The seven best courses open to amateur golfers in Missouri

One venue stands out when it comes to providing excellent public access golfing facilities in Missouri – and that’s Big Cedar Lodge.

There’s no big tease here as the venue dominates the top three on this list.

The state has a number of fine public access courses and here we rank the best of them.

Ledgestone

Ledgestone is an 18-hole, par 71, championship course tucked away in the Ozark Mountains but also just minutes from downtown Branson.

The Tom Clark layout features distinct elevation changes that require accurate shot shaping and distance control and is a fine example of how to strategically blend course challenges with seamless natural design.

In season you can play a Twilight round for $85 per round, although 18 holes are not guaranteed. A standard weekday round in season will set you back $130. March and November rates start at $85 while winter rates from December to February are set at $69 per round at the moment.

Old Kinderhook

One of the most magnificent golfing locations in America is Old Kinderhook Golf Course, which has been carved out of the terrain around the gorgeous Lake of the Ozarks.

This 6,726-yard, par 71 course, created by the renowned Tom Weiskopf, provides a memorable golfing experience that skillfully combines difficulty with companionship.

This course accommodates both power and accuracy in your game with its large bentgrass greens and immaculate zoysia tees and fairways.

Weekday rates in season start at $105 and there are better rates offered for guests of the lodge.

Swope Memorial

This compact course with its undulating fairways and multi-tiered greens is carved out of Swope Park’s forested area and offers a genuine golf challenge.

There is nothing like the character of this course anyplace in the city, with vistas of the downtown skyline and the sound of roaring lions from the Kansas City Zoo below.

Designed in 1934 by A.W. Tillinghast Swope Memorial was once the home of the PGA Tour’s Kansas City Open making it the only public course in the area to have hosted a PGA Tour event.

You can walk the course for as little as $34 and there are further discounts for seniors and juniors.

Branson Hills

Laid out by Chuck Smith with design consultant by PGA Professional, Bobby Clampett, Branson Hills Golf Club is a masterful design that is quite literally carved through the Ozark Mountains.

Natural rock outcroppings, waterfalls and creeks are home to an abundance of wildlife that will add to your experience in this stunning environment.

Their six sloped & rated teeing options vary from 7,324 to 5,323 yards making the course suitable for players of all skill levels.

Branson Hills boasts that each of its holes could qualify as “The Signature Hole” and offers a unique challenge to all players.

The 130-foot drop from tee to green on hole No.1 gives you a stunning preview of what to expect during your round at Branson Hills.

Weekday rates in season start at $150, but residents of nearby counties can play the course at a discounted rate.

Big Cedar Lodge (Payne’s Valley)

Founder Johnny Morris created Big Cedar to help families make traditions and get guests connected with the great outdoors. There is, indeed, more to do at the lodge than golf, but that doesn’t mean the courses are a side attraction.

Payne’s Valley was intended as a homage to Ozarks native and World Golf Hall of Fame member, Payne Stewart.

It is the first public-access golf course designed by Tiger Woods and his golf course design firm, TGR Design.

Through the creation of this great tribute course, Woods and Big Cedar Lodge offer a playing field where golfers of all skill levels are invited to come together to experience the game in the simply breathtaking Ozark Mountain Landscape.

In peak season a round at Payne’s Valley will set you back $450 as a guest player while those staying at the Lodge itself will pay $350. For most of the year, juniors play for $85 per round.

Big Cedar Lodge (Buffalo Ridge)

Buffalo Ridge has been transformed by the guiding hands of visionary conservationist and Big Cedar Lodge founder Johnny Morris aided by renowned golf course architect Tom Fazio.

Fazio redesigned the course layout to immerse players into the striking nature around them and produced a winner.

Frequently praised as a top golf course in the region, the 18-hole championship course showcases the charm of the Ozarks with rich native grasses, natural rock formations, caves and creeks, lakes and waterfalls and free-ranging North American bison from nearby Dogwood Canyon Nature Park.

In peak season, public guests will pay $275 for a round while resort guests will be asked to come up with $225 from May 1 – October 27.

Big Cedar Lodge (Ozarks National)

Ozarks National is Missouri’s first and only golf course designed by famous architect duo, Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw.

Measuring 7,036 yards from the back tees, this 18-hole course represents the cream of what the Ozarks has to offer golfers.

With its stunning views and a variety of visually appealing approach shots, spotlighting the native habitat that surrounds you, Ozarks National is quite the experience for golfers and nature lovers.

Also appearing throughout the course are several riveting design features, including a 400-foot wooden beam and plank bridge, which connects the tee box and fairway of the 13th hole that stands 60 feet above a flowing creek.

The course is closed in December and its peak season runs from April 15 – October 27 and will see them ask $275 for a round from public guests.