Big Cedar Lodge

I went last summer. I would say it depends on when you are playing. If your rounds are in the morning, I’d stay around Big Cedar. If your rounds are in the afternoon, I’d stay near Payne’s Valley. All three courses are roughly 20 min away from Big Cedar Lodge. Not a huge deal, just remember to space out any reservations, so you have plenty of time to get there. The shuttles can take you back and forth regardless of where you are staying, but they were sometimes very slow to pick us up.

We ate at the following and would recommend all three.

Mountain Top Grill (Paynes Valley)
Osage (Top of the Rock)
Wormans House (Big Cedar Lodge)

Bars:
Arnies Bar (Top of the Rock)
Buffalo Bar (Top of the Rock)
Bat Bar (Top of the Rock)
Devils Pool Bar (Near Big Cedar)
Mountain Top Grill Bar (Paynes Valley)

Golf Courses:

I would say all three courses are very nice.

As advertised, Payne’s Valley’s 19th hole is pretty spectacular. The golf course was more resort style, but more player friendly and very nice.

Ozark National was the tougher of the three courses, imo. Beautiful and well manicured. It will definitely test you, but very nice.

Buffalo Ridge was probably my favorite course of the three. While difficult, it was a little more forgiving than Ozark. Shot my best round there, so that may have had something to do with it being my favorite.

If you have time, play the par 3 courses too. Both are nice.

If you asked every guy in our group, you’d probably get a different order from each one. It’s a fun trip with tons to do. Hope this helps.

Following this one. We've got our anniversary at the end of April and this might be a good trip for us!

You know if there are any restricted months or days for the courses? Specifically Payne's Valley at the end of April?

We stayed at Bass Pro hotel - it is basically a Hampton Inn type feel - comfortable but nothing special. Would look into other options.

Highly recommend playing the 2 par 3 courses as well. Top of the rock may be their best course. It is away from the other course - we never figured out what building was actually “Big Cedar Lodge”. Ate dinner at the restaurant there - Osage - service was awful but food was good. The adjacent Buffalo bar is nice outdoors and bagpipes at sunset was cool.

Other courses are close together Buffalo ridge a few miles up the road before you get to Paynes, Ozark and Mountain top.

Agree that Buffalo is best 18 hole course. Ozark most challenging. Paynes a little gimmicky but great experience.

As said, rent a cabin. We went last year and loved it. Also it’s cheesy but do the dinner cruise on the lady liberty it’s a great way to see the lake

I played Buffalo ridge which was amazing and top of the rock which was kind of gimmicky

The food is pretty good at all of the restaurants. Devil’s pool is definitely the coolest

Jallem33 nailed it - Wormans house was really fantastic - views and history and food and wine were all great there - Payne’s is awesome and Buffalo Ridge was beautiful - we missed Ozark but hear great things

quote:

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we never figured out what building was actually “Big Cedar Lodge”

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The whole place is "Big Cedar Lodge." There is no one building called that. The lodges have their own names. The lodges are called Falls, Valley View and Spring View.

Top of the Rock is nice, but $135 for 9 holes of par 3 is steep. I would recommend going to the driving range at TotR and eating at the restaurant there to see the views.

Payne’s valley I don’t think you can book until you book a stay at their resort first,

They got the massive sink hole filled in?