Explore Branson Golf Destination Courses Shine in ‘Golfweek’s Best’ Annual Rankings
Explore Branson’s golf destination has earned high praise from Golfweek, with five of its courses being named “Golfweek’s Best” in both the “Top Courses by State” and “Top 100 Public Access Courses” lists. This recognition underscores the exceptional quality and appeal of the Branson golf experience.
On the national level, Ozarks National, created by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, Buffalo Ridge by Tom Fazio and Johnny Morris, and Payne’s Valley by Tiger Woods have all been listed in the “Top 100 Public Course” rankings, with positions of 51, 77, and 93, respectively.
For Missouri public courses, Golfweek’s course raters have ranked Ozarks National as the top public course in Missouri, with Buffalo Ridge coming in at No. 2 and Branson Hills (Chuck Smith/Bobby Clampett) at No. 3. Payne’s Valley secured the impressive No. 4 spot, while LedgeStone, designed by Tom Clark, made it to the respectable No. 7 position.
Ozarks National is a golf experience that immerses players in the beauty of the Ozarks terrain.
The Golfweek course-ratings panel, composed of hundreds of members, meticulously assesses golf courses utilizing ten distinct criteria and unequivocally assigns points ranging from 1 to 10. They also file a single overall rating on each course. Those overall ratings are averaged to produce the final rankings.
Dan Davis, Director of Golf at Branson Hills Golf Club, confidently states that receiving the Golfweek honor solidifies their course as one of the best and cements Branson’s status as a top golf destination in America, with five out of the top 10 ranked courses located in the area.
Branson’s five other courses are Top of the Rock (Jack Nicklaus), Mountain Top (Gary Player), Thousand Hills (Bob Cupp), The Pointe, and Holiday Hills. Top of the Rock and Mountain Top are award-winning par-3 courses, a welcome addition in golf trips where players tee up 18 holers in the morning, then add afternoon “short course” rounds. Thousand Hills has often earned “favorite course” status among area golfers, while The Pointe and Holiday Hills provide additional popular 18-hole playing options.
The two short courses and Ozarks National, Buffalo Ridge, and Payne’s Valley are amenities of Big Cedar Lodge.
With 10 strategically located courses, this destination also offers an abundance of dining and lodging options. After a round of golf, visitors can indulge in a multitude of exciting attractions.
Explore Branson’s Director of Communications, Lynn Berry, confidently expressed her excitement over the recognition of their top-rated courses in both the state and the country. Berry hopes this tremendous achievement will inspire more individuals to visit their premium golf destination in the beautiful Branson, Missouri Ozarks.
According to TripAdvisor, Branson is ranked America’s third most popular destination. The region boasts an impressive array of attractions, including live entertainment theaters, museums, lakes, and the renowned theme park, Silver Dollar City., which was recently named the top theme park in the US by TripAdvisor. Additionally, it offers sports venues, outdoor adventures, and an abundance of family-friendly activities.
For more information about Branson and its golf destination, visit explorebranson.com/golf
Photos courtesy of Explore Branson
