Branson, MO golf trip - Anybody have local knowledge? (1 Viewer)

[Golden Gopher]

My group of 6 HS buddies are heading to Branson in early September for a 3-day golf weekend. This is about our 32nd (or maybe 33rd?) year, and we've exhausted a good chunk of the courses in the 5-state area between MN, WI, Iowa, and the Dakotas. Decided to do something different this year and we're headed to Branson. Anybody have any knowledge on courses in the area? Best courses? Overrated? Underrated? Must play? Best value for the price? We fly in on a Wednesday, leave on Sunday. Typically play about 4 rounds between Thurs and Saturday, depending on location (and weather, obviously).

Any tips would be appreciated.

 

[gianmarco]

A good friend is an avid golfer and he has a place there and knows the courses. I'll ask and get back to you

 

[BlackCrowes]

Big Cedar Lodge is supposed to be great. Buffalo Ridge, Ozark National, Payne´s Valley, plus some bada$$ par 3 courses from what i hear. i´ve got a group that does a trip every year and that is definitely on our list.

 

[Kanil]

My kid went there a few years ago on a road trip. He said there was an awesome magic show. He was also 8 so take that for what it's worth.

 

[gianmarco]

My group of 6 HS buddies are heading to Branson in early September for a 3-day golf weekend. This is about our 32nd (or maybe 33rd?) year, and we've exhausted a good chunk of the courses in the 5-state area between MN, WI, Iowa, and the Dakotas. Decided to do something different this year and we're headed to Branson. Anybody have any knowledge on courses in the area? Best courses? Overrated? Underrated? Must play? Best value for the price? We fly in on a Wednesday, leave on Sunday. Typically play about 4 rounds between Thurs and Saturday, depending on location (and weather, obviously).

Any tips would be appreciated.

Here you go:

"3 great but expensive courses share the same property and are owned by Big Cedar Lodge. Those are Payne’s Valley (Tiger’s course), Ozark National (Ben Crenshaw course) and Buffalo Ridge. All 3 are beautiful - Payne’s Valley gets the top price because of Tiger’s association. Personally Ozarks National is my favorite of the three, and for sure has the best views of the Ozarks. All reservations for these 3 are made through Big Cedar Lodge. Advance tee times require a commitment to lodging however.
Another course in the Big Cedar system is a 13 hole par 3 course called Mountain Top - beautiful and fun but expensive for a mostly par 3 course.
On the less expensive end Branson Hills is very nice and very difficult. Ledgestone CC is a great mountain course - really fun to play. The other courses in Branson are more like muni courses and not very memorable.
Note if they reserve my cabin in Stonebridge they will get a big discount on golf at Ledgestone!"

 

[Golden Gopher]

My group of 6 HS buddies are heading to Branson in early September for a 3-day golf weekend. This is about our 32nd (or maybe 33rd?) year, and we've exhausted a good chunk of the courses in the 5-state area between MN, WI, Iowa, and the Dakotas. Decided to do something different this year and we're headed to Branson. Anybody have any knowledge on courses in the area? Best courses? Overrated? Underrated? Must play? Best value for the price? We fly in on a Wednesday, leave on Sunday. Typically play about 4 rounds between Thurs and Saturday, depending on location (and weather, obviously).

Any tips would be appreciated.

Here you go:

"3 great but expensive courses share the same property and are owned by Big Cedar Lodge. Those are Payne’s Valley (Tiger’s course), Ozark National (Ben Crenshaw course) and Buffalo Ridge. All 3 are beautiful - Payne’s Valley gets the top price because of Tiger’s association. Personally Ozarks National is my favorite of the three, and for sure has the best views of the Ozarks. All reservations for these 3 are made through Big Cedar Lodge. Advance tee times require a commitment to lodging however.
Another course in the Big Cedar system is a 13 hole par 3 course called Mountain Top - beautiful and fun but expensive for a mostly par 3 course.
On the less expensive end Branson Hills is very nice and very difficult. Ledgestone CC is a great mountain course - really fun to play. The other courses in Branson are more like muni courses and not very memorable.
Note if they reserve my cabin in Stonebridge they will get a big discount on golf at Ledgestone!"

Excellent info. Thank you. Can you ask if he's got any info on Rivercut Golf Course? Just wondering if he's played and it's included in the "muni courses... not very memorable" or if it's one he hasn't played or forgot to mention.

Thanks again.

 

[gianmarco]

My group of 6 HS buddies are heading to Branson in early September for a 3-day golf weekend. This is about our 32nd (or maybe 33rd?) year, and we've exhausted a good chunk of the courses in the 5-state area between MN, WI, Iowa, and the Dakotas. Decided to do something different this year and we're headed to Branson. Anybody have any knowledge on courses in the area? Best courses? Overrated? Underrated? Must play? Best value for the price? We fly in on a Wednesday, leave on Sunday. Typically play about 4 rounds between Thurs and Saturday, depending on location (and weather, obviously).

Any tips would be appreciated.

Here you go:

"3 great but expensive courses share the same property and are owned by Big Cedar Lodge. Those are Payne’s Valley (Tiger’s course), Ozark National (Ben Crenshaw course) and Buffalo Ridge. All 3 are beautiful - Payne’s Valley gets the top price because of Tiger’s association. Personally Ozarks National is my favorite of the three, and for sure has the best views of the Ozarks. All reservations for these 3 are made through Big Cedar Lodge. Advance tee times require a commitment to lodging however.
Another course in the Big Cedar system is a 13 hole par 3 course called Mountain Top - beautiful and fun but expensive for a mostly par 3 course.
On the less expensive end Branson Hills is very nice and very difficult. Ledgestone CC is a great mountain course - really fun to play. The other courses in Branson are more like muni courses and not very memorable.
Note if they reserve my cabin in Stonebridge they will get a big discount on golf at Ledgestone!"

Excellent info. Thank you. Can you ask if he's got any info on Rivercut Golf Course? Just wondering if he's played and it's included in the "muni courses... not very memorable" or if it's one he hasn't played or forgot to mention.

Thanks again.

He said it's in Springfield and doesn't know anything about it.

That's about 45-60 minutes north of Branson.

 

[Jayrod]

I live in the Springfield area, but have not personally played any of the high end Branson courses.

Top of the Rock is a par 3 course and it's beautiful (crazy nice landscaping, amazing views) and has a really nice restaurant.

Rivercut is my favorite local course, even over most of the Springfield private courses. It's long and scenic and they play the Missouri high school state championships there every couple of years. It is a good 30-40 min drive from Branson.

 

[3 hour lunch]

You have to play Payne’s if possible, super fun. As mentioned above, Mountaintop is quite fun and on the same property. Top of the Rock was a really cool 9 holer but super expensive if I remember right. Buffalo Ridge was really good as well. Ozark Natl is highest rated but I enjoyed it the least. Maybe because it was like 40 degrees that morning. It appears they are opening another brand new par 3 down there as well, looks awesome

 

[sushinsky4tsar]

Sounds like a lot of fun.

Just curious, @Golden Gopher , did you guys give any thought to a road trip? Not sure if you're farther out than the Twin Cities, how scattered your group is,
or if you have a pilot and/or access to a private plane. I would definitely be the guy in your group lobbying for an oversized rental and KC bbq pitstop. Long haul though if lots of golf is the main agenda.

 

[fochs13]

I've played most of the Branson courses multiple times. I'd rank them in the following order:
Payne's Valley
Ozark National
Buffalo Ridge
Branson Hills
Ledgestone

The top 3 courses tend to book early, so book your tee times as soon as possible. I believe that they give preference to those that are staying on a Big Cedar Lodge property, so take that into consideration, when planning your trip.

 

[Zow]

Some of my buddies went to Payne's Valley and loved it.

 

[Jayrod]

I believe that they give preference to those that are staying on a Big Cedar Lodge property, so take that into consideration, when planning your trip.

Johnny Morris, owner of Bass Pro Shops owns Big Cedar Lodge, Dogwood Canyon and all of the related golf courses. He is kind of our local eccentric millionaire around here and is trying to do everything he can to make Branson a golfer's paradise.

 

[warpig33]

I can't remember the name of the golf course I played at when my friends took me for my bachelor party but it was pretty nice. I do however recall the "lack of talent" at all the local strip clubs. I'm talking Lot Lizard level. I highly suggest staying away from the strip clubs.

 

[Jayrod]

I can't remember the name of the golf course I played at when my friends took me for my bachelor party but it was pretty nice. I do however recall the "lack of talent" at all the local strip clubs. I'm talking Lot Lizard level. I highly suggest staying away from the strip clubs.

I dont think there are actually any strip clubs near Branson. Maybe you came to Springfield where I'd guess your description is accurate, but I've never been so not sure.

 

[Beef Ravioli Part 2]

I live in the Springfield area, but have not personally played any of the high end Branson courses.

Top of the Rock is a par 3 course and it's beautiful (crazy nice landscaping, amazing views) and has a really nice restaurant.

Rivercut is my favorite local course, even over most of the Springfield private courses. It's long and scenic and they play the Missouri high school state championships there every couple of years. It is a good 30-40 min drive from Branson.

I don’t even know why I think this, but for some reason I thought you lived in Pennsylvania @Jayrod. Did you at one point live in PA and stated it on here am I just completely off base?

@Golden Gopher I hope your trip goes well and you report back. Would like to try some of the courses mentioned in this thread!

 

[Jayrod]

I live in the Springfield area, but have not personally played any of the high end Branson courses.

Top of the Rock is a par 3 course and it's beautiful (crazy nice landscaping, amazing views) and has a really nice restaurant.

Rivercut is my favorite local course, even over most of the Springfield private courses. It's long and scenic and they play the Missouri high school state championships there every couple of years. It is a good 30-40 min drive from Branson.

I don’t even know why I think this, but for some reason I thought you lived in Pennsylvania @Jayrod. Did you at one point live in PA and stated it on here am I just completely off base?

@Golden Gopher I hope your trip goes well and you report back. Would like to try some of the courses mentioned in this thread!

My son is a Steelers fan, but I've only been to Pittsburgh once and driven through the state one other time.

 

[Golden Gopher]

Sounds like a lot of fun.

Just curious, @Golden Gopher , did you guys give any thought to a road trip? Not sure if you're farther out than the Twin Cities, how scattered your group is,
or if you have a pilot and/or access to a private plane. I would definitely be the guy in your group lobbying for an oversized rental and KC bbq pitstop. Long haul though if lots of golf is the main agenda.

4 out of 6 are in the Twin Cities area. We all grew up together in MN. I live in Ventura, CA, and the sixth lives up north (near Napa). We have actually talked about a road trip one of these years, but logistically it's tough, especially when it's already hard enough to find a 4-5 day stretch that works for all of us. Last year, we had to go in September because there wasn't a single weekend in the summer (June-August) that didn't have a conflict for at least one of us. Same this year.

Side note... Between work trips and a guys trip with my brothers years ago, I have played some courses in both KC and St. Louis.

 

[Golden Gopher]

I've played most of the Branson courses multiple times. I'd rank them in the following order:
Payne's Valley
Ozark National
Buffalo Ridge
Branson Hills
Ledgestone

The top 3 courses tend to book early, so book your tee times as soon as possible. I believe that they give preference to those that are staying on a Big Cedar Lodge property, so take that into consideration, when planning your trip.

Will do. I'm going to call them soon and find out exactly how far in advance we can book (since we are not staying there).

Right now, the consensus seems to be that Payne's Valley might not be worth the extra $200 over Ozark and Buffalo Ridge, but we're still discussing. There is one guy in the group who I know will want to play the best, and that means he'll probably want to play the course with the most notoriety.

Nothing set in stone at this point, but leaning towards.... Two of the Big Cedar courses on Thursday, Ledgestone on Friday (with the option to replay and do 36), then Branson Hills on Saturday. We fly in Wednesday and leave on Sunday. The two of us in CA fly in/out of KC, while I believe the Minnesota contingent are flying through somewhere closer (Fayetteville maybe?).

 

[Golden Gopher]

I live in the Springfield area, but have not personally played any of the high end Branson courses.

Top of the Rock is a par 3 course and it's beautiful (crazy nice landscaping, amazing views) and has a really nice restaurant.

Rivercut is my favorite local course, even over most of the Springfield private courses. It's long and scenic and they play the Missouri high school state championships there every couple of years. It is a good 30-40 min drive from Branson.

I don’t even know why I think this, but for some reason I thought you lived in Pennsylvania @Jayrod. Did you at one point live in PA and stated it on here am I just completely off base?

@Golden Gopher I hope your trip goes well and you report back. Would like to try some of the courses mentioned in this thread!

Will do. Thanks.

 

[Zow]

I live in the Springfield area, but have not personally played any of the high end Branson courses.

Top of the Rock is a par 3 course and it's beautiful (crazy nice landscaping, amazing views) and has a really nice restaurant.

Rivercut is my favorite local course, even over most of the Springfield private courses. It's long and scenic and they play the Missouri high school state championships there every couple of years. It is a good 30-40 min drive from Branson.

I don’t even know why I think this, but for some reason I thought you lived in Pennsylvania @Jayrod. Did you at one point live in PA and stated it on here am I just completely off base?

@Golden Gopher I hope your trip goes well and you report back. Would like to try some of the courses mentioned in this thread!

I think you're think of @Jaysus

 

[Jaysus]

I live in the Springfield area, but have not personally played any of the high end Branson courses.

Top of the Rock is a par 3 course and it's beautiful (crazy nice landscaping, amazing views) and has a really nice restaurant.

Rivercut is my favorite local course, even over most of the Springfield private courses. It's long and scenic and they play the Missouri high school state championships there every couple of years. It is a good 30-40 min drive from Branson.

I don’t even know why I think this, but for some reason I thought you lived in Pennsylvania @Jayrod. Did you at one point live in PA and stated it on here am I just completely off base?

@Golden Gopher I hope your trip goes well and you report back. Would like to try some of the courses mentioned in this thread!

I think you're think of @Jaysus

I'm pretty sure there is also another @Jaysomething that lives in PA.

 

[sushinsky4tsar]

I can't remember the name of the golf course I played at when my friends took me for my bachelor party but it was pretty nice. I do however recall the "lack of talent" at all the local strip clubs. I'm talking Lot Lizard level. I highly suggest staying away from the strip clubs.

I guess that's the way Ned Flanders likes them.