MyGolfSpy Experiences – Big Cedar Lodge
Course Reviews

MyGolfSpy Experiences – Big Cedar Lodge

MyGolfSpy Experiences – Big Cedar Lodge

When you think of premier golf resorts in the United States, it’s the usual cast of suspects. My hunch is that Big Cedar Lodge in Branson, Mo., might not make your list.

It should.

Maybe it’s because the brainchild of Johnny Morris (founder of Bass Pro Shops) bills itself as a premier wilderness resort, replete with myriad outdoor activities. Set against the backdrop of Missouri’s Ozark Mountains and Table Rock Lake, Big Cedar has plenty to offer beyond its three 18-hole championship courses and two short courses.

Compared to golf-centric destinations such as Streamsong and Bandon Dunes, Big Cedar leans more toward a guilt-free golf trip designation. The city of Branson with its lengthy list of family-friendly activities is about a 15-minute drive from Big Cedar. More on that in a bit.

The point is that Big Cedar Lodge isn’t exclusively about golf. That said, for the golfing enthusiast, it easily could be.

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Tee It Up

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Payne’s Valley (April-October $325)

This is the newest addition to Big Cedar Lodge and the first public-access course from Tiger Wood’s TGR Design firm. If you happened to catch the Tiger Woods and friends “Payne’s Valley Cup” in September 2020, it was hard to ignore the generous fairways and copious exposed limestone.

Perhaps what is most remarkable about Payne’s Valley is while the first 18 holes constitute the actual course, it’s the 19th hole that might provide the most indelible memory. The short, island-green par-3 was conceived as a convenient option to resolve any unsettled bets after 18 holes. For the record, I hit the green. A smooth pitching wedge to 12 feet left a pretty simple birdie putt, which I left woefully short. And contrary to what you might hear from TV announcers, it had no bearing on how much I enjoyed my dinner.

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The 19th hole is an exclamation mark for a course where the vistas, exposed rock and rolling terrain will likely be more memorable for most golfers than the architectural elements of the design. Off the tee, Payne’s Valley is as open as a 24-hour pharmacy. It’s a resort-friendly style that manages to create plenty of challenge leading up to and around the putting surfaces. To be clear, I’m not saying the course is easy. But in a brief and entirely informal survey of a handful of single-digit handicappers, Payne’s Valley ranked high for “fun” but much lower for “challenge.” I concur and if given the opportunity to play one of the courses at Big Cedar multiple times, it wouldn’t be my first choice. That would be Ozark National.

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In terms of general public recognition, Payne’s Valley will likely receive the most reservation requests. In fact, by the end of June, you can start making reservations for 2022. If you’re still looking for a time in 2021, it’s likely going to be mid-week in August at best. Call me a golf snob if you want but something about the dog days of summer in southern Missouri just isn’t all that enticing.

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(Apropos of nothing … I’m not sure why Tiger decided to make his namesake tee markers so much larger than the others but, hey, it’s Tiger Woods. As much as the course pays homage to Payne Stewart, there are at least 18 not-so-subtle reminders that this is mostly about Tiger.)

Payne’s Valley is the Disneyland of Big Cedar Lodge. It’s enjoyable for the largest swath of skill levels. The walls of limestone and waterfalls provide a brilliant backdrop for all Instagram posts and storybook pictures. If Missouri golf had a magazine, Payne’s Valley would be the centerfold—but in a totally family-friendly and age-appropriate sort of way.

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Ozarks National (April-October $250)

I saved the best for second. This Coore and Crenshaw design is my favorite course on the property. Simply top-of-class. It’s engaging, difficult and requires ample thought on every shot. That said, if you’re not able to play all three 18-hole courses and want to ensure that you leave with as many balls in your bag as possible, you might want to skip Ozarks.

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More than anything, what I enjoyed was the variety of holes. Some par-5s were reachable while others demanded three solid shots to get to the green.  The fifth is a short par-4 that appears to be driveable and it’s just tempting enough to make you think you can get there. You can’t. I didn’t even try so technically I don’t know.

Even so, the tee shot requires precision. The landing area is larger than it appears from the tee. If you navigate that successfully, a 200- to 220-yard tee shot leaves you a wedge or short iron to a severely elevated green. If you come up short?  Don’t come up short. Trust me. Just don’t.

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The par-3 12th hole is unique in that it features the largest green in the state of Missouri. One would think that should make it easier to hit. And, theoretically, it does. But the green tilts hard right-to-left and if you pull your tee ball just a bit, it will end up in a swale left of the green. So, now you’re chipping (again, theoretically) to a green that’s a good four feet or so above you and there’s a better than a 50/50 chance you have a downhill lie.

At this point, I’m sure you keep flashing back to several pivotal scenes during Season 1 of the Netflix series Ozark. To be clear, we never saw Jason Bateman, any poppy fields or country thugs. But we did manage to locate Ben’s tee marker of death.

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Buffalo Ridge (April-October $175)

Sing it with me. Home, home on the range … Yep, Buffalo Ridge sits adjacent to fields where actual buffalo roam. No word on the deer and antelope contingents. Continuing the theme: the tee markers are buffalo heads which at first appear very real. And, at one time, they were. Until miscreants decided to pilfer them.

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Of the three 18-hole courses at Big Cedar Lodge, Buffalo Ridge is the eldest. It’s a Tom Fazio design and leans on exposed limestone, caves, outcroppings, creeks, lakes and natural elevation changes to establish the basic blueprint. In typical Fazio fashion, the front nine is solid but arguably not spectacular. It finishes with a par-3 named “The Intimidator” after Dale Earnhardt Jr. I struggle to think of any hole as scary or menacing. Or maybe the converse is true that, for an amateur golfer, disaster can lurk around any corner and every hole is potentially daunting.

Whatever. It’s a nice par-3 that’s a lot more fun if you don’t chunk your tee shot. This is pretty much true of every par-3. But it is an aesthetically pleasing hole.

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Moving on to the back nine, 12, 15 and 17 could all be signature holes. Then again, so could the par-5 14th. No. 12 is a brute of a par-4 that we played at 450 yards. And you don’t get the option to run your approach shot up on the green as it’s well-bunkered.

Hole 14 is a killer par-5 with a creek that runs along the right side of the entire hole until crosses in front of the green. If you manage to make par (or better) there, you’ll be in a good mood for the downhill tee shot on 15 that is again framed by a stream and limestone. My favorite feature of 17 isn’t the elevated tee shot. It’s the cave that sits in the rock wall behind the green. It seems like an obvious “challenge” shot that the management would prefer golfers skip. But, then again, they chose to put the green right in front of a cave. Amirite?

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Par-3 Party

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Plenty of short courses are three-club affairs. Bring a wedge or two and a putter and that’s pretty much all you need. Well, the 13-hole Gary Player Mountain Top course (April-October $95) requires a bit more. It ain’t no pitch and putt.

Depending on the wind, you will hit every iron in the bag and, quite possibly, a fairway wood and hybrid or two.

Holes 9, 10 and 13 will likely be the most memorable thanks to the 300-million-year-old limestone that seems a lot closer to the fairway than it actually is. A catwalk meanders through the limestone rock and adjoining caves connecting the ninth green and 10th tee.

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If you struggle with heights, this might make you a little uneasy. With that, this is maybe one of the best photo ops on the course. Particularly late in the day, the lighting should be pretty ideal and the catwalk/limestone combination presents some awesome amateur modeling opportunities.

Of all the courses at Big Cedar Lodge, this one is the most logical for beginners or more casual golfers. It is walking only but really golfers of any skill level can play it.

Top of the Rock (April-October $150)

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Holy botanical gardens, Batman! Hyperbolic or not, this has to make anyone’s list of the best par-3 courses on the planet. It’s not as diabolical as Scottsdale National’s Bad Little Nine but it’s so manicured, it almost feels fake.

Each hole has something memorable going on … and it likely deals with flowers, water, white sand or some combination thereof. The typical “pictures don’t do it justice” disclaimer applies. Except maybe the one of the island green or the aerial view of the chapel to the right of the first tee with Table Rock Lake in the background. Those come pretty close.

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It’s impossible not to notice the ongoing sinkhole situation. Morris and his team prefer the term “Cathedral of Nature.” See, what had happened was, several years ago, the existing driving range and practice putting green started sinking. Rather than fill the sinkhole, Morris decided to excavate it. Eventually, plans include on-site lodging overlooking the sinkhole. Sorry. “Cathedral of Nature.”

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Best of the Next

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A rising tide raises all ships. It’s with that understanding that courses like Branson Hills Golf Club and Ledgestone Country Club understand the pecking order of golf in Branson.

Neither will claim the same status as the courses as Big Cedar. But, then again, plenty of golfers aren’t looking to drop $200-$325 on every round of golf. Both Branson Hills and Ledgestone give you plenty of golf for around $100. Depending on your itinerary, either course fits nicely as a start or end to your trip, particularly if you arrive in the morning and want to slide in a round on the first day.

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Branson Hills is a sneaky tough course. It’s 7,300 yards from the tips and when you check in and the pro tells you to “keep it in the fairway,” heed that advice. Of all the courses, this one felt the most mountainous to me and it’s probably because you’re pretty much in the middle of the Ozark Mountains. Makes sense.

Ledgestone Country Club used to be a fully private venue. But like so many others, it pivoted to public primarily to remain financially viable. Ledgestone offers a nice cadre of memorable holes but the downhill par-3 15th is the one that lives rent-free in my head. I managed to smoke an 8-iron long and left of the green. It subsequently banked off the large stone ledge behind the green and remarkably ended up just off the front of the putting surface. A chip and a putt. Another routine par.

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What Else?

The city of Branson is in the midst of a serious revitalization effort. To date, it’s remained attractive to the 55-plus crowd. However, that isn’t where Branson wants to be moving forward and, with the financial assistance of Johnny Morris as well as members of the Walton family (Walmart), let’s just say the typical challenges of capital support aren’t much of an issue.

The real challenge is trying to educate golfers (and not just those looking for a buddies’ trip) that Big Cedar Lodge and Branson, Mo., should be top of mind when brainstorming potential locations. It’s an onerous task, but it’s also likely why the Branson Chamber of Commerce and Big Cedar Lodge aren’t shy about dedicating a plethora of resources to support the outreach efforts.

Feed Me!

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Because food is an integral part of how I assess every travel destination, it seemed reasonable to dedicate a small section to the topic.

The dining onsite at Big Cedar Lodge is on par (sorry) with the golf experience. It’s a relaxed bar/grill-style atmosphere but the food is much better than what most are likely to expect.

The prices aren’t outrageous but it’s a step up in cost compared to similar restaurants in downtown Branson.

If you fancy a “Man vs. Food” type of endeavor, give “The Mountain” a try. Emphasis on try. This sandwich should come with a business card for the nearest cardiologist. Beef, brisket, pulled pork, bacon, cheese, BBQ sauce and whatever else they can slam in between two buns is an apt descriptor.

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Before your round at Top of the Rock, I highly recommend sampling some of the Mexican fares at Arnie’s Barn. And, not for nothing, the clubhouse is actually a restored barn from Arnie’s younger years in Latrobe, Pa. Mexican food might seem an odd choice for southern Missouri but it was one of Arnie’s favorites so there ya go.

If you do venture into Branson, the landing is home to a number of fun restaurants on the water. If upscale steak is your thing, Saltgrass Steak House and Level 2 Steakhouse should be on the shortlist.

Whatever the case, I’d make some time to swing by Dreamsicle’s for a fun dessert treat. Or two. Or three.

Plenty To Do

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We stayed at the Hilton Branson Convention Center primarily because Big Cedar Lodge was packed with reservations. However, the convention center does give you better access to historic downtown Branson and Branson Landing. As you might imagine, the landing features plenty of waterfront eateries and of course, a Bass Pro Shops retail shop. The amenities inside the convention center are pleasantly posh. I stayed in a full suite which was significantly bigger (and better appointed) than my first apartment.

Onsite lodging at Big Cedar Lodge runs the gamut from $200 a night (standard double-queen room) to more than $6,000 per night for a six-bedroom villa with private pool, hot tub and indoor theater. The convention center

Speaking of reservations, it appears the Tiger effect is alive and well. Your best bet if you’re considering a 2021 trip is a tee time in the middle of the week in August. And if southern Missouri in the dog days of summer is your jam, more power to you. The other option is to wait until July when Big Cedar will start taking reservations for 2022.

Final Thoughts

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Big Cedar Lodge is a top-shelf golf destination wrapped inside a well-rounded family vacation. The city of Branson and the adjacent Ozark Mountains predate Big Cedar Lodge by a fair margin and, for a majority of visitors, still serve as the main attraction. That said, I get that most people reading this are golfers and that serves as the primary consideration. In that regard, the variety of courses (style, cost, and difficulty) might be the area’s greatest asset. Considering the ten courses (five at Big Cedar) in the Branson area, four are consistently ranked in the top 10 courses in Missouri (Ozarks National, Buffalo Ridge, Branson Hills and LedgeStone).

That said, is Big Cedar Lodge on the same level as destinations like Bandon Dunes, Streamsong, and Kohler, Wisc.?

Not yet. But that’s primarily because Big Cedar Lodge and Branson are in the midst of a generational facelift and golfers are just starting to get a picture of what the final product might look like.

A final note and word of thanks to PJ Koenig for the use of his super dope photography.

With all of that considered, if Big Cedar Lodge were a stock, I’m buying.

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Chris Nickel

Chris Nickel

Chris Nickel

Chris is a self-diagnosed equipment and golf junkie with a penchant for top-shelf ice cream. When he's not coaching the local high school team, he's probably on the range or trying to keep up with his wife and seven beautiful daughters. Chris is based out of Fort Collins, CO and his neighbors believe long brown boxes are simply part of his porch decor. "Isn't it funny? The truth just sounds different."

Chris Nickel

Chris Nickel

Chris Nickel

Chris Nickel

Chris Nickel

Chris Nickel

Chris Nickel

Chris Nickel

Chris Nickel





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      Dan Shepherd

      4 years ago

      Great review, Chris.. I’ve played the courses you cover many times. And I’ve played all over the world, as have many of my friends. Each of them agree that Branson and Big Cedar are an outstanding golf destination. In fact, many of us are repeat visitors given the variety and high quality of the playing options and after-golf amenities. Keep calm and play on!

      Reply

      Kansas King

      4 years ago

      I really enjoy playing golf in the Ozarks. However, I seem to have mixed feelings on Big Cedar Lodge. Golfing around Branson/Hollister used to not be tremendously expensive. However, when BCL started taking over, rates skyrocketed at the courses they now manage and it’s rubbed off on other local courses. On one hand, this sucks but I see the other side and that is more golfing the area over time. I don’t think I will ever spend the money to play Payne’s Valley as scenic as it is, it is still a wide open resort course from everything I’ve seen. I played John Daly’s Murder Rock before it closed and it was almost sad to play such a flat and uninspiring course in an area with such a wonderful geography. I’m not saying Payne’s Valley is anything like Murder Rock, but I would rather put that money towards playing Pebble or heading out to Oregon. $325 is steep for a resort course.

      I hope for the best for BCL but paying coastal prices for inland Ozark golf and lodging is a little painful. I priced out spending four nights there and golfing a while back and it was going to cost upwards of $2,000 without any extras or transportation. I won’t hate on it though as BCL is set up as a luxury destination. For $2000, I can fly out to the coast, stay in a Hilton, and play Pebble and Spyglass in good weather. If you have a family and over $5,000 to get away for a week and have a great time, Big Cedar Lodge wouldn’t be a bad place. The only problem I have with the Ozarks is the weather can be downright oppressive and/or wet depending on when you go.

      Reply

      jeff

      4 years ago

      couldn’t agree more, i played last year at ozark, and buffalo in may and i thought it was expensive then $135.. ha . nice courses for sure but not for the money they want now. no way. go to rtj golf trail for a better experience.

      Reply

      Mark Vallier

      4 years ago

      Just got back from Big Cedar

      Reply

      Brian

      4 years ago

      Good read. Timing was impeccable as we just got back from there this past Sunday, we stayed Wednesday through Sunday. Played Ozark National on Thursday and I’m so pumped to say I shot a 36-34 1 under par 70 first time on the property! No BS! Couldn’t believe that.
      We also ate lunch up at Paynes Valley but did not get to play it. Instead we did play Buffalo Ridge and for me and my money, I liked Ozark National better. Buffalo Ridge felt more “capture the imagination” and “stun them views” more than just a great golf course for golf. Our group all kind of felt this way, still loved it and the views but it felt more stunning nature trail to us.

      Reply

      Jon

      4 years ago

      Great review! I hope to get down there in the next year or two. Just one little nitpick, the Intimidator was Dale Earnhardt, Jr.’s father…Dale Earnhardt. Some call him senior, but he never went by it himself.

      Reply

      Branson Reynolds

      4 years ago

      Oh man when did you go? I was just there playing Buffalo, ozark, mountain top, and 36 at Branson hills. We go down every year. Buffalo is still my favorite, but hole 14 is my nemesis!

      Reply

      roger reed

      4 years ago

      We must not have played the same courses (Payne’s Valley, Ozarks National, Buffalo Ridge, Top of the Rock and Mountain Top) or stayed at the same Big Cedar Lodge as you did. The only way any true golfer could rate the Lodge or any of its courses as even average is if they are being completely comped or paid for the review, and you do say you are compensated by companies. I have taken many trips to Europe, Scotland, Ireland,Canada and all over the U.S. and, as I told the director of golf at Big Cedar, I would rate this as one of the two worst golfing trips I have ever taken. There are better public courses around Palm Springs, For a LOT less money and better golf than any of these courses.. Payne’s Valley was so memorable that you couldn’t even remember the holes 15 minutes after you played them. One thing that was memorable was being on the golf course for five hours and we were only on the 14th tee. After talking to several employees this was not abnormal but they said they were working on it. It cost me more to get to and play all the Big Cedar courses for 7 days than it will to go to Ireland and play 8 rounds, later this summer, for 10 days. Save your money and don’t believe the paid for reviews.

      Reply

      Chris Nickel

      4 years ago

      Roger – Perhaps we didn’t.

      But, that’s part of what I love so much about this game. “Better” is inherently subjective and there’s always opportunities for group rates and/or off-peak packages if cost is your bottom line. That said, judging by the tee sheet for the rest of 2021, plenty of golfers are willing to pay the going rate.

      And for whatever reason, I never seem to have trouble remembering individual holes – even at Payne’s Valley. Maybe it’s just me….

      Btw – if this was one of the two worst trips, what was the other?

      Reply

      JLS

      4 years ago

      This is the most out of touch comment I’ve read in a long time.

      Reply

      GoodOlBoy

      4 years ago

      Thanks Roger for the real review. And folks he isn’t lying when he said that it costs more to fly in and out of there than it costs to fly round trip to Europe.

      Reply

      Bill

      4 years ago

      Awesome review Chris! I am ivy green with envy…wow, that facility and courses looks fantastic. Your experience has moved this way up on my bucket list; ahead of the RTJ Trail and even the WGHOF. I just sent this link to my wife with the subject “Take me here”.

      Reply

      Allen

      4 years ago

      I live around the area. Played all the courses and to me Buffalo Ridge is the best in Branson, followed by Ozark National and Branson Hills. Payne’s Valley would be a $100 course without Tiger’s name attached.

      Reply

      Chris Nickel

      4 years ago

      To me what’s interesting about Payne’s Valley isn’t that people want to play it b/c Tiger’s name is attached.

      I get all the pomp and circumstance – and like I said, there’s a “Disneyland” sensation to the course with the limestone and waterfalls.

      But, in 5-10 years after some luster has worn off, will it still have the same draw?

      Comparatively, Ozarks National is attractive because of the golfing experience and I have no doubt it will continue to be so moving forward. For my money, it’s the best course on the property

      Ed S

      4 years ago

      I’m scheduled to play Payne’s Valley in June and have played the others multiple times. I would encourage buddy groups to give Branson golf trip a try, especially Johnny’s courses. No expense is spared and the service is awesome.

      Reply

      Greg B

      4 years ago

      Thank you for the great read. Wish my game was good enough to justify the cost. But maybe some day.

      Reply

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