Even better, the courses are suitable for all skill levels, so grab your clubs and tee off at one these local spots.
Payne’s Valley
1250 Golf Club Drive, Hollister, MO 65672
Paying tribute to Ozarks-native and World Golf Hall of Fame member, Payne Stewart, Payne’s Valley is first public-access golf course designed by 82-time PGA TOUR winner Tiger Woods and his course design firm, TGR Design. Payne's Valley stands out with its inviting layout, pristine water features, large fairways and greens, and a spectacular 19th hole… the Big Rock at Payne’s Valley™.
Through the creation of PAYNE'S VALLEY GOLF COURSE™, Tiger Woods and Big Cedar Lodge offer a course where players of all skill levels will enjoy the game in the beautiful Ozark Mountain landscape.
Thousand Hills Golf Resort
245 South Wildwood Drive, Branson, MO 65616
An 18-hole, award-winning course is the centerpiece of this resort, where you can book a condo or cabin for your stay in close proximity to Lake Taneycomo and Table Rock Lake. Thousand Hills Golf Resort is home to a par 64 course, open to the public, and features three sets of tees that provide just the right level of challenge, whether you’re a novice or more advanced golfer. Robert E. Cupp’s design meanders past lush hardwood forests, rock formations and Ozark streams for a scenic experience you’ll enjoy (even if you aren’t playing particularly well, haha).
Pointe Royale Golf Course
1000 Pointe Royale Drive, Branson, MO 65616
Don’t miss out on the chance to play a championship par 70 known for its plentiful wildlife — you might just spot a bald eagle — and gorgeous rolling fairways. At Pointe Royale, maneuver around water hazards on more than half of the course and bunkers that add a degree of difficulty to all 18 holes. A hitting net and chipping/putting practice green are perfect for warming up before a round. You can even rent a GPS-equipped golf cart as your ride!
Buffalo Ridge Springs
1001 Branson Creek Blvd, Hollister, MO 65672
Formerly known as the Branson Creek Golf Club, golf course architect Tom Fazio and conservationist Johnny Morris have combined forces to redesign the 18-hole, par-71 layout so that players come closer to the surrounding nature. Measuring a total of 7,036 yards from the back tees, Buffalo Ridge Springs is one of two affiliated with Big Cedar Lodge and is consistently named among the top 10 in Missouri by Golf Digest.
Branson Hills Golf Club
100 North Payne Stewart Drive, Branson, MO 65616
For the past four years, Golfweek has proclaimed Branson Hills the top course in the state. Honor legendary Missouri golfers like Payne Stewart, Dale Irwin, Tom Watson and Judy Rankin by playing a round at this tribute course. With the help of consultant and PGA pro Bobby Clampett, Chuck Smith created an 18-hole, par-72 arrangement that measures 7,324 yards and incorporates waterfalls and creeks, wooded areas and rock outcroppings to showcase the area’s natural beauty.
Holiday Hills Resort & Golf Club
630 East Rockford Drive, Branson, MO 65616
Make your way to Holiday Hills’ 18 holes, designed with all ability levels in mind. Coming in at par 68, the course runs 5,798 yards in length and benefits from daily mowing. You’ll encounter hybrid bermuda fairways and tees, more than 40 bunkers, and water coming into play on six holes. One of the coolest features is the ProLink GPS System installed on all of the carts; use it for getting a real-time graphical look at the course, viewing accurate distances and even ordering snacks and drinks.
Top of the Rock Golf Course
150 Top of the Rock Road, Ridgedale, MO 65739
Big Cedar Lodge’s second course in the area, Top of the Rock is a Jack Nicklaus signature situated high above Table Rock Lake. Though there are only nine holes, this par 3 sets players up for a world-class day on the links and has been well-integrated across 47 acres with the surrounding lush landscape. You’ll also have access to state-of-the-art ways to improve your game: Arnold Palmer designed an all-weather driving range with 16 fully-lit target greens while Tom Watson is responsible for the 70,000-square-foot Himalayas putting complex — replicating that of St. Andrews in Scotland.
LedgeStone Country Club at StoneBridge Village
1600 Ledgestone Way, Branson West, MO 65737
If you want to experience mountain golf in Branson, LedgeStone is the place to do it. Tucked into the Ozarks, the unique layout and immaculate condition make for an unforgettable outing. Test your accuracy and distance control on Tom Clark’s 18-hole par 71 as you negotiate elevation changes and natural elements like creeks, forest and rock outcroppings. Once you wrap up, stop by the clubhouse’s LedgeStone Grille for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Ozarks National
1250 Golf Club Drive, Hollister, MO 65672
Coore, Crenshaw, and Johnny Morris—noted conservationist and found of Bass Pro Shops—worked together to create in Ozarks National a golf experience that immerses players in the beauty of the Ozarks terrain. The 18-hole course, which measures 7,036 yards from the back trees, is masterfully carved into the landscape, producing holes that both challenge golfers’ games and delight their senses. The most visually unique feature at Ozarks National might be the 400-foot wooden beam and plank bridge on the 13th hole that towers 60 feet above a rushing creek, but each turn of the course brings new sights that connect players to the nature around them.
Mountain Top
1250 Golf Club Drive, Hollister, MO 65672
Johnny Morris teamed up with World Golf Hall of Fame legend Gary Player to create a world-class 13-hole, par 3 short course that delivers an unparalleled experience for golfers. The Mountain Top routes through unforgettable rock formations and includes some of the most dramatic views in the Ozarks while delivering a rewarding experience for all skill levels. Thousands of hours of painstaking pick and shovel excavations revealed 300-million-year-old limestone formations, creating an over-the-top experience that golfers will never forget.
Looking to make the most of your golf weekend in Branson? Check out our sample itinerary here.