Branson Golf – home to 10 diverse yet highly complementary courses continues to grow the Southwest Missouri Ozarks as one of the country’s top golf destinations. Branson Golf reported its 2022 season included increased visitors, additional “best-of’’ honors, and broadening media coverage.
The destination -within one day’s drive of one third of the country’s population, now claims five of Missouri’s top-10 rated courses (and three ranked among the top 100 nationally. ) Five courses hold Audubon International Signature Sanctuary certification for their sustainability and environmental best practices.
Nearly each course in the destination experienced upticks in key metrics, underscoring the increased number of players who are coming to play..
At LedgeStone Country Club (Tim Clark design), for example, Branson Golf says 2022 was the best year for rounds and revenue in the 29 years the course has been operating.
Branson Hills Golf Club (Chuck Smith and Bobby Clampett) also reported a significant increase in membership and merchandise sales as it remained one of the area’s better courses in terms of playability, condition and design.
Meanwhile, the fie courses under the Big Cedar Golf umbrella continued as the area’s major attractions– Payne’s Valley (Tiger Woods and Johnny Morris), Ozarks National (Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw), Buffalo Ridge (Tom Fazio and Morris), Top of the Rock (Jack Nicklaus), and Mountain Top (Gary Player).
Big Cedar added a caddie program in 2022, as well as a half-way house at Payne’s Valley and a tee-side bar at the bonus 19th hole there. This winter Payne’s Valley, Buffalo Ridge and Top of the Rock remain open (weather permitting). Ozarks National and Mountain Top are closed from now until March 10.
The courses at Thousand Hills (Bob Cupp), The Pointe, and Holiday Hills also each continue to be player favorites and some of the most popular, particularly for local and regional golfers.
“We’ve entered a new era with our golf destination and once people come here to experience it, they keep coming back due to the high quality of the courses and our after-golf activities,” said Lynn Berry, Explore Branson, Director of Communications. “We look forward to welcoming new visitors in 2023.”
Branson and environs has is more captivating thanks to the destination’s plethora of complementary other attractions. Three superb lakes offer boating and water sports. Astounding museums – Titanic Branson and Ancient Ozarks Natural History – showcase displays not found anywhere else. Also beckoning are hundreds of restaurants and lodging establishments, dozens of live entertainment theatres, an array of outdoor adventure options, and Silver Dollar Citytheme park.
Most of Branson’s courses are open year-round. Call to confirm playing availability via the phone numbers below. For those considering booking stay-and-play packages for 2023, reach out sooner than later as the tee times are filling fast and ahead of time due to the popularity of the destination.
Feature Photo: Branson Hills