incorporated city or town.
Government-Owned Golf Courses
These rules apply when the golf course is owned by the state, a unit of the university system, or a local government.
What's Allowed
Hours and season
- Sell beer and wine during the hours of 8 a.m. and 2 a.m.
- Be open year-round.
Where and how to sell
- Sell beer and wine in the building or other structural premises constituting the clubhouse or primary indoor recreational quarters of the golf course.
- Sell beer and wine at any place within the boundaries of the golf course from a portable satellite vehicle or other movable satellite device that is moved from place to place.
- Sell beer and wine to go in original packaging.
- Apply and be approved to sell beer and wine in an additional building or other structure — one per 9 holes of the golf course — designed to serve golfers during the course of play.
License privileges
- Lease the license.
- Apply for a non-contiguous storage area.
Endorsements
- Apply for a catering endorsement and cater alcoholic beverages, but only when the golf course is open.
- Apply for a delivery endorsement to deliver beer and wine in original packaging if the delivery includes food that is prepared by the licensee at the licensee’s premises.
- The purchase price of the delivered beer and wine may not exceed the purchase price of the delivered food.
What's Not Allowed
- Concession.
- Provide curbside pickup.
- Have gambling.
What's Required
- Follow all other laws and rules that dictate the sales and service of beer and wine.
- Be either within the limits of an incorporated city or town or within 5 miles of the limits of an incorporated city or town.
Fees
- New License Fee: $400
- Processing Fee: $400
- Renewal Fee: $400
The application processing fee applies only to original applications and is not charged on renewals. The one-time application fee applies to non-municipal golf courses only.
How to Apply
- Online: Apply through the TransAction Portal (TAP).
- By mail: Download the Alcoholic Beverages – Gambling Operator Combined On-Premises License Application – Form 5 (PDF).
- Government-owned courses leasing the license: Also submit the Alcoholic Beverage License Lease Application – Form ABLL (PDF).
Renewal
A Golf Course Beer and Wine License must be renewed every year by June 30.
Questions?
Contact an Alcohol Licensing Specialist.
Legal References
All licensees and permit holders must comply with all federal and Montana alcoholic beverage laws and rules. See sections 16-4-109, 16-3-302, 16-3-311, 16-3-312, 16-4-105, 16-4-402, MCA; Title 16, Chapter 3, Part 3, MCA (Retail Sales Restrictions); and ARM 42.12.145, 42.12.152, and 42.12.153.
Updated August 2024. Please note the information in department communications may have been modified, superseded, or made obsolete by changes in federal or state law or the Administrative Rules of Montana. To verify the current validity of any Department of Revenue communication, please contact us at DORCARDEducation@mt.gov.
