Golf Heaven in the Ozarks: Big Cedar Lodge, Cliffhangers & Branson’s Best Courses

Golf Heaven in the Ozarks: Big Cedar Lodge, Cliffhangers & Branson’s Best Courses

Are you in the mood for a golf story about a fantastic destination nestled in the heart of the Missouri Ozarks, where there’s a little something for everybody to do? Well, if so, why don’t you pull up a chair and sit back as we explore golf and life on and off the course in Branson straight ahead. [Applause] Hi friends, Bill Hobson here. Thank you for joining me on a very special road trip to one of my favorite destinations in all of America. We are in the Missouri Ozarks and together in the moments ahead, we will explore Branson on and off the golf course. But certainly in our context, we need to begin things on the golf course. And there is so much buzz with our first feature destination because just a short time ago, they cut the ribbon on an unbelievable parry mountainside course called Cliffhangers. That course is wrapped into the overall destination known as Big Cedar Lodge. And Big Cedar, well, it’s really unlike anything you’ve seen before. It’s uh it’s a luxury nature resort with some of the best golf in the world. So, we’re pretty lucky that we got an owner and founder in Johnny Morris that just likes building really cool things for people to experience the outdoors. So, golf’s been one of those things that’s grown for us for the last decade. And it’s it’s really taken off and we opened up our six golf course, which is a new 18hole par three course actually designed by Johnny and his son JP Morris themselves. So, we’re pretty excited about that. And that piece of land originally was going to be a practice range. And I I I think the story goes that Johnny pulled up one day and said, “I see a golf course here.” His vision is quite remarkable. Uh the product is really cool. It’s different than our other two par 3es, too, which we’re pretty unique already because we’ve got two par three courses. Uh Top of the Rock is like a manicured, more like a mini Augusta par three course. Mountain top’s much more kind of link style, but not too difficult off the tea. Cliffhers is going to be 18 holes, a lot shorter, but the greens are turned up to 11. Crazy holes and slopes. We can put the put the pin on a turtle back. We can put it in a bowl and give you hole in one opportunity. So, we can make it as hard or as easy as you want it to be. Plus, the signature third hole is a cave you actually drive into and hit out of a waterfall through a waterfall down to the green. So, unlike anything else out there from the first day you set foot on this property to now, how different is this place? I’ve been here since 2018 and I’d think every year it’s you come into the new season saying, “All right, what’s new? What do we have offering?” And then what’s coming next year? So, um, Johnny is not one to to rest and and sit on his laurels. He likes to always be exploring and doing things new and and changing the game. So, uh, it’s exciting, you know, never no two years of work have been the same at all. So, um, and it’s just grown with the way golf’s grown the last decade. Well, so that’s an important point for our audience, many of whom will see these incredible visuals and and decide we need to get there. Is there availability or let me ask you a better question. How far out should somebody be planning? I’m guessing it’s not like, hey, let’s go there next week. It depends on the group size. If you’re looking at a forsome and you’re flexible on times playing midweeks, you know, I’d still say recommending, you know, three months out. Um, if you’re a group of 16 to 20 buddies groups, I’d say 6 to nine months at least, and even more if you’re looking at a prime season, which is October. Um, and if you’re looking with a really big group like a shotgun group or something like that, looking at at 2026 is still an option some places, but even further down the road, we’re looking at 2027. So, just the way golf’s gone recently, you know, we focus on the newest, the cliffhers. We talk about Payne’s Valley because everybody knows the brand of Tiger and how cool the visuals are on that golf course. I don’t know that there’s a collection anywhere. I don’t know if in the world, certainly in America with that kind of a pedigree to the design names and the courses are so unique to themselves. And that’s one of my favorite thing to ask puty groups is what’s your favorite 18hole course? Because among among the the the guys, you’re going to get a different answer from everyone for different reasons. The courses favor different types of shots. So, we’ve really got something for for any sort of golfer, whatever their favorite type of golf is, whether it’s, you know, hitting a driver, need a lot of open space, whether you want something that challenges you off the tea, you want more subtle greens, you want intense greens, just something for everyone. We were on Buffalo Ridge. We were able to look over across the road and see all the way up to the mountain top. And I told a couple of the guys in my group who had not been here before, see that little tiny clubhouse from down here? When you get up there, you’re going to find it’s basically the size of a small city. How how far up are we? Uh Branson’s about 800 feet in the city, so all the way down the valley. We’re about uh 1,200 up on the top. So it’s about a 400 foot drop between our highest points in the county and the lowest. So nothing too high as far as it’s going to affect your ball flight, but high enough that you’re going to have these really sweeping views and vistas and makes it really pretty and dramatic on the golf courses. You live in this area and work in this area. Let’s talk about golf and life in the in the greater Branson area. Big Cedar, of course, is the main attraction, but this is also a place to explore and enjoy what kind of the Branson area has to offer. And a lot of that goes back to what Johnny envisioned with Big Cedar, just getting to know the Ozarks and getting in touch with nature out here. I mean, we’ve got Table Rock Lake, which is a giant um lake, great for water sports, boating, fishing, all that sort of stuff. Beautiful hiking and trails. Lots of stuff to do outdoors. So, if you’re someone that likes to do anything outdoors, it can be done in the Ozarks in the Branson area. And that, my friends, is a rapidfire look at the golf experience at the incredible Big Cedar Lodge. I don’t know how to describe some of the things we’ve seen and experienced, but hopefully the images you saw have captured your attention to the point where you’re ready to visit this area, tee it up at Big Cedar Lodge, and explore the rest of what Branson has to offer. And by the way, that menu is quite lengthy. Well, I I think that’s what makes Branson and the Branson Lakes areas so special, right? Is that there’s really a little something for everyone. Uh you’ve had the opportunity to see the worldass golf. You know, we’re so spoiled to have the incredible courses at at Big Cedar Lodge. We’re here at Thousand Hills. You’ve got Branson Hills, Ledgestone, the list goes on and on. But you’re right, we’ve got over a 100 live music shows. We’ve got uh a worldclass theme park in Silver Dollar City. Uh we’ve got shopping, you’ve got three pristine lakes, you’ve got the Ozarks, and so you’ve really got this uh incredible mix uh that works for any demographic, uh and people of all ages because we really think there’s something for everybody, uh in the Branson area. This gathering point known as Branson Landing is so cool. Somebody had amazing vision to carve all that along the river. Can you give us a feel for what a night at Branson Landing would be like? Well, you know, it’s it’s Branson’s real riverwalk, right? Uh uh you know, it was an area that was really in need uh of development. And so you had a lot of uh you know, great minds, big thinkers, big dreamers, uh that put together this incredible riverwalk that not only has shopping, it’s got dining, it’s got live shows, you’ve got the fountains down there. It’s really an incredible place to sit along Lake Teny Ko, but it’s so serene. It’s so peaceful. You know, you can have a cocktail or have dinner and just kind of take in the experience. At the end of the day, if you say, “You’ve got to go to Branson.” Yeah. You won’t believe the incredible golf down there. You say, “You got to go to Branson. Well, I don’t like live shows.” Well, I saw a couple and Yeah, you do. You know, I think at the end of the day, your endorsement is the most powerful thing uh that we can have. It can be to a degree overwhelming to put together a Branson itinerary, especially if you do want tickets and you want to figure out how all this works. How does Explore Branson help make sense out of it all? So, I mean, that’s why we were created, right? Explore Branson is a convention and visitors bureau to help build those itineraries, to help large meeting groups, uh to help golf groups, to help people put that together. And so, I I think that’s why we’re here is so you know locals, right? I can share that knowledge, but ultimately we want to make sure that you have a good time. And the people that work at uh and make those memories and the people that work at Explore Branson, they’re passionate about it. So, we want to help you put that together so you have an incredible time and then you go back home and word of mouth, right? You’ve got to go check out Branson. Now, it can be very tempting when you’re thinking about a golf getaway to the Branson area to make all of your plans to stay and play at Big Cedar Lodge. And frankly, who could blame you? It’s fantastic there. But just so you have the full scope of the region, there are a lot of great golf courses, including one called Thousand Hills that’s located just literally a few yards off of the main strip. Not only is Thousand Hills a fun course in fantastic condition, but they’ve also got a resort setting, so you can do your stay and play with them as you explore more of Branson. Uh the Ozark’s golf here is just truly a gym. When you when you get into um just in middle of Branson, of course, when you get out here, it’s it’s Ozark’s golf in the very middle of two blocks off the strip. And here we are just showcasing what top class golf we have here. And Thousand Hills is great because if you’re you want to get a quick round in, we’re a par 66. Uh getting voted best in Branson’s gate. Great. But our favorite part is that we get voted we’re the fastest 18 holes in Branson. Well, you’re a par 66, which is not to be confused with an executive course or a short course. This from the tips will play kind of a corollary to what on a par? The the yardage reads 5100, but with all the sloped elevation, it kind of plays more like a 6500. Um, which gives you that that little bit of championship golf, it’s it’s a shot shapers course, so you really got to be on top of your game. And with Zoya fairways and and bent greens, it gives you the best part of golf that you can get out here. You know, that’s the cool part is the conditions on these greens and fairways and the tea boxes. It’s pristine. That’s not easy to do given the volume of golf that you put through here. It’s beautiful golf course. How do you describe kind of the playing experience of it? Are there a thousand hills? I I think they named it as the the running joke there’s 989, but it rolls off the tongue better with a thousand. And uh truly it’s it’s named appropriately. The only flat lies you’re going to find are on the T- box and and everything that we do, the condition, everything, it’s all attested to to Pat Shay. He’s our core superintendent. This is his baby. He knows about every blade of grass and and takes care of it as such. Um, can you describe kind of Branson in general as a a golf and vacation destination? When you talk about Big Cedar and and all the courses, like it’s created this beautiful golf destination that you can almost play year round and and Big Cedar guess, everybody that comes here for golf, they’re going to get just an oasis of golf here. It’s it’s Ozark’s golf. It’s slopes, elevation, it’s it’s views. It’s it’s really a true scenic test of golf. Throughout the years, we’re best in Branson voted for the last few years. There’s different reviews. We’re top 15 public course at times in Missouri. It’s it’s truly and then add the resort aspect to it. We do a great job of taking care of resort guests and offering them just an experience that that sometimes you don’t get in their everyday golf life. I am staying in a stunningly spectacular gigantic house off of the 14th fairway, which I think could sleep probably 20 plus people if needed to. Uh they they appear to be brand new out of the rapper. And the beauty like when you stay with us, we’ve got properties that range here in town. We go all the way out to Table Rock Lake. We’ve got a hotel. I mean, it’s we truly are throughout Branson and and and the outsides of Branson. And then when you stay with us, you get perks to play golf here. You get discounted rates, discounted rentals. The the true resort guest is is truly taken care of with the amount of amenities that we offer here. So, if I have 20 people, I know I can stay in the big house. If I have two people, yes, we offer everything. thing. We have condos that are here straight on the golf course, golf views, some that are on the backside, like everybody from two to like I say, we’ve got places out on the lake that can house just as many if not more. Most most of our condominiums and things that are here on the course. Again, we’re two blocks off of 76. It’s nice. It’s quiet. And if you are a golfer or even just enjoy the view of golf, you you have it all sitting here. And then when you want to go into Branson and and be a part of the the scene and everything, you drive two blocks, you’re there and you’re on the main strip and you do everything you want to do for the day. And so we come to the end of a remarkable journey. It’s the kind of trip that can really only take place in one region of America and that’s the Missouri Ozarks. And whether you come here to tee it up and stay for a while at Big Cedar Lodge or explore Thousand Hills and the rest of what Branson has to offer, this destination is unlike any other with the views, the hospitality, the food, the golf, and the overall experience that will leave you with a lifetime of memories. So, when you get ready to take a special golf getaway somewhere, might I suggest explore Branson and come experience what we’ve enjoyed for the last few days. Thanks for being with us. We look forward to seeing you down the road in the Missouri Ozarks. [Applause]

Join Bill Hobson from Michigan Golf Live as we journey into the heart of the Missouri Ozarks to discover one of America’s most exciting golf and vacation destinations — Branson, Missouri.

This MGL Travel Special showcases the perfect combination of world-class golf, breathtaking scenery, and family-friendly entertainment that make Branson a true hidden gem. From the legendary Big Cedar Lodge—home to iconic courses like Payne’s Valley, Top of the Rock, and the brand-new Cliffhangers Par 3—to the rolling hills and pristine fairways at Thousand Hills Golf Resort, every stop on this journey reveals why golfers from around the world are making Branson their bucket-list destination.

At Big Cedar Lodge, visionary founder Johnny Morris has created an outdoor paradise where championship golf meets natural beauty. You’ll experience courses designed by legends like Tiger Woods, Gary Player, and Jack Nicklaus, along with the all-new Cliffhangers course — featuring waterfalls, cave tee shots, and views that redefine “mountainside golf.”

Beyond the course, Explore Branson invites you to dive into everything this vibrant town offers. Take in over 100 live music shows, Silver Dollar City theme park, incredible Ozark hiking trails, and Table Rock Lake, one of the Midwest’s most beautiful waterways. Stroll the Branson Landing Riverwalk, where shopping, dining, and nightly fountain shows create a lively, family-friendly atmosphere.

You’ll also discover Thousand Hills Golf Resort, a par-66 layout in the heart of Branson that’s been voted “Best in Branson.” With its stunning zoysia fairways, challenging elevation changes, and resort accommodations—from cozy condos to luxury homes—Thousand Hills delivers an unforgettable stay-and-play golf experience.

Whether you’re planning a buddies’ golf trip, a family getaway, or a romantic retreat, Branson offers something for everyone. Golfers, nature lovers, and adventure seekers alike will find the perfect mix of recreation and relaxation in this incredible destination.

So pack your clubs, bring your sense of adventure, and Explore Branson with Michigan Golf Live. You’ll soon see why it’s one of Bill Hobson’s favorite destinations in all of America.

👉 Learn more and start planning your Branson golf getaway today at ExploreBranson.com

#ExploreBranson #BigCedarLodge #GolfTravel #MissouriOzarks #PaynesValley #ThousandHillsGolf #GolfLife #TravelSpecial #michigangolflive

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00:00 – Bill Hobson introduces the Missouri Ozarks adventure
00:54 – The incredible Big Cedar Lodge experience
01:17 – Inside the new Cliffhangers Par 3 course
02:12 – Exploring Big Cedar’s legendary courses: Payne’s Valley, Top of the Rock & Mountain Top
05:11 – Life and leisure beyond the course in Branson
07:46 – How Explore Branson helps plan your perfect trip
08:23 – Stay-and-play golf at Thousand Hills Golf Resort
11:32 – Branson’s top resort lodging and amenities
12:30 – Wrapping up the Branson golf journey