bisects the course throughout the front and back nine. And while not particularly long, Lake Valley features enough elevation changes to keep you challenged, and its quick, undulating greens force you to— much like the trip down U. S. 54— watch your speed.
Wilson says his favorite hole is the slight dogleg left par-4 8th, featuring several of those beautiful white sand bunkers and a picturesque view of the Lake as a backdrop.
“ It is a risk / reward hole for the longer hitters,” he said.“ If you can hit the ball high enough and long enough, you can carry the tall sycamores that line the creek all the way down the left side. If successful, you have under 100 yards on approach to a narrow green guarded by two greenside bunkers.”
A favorite among many golfers is the downhill par-3 17th, which features a large scenic lake behind the green. Ranging from 134 to 179 yards, there is really no trouble— unless you are long. Then, you are wet! Like so many of the holes at Lake Valley, tee to green views are, without doubt,“ visually pleasing.”
Simply said, Lake Valley is just a pretty golf course that’ s fun to play.
Nevertheless, it’ s a scenic golf course that just doesn’ t get much“ ink” or many“ shout-outs” compared to other Lake of the Ozarks resort-style golf destinations. However, that’ s changing too. Wilson said changing the narrative might have started by changing the name.
For many years, Lake Valley faced the challenge of getting people to come out and play— it was often perceived as a“ Country Club,” given its name, which implies a private course. Since renaming it to Lake Valley“ Golf Club” at the end of 2019, there has been a large increase in the number of outside guests playing the course for the first time, and they keep going back!
If the white sand and numerous other clubhouse and course improvements don’ t immediately catch your eye, Wilson said there are several other reasons why Lake Valley needs to be on your“ mustplay” Lake golf list. How about, among others, Bermuda fairways
Lake Valley is very popular for its in-house golf tournaments, drawing players from around Missouri. The newly painted clubhouse and new club logo sign shown in this photo.
( Photo courtesy Lake Valley Golf Club.)
that are green from very early spring to late fall, an excellent drainage system that rarely forces the course to go“ cart path only”( when others are), and what Wilson calls a“ user-friendly” experience.
Wilson says,“ The golf course is not easy, but it will not beat you up like other courses at the Lake.” I wholeheartedly agree! Lake Valley is a fun course to play. It’ s in great shape, with a fun, balanced mix of par 3s, par 4s, and par 5s, scenic Ozarks rolling hills, and plans to continually improve an already great course— well, it’ s only going to get better!
Haven’ t played Lake Valley yet? You may want to add it to your“ must-play” Lake of the Ozarks golf list.
Learn more about Lake Valley Golf Club and book a tee time by visiting www. LakeValleyGolf. com or calling the Pro Shop at 573.346.7218.
Get your Lake of the Ozarks TeeTimesMagazine Golf Package. at com www. GolfingAtLakeOfTheOzarks TEE TIMES GOLF GUIDE. net.
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