Branson, MO Recommendations

Surely you’re aware of Johnny Morris’ collection of courses in nearby Ridgedale

Payne Valley is top of my list to try and play. I know in August PGA stops at Ozark

NLU just did a Crash Course video on Payne's Valley. The whole course looked great, but the 19th hole par 3 island hole surrounded by rocks was insane looking.

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I saw that, Randy basically had nothing positive to say lol. Basically trashed the course without actually saying it sucks.

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I thought it was a really cool course. Most of this may be from the elevation changes that we don’t get here in LA. It was in great shape, staff was friendly, overall experience was great. Is it worth $300? I’d play it again

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I saw that, Randy basically had nothing positive to say lol. Basically trashed the course without actually saying it sucks.

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Yeah, Randy definitely seems to prefer the more natural courses. From these short videos and the podcasts, I could see people being annoyed with Randy. I know I was. After watching Tourist Sauce and Strapped, you start to get a feel for Randy's humor. His opinion on the Payne's Valley seems right where I would think he would be.

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Tiger's courses are pretty bland TBH. They aren't intended to be difficult rather wide open and a more inviting environment.

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Guess it depends on what tees you play. I’ve heard of you play from the Green or Tiger tees at PV then buckle up.
We are going next month. Playing PV, Buffalo Trace, Ozarks National, Top of Rock and Mountain Top.
Very excited about this trip as I’ve heard great things

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That’s bourbon not a golf course

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You have no idea how many times we said that on our trip!! Can’t take a bunch of drunks anywhere

I played all of the courses at Big Cedar Lodge last summer. My review.

All the courses were in perfect shape. Bent grass greens and Zoysia fairways.

Top of the Rock- 9 hole Par 3 course. Range was closed and may be closed permanatly from what I was told. They were doing some work next to it. Formally the course where the Champions Tour played its Par 3 tournament. Played the back tees and used all of my irons. Fun course to play with some very beautiful holes. I would play this one first. I would bring the wife and kids out on this one. Play the course then go eat at the Top of the Rock. The museum is there along with some great views of Table Rock Lake. Afterwards you can go take the golf cart tour through the woods and canyons which was fun.

Buffalo Ridge- This course has the most elevation changes of all the courses. Its tree lined with most tee shots downhill. I found it hard to see the ball from the tee box. Use the GPS in the cart for distances to the hazards off the tee. Of the three 18 hole courses its the tightest off the tee. As all the courses, the greens are tricky. Most of the putts do not break as much as you think an faltten out at the hole. I would say this is the most picturesque course on the property and the hardest.

Ozark Trail- I like this course the most of the three 18 hole courses. Its a Coore/Crenshaw design. Phil won the Champions Tour event there this summer. Course is wide open off the tee. Uses the GPS before you tee off to locate the hazards and where the hole is going. There are a few blind tee shots. Course is wide open off the tee. Greens are large with quite a few uphill approaches. This was my favorite course of the three 18 hole courses.

Payne's Valley- Tiger's Course. 13 holes were open this past summer. Easiest of the three. Wide open fairways. Big Greens. Course was in perfect shape. Least undulated course. I like the par 3's. Island green on the front nine. Greens are a bit tricky to read. Not alot of break and balls tend to flatten out at the hole. Mixture of short holes and long holes. Drivable par 4 and reachable par 5's except one. Many good views. No shade on this course. Its worth playing, but its my least favorite of the 3.

Mountain Top- Gary Player par 3 course. Its a walking course. No carts. You use a pull cart which they will provide. Much better course than Top of the Rock. Great shot value. You will use all of your irons and maybe a hybrid depending on the wind. Great views. It is undulating. Walking up and down the hills. Bring some extra beverages. No cart person to buy drinks. It's a must play and about $60 cheaper than Top of the Rock.

Notes: Ozark Trail, Payne's Valley and Mountain Top are all together. You will use the range at Ozark Trail for all of these. Buffalo Ridge is at the top of the hill. It has its own range. Top of the Rock is at Big Cedar Lodge. The other 4 course are 5 minutes from there.

I would rank the courses as follows:

1. Ozark Trail
2. Buffalo Ridge
3. Mountain View
4. Payne's Valley
5. Top of the Rock

Hope this helps.

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Top of the Rock- 9 hole Par 3 course. Range was closed and may be closed permanatly from what I was told. They were doing some work next to it

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This would be sad news. That is the coolest driving range I have ever used. When I was there, they were starting to construct the Top of the Rock Lodge. Hopefully, it reopens.

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1. Ozark Trail
2. Buffalo Ridge

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I would put Buffalo Ridge over Ozark, but Ozark had just opened when I was there. It's probably a personal preference thing.