Branson Golf
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The New Cliffhangers Par 3 Course
Big Cedar, founded by Bass Pro Shops’ Johnny Morris in 1987, is not only a family-friendly wilderness resort but also a coveted world-class golf destination. In the fall of 2020, Payne’ s Valley, Tiger Woods’ first publicly designed course, opened for play. Payne’ s Valley joins the four existing, top-rated courses at the resort— Buffalo Ridge( Tom Fazio), Ozarks National( Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw), Mountain Top( Gary Player), and Top of the Rock( Jack Nicklaus). These“ Missouri’ s Best” courses bring to life Morris’ vision to create an unparalleled golf experience in the Ozarks, attracting visitors from across the world, and solidifying it as“ America’ s Great New Golf Destination.” To book tee times or rooms for your next visit, go to www. bigcedar. com / golf.
( Above) You’ ll walk through a cave and then tee off through a waterfall on the 3rd hole.( Below) Then, you’ ll drive through a cave to reach the green. Amazing!
( All photos courtesy Big Cedar Lodge.) 14 February 2026 TEE TIMES GOLF GUIDE
Big Cedar’ s Other Five Golf Courses
Here’ s a brief rundown of the other five Big Cedar Golf Courses.
Buffalo Ridge
Formerly known as the Branson Creek Golf Club, it was the first Hollister-area golf property that Johnny Morris bought. He then joined forces with golf course architect Tom Fazio to redesign the world-class 18-hole, par-71 layout measuring a total of 7,036 yards from the back tees. The course features Ozark hills and valleys, red rock outcroppings, streams, and waterfalls throughout. In 2025, the course again made major enhancements, including resodding greens and redesigning the green-side bunkers. It reopened on June 1, 2025. True to its name, herds of buffalo graze alongside its fairways. Players can expect to get close to nature and enjoy amazing views like never before. Located at 1001 Branson Creek Blvd, Hollister, MO.
Payne’ s Valley
In late 2020, Payne’ s Valley, designed by Tiger Woods’ design firm, TGR Design, opened, becoming his first course designed for public play. The course pays tribute to Payne Stewart, an Ozarks-native and World Golf Hall of Fame member. Payne’ s Valley is a par 72, 7,370-yard course offering an inviting layout, over 450 feet of Ozark Mountain elevation changes, pristine water features, large fairways and greens, and a spectacular island 19th hole named the“ Big Rock at Payne’ s Valley™.” Located at 1250 Golf Club Drive, Hollister, MO.
Ozarks National
Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw worked together with Johnny Morris to create this championship course in the heart of the Ozark Mountains. The par 72, 18-hole course measures 7,036 yards from the back tees and is masterfully carved into the Ozark Mountains landscape, creating holes that both challenge golfers’ games and provide a day of breathtaking scenery. Possibly the most visually distinctive feature at Ozarks National is the 400-foot wooden beam-and-plank bridge on the 13th hole, which towers 60 feet above a rushing creek, but each turn on the course brings new sights that connect players to the surrounding nature. Located at 1250 Golf Club Drive, Hollister, MO.
Mountain Top
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 a unique walking-only( no carts) experience for golfers. Thousands of hours of excavation revealed 300-million-year-old limestone formations, creating an over-the-top experience that golfers will never forget. The Mountain Top 13 routes through the remarkable rock formations, revealing some of the most dramatic views in the Ozarks while delivering a rewarding experience for golfers of all skill levels. Located at 1250 Golf Club Drive, Hollister, MO.
Top of the Rock
Big Cedar Lodge’ s first par 3 course in the area, Top of the Rock, is a Jack Nicklaus signature course overlooking Table Rock Lake with spectacular rock and water features throughout the course. There’ s always time for 9. This 9-hole, par-3 course sets players up for a world-class experience. It’ s the only par 3 layout ever used by the PGA TOUR’ s Champions Tour for a 2014 championship event! You’ ll also have access to state-of-the-art practice facilities, including the Arnold Palmer-designed all-weather world-class driving range with 16 fullylit target greens and a massive Tom Watson-designed Himalayas putting complex— replicating that of St. Andrews in Scotland. After your round, dine at Osage Restaurant, offering upscale regional cuisine and sweeping views of the Ozark Mountains. Located at 150 Top of the Rock Road, Ridgedale, MO.
Learn more about Big Cedar Golf Courses at www. bigcedar. com / golf.