Award Winning Golf In The Missouri Ozarks America’s Nature Golf Destination
Inspired by a deep desire to connect people to nature, Johnny Morris, founder of Bass Pro Shops, set out to create one of the greatest golf experiences in the country. Discover the beauty of the Ozarks when you golf at Big Cedar Lodge. Located in southwest Missouri near Branson, the sprawling property features five incredible golf courses designed by golf legends Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, Gary Player, Tom Fazio, Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw. Start planning your trip today and look forward to playing a variety of world-class nature courses, luxury accommodations, and endless outdoor activities.
Big Cedar Lodge Golf Courses
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Book Tee Times
To help manage demand, you may be placed into a virtual queue before having access to online tee-time bookings.
*No Tee Times Available? Join our Waitlist! You’ll get notified automatically if any spots open up.
Group Golf Outings
For groups, please visit our Group Golf Outings page and fill out the form below, and our reservations team will contact you to arrange the details. Groups must be staying at Big Cedar Lodge to book tee times more than 30 days in advance.
Rates & Scorecards
Junior Rates – Junior rates apply to any player 17 or younger.
9-Hole Rates – 9-Hole rates are only offered at Buffalo Ridge after 12:00 pm.
Aeration Rates - Recovery rates are offered the 10 days following aeration. See our aeration schedule below for more information.
Local Rates - Seasonal local rates are offered to current residents of the below counties. ID & proof of residence required at check-in.
Missouri – Barry, Christian, Douglas, Greene, Jasper, Lawrence, McDonald, Newton, Ozark, Stone, Taney, Webster, Wright
Arkansas – Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Madison, Marion, Newton, Searcy, Washington
Big Cedar Golf Scorecards
Practice Facilities
Big Cedar Golf offers multiple practice facilities with access for golfers included in their greens fees. If guests wish to use the range without playing a round of golf, Buffalo Ridge offers daily access to the practice facilities for $45 per player. Below is a list of each practice amenity located at the different courses.
- Payne's Valley - Driving Range (Ozarks National), Short Game Area (Ozarks National), Putting Green
- Ozarks National - Driving Range, Short Game Area, Putting Green
- Buffalo Ridge - Driving Range, Short Game Area, Putting Green
- Top of the Rock - Putting green is temporarily closed. Guests playing Top of the Rock are able to use the practice facilities at Buffalo Ridge if they wish to warm up before their round. Please note, Buffalo Ridge is 16 minutes away from Top of the Rock by car.
- Mountain Top - Driving Range (Ozarks National), Short Game Area (Ozarks National), Putting Green
Food & Beverage
Convenient Dining for a Great Time
Additional Golfer Friendly Dining Options
Ozarks National Patio Bar
Enjoy a drink with a view at the Ozarks National pro shop. The patio bar features your favorite on-course beverages and light snacks overlooking the 1st, 3rd, and 18th, hole at Ozarks National.
Johnny's Hot Dog Stand
A round at Buffalo Ridge Springs can work up an appetite. Pull up to Johnny’s Hot Dog Stand on Hole No. 5 and grab a ‘dog and some snacks-to-go. Overlooking the lake between holes 5 and 6, the rustic, log cabin structure also features an expansive deck and chairs overlooking the water.
Buffalo Ridge Bar at Buffalo Ridge
Conveniently located in the Buffalo Ridge Pro Shop, the Buffalo Ridge Bar offers golfers grab-n-go BBQ, sandwiches, snacks and drinks inside a reclaimed Civil War-era barn.
Turn Stations at Payne's Valley & Ozarks National
Included with every round at Payne's Valley and Ozarks National is access to complimentary snacks at the turn stations. Each course features a turn station at the halfway point of the course allowing golfers to grab a hot dog, snacks, candy, and more. All complimentary! Golf balls and drinks are also available for purchase inside the turn stations.
Travel Details
Getting Around
Our world-class courses are set in the charming Ozark Mountains. The terrain of the region created the opportunity to utilize multiple clubhouses. This means that there are four different facilities and parking lots, and the golf courses are not all connected. Golfers playing multiple rounds in the same day may be required to drive from one course location to another.
Ship your Golf Clubs
Looking to ship your golf clubs to Big Cedar Lodge? Follow the link below to have Ship Sticks deliver your clubs to the course for you! When scheduling your shipment, please have your clubs scheduled to be delivered to our facilities two-days before your first date of play. Please include your name, group booking name, and first course of play on the outside of your club shipment.
Complimentary Golf Course Shuttles
Big Cedar Guests staying on property are offered complimentary shuttle service between the golf courses and their rooms. Scheduled pick-up times with our shuttle department should be made at least 24 hours in advance. Shuttle service may be booked by calling 417-339-5105.
Above is a travel time chart. We recommend that guests arrive 45 minutes in advance and account for the potential of slow traffic.
Getting Here
Many of our guests drive to Big Cedar Lodge because we are less than a day's drive from the hometowns of more than one-third of all Americans. However, more and more low-cost flight options are arriving on a daily basis through the Branson Airport, Branson Jet Center, Springfield-Branson National Airport, and other airports offering private flights. Please note, our resort does not provide airport transportation.
Weather in the Ozarks
Course Conditions
Course Maintenance
Big Cedar Golf is known for its pristine and beautiful golf courses. In order to keep our award-winning course in top shape, we perform regular aeration practices during the Spring & Fall. This maintenance effort helps keep our greens looking healthy all year long, and gives our players the best game experience that they can have. Following aeration, Big Cedar Golf offers golfers a reduced rate during the recovery period.
Pardon our Progress
As Big Cedar Golf expands its amenities and accommodations, you may notice several construction projects around the golf courses. During this time, we are dedicated to minimizing the impact of these projects on your experience. We look forward to continuing to offer our golfers a new and amazing golf experience for years to come.
Zoysia Fairways During Spring & Fall
Our golf courses feature zoysia fairways, a grass type known for its superb playing surface and ability to stand up to heat, drought, heavy foot traffic and other challenges during the golf season. During the winter, the grass goes dormant in cold weather. Our fairway grass typically returns to its lush, green look during the month of April. And in the fall, the grass begins to go dormant towards the end of October with the cooler fall weather. The exact time of the seasonal changes depends on the temperature during that time of year and can vary by weeks, but our golf turf remains playable all year long. Please be aware of our aeration dates below. The aeration recovery rate is automatically applied on these dates when you book online:
FAQ
What is the average pace of play?
- Payne's Valley: 5 hours
- Ozarks National: 4 hours and 30 minutes
- Buffalo Ridge: 4 hours and 30 minutes
- Top of the Rock: 1 hour and 45 minutes
- Mountain Top: 2 hours
Do you have a caddie program?
We currently offer forecaddies at all Big Cedar courses by request. To request your forecaddie, please contact our caddie manager at caddiereservations@big-cedar.com.
What is your dress code for men?
Proper golf attire, including collared shirts, is required for men over 12 years old.
What is your dress code for women?
Proper golf attire, no bathing suits, or tank tops.
Do the carts have built-in GPS monitors?
Yes, all golf carts have built-in GPS units. Please note: Mountain Top is a walking-only course and does not offer golf carts. Digital range finders are provided, at no charge, in the respective pro shop. Players may check out range finders in exchange for their I.D.
I'm playing golf but I have someone coming with me who just wants to ride along, is that ok?
Riders are allowed for a rider fee for anyone not playing golf. At Mountain Top, they may walk with you at no charge. We ask that anyone who will be hitting shots on the course pay a greens fee to limit any confusion there may be with someone who has not paid playing golf on the course.
- Paynes Valley Rider Fee: $45
- Ozark National Rider Fee: $45
- Buffalo Ridge Rider Fee: $45
- Top of the Rock Rider Fee: $30
Is Mountain Top hilly and difficult to walk?
The course is mostly along a ridgeline, and there are a couple of uphill walks at the beginning and end of the round. However, the majority of the course is relatively flat or downhill with less than 2 miles of total walking.
Are there carts or special accommodations for players with disabilities at Mountain Top?
Mountain Top does not allow carts on the course, other than walking pushcarts. We are happy to offer carts and accommodations for individuals with disabilities at our other courses (Payne's Valley, Ozarks National, Buffalo Ridge, and Top of the Rock) when weather and course conditions allow.
How fast are your greens? What is Stimp speed?
Our green speeds average between 9.5 and 11 on the Stimpmeter depending on the day and weather conditions.
Can multiple people use the same golf clubs?
For pace of play purposes and standard course etiquette, all players must play out of their own bag. Rental clubs are available for purchase in the pro shop.
What kind of grass do you have on the course?
Payne's Valley, Buffalo Ridge, Mountain Top, and Ozarks National all have Zoysia fairways and bentgrass greens. Top of the Rock features bentgrass tee boxes and bentgrass greens.
When does your grass go dormant?
Our fairway zoysia is typically dormant and yellow from the last week of October through March. It will typically green back up towards the beginning of April and stay green through most of October. Weather and soil temperatures will affect the exact dates.
Can I wear metal spikes, boots, high heels, etc.?
We are a soft spike golf shoe facility; you may also wear tennis shoes.
We have five players. Can we all play together?
We allow a maximum of four players per group. You may have three players in one group and two in another.
Can I bring my own alcoholic beverages?
Outside alcoholic beverages are not allowed, but we offer beverages for purchase at the pro shop.