Nina Caldwell
Branson, Missouri, is a golfer's paradise, with a variety of prestigious courses designed by some of the sport's greats, including Tiger Woods, Arnold Palmer, Tom Fazio, and Jack Nicklaus. The region's mountainous terrain and natural beauty provide a stunning backdrop for golfers of all skill levels to enjoy the game year-round. One of the most popular courses is the 18-hole Thousand Hills Golf Course, part of the Thousand Hills Resort, which offers four separate sets of tees to cater to different skill levels. Another notable course is Payne's Valley Golf Course at Big Cedar Lodge, which includes the Tom Watson Putting Course designed by World Golf Hall of Famer Tom Watson. With its mild winters, diverse playing options, and breathtaking views, Branson is a top golf destination for players seeking a challenging and memorable golf experience.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Thousand Hills Resort, Branson, Missouri |
| Holes | 18 |
| Course Designer | Chuck Smith with design consultant Bobby Clampett |
| Course Features | Natural rock outcroppings, waterfalls, creeks, lush vegetation, rolling hills, and an abundance of wildlife |
| Course Difficulty | Suitable for all skill levels with six sloped and rated teeing options |
| Awards and Recognition | Rated 4-Stars by Golf Digest magazine, Best New Public Course in America by Golf Digest in 2021, Top 100 Public Courses by Golf Magazine, Golf Digest, and Golfweek |
| Amenities | Golf carts, driving range balls, bottled water, complimentary on-course snacks, TaylorMade rental clubs, Ozarks National Practice Facility access |
| Nearby Attractions | World-famous live music shows, Ozarks National, Top of the Rock, Cliffhangers, Mountain Top |
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What You'll Learn
Branson, Missouri: a golfer's paradise
Branson, Missouri, is a golfer's paradise, offering a range of courses suitable for all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned golfers. The area's natural beauty, with its rolling hills, creeks, waterfalls, and stunning views, provides a breathtaking backdrop for a round of golf.
One of the most popular golf resorts in Branson is the Thousand Hills Golf Resort, which features an award-winning, 18-hole course that caters to golfers of all ages and abilities. The course, designed by Robert E. Cupp, takes players through hardwood forests, past unique rock formations, and over Ozark streams, all just a short distance from the world-famous live music shows of Branson's 76 strip.
Another highly regarded golf destination in Branson is Payne's Valley Golf Course, designed by none other than 82-time PGA TOUR winner Tiger Woods and his design firm, TGR Design. This course, located at Big Cedar Lodge, is a tribute to Ozarks native and World Golf Hall of Fame member Payne Stewart. It offers pristine water elements, expansive fairways, and greens, with the spectacular 19th hole, the Big Rock at Payne's Valley™, surrounded by water and dubbed "Lunker Lake."
For those seeking a challenging championship layout, the Branson Hills Golf Club, designed by Chuck Smith with Bobby Clampett as a design consultant, is an excellent choice. This public course honours legendary Missouri golfers and seamlessly integrates the natural landscape of hills, rock outcroppings, creeks, and lush vegetation. Each hole presents a unique challenge, with sloped and rated teeing options ranging from 7,324 to 5,323 yards.
Branson also offers a variety of other golf experiences, including the Holiday Hills course, which features flat to mildly rolling terrain, wide open fairways, and undulating greens, accommodating all levels of play. Additionally, LedgeStone's 18-hole championship layout, described as a "masterpiece of mountain golf architecture," provides panoramic vistas of the ancient Ozark Mountains and natural beauty. With its mild winters, Branson ensures that most of its courses remain open year-round, making it an ideal destination for golfers at any time.
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Payne's Valley: a course for all skill levels
Branson, Missouri, is a golfer's paradise. Nestled in the Ozark Mountains, the area boasts sweeping valleys, pristine streams, and majestic rock formations that provide a stunning natural backdrop for a round of golf. One of the most renowned courses in the region is Payne's Valley, designed by none other than Tiger Woods.
Payne's Valley is Tiger Woods' first public golf course and is located at Big Cedar Lodge, just south of Branson on the Arkansas border. The course is named after Payne Stewart, a three-time major champion and Missouri native who tragically passed away in a plane crash in 1999. The Payne's Valley Cup, a charity event featuring four of the world's top golfers, commemorated the opening of this highly anticipated course.
The course is a true testament to its designer, offering a challenging yet enjoyable experience for golfers of all skill levels. It spans 7,370 yards and features 18 holes, with an optional 19th hole designed by Johnny Morris, the founder of Big Cedar Lodge. This bonus hole is a memorable par-3 that plays to an island green surrounded by streams and a limestone outcrop with a cascading waterfall.
The beauty of Payne's Valley lies not only in its dramatic scenery but also in its playability. The sprawling, wide fairways cater to golfers of all abilities, providing strategic angles and emphasizing shot values for more experienced players. The green surrounds encourage creativity, offering a variety of recovery options, while the fairway rough is maintained at low heights to ensure a fun and accessible golf experience.
The course is walker-friendly, but a shuttle service is available to transport golfers back to the clubhouse after their round. Payne's Valley also offers complimentary on-course snacks, including their signature Bison Dog, and provides golf carts, driving range balls, and bottled water. With its unique design and stunning setting, it's no wonder Payne's Valley was named the "Best New Public Course in America" by Golf Digest when it opened in 2021.
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Branson Hills Golf Club: a masterful design
Branson, Missouri, is a golfer's paradise, with a variety of courses catering to players of all skill levels. One of the standout courses in the area is the Branson Hills Golf Club, a masterful design carved through the Ozark Mountains.
The Branson Hills Golf Club was designed by Chuck Smith, with PGA Professional Bobby Clampett serving as a design consultant. The course seamlessly integrates the natural landscape, featuring hills, rock outcroppings, creeks, waterfalls, and lush vegetation. The result is a visually stunning and challenging course that appeals to golfers of all abilities.
Branson Hills offers six sloped and rated teeing options, ranging from 7,324 to 5,323 yards. Each hole presents a unique challenge, with natural hazards and an abundance of wildlife enhancing the experience. The course is known for its dramatic scenery, with each hole offering a signature-worthy moment.
The club is also conveniently located, providing easy access to nearby attractions. It is within a short distance from Lake Taneycomo and Table Rock Lake, offering golfers the opportunity to explore the natural wonders of Branson and the Ozarks. The area's mild winters also allow the course to remain open year-round, making it a popular destination for golfers looking to enjoy a round in a beautiful setting, no matter the season.
In addition to its natural beauty, Branson Hills Golf Club pays tribute to legendary Missouri golfers, honouring their achievements and contributions to the sport. The course has gained recognition for its design and playability, attracting golfers from all over to test their skills amidst the breathtaking backdrop of the Ozarks.
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Thousand Hills Resort: catering to all golfers
Thousand Hills Resort in Branson, Missouri, is an award-winning golf and lodging resort that caters to golfers of all skill levels. The resort's 18-hole golf course, designed by Robert E. Cupp, offers a unique, scenic, and challenging golf experience for all players.
The course takes golfers through beautiful hardwood forests, past unique rock formations, and over Ozark streams. It features bentgrass greens, zoysia fairways, and four separate sets of tees to accommodate veteran golfers, ladies, seniors, and casual golfers. The resort also offers golf carts equipped with GPS and the largest pro shop in Branson, Missouri, providing shoes, shirts, equipment, gifts, and souvenirs.
Thousand Hills Resort provides a variety of accommodation options, including golf view condos, cabins, townhomes, lakefront condos, and brand-new 10 and 7-bedroom lodges. These units are fully furnished and come with free Wi-Fi, and most include a full kitchen and living room. The resort also features an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, a fitness centre, and meeting rooms for events and reunions.
The resort is centrally located just off Highway 76, also known as Country Music Boulevard, and is within a short distance from Lake Taneycomo and Table Rock Lake. It is also conveniently situated near various Branson attractions, including theatres, multimedia experiences, music shows, theme parks, and restaurants. Thousand Hills Resort is the perfect choice for families or friends travelling together, offering a unique blend of golf, entertainment, and comfortable accommodations.
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Big Cedar Lodge: legendary experiences
Big Cedar Lodge, located 10 miles south of Branson, Missouri, is a legendary destination for golfers and families alike. This 4,600-acre natural playground, owned by Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris, offers a seamless blend of golf, outdoor adventures, luxurious accommodations, and spectacular views.
For golfers, Big Cedar Lodge is a dream come true. The resort boasts three regulation-length courses, two short courses, a driving range, a putting course, and even mini-golf. The golf courses are designed by a legendary group of golfers, including Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, and Tiger Woods. The Top of the Rock nine-hole golf course offers a majestic view of Table Rock Lake, providing a breathtaking backdrop for your game.
In addition to golf, Big Cedar Lodge provides a plethora of outdoor activities. Guests can enjoy bass and trout fishing on Table Rock Lake, explore the lake on a boat cruise, or try their hand at horseback riding. The resort also offers miles of trails for hiking and biking, with scenic views of lush trees, rock formations, and waterfalls. For those seeking a thrill, the Bass Pro Shops Shooting Academy provides a memorable experience for beginners and pros alike.
The accommodations at Big Cedar Lodge cater to a range of preferences, from guest rooms and suites to cabins and glamping options. The lodge's cabins offer a cozy and rustic experience, with fireplaces and hot tubs, while the remodeled Angler's Lodge provides a more modern stay. The resort's dining options are just as varied, with casual dining experiences like the Devil's Pool and Buzzard Bar, and elegant gourmet dinners served with fine wine.
For families, Big Cedar Lodge offers endless entertainment at Fun Mountain, a 50,000-square-foot complex with go-karts, a ropes course, underwater bowling lanes, laser tag, and more. The kids' adventure club ensures that the little ones have plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy, including pickleball and swimming pools. The Cedar Creek Spa provides a tranquil escape for adults, with a range of relaxing treatments and massages.
Whether you're a golfer seeking legendary courses or a family looking for a memorable adventure, Big Cedar Lodge delivers legendary experiences that create lasting memories. With its stunning natural surroundings, diverse activities, and luxurious accommodations, a trip to Big Cedar Lodge is sure to exceed all expectations.
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Frequently asked questions
Branson Golf Course is located in Branson, Missouri, and is about a 3-hour drive from Kansas City and a little over a 4-hour drive from St. Louis.
Payne's Valley Golf Course is located near Branson, Missouri, and is part of the Big Cedar Lodge.
Thousand Hills Golf Course is located in Branson, Missouri, and is within 5 minutes of Lake Taneycomo and 10 minutes from Table Rock Lake.
LedgeStone Golf Course is located in Branson, Missouri, tucked away in the Ozarks.
Yes, Branson is a golfer's paradise with about 10 courses in total. Some other popular options include Buffalo Ridge Golf Club, Branson Hills, and the former Branson Creek Golf Club, now known as Course.
