Five Branson Golf Destination Courses Voted in Missouri’s Top 10 including the Top Four

(BRANSON, MISSOURI) – Golfweek recently released its “Best Courses by State” compilation on June 15 and Ozarks National, Buffalo Ridge, Payne’s Valley, and Branson Hills ranked as Missouri’s top four courses in that order. A fifth Branson Golf destination course, LedgeStone, is Missouri’s No. 7 rated layout, improving one place from its No. 8 ranking last year.

“It’s an honor to be considered one of the best courses in a state with more than 300 of them, especially when we’ve improved our ranking year over year,” said Phillip Drips, Head Golf Professional, LedgeStone Country Club. “That 50 percent of the state’s best public-access courses are in the Branson golf destination underscores why discerning golfers should consider us for their next golf round or group getaway.”

To determine Golfweek’s Best rankings, the media outlet’s course-ratings panel continually evaluate courses and rate them using 10 criteria on a 10-point scale. The raters also file a single, overall rating on each course. Those overall ratings are averaged to produce a cumulative rating for each, which is then ranked against other layouts.

Ozarks National (Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw course design), Buffalo Ridge (Tom Fazio and Johnny Morris), and Payne’s Valley (Tiger Woods and Beau Welling) are Big Cedar Golf’s 18-hole courses. The golf resort also has three short courses rated among the nation’s best – Cliffhangers (Johnny and J.P. Morris design), Mountain Top (Gary Player), and Top of the Rock (Jack Nicklaus). They showcase the same rustic elegance that permeates all places owned and operated by Big Cedar Lodge and Bass Pro Shops Founder, Johnny Morris.  

In addition to its No. 4 ranking in the state, Branson Hills (Chuck Smith-Bobby Clampett) was voted No. 10 in the nation earlier this year via Golfers’ Choice, a compilation of players’ favorite courses in America curated by GolfPass/GolfNow. The layout’s woodsy, brawny layout is as beautiful as it is challenging. LedgeStone, a destination favorite by area golfers, winds through heaving Ozarks’ terrain to deliver a thrilling experience that requires players to choose their shot strategy wisely.

Branson’s other three courses are Thousand Hills (Bob Cupp), The Pointe, and Holiday Hills. Thousand Hills is part of a multi-faceted resort complex with condos, cabins, and Reunion Lodges overlooking the golf course that are ideal for golf groups. It located in the heart of the destination adjacent to a myriad of live entertainment theatres and other attractions.

All 11 destination courses are located near one another as well as hundreds of restaurants, scores of lodging options, and after-golf things to see and do. Branson regularly garners top rated tourism destination status in America according to Trip Advisor.

For more information about the destination, visit ExploreBranson.com.

Worst Golf Courses in Each State: Missouri

Drumm Farm Golf Club

Missouri is home to some of America's most celebrated golf destinations. From the Ozark Mountain masterpieces around Branson to classic parkland layouts in St. Louis and Kansas City, the Show-Me State offers golfers plenty of memorable rounds.

But not every course earns rave reviews.

While every golf course has loyal supporters and conditions can change dramatically from season to season, golfer reviews reveal a handful of Missouri layouts that have consistently struggled with maintenance, value, or overall player satisfaction. Based on publicly available golfer ratings and reviews, these three courses rank among the lowest-rated in the state.

1. Drumm Farm Golf Club — Independence

At one time, Drumm Farm Golf Club was considered one of the premier daily-fee facilities in the Kansas City area. Designed by renowned architect Tom Watson's design team, the course features dramatic elevation changes and a challenging layout stretching more than 7,100 yards.

Unfortunately, golfer reviews tell a different story in recent years.

The course carries one of the lowest rating indexes among reviewed Missouri golf facilities on GolfPass, with just 14.6 percent of reviewers recommending the course. Golfers frequently cited poor course conditions, disappointing value and maintenance issues across greens and fairways. The layout itself still receives praise from some players who recognize its architectural potential, but many reviewers felt the condition of the course failed to match its once-strong reputation.

For golfers who remember Drumm Farm during its peak years, the reviews are particularly disappointing because the property clearly possesses the bones of a strong championship course.

2. Rangeline Golf Center — Joplin

Located in southwest Missouri, Rangeline Golf Center offers a shorter, more casual golf experience. However, recent golfer feedback has been harsh.

While the facility maintains a respectable overall rating, numerous recent reviews describe it as one of the worst golf experiences players have encountered. Complaints focus heavily on course conditions, pace of play and perceived value. Several golfers specifically criticized maintenance issues and questioned pricing relative to the quality of the course.

To be fair, shorter municipal-style and executive courses often serve a different audience than championship layouts. Beginners and casual golfers may find the course perfectly suitable for practice rounds. Yet among Missouri courses receiving substantial public feedback, Rangeline has generated some of the state's most negative recent reviews.

3. Hidden Valley Golf Course — Lawson

Hidden Valley Golf Course, located northeast of Kansas City, presents another example of a course with a solid layout that has struggled to win over reviewers.

The Leo Johnson-designed course stretches nearly 6,700 yards and features rolling terrain and a traditional Midwestern design. Yet golfer ratings have consistently placed it near the bottom tier of reviewed Missouri courses. Reviewers have frequently mentioned maintenance concerns and uneven playing conditions.

What makes Hidden Valley's ranking notable is that many golfers believe the course has significant potential. The property offers enough natural movement and variety to create an enjoyable round when conditions are favorable. Still, golfer feedback suggests that consistency has been difficult to maintain.

The Reality of Online Ratings

Before writing off any golf course, it's important to remember that ratings are snapshots in time.

Golf courses are living, breathing businesses that can improve dramatically with new ownership, additional maintenance budgets or favorable weather conditions. A course that struggled one season may look completely different the next.

Missouri's golf landscape remains one of the Midwest's strongest, anchored by nationally recognized destinations such as Branson Hills, Buffalo Ridge, Payne's Valley and Ozarks National. Those highly rated facilities help showcase the state's golf potential.

As for the state's lowest-rated courses, their rankings serve less as a final verdict and more as a reminder of how difficult it is to maintain a golf facility in an era of rising costs and increasingly demanding golfer expectations.

Sometimes the difference between a hidden gem and a golfer's nightmare is simply a few seasons of investment, attention and care.

Troon Country Club Embarks on Comprehensive Practice Facility and Water Storage Enhancement Project

(Scottsdale, Ariz.) – Troon Country Club in Scottsdale, Arizona has initiated a significant enhancement project focusing on its practice facilities and water storage systems, aiming to elevate the member experience and improve resource management. Construction began on May 1, 2026, and is being led by golf course architect Phil Smith, the late Tom Weiskopf’s design partner. The $4.3-million-dollar project is expected to take six months to complete.

The redesigned practice facility will feature expanded tee space on the practice range, a larger putting green mirroring slopes found on the golf course, and a 50,000-square-foot short game practice area. These enhancements are designed to position Troon Country Club at the forefront of premier practice facilities in the Southwest.

The practice range is slated to reopen in early November immediately following overseeding, while the new putting green and short game areas are expected to be available December 1st. Additionally, the club plans to introduce Celebrity Greens artificial turf practice mats on the south end tee, coinciding with the start of the 2026-27 season, to allow members to utilize the practice range during frost delays and after inclement weather.

The entirety of the new practice tee will be equipped with TrackMan range technology to provide members with the benefit to practice with feedback and purpose. TrackMan will give all players eight actionable data points that they can use to improve their game. Even more exciting is the virtual course feature that will allow members to play and practice on some of the best courses in the world, including Troon Country Club, as TrackMan will produce a digital 3D animation of the course.

The new 12,500-square-foot practice putting green is 4,000 square feet larger than the original green and will offer increased slope and movement, providing members with practice conditions that mirror on-course scenarios.

The north end of the practice facility is being expanded to create a new 50,000-square-foot short game practice area, more than four times the size of the current facility. This area will enable members to practice various aspects of their short game, including chips, pitches, bunker shots, and short wedge shots ranging from 50 to 60 yards. The design includes a large primary greenside bunker accommodating multiple members simultaneously. A second, smaller bunker offers an additional option for greenside and longer fairway bunker practice.

In parallel, the club is addressing its water storage capabilities by enhancing the three ponds located on the seventh, eighth, and ninth holes. These ponds, occupying 2.1 acres and storing 3.5 million gallons of water, are essential for irrigating the golf course. Engineers have determined that by increasing the surface area by the maximum allowed 0.47 acres and expanding the width and depth below the surface, the storage capacity will be more than doubled. Relining the ponds aims to mitigate seepage caused by perforations in the original liners, thereby improving water conservation. The club is utilizing the sand and gravel material from the ponds in the mounding and slopes of the new practice facility.

These initiatives build upon the club’s 2020 golf course renovation, which upgraded and modernized the irrigation system. Since then, Troon Country Club’s overall water usage has decreased compared to pre-renovation levels, even considering lower average annual precipitation in recent years.

“This project marks another important milestone in the continued evolution of our club and underscores the strong commitment of our membership,” said Troon Country Club General Manager Garrett Wallace. “Since the 2017 clubhouse renovation, we have experienced remarkable positive momentum throughout the club. Our members have consistently demonstrated their belief in the long-term vision by reinvesting in the property, and with these latest enhancements, total member investment now exceeds $30 million. This level of support not only strengthens our foundation but ensures we continue delivering an exceptional experience for our membership today and well into the future.”

For more information on Troon Country Club, visit www.trooncc.com or call Nicole Niemann, Director of Sales and Marketing, at 480-473-5093.

Coeur d'Alene Casino Guests Cash Higher Average Jackpot Payouts in 2026

Golf resort home to SBC Americas “Tribal Casino of the Year” for North and South America

(WORLEY, Idaho) – Golfers love to gamble almost as much as they like to play award-winning courses. Few places indulge those passions as successfully as Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel, home to Circling Raven Golf Club, the top-ranked layout in Idaho and a “Top 100 Resort Course” in America.

Coeur d’Alene Casino reported in late 2025 that visitors to the Coeur d’Alene Tribe-owned entertainment venue hit more jackpots and collected more winnings for the year, the third year in a row that new highs were set in each stat. Good news keeps coming as guests are cashing an average of nearly $1,000 more per jackpot thus far in 2026 ($3.3k in ’26, $2.4k in ’25).

The casino’s Director of Video Gaming, Michelle Whaley, said that the time to process jackpots continues to remain at faster payout times, too. “Our quality of customer service is not lapsing with these increased volumes,” she said.

One would expect nothing less from Coeur d’Alene Casino, which was named “Tribal Operator of the Year” in North and South America by SBC Americas in June 2025. The Tribal Operator of the Year award honored the company that “demonstrated exceptional achievements across multiple areas, including operational excellence, market growth, branding expertise, innovation, commitment to responsible gaming, and dedication to tribal community development,” SBC Americas stated.

Giving back to guests and the community are a core pillar of the Tribe – it has donated more than $37 million to local, state, and regional entities, leading with education. These latest jackpot statistics illuminate how the giving extends beyond philanthropy.

For more information about Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel, call 1 800-523-2464 or visit cdacasino.com.  Information can also be found at:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CDACasinoResort

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cdacasino/

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cdacasino

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@cdacasino

Why Do Golf Balls Have Dimples?

Dimples are one of the main reasons a golf ball can fly hundreds of yards instead of dropping quickly out of the air.

What Dimples Do

When a golf ball moves through the air, it creates drag (air resistance). A perfectly smooth golf ball actually experiences more drag than a dimpled one.

The dimples create a thin layer of turbulent air around the ball that helps the airflow stay attached to the ball longer before separating. This reduces the size of the low-pressure wake behind the ball, which reduces drag.

More Lift, Longer Shots

Dimples also help generate lift.

When a golfer puts backspin on the ball, the spinning ball affects airflow around it. The dimples enhance this effect, creating higher pressure beneath the ball and lower pressure above it. The result is an upward force that keeps the ball in the air longer.

Without dimples:

- The ball would fly much lower.

- It would travel roughly half as far.

- Shots would drop out of the sky much sooner.

How Much Difference Do They Make?

A modern golf ball hit by a professional might travel 280–320 yards.

A smooth ball struck the same way would typically travel only about 120–180 yards because of the increased drag and reduced lift.

Why Different Dimple Patterns?

Manufacturers such as Titleist, Callaway, and TaylorMade spend millions designing dimple patterns. They vary:

- Number of dimples (typically 300–500)

- Dimple depth

- Dimple shape

- Dimple arrangement

These subtle differences can influence:

- Ball flight height

- Spin rates

- Wind performance

- Overall distance

A Fun Fact

The first golfers didn't intentionally use dimpled balls. Players in the 1800s noticed that older, scuffed balls flew farther than brand-new smooth ones. Engineers eventually discovered why and began designing patterned surfaces on purpose—a discovery that transformed golf ball technology.

In short: dimples reduce drag, increase lift, and make long-distance golf possible. Without them, even the longest hitters on the PGA Tour would lose well over 100 yards off the tee.

Bud Cauley’s Inspiring Comeback: How a Devastating Car Crash Nearly Ended His Golf Career Before His Canadian Open Victory

For most PGA Tour winners, the journey to the winner's circle is measured in birdies, bogeys, and years of hard work. For Bud Cauley, it was measured in surgeries, hospital stays, and a fight simply to play golf again.

On Sunday, Cauley completed one of the most remarkable comeback stories in professional golf, winning the RBC Canadian Open for his first PGA Tour title. The victory came eight years after a devastating car accident nearly ended both his career and his dreams of competing at the highest level.

The Crash That Changed Everything

On June 1, 2018, after competing in the Memorial Tournament in Dublin, Ohio, Cauley was a passenger in a vehicle involved in a horrific single-car accident.

The car left the roadway, struck a culvert, became airborne, and slammed into multiple trees.

The injuries Cauley suffered were severe. He sustained a collapsed and punctured lung, six broken ribs, a fractured lower left leg, and a concussion. What initially appeared to be a lengthy recovery soon became a years-long medical ordeal.

The physical damage was only part of the challenge. Complications from the injuries, including poor incision healing and infections, led to multiple surgeries and extended rehabilitation. What should have been a return to competition turned into a prolonged battle just to regain normal function.

Years Away From the Game

The accident sidelined Cauley for more than three years.

For a professional athlete whose livelihood depends on precision, strength, and confidence, the uncertainty was overwhelming. There were legitimate questions about whether he would ever play competitive golf again.

"There were times when I was hurt that we really weren't sure if I was going to be able to play again," Cauley said after Sunday's victory.

While many players spend their prime years climbing leaderboards, Cauley spent his recovering from surgeries, managing pain, and rebuilding his body.

The comeback was anything but immediate. Even after returning to the PGA Tour, he faced the challenge of competing against the best players in the world after years away from tournament golf.

The Long Road Back

Cauley finally returned to PGA Tour competition in 2024, more than five years after the accident. The flashes of his old form were there, but turning potential into victory remained elusive.

The former Alabama standout had come close several times, but the breakthrough never arrived.

Until Canada.

Entering the final round of the RBC Canadian Open one shot behind the lead, Cauley delivered the performance of his career under difficult weather conditions at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley.

He carded a final-round 65, highlighted by a dramatic birdie chip-in from 93 feet on the 12th hole that gave him control of the tournament.

Cauley finished at 17-under par, two shots clear of Matt Fitzpatrick and three ahead of Viktor Hovland.

More Than Just a Trophy

The victory was about far more than a PGA Tour title.

It represented validation for years of rehabilitation, setbacks, and uncertainty. It was proof that the countless hours spent recovering had been worth it.

Perhaps most meaningful was sharing the moment with his family.

"Hopefully for my first win everyone would be here," Cauley said. "With them being here and I was playing well, I really had to think almost on every hole about staying focused and not thinking about that celebration if I were to win."

After 239 PGA Tour starts, countless medical procedures, and years wondering whether he would ever compete again, Cauley finally had his answer.

Golf has produced many comeback stories over the years, but few have required the level of perseverance shown by Bud Cauley. His RBC Canadian Open victory wasn't simply his first PGA Tour win—it was the culmination of an eight-year fight to reclaim a career that once appeared lost forever.

For anyone facing a long recovery, a career setback, or seemingly impossible odds, Cauley's journey serves as a powerful reminder that sometimes the greatest victories happen long before the final putt drops.

Beau Welling-Designed Travis Club Golf Course Set to Open for Member Play Labor Day Weekend

Championship Layout Complements Austin’s New Premier Lake Community, Bringing Unique Pedigree to Texas Hill Country Golf

(Spicewood, Texas) – Travis Club, Austin’s newest 1,500-acre master-planned community on Lake Travis, announces that construction of its world-class Beau Welling-designed golf course is complete, and that all 18 holes will open for member play starting Labor Day weekend, September 5.

The new par-71 golf course takes advantage of the extraordinary Hill Country setting, with dramatic elevation changes, stunning hilltop panoramas and holes routed along Lake Travis. Stretching more than 7,300 yards, the layout offers a strategic yet highly playable experience for golfers of all skill levels through multiple teeing options and thoughtfully designed shot values.

Welling and his team at Beau Welling Design (BWD) created a course that blends seamlessly into the natural landscape while emphasizing creativity, variety and memorable risk-reward opportunities throughout the routing. Interdisciplinary firm Hart Howertonled the community’s master planning, architecture, and landscape architecture, shaping the broader residential and amenity experience across the property.

“Labor Day weekend marks a major milestone for Travis Club and for the members who have believed in this vision from the beginning,” said Leisha Ehlert, CEO of Travis Club. “Beau and his team have created a course that feels deeply connected to the land, the lake and the spirit of this community. We are thrilled to begin welcoming members and their families to experience it.”

Travis Club is the latest in an impressive portfolio of recent projects from BWD, which includes Fields Ranch West at Omni PGA Frisco and significant renovations at Atlanta Country Club, Greenville Country Club, Ocean Forest Golf Club, and Omni Amelia Island, among many others.

“The topography and landscape along Lake Travis are spectacular and provided a wonderful foundation for our team to create a fun, strategic, and memorable course at Travis Club,” said Welling. “Being part of this project has been a true privilege, and we believe the course will stand out as a special experience for golfers and earn a place among the top courses in Texas.”

BWD Senior Designer and Vice President Scott Benson added, “Beyond the natural beauty of the surroundings and overall course aesthetics, the golf experience at Travis Club is shaped by a thoughtful, strategic design that rewards sound decision-making and creativity. Each hole offers a distinct identity, offering multiple options from tee to green along with engaging and challenging green complexes that provide a true test.”

Along with its golf amenities, Travis Club features 10,000 feet of Lake Travis frontage and access to more than 65 miles of open water, 30 miles of private hiking and biking trails, Duke’s, a lakefront clubhouse with dining and The Tree Bar, along with a private marina, event lawn, pool, sport and racquet courts and The Gatehouse equipped with full-time security. The Golf House, which will include the future pro shop and a restaurant, sits alongside the club’s expansive practice area and will officially be open in Spring 2027.

Every aspect of Travis Club has been carefully considered to preserve the site’s natural and scenic resources. With a thoughtfully crafted and minimalist approach, the golf course and infrastructure are designed to have minimal impact on the land across Travis Club’s expansive 1,500 acres. This same level of intention extends to the amenities, which have been conceived with responsibility and sustainability in mind. Travis Club’s goals extend beyond establishing the premier private club in the Texas Hill Country. It aspires to set the standard for golf course design excellence throughout Texas.

Beyond golf, 175+ homesites have been sold, with 10 under construction and 37 in design review. Homesites range from 0.5 to 3.25 acres and are offered from $700K.

For more information or to schedule a tour, visit travisclubaustin.com. Follow Travis Club on Instagram @travisclubaustin.