Big Cedar Golf

At Big Cedar Lodge in Ridgedale, Missouri, you'll find what's becoming the ultimate golf destination. Featuring 5 beautiful golf courses designed by Johnny Morris, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Ben Crenshaw, and now, Tiger Woods. This past September Tiger Woods unveiled Payne’s Valley to the world by hosting a match play event featuring Justin Thomas, Rory McIlroy, and Justin Rose. His new course is located in the valley of Buffalo Ridge and honors the late Payne Stewart, who is from Springfield, Missouri.

Payne’s Valley features jaw dropping scenic views, wide open fairways, fast and hard to read greens, plus an astounding island green on the "19th Hole" cut into the side of a mountain. Yes, an actual 19th hole.

The tee box sets feature “Tiger Tees”, which would be the tips for low handicap golfers, making one of the par 5’s over 600 yards. Vary rarely will you hit blind from the tee box, several offer gorgeous and elevated views.

Don’t let the fairways being wide confuse you with being easy, because they’re not. These fairways still require course knowledge and planning. While many times you may hit the fairway, but you may not have a favorable lie. These fairways are manicured in a way that is so pure, you almost feel bad making a divot.

Some of the greens are large, some are small, but all are fast. Not only are they fast, but they are deceiving when hitting into them on your approach. Several times you may find yourself above or below the hole, when you were almost certain you were hitting to level surface. You’ll get caught hitting the tier above or below the hole without ever seeing it from the fairway.

When you get to the 19th hole, you’re going to look up and realize how big this mountain is and wonder how they made this soon to be infamous 19th hole. From the tee boxes you see the small island green with a giant rock wall backdrop, showcasing an enormously tall waterfall. Good luck hitting the green with all of this to look at. Very few do. Once you start making your trip back up the side of the mountain, you’ll come to a bridge that overlooks the 19th green. It’s a lovely tribute to the late Payne Stewart, so make sure your camera is ready.

Payne’s Valley golf course is one you need to add to your bucket list. If you’re an avid golfer like me, we all have our bucket list of courses. This one, is at the top. Play it once for the “Oooooo’s” and “Ahhhhhh’s”, then play it again to try and outsmart the course.

Ozarks National is adjacent to Payne’s Valley. Just a short golf cart ride away. While it may not offer the same sentiment as Payne’s, it’s still one heck of a course offering breath taking views, with a challenging layout. Designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, this course is PGA caliber while featuring the views and terrain of the Ozarks. The Champions Tour hosted a tournament here, won by the great Phil Mickelson in 2020.

This 18th hole track is set on the top of the mountain next to the valley in which Payne’s Valley sits. Just over 7,000 yards from the black tee boxes, you’ll find yourself in several predicaments. Wondering whether or not you can carry something, should you play it safe and lay-up, or you’ll just be distracted by the beautiful views on your approach shots.

The fairways are of a wide variety. Some are just that, wide, and some have narrow windows. All are kept in perfect condition. You’ll find yourself hitting approach shots into the greens uphill, downhill, and level. Making this course very challenging if you’re an aggressive player, but playable if you’re one that likes to take the safe route.

The greens of Ozarks National are very challenging. Lots of break and lots of speed. Just like a course should be. If you’re not within 15-20 feet on your approach shot, you’re looking at definite two putt and maybe a three putt. Don’t let this discourage you though, because when you’re on the green, you’ll look around, see the view, and forget that you just made bogey on that par 5 because of a three putt. Off to the next hole you go.

Maybe one of the most notable experiences of this course was the 400ft. wooden beam bridge that takes you from the 13th fairway to the green. You’ll also find yourself enjoying the complimentary food, snacks and drinks offered at a small lodge on the course. Ozarks National has exceptional staff and service.

Whether you’re visiting the Ozarks to play one course, two courses, or all five, you won’t be disappointed. In fact, the benefit of making this trip, is getting to play multiple courses that will force you rethink what your favorite golf destination is. Payne’s Valley and Ozarks National provide some of the most mind-blowing golf views, while offering challenging designs from golf royalty. Big Cedar Lodge at the Ozarks is putting themselves on the map to be America’s next great golf destination. You’ll have to play them and see them, to believe it.