Big Cedar Lodge, Missouri
Five courses from five legendary designers on 4,600 acres of Ozarks wilderness, anchored by Tiger Woods' first public-access design.
Photo courtesy of Big Cedar Lodge · Big Cedar Lodge · Partner
State
Missouri
Courses
5
Green Fees
$80–$525
Johnny Morris built Bass Pro Shops into the largest outdoor retail operation in the world. Then he turned his attention to a stretch of Ozarks hillside above Table Rock Lake and began assembling something that has no real precedent in American golf: a five-course collection from five different designers, all walking distance or a short shuttle ride from a single wilderness resort. The courses opened between 1996 and 2020. The designers read like a hall of fame ballot: Jack Nicklaus,...
Read our full editorial guide →Courses Worth the Trip
5 courses across Big Cedar Lodge, Missouri
Bucket List
Payne's Valley Golf Course
Big Cedar Lodge, Missouri, Missouri
Tiger Woods' first public-access course, an 18-hole championship layout with a bonus 19th par-3 carved through Ozarks ridgelines above Table Rock Lake.
USD 400ResortTiger Woods / TGR Design (2020)
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Premium
Ozarks National Golf Course
Big Cedar Lodge, Missouri, Missouri
Coore and Crenshaw's ridgeline routing through the Ozarks, featuring panoramic views and a 400-foot wooden bridge on the 13th hole. Golf Digest Best New Public 2019.
USD 225–525ResortBill Coore & Ben Crenshaw (2019)
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Premium
Top of the Rock Golf Course
Big Cedar Lodge, Missouri, Missouri
The only par-3 course ever used by the PGA Tour, a Jack Nicklaus design through limestone cliffs above Table Rock Lake.
USD 135ResortJack Nicklaus (1996)
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Mid-Range
Buffalo Ridge Springs Golf Course
Big Cedar Lodge, Missouri, Missouri
Tom Fazio's 18-hole design through rolling Ozarks grassland, where a resident bison herd grazes alongside the fairways. Ranked among Golf Digest's Top 100 Public.
USD 225–275ResortTom Fazio (1999, redesigned 2014)
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Mid-Range
Mountain Top Golf Course
Big Cedar Lodge, Missouri, Missouri
Gary Player's 13-hole par-3 course routed through Ozarks rock formations at elevation. Walking only, designed to be accessible across all skill levels.
USD 80–95ResortGary Player (2017)
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Photo courtesy of Big Cedar Lodge
Where to Stay
3 options near the courses
Resort
Big Cedar Lodge
Big Cedar Lodge, Missouri, Missouri
The 326-room wilderness resort on Table Rock Lake that anchors the entire Big Cedar golf collection, with on-site courses, eight restaurants, and a full-service spa.
From $200/nightTop of the Rock (on-site); Payne's Valley & Ozarks National within 10 min
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Lodge
Top of the Rock Cottages
Big Cedar Lodge, Missouri, Missouri
Private cottages at the Top of the Rock complex with full kitchens, stone fireplaces, and views of the Payne's Valley course.
From $250/nightTop of the Rock (adjacent); Payne's Valley within 5 min
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Hotel
Quality Inn Branson
Big Cedar Lodge, Missouri, Missouri
The lowest-cost base for a Big Cedar golf trip, with basic amenities and a 25-minute drive to the courses.
From $50/night~25 min to Big Cedar courses
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Off the Fairway
Non-golf activities and companion experiences
Wellness
Half day
Big Cedar Lodge Cedar Creek Spa
Big Cedar Lodge, Missouri, Missouri
Full-service spa in a wilderness lodge setting with massage, facials, and body treatments overlooking the Ozarks landscape.
$80-$200+ per treatment
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Nature
3-4 hours
Dogwood Canyon Nature Park
Big Cedar Lodge, Missouri, Missouri
Guided tram rides through 10,000 acres of private Ozarks wilderness, with trout fishing, horseback riding, and wildlife viewing.
$20 admission + $43-$75 for tram/activity add-ons
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Water
Half day (guided)
Fishing — Table Rock Lake & Lake Taneycomo
Big Cedar Lodge, Missouri, Missouri
Bass fishing on Table Rock Lake and rainbow trout on Lake Taneycomo's cold tailwater, with guided trips and self-guided options.
$60-$150 guided half-day; self-guided free with MO fishing license ($14 non-resident daily)
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Nature
2-3 hours
Resort Trail System & Mountain Biking
Big Cedar Lodge, Missouri, Missouri
Hiking and mountain biking trails through Ozarks forest on the Big Cedar property, with multiple difficulty levels and no cost for resort guests.
Free (bike rental extra ~$20-$40)
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Water
2-4 hours
Table Rock Lake Boat Tour / Rental
Big Cedar Lodge, Missouri, Missouri
Pontoon and tritoon rentals on 43,000-acre Table Rock Lake, with fishing charters and scenic cruises from multiple marinas.
$50-$100/hr pontoon; $299-$599/day tritoon
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Nature
1-2 hours
Top of the Rock Lost Canyon Cave & Nature Trail
Big Cedar Lodge, Missouri, Missouri
Electric cart tour through an ancient Ozarks cave with lighting installations and a 2.5-mile nature trail at the Top of the Rock complex.
$43-$45 adults (cart included); Big Cedar guests free Top of the Rock entry
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Plan Your Trip
Pre-planned itineraries for Big Cedar Lodge, Missouri
Bucket List Trip
The Add-On: Two Nights, One Course, and the Best of the Ozarks
Payne's Valley and the Top of the Rock experience as a two-night addition to a broader Branson trip.
2 daysUSD 800–1600/person
Bucket List Trip
The Full Experience: Four Nights in the Ozarks
All five courses across four days, anchored by Tiger Woods and Coore-Crenshaw championship layouts, with a rest-day canyon excursion built in.
4 daysUSD 2000–3500/person
Bucket List Trip
The Highlights: Three Nights on the Signature Courses
The three courses that define Big Cedar's reputation, played across three days with a cave tour and spa session between rounds.
3 daysUSD 1500–2800/person
Planning Your Trip
Airports, rental cars, seasonal pricing, and local knowledge for Big Cedar Lodge, Missouri.
From the Editorial
Articles covering Big Cedar Lodge, Missouri
Opinion
Big Cedar vs Branson: Ozarks Golf Guide
Comparing Big Cedar Lodge's elite Ozarks golf complex with the broader Branson area for a golf trip in Missouri's lake country.
Tiger Woods as Course Designer: Payne's Valley and Beyond
Course Guide
Tiger Woods as Course Designer: Payne's Valley and Beyond
Tiger Woods' transition from player to golf course architect. An analysis of Payne's Valley at Big Cedar Lodge, his design philosophy, and future projects.
Course Guide
Destination Guide
Destination Guide
Destination Guide