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Big Cedar Lodge in Missouri — header

Missouri

Big Cedar Lodge

Courses
6
Best for
Buddies
Airport
BKG

Big Cedar Lodge — overview

Big Cedar Lodge is one of the most complete golf-resort trips in the United States: six distinct courses spread across the Ozark hills above Table Rock Lake. Payne’s Valley, Ozarks National, Buffalo Ridge, Cliffhangers, Top of the Rock, and Mountain Top make it possible to build a serious multi-round trip without leaving the property’s orbit.

Courses
6 courses
Best months
April – October
Ideal length
3–5 nights
From airport
About 15 min from BKG

Golf Courses at Big Cedar Lodge

Swipe to view all 6 courses

Payne’s Valley Golf Course
Tiger Woods and TGR Design's first public-access course01 / 06

Missouri · Course 1

Payne’s Valley Golf Course

Holes
19
Par
75
Yards
7,504
Est.
2021

Payne’s Valley is Tiger Woods and TGR Design’s first fully public-access course, a wide-corridor Ozarks layout built for both playability and strategic angles. The 18-hole championship course finishes at the base of a limestone wall before an optional 19th par 3, ‘The Big Rock,’ adds a memorable extra hole. It is the headline round at Big Cedar and the natural first tee time for a first visit.

Ozarks National Golf Course
Coore & Crenshaw design02 / 06

Missouri · Course 2

Ozarks National Golf Course

Holes
18
Par
71
Yards
7,036
Est.
2018

Ozarks National is the strategic, ground-game-minded course in the Big Cedar collection, designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw. The routing moves across ridges and valleys with broad fairways, angular bunkering, elevation change, and greens that demand the right approach position. It is the round for golfers who want the most nuanced architecture of the three championship courses.

Buffalo Ridge Golf Course
Tom Fazio championship design03 / 06

Missouri · Course 3

Buffalo Ridge Golf Course

Holes
18
Par
71
Yards
7,036
Est.
2000

Buffalo Ridge is Tom Fazio’s 18-hole championship course, where rock outcrops, creeks, elevation change, and roaming bison give the golf a distinctly Ozarks character. Originally opened as Branson Creek, it was reworked after Big Cedar acquired the property and received another significant refresh in 2025. The course is a strong counterpoint to Ozarks National: more visually dramatic and direct from the tee, but still demanding around its greens.

Cliffhangers Golf Course
18-hole par-3 adventure course04 / 06

Missouri · Course 4

Cliffhangers Golf Course

Short Course
Holes
18
Par
54
Yards
1,910
Est.
2026

Cliffhangers is an 18-hole par-3 course created by Johnny Morris and John Paul Morris on the steep hillside beside Payne’s Valley. Holes range from 60 to 170 yards, but the experience is far from a quick warm-up: the routing plays through limestone, waterfalls, creeks, caves, and major elevation changes. It is the most unconventional round at Big Cedar and a genuine centerpiece of a multi-day trip.

Top of the Rock Golf Course
Jack Nicklaus par-3 design05 / 06

Missouri · Course 5

Top of the Rock Golf Course

Short Course
Holes
9
Par
27
Yards
1,392
Est.
1996

Top of the Rock is Jack Nicklaus’s nine-hole par-3 course on the high ground above Table Rock Lake. Every hole is a par 3, but the shots are serious: elevated tees, water, limestone, bunkering, and greens that make the course much more than an afterthought. It is the only par-3 course to have hosted a PGA TOUR-sanctioned championship event.

Mountain Top Golf Course
13-hole walking-only par-3 course06 / 06

Missouri · Course 6

Mountain Top Golf Course

Short Course
Holes
13
Par
39
Est.
2017

Mountain Top is a 13-hole, walking-only par-3 course designed by Gary Player and Johnny Morris. It follows a ridgeline through exposed rock, caves, and elevated overlooks, with enough variety in shot length and green contour to make it a legitimate golf round rather than a casual add-on. The compact format makes it especially useful on arrival day or beside a longer championship round.

Trip Packages at Big Cedar Lodge

Starting points. Everything is built around your dates, group size, and the courses you want to play.

Big Cedar Championship Golf Escape

A four-night stay built around Payne’s Valley, Ozarks National, Buffalo Ridge, and a short-course round at Mountain Top, Top of the Rock, or Cliffhangers. Best for a group making its first serious Big Cedar trip.

Big Cedar Golf & Lake Weekend

Three nights with two championship rounds and a shorter late-day golf experience, leaving room for Table Rock Lake, Top of the Rock, dining, or the spa. A strong fit for couples or groups mixing golfers and non-golfers.

Big Cedar Lodge in Missouri — golf lifestyle

What to Expect at Big Cedar Lodge

Why visit

Big Cedar works because the golf is varied enough to reward a longer stay. Payne’s Valley brings Tiger Woods and TGR Design’s 19-hole championship course; Ozarks National is the strategic Coore & Crenshaw round; and Buffalo Ridge is Tom Fazio’s bison-lined Ozarks course. Then the resort gives the trip texture: Mountain Top is a 13-hole walking course, Top of the Rock is a nine-hole par-3 round above Table Rock Lake, and Cliffhangers is an 18-hole par-3 course carved into limestone, creeks, and waterfalls. Add on-property lodging, dining, a spa, and lake access, and the non-golfers have as much reason to make the trip as the golfers.

Accommodations

Big Cedar Lodge offers lodge rooms, cabins, cottages, and larger private accommodations around Table Rock Lake, while Payne’s Valley Cottages put groups beside the golf. Camp Long Creek is the lakefront alternative for travelers who prefer cabins, glamping-style stays, and direct marina access.

Resort amenities

Big Cedar is built for a destination stay rather than a simple overnight between rounds. Resort guests have shuttle access across the property and to golf locations, while Top of the Rock adds dining, the Lost Canyon Cave & Nature Trail, the Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum, and sunset views above Table Rock Lake. Cedar Creek Spa, the marina, and a deep activity lineup make it easy to pace a golf trip around more than tee times.

  • Six-course Big Cedar Nature Golf collection
  • Resort shuttle to golf, dining, and attractions
  • Cedar Creek Spa and Salon
  • Top of the Rock dining and attractions
  • Table Rock Lake marina and water activities
Where to stay

3 hand-picked stays.

Each property is selected for proximity to the next round, the kind of evening that fits a long golf trip, and the feel we want for the group.

Swipe to view more stays

Big Cedar Lodge
Resort01 / 03

Big Cedar Lodge

Lodge room, cabin, or cottage

The main resort base, with lodge rooms, cabins, cottages, dining, spa access, and direct connection to the broader Big Cedar experience.

Best all-around choice for first-time groups and couples who want golf and resort amenities in one stay.

Included in packageView hotel
Payne’s Valley Cottages
Resort02 / 03

Payne’s Valley Cottages

Private golf cottage

Private cottages overlooking Payne’s Valley with full kitchens, patios, stone fireplaces, and convenient access to Big Cedar golf.

Best for buddies trips or families that value shared space and a golf-forward base.

Included in packageView hotel
Camp Long Creek
Resort03 / 03

Camp Long Creek

Cabin or glamping-style accommodation

A lakefront Big Cedar stay with cabins, luxury tents, and shepherd huts near Long Creek Marina on Table Rock Lake.

Best for couples and mixed groups who want more lake time alongside the golf schedule.

Included in packageView hotel

Plan Your Trip to Big Cedar Lodge

Getting there

Big Cedar Lodge sits in Ridgedale, about eight miles south of Branson. Branson Airport (BKG) and Springfield-Branson National Airport (SGF) are the practical air gateways, and the resort can arrange airport transportation; once on property, shuttle service connects lodging, golf, dining, and attractions.

Best time to visit

April through October is the prime golf season, when all six courses are typically in their full-season rhythm and the Ozarks are at their most active. Spring and fall are especially good for comfortable temperatures; summer is best for groups who want to pair golf with Table Rock Lake.

Who it's best for

Buddies trips, couples, and mixed groups who want several bucket-list rounds, flexible lodging, and plenty to do beyond golf.

Location
Ridgedale, Missouri, near Branson and Table Rock Lake
Nearest airport
Branson Airport (BKG)
Trip style
Resort
Best for
Buddies trips, Couples, Mixed groups

Frequently Asked Questions about Big Cedar Lodge

How many golf courses are at Big Cedar Lodge?

Big Cedar has six golf courses: the 19-hole Payne’s Valley, 18-hole Ozarks National, 18-hole Buffalo Ridge, 18-hole Cliffhangers, nine-hole Top of the Rock, and 13-hole Mountain Top. That range is why Big Cedar can support a three- to five-night golf trip without repeating a course.

What are the best courses to play at Big Cedar Lodge?

For a first trip, start with Payne’s Valley, Ozarks National, and Buffalo Ridge. Add Cliffhangers for an unusually dramatic par-3 round, or choose Mountain Top or Top of the Rock for a shorter day with a strong setting.

How many nights should you stay at Big Cedar Lodge for golf?

Three nights is enough for two championship rounds and one shorter course. Four or five nights lets a group experience the three main 18-hole courses while still using the resort’s lake, dining, spa, and Top of the Rock attractions.

When is the best time to play golf at Big Cedar Lodge?

April through October is the core golf season. Spring and fall are the most comfortable months for full days on the course, while summer is ideal for combining golf with Table Rock Lake activities.

Where should a golf group stay at Big Cedar Lodge?

Big Cedar Lodge is the easiest full-resort base, while Payne’s Valley Cottages are especially useful for groups that want more shared space near the golf. Camp Long Creek is a good alternative for a lake-centered stay with golf built into the itinerary.

Is Big Cedar Lodge a good golf trip for non-golfers?

Yes. The resort has Table Rock Lake access, dining, spa services, trails, the Lost Canyon Cave & Nature Trail, and the Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum at Top of the Rock. It is one of the easier golf-resort trips for couples and mixed groups to enjoy together.

On the map

Where is Big Cedar Lodge?

6 courses3 lodging options

Table Rock Lake, United States

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