See Inside The Missouri Gem Named The Best Golf Resort in America

In 2024, more than 12 million Americans took a trip to play golf. 44% of players surveyed by Buffalo Groupe said they’ll spend even more on golf getaways for 2025. How are they deciding where to go? They are driven by the chance to play a course they haven’t yet and immerse themselves in scenic or unique landscapes.

The United States is filled with course-rich destinations surrounded by stunning natural landscapes offering luxe accommodations, a dining scene, and additional outdoor activities for a well-rounded, and even family-friendly golf getaway. And that describes this Missouri resort to a tee.

How Was This Resort Picked as The Best?

The USA TODAY 10 BEST Golf Resorts nominee list was carefully curated by a panel of subject matter experts and USA TODAY editors before being voted on by the public. The resort named #1 in the Midwest by Travel & Leisure also received the most votes for America’s best golf resort.

“People in America should really make an effort to come and see what exists here,” Gary Player said. “It’s beyond one’s belief.”

It’s Big Cedar Lodge.

What Is Big Cedar Lodge?

Opened in 1987 in the heart of Missouri’s Ozark Mountains, Big Cedar Lodge is America’s premier wilderness resort from  Johnny Morris, the founder of America’s top outdoor retailer Bass Pro Shops. The 4,600-acre lakeside retreat connects families to the outdoors with a variety of nature-based experiences, golf being just one of them.

Morris’s dream has always been to wow guests, showcase why he loves the area, and have vacationers leave with a stronger connection to the Ozark Mountains.

It’s What 30 Years of Commitment Looks Like

Born out of a commitment to conservation and a passion to share the beauty of his beloved Ozarks, Morris has been leading a paradigm shift in golf travel for almost 30 years. While many top resorts have focused on privatizing the game, selling real estate, exclusivity, and memberships, the Ozarks native has focused on the guest experience, quality public golf, and keeping natural beauty, everywhere you turn.

It’s Just the Latest in a Long Line of Awards

A Who’s Who of the greatest golf course designers in modern history was brought in, and the result has been non-stop awards and accolades, with course after course making all the industry’s most important Top 100 and ‘Best Of’ lists.

Big Cedar Lodge believes there is simply no other place on earth offering the breadth and variety of golf experiences they have.

You Can Feel Good Buying Rounds Here

Unlike most greens around the world. all of Big Cedar’s courses are part of a not-for-profit conservation foundation. The greens fees for every round played go to help support conservation efforts.

Big Cedar Lodge is the only golf resort in the world to have all its golf courses earn the highest possible certification from Audubon International, “Signature Sanctuary” status.

5 World-Class Courses

From Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson and Gary Player to Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw, Tom Fazio and Tiger Woods, one superstar designer after another has been brought to Big Cedar with the dual tasks of helping create world-class golf facilities and showcasing the region’s natural beauty.

Payne’s Valley Course

Payne’s Valley, Tiger Woods’ first public access course in the U.S., was also named one of the best public golf courses in America by USA Today 10 BEST voters. A walkable 19-hole, award-winning course that tests and inspires players of all skill levels, from professional golfers to amateurs and juniors. The course features a set of “Tiger Tees” specifically designed to accommodate TOUR pros, golf professionals, and the best amateur players.

The 19th hole, also known as “The Big Rock at Payne’s Valley,” is a bet-settling hole, the striking par-3
plays into a 200 ft cliff-side green surrounded by a flowing stream running down exposed
limestone.

Buffalo Ridge Course

True to its name, the Tom Fazio-designed Buffalo Ridge has a herd of buffalo grazing alongside its fairways, a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Ranked in the Top 100 U.S. Resort Courses by GOLF Magazine, play it yourself to see why.

Ozarks National Course

Ozarks National, designed by the renowned firm Coore & Crenshaw, is a more traditional experience with natural obstacles that’ll test your skills with the clubs. It was named #1 Best New Course in America by Golf Digest when it opened in 2019.

Top of the Rock Course

Morris and his team have changed how golf resorts welcome guests with epic, shorter courses. For example, Top of the Rock is a 9-hole par-3 course designed by history’s greatest golfer and accomplished designer, Jack Nicklaus. Nowhere near an afterthought, these are full-sized, dramatic par-3 holes, stretching to over 200 yards, with lakes, cliffs, and exposed rock ledges. It is so stellar that it is the only par-3 layout ever used by the PGA Tour for a championship event.

Mountain Top Course

This short, 13-hole course is for players of all skill levels. But don’t let that fool you. Intertwined through rock formations, it offers some of the most awe-inspiring views in the Ozarks, especially at sunset and in the fall when the rainbow of foliage views stretches for miles and miles.

And Two More Future Courses

Cliffhangers, a par-3 course with 18 “fairytale” holes, is already taking debut tee time reservations for summer 2025. Additionally, On the Rocks, an extreme putting course you’ve got to see to believe, will open in 2026.

It’s So Much More Than Just Golf

Big Cedar Lodge offers 262 rooms across a collection of lodges, cozy cottages, and private log cabins. With more activities a visitor could do in a week, it is just one of the reasons players, groups, and families return time and time again.

• Explore Dogwood Canyon Nature Park, a 10,000-acre nonprofit wildlife preserve, and end the day at their 18,000-square-foot destination spa.
• The resort’s Bent Hook Marina & Market is a gateway to all that Table Rock Lake offers with convenient on-site rentals.
• Family favorite Fun Mountain offers 50,000 square feet of bowling, climbing walls, ropes course, go-karts, laser tag, arcade games, and a dedicated section for younger kids. Want an adult-only date night to enjoy one of their many restaurants? Drop-off options are available for childcare.

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