1
DayArrival and Ozarks National
Fly into Springfield-Branson National Airport and drive south to Big Cedar Lodge, arriving by early afternoon. Check in and head to Ozarks National Golf Course for an afternoon tee time.
Pin itThe 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.
Photo courtesy of Big Cedar Lodge · Big Cedar Lodge · Partner
Duration
3 Days
Type
Bucket List Trip
Estimated Cost
$1500–$2800/person
Rounds
3
Difficulty
Moderate
Three courses, three days, the essential Big Cedar experience in a long weekend. This itinerary targets the layouts that carry the resort's national reputation: Payne's Valley Golf Course, Ozarks National Golf Course, and Top of the Rock Golf Course. The selection covers Tiger Woods' championship design, the Coore and Crenshaw ridgeline routing, and the Nicklaus par-3 with PGA Tour history.
Big Cedar Lodge, Missouri, Missouri
Trip at a Glance
- Duration
- 3 days
- Type
- Bucket List Trip
- Cost / person
- $1500–$2800
- Difficulty
- Moderate
Courses· 3
Stay· 2
- Big Cedar Lodge$200–$500/night
- Top of the Rock Cottages$250–$400/night
Activities· 2
2
DayTop of the Rock and Rest
Morning round on the Jack Nicklaus par-3 at Top of the Rock Golf Course. Nine holes through limestone cliffs above Table Rock Lake play in roughly two hours, leaving the rest of the day free.
3
DayPayne's Valley
Morning tee time on Tiger Woods' championship design. Payne's Valley Golf Course is the flagship and the reason most golfers first hear about Big Cedar, and playing it on the final day delivers the trip's crescendo.
4
DayDeparture
Check out and return to SGF, a 60- to 70-minute drive. If you're extending the trip, the drive north to Springfield passes near several Branson attractions, and a stop at Silver Dollar City or Branson Landing adds a few hours of non-golf activity before the flight.
Trip Logistics
Plan the Practicalities
Logistics
Big Cedar Lodge or the Top of the Rock Cottages serve equally well as the base. The cottages offer more privacy and proximity to the Top of the Rock course, while the lodge provides the full resort amenity set. A rental car is useful but not strictly necessary if the resort shuttle schedule aligns with tee times and activity plans. Total green fees across the three courses at resort guest peak rates run roughly $760 per person (Ozarks National $225, Top of the Rock $135, Payne's Valley $400). Shoulder-season rates in April or October cut this by up to 39 percent.
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