High Draw Golf

Alfred

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High Draw Rating 5/5

Big Cedar Lodge, Missouri

Johnny Morris's Ozark golf kingdom — six courses by Tiger, Jack, Fazio, and Coore-Crenshaw in one stunning lakeside resort.

Best months:AprilMayJuneSeptemberOctober
Bucket ListResortMulti CourseOzarksLakesideTiger WoodsValueGroup Friendly

Overview

Big Cedar Lodge is one of the most remarkable golf resorts in America and one of the best-kept secrets outside the Southeast and desert corridors. Located in Ridgedale, Missouri — just south of Branson in the Ozark Mountains — this Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris passion project features an incredible 95 holes of golf across six distinct courses designed by Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Fazio, Bill Coore & Ben Crenshaw, and Gary Player. The crown jewel is Payne's Valley, Tiger Woods' first public-access design in the U.S., complete with a legendary 19th-hole island green at the base of limestone waterfalls.

What makes Big Cedar extraordinary for group golf trips is the sheer variety under one roof. You can play a Tiger Woods championship course in the morning, a Tom Fazio par-3 masterpiece in the afternoon, and a Bill Coore links-style layout the next day — all without leaving the property. The resort itself is a sprawling lakeside compound with lodges, cabins, cottages, and an array of dining options, all wrapped in an Ozark wilderness aesthetic that feels like a premium hunting lodge meets world-class golf resort.

For groups traveling from the Southeast (including High Draw's Blue Ridge customer base), Big Cedar is a surprisingly accessible destination — about a 9-hour drive from North Georgia or a short flight to Springfield or Branson airports. It offers a completely different experience from the coastal and desert destinations that dominate most golf trip lists, and the value proposition is exceptional given the caliber of the courses.

Courses · 6

Payne's Valley

Resort · Championship

$350-$400

Best for: The bucket-list round. Groups who want to play a Tiger Woods design and experience the iconic 19th hole. Every group should play this at least once.

Insider tip: The 19th hole is not just a gimmick — it's genuinely one of the most memorable holes in American golf. After you finish 18, you walk to a separate tee box with a bar where you can grab a drink before hitting to the island green surrounded by waterfalls. Take your time and soak it in. It's included in your green fee.

Ozarks National

Resort · Championship

$195-$225

Best for: The best pure golf experience on the property. Groups who appreciate strategic, natural course design. Walking encouraged.

Insider tip: This is the Coore-Crenshaw design and many serious golfers consider it the best course on property — even better than Payne's Valley from a pure design perspective. It sits on ridgelines with panoramic Ozark views. The greens are large, creative, and reward thoughtful play. If your group can only play two courses, make this one of them.

Buffalo Ridge

Resort · Moderate-Challenging

$195-$225

Best for: The solid all-around course. Good for mixed-skill groups. Less intimidating than Payne's Valley but still excellent.

Insider tip: Originally designed by Tom Fazio, then renovated by Coore-Crenshaw. The renovation opened up sight lines and restored a more natural, links-influenced feel. It's where the Bass Pro Shops Legends of Golf Champions Tour event was held for years. Great practice facilities here too — use them before your Payne's Valley round.

Top of the Rock

Resort · Easy-Moderate (Par 3)

$115-$135

Best for: The perfect afternoon round. Great for mixed skill levels, couples, or a fun warm-up day. The cave hole alone is worth the trip.

Insider tip: Don't skip this because it's a par-3 course. It's a Jack Nicklaus design carved into bluffs overlooking Table Rock Lake, and one hole literally plays through a natural cave. The views are jaw-dropping and the course is far more interesting than most full-length layouts. Play it on your arrival afternoon. The adjacent Lost Canyon Cave Trail (also on property) is worth exploring if you have an extra hour.

Mountain Top

Resort · Easy-Moderate

$65-$80

Best for: The casual walking round. 13 holes designed by Gary Player. Great for a morning before your main round or when the group wants something relaxed.

Insider tip: This is a hidden gem on the property. Walking only, 13 holes (a mix of par 3s, 4s, and a par 5), and it feels like you're hiking through the Ozark wilderness with golf clubs. The elevated tee shots are spectacular. Low-key, unpretentious, and a nice change of pace from the bigger courses.

Cliffhangers

Resort · Moderate (Par 3)

$165-$200

Best for: Groups who loved Top of the Rock and want more par-3 action. 18 holes with serious elevation drama.

Insider tip: This is the newest addition — an 18-hole par-3 course that's more challenging than Top of the Rock. Some of the holes play from cliff edges with 100-foot drops. If your group wants a competitive side game on par 3s, this is the spot. The views rival anything on the property.

Lodging

Premium

Big Cedar Lodge — Lodge Rooms & Suites

$250-$500

The main lodge has the best location — central to all courses, restaurants, and amenities. Lodge rooms have a rustic-luxury Ozark aesthetic (stone, wood, leather). Suites available for larger groups.

Big Cedar Lodge — Private Cabins & Cottages

$350-$800

Multi-bedroom cabins scattered through the woods and along the lake. Perfect for groups who want to be together. Full kitchens, fireplaces, private decks. The Falls cabins are the most popular.

Mid-Range

Anglers Lodge

$175-$300

On-property lodge with comfortable rooms. Slightly less premium than the main lodge but still very nice. Common gathering areas. Often used for golf group packages.

Camp Long Creek

$150-$250

A more casual, camp-style accommodation on the property. Glamping meets Ozark lodge. Fun vibe for groups who don't need luxury but want the on-property experience.

Budget

Branson-area hotels (off-property)

$80-$150

Branson has dozens of hotels 15-20 minutes from the resort. Hampton Inn, Hilton, Marriott options. You lose the on-property experience but save significantly. Drive to the courses each day.

Dining

Devil's Pool Restaurant

$$$

Upscale Southern / American

The signature dining experience at Big Cedar. Built into a grotto overlooking a waterfall. The setting alone is worth the visit. Prime steaks, fresh trout, Ozark game dishes. This is your big group dinner spot.

Top of the Rock Osage Restaurant

$$$$

Fine Dining / American

Upscale dining at the Top of the Rock complex with panoramic views over Table Rock Lake. Farm-to-table menu. The sunset views from the terrace are extraordinary.

Buzzard Bar

$$

Bar & Grill

The 19th hole gathering spot at the main lodge. Full bar, appetizers, burgers, casual atmosphere. Where most golf groups end up after rounds. Live music some evenings.

Worman House

$$$

Upscale American

Restored 1896 farmhouse turned fine dining. Intimate setting, seasonal menus, excellent wine list. Good for a smaller group dinner or a special night out.

Truman Smokehouse

$$

BBQ / Smokehouse

Casual BBQ on the property. Smoked meats, craft beer, laid-back atmosphere. The most group-friendly casual option. Kids welcome too.

Buffalo Bar (Payne's Valley Clubhouse)

$$

Pub / Bar Food

Post-round spot at the Payne's Valley clubhouse. Great views, good burgers and sandwiches, full bar. Where you'll decompress after playing Payne's Valley.

Pro Tips

  1. 1

    Book a Stay & Play package directly through Big Cedar — bundling rooms with rounds is significantly cheaper than booking à la carte, and you get priority tee times. Group packages (8+ players) come with additional perks like reserved dining and course starter coordination.

  2. 2

    Play the courses in this order for the best experience: Top of the Rock on arrival afternoon (warm-up, set the tone with the views), Ozarks National on day 2 (the best pure golf), Payne's Valley on day 3 (save the Tiger course and the 19th hole for the crescendo), then Buffalo Ridge or Cliffhangers on the final morning.

  3. 3

    The 19th hole at Payne's Valley is not optional — even if your group is tired after 18, push through. It takes 15 minutes and it's the most photographed, most talked-about moment of any Big Cedar trip. Buy a round of drinks at the tee-side bar and make an event of it.

  4. 4

    Don't overlook Mountain Top. It's the cheapest round on property and the walking-only, 13-hole format is a perfect morning round before your main event. The views from the elevated tees are some of the best on the entire property.

  5. 5

    If anyone in your group fishes, bring rods. Table Rock Lake is one of the best bass fishing lakes in America, and Big Cedar can arrange guided trips. A morning fishing excursion followed by an afternoon golf round is an Ozark trip done right.

Sample Itineraries

weekend getaway

3 days

Day 1: Arrive midday, play Top of the Rock par 3 in the afternoon (ease in with the views), group dinner at Devil's Pool Restaurant. Day 2: Morning round at Payne's Valley (the main event — don't rush the 19th hole), lunch at Buffalo Bar, afternoon at the pool or Mountain Top walking round, dinner at Worman House. Day 3: Morning round at Ozarks National (the pure golf experience), lunch and depart.

full trip

5 days

Day 1: Arrive, afternoon at Top of the Rock par 3, drinks at Buzzard Bar, casual dinner at Truman Smokehouse. Day 2: Morning round at Ozarks National, afternoon free (fishing, museum, or relaxing), dinner at Devil's Pool. Day 3: Morning round at Payne's Valley (the showpiece — take your time at the 19th), afternoon at Cliffhangers par 3, dinner at Osage Restaurant at Top of the Rock (sunset views). Day 4: Morning round at Buffalo Ridge, afternoon at Mountain Top walking course or Lost Canyon Cave Trail, big group dinner at Worman House. Day 5: Optional replay round or Dogwood Canyon Nature Park, lunch and depart.

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