Exploring Great Golf in Branson, Missouri

I recently made a trip to Branson, Mo., to experience some of the great golf this growing destination has to offer. In addition to the courses we played - Thousand Hills, Buffalo Ridge Springs, Top of the Rock, Branson Hills, Mountain Top and Pointe Royale - the area will welcome a new Coore-Crenshaw course in 2018 and two new Tiger Woods designs in the years to follow. Tom Fazio, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player will be in great (designer) company.

Much of this growth can be credited to Johnny Morris, founder of Bass Pro Shops and the Big Cedar Lodge dynasty.

For those of you who only know the area as a country music hub and museum hot spot, it's time to Explore Branson and take in everything this Ozark Mountains oasis has to offer.

Check out the article at GolfWRX.

Actual buffaloes roam the grounds adjacent to Buffalo Ridge Springs

Buffalo Ridge unwinds with the Ozark Mountains as a background

Exposed limestone and waterfalls abound at Buffalo Ridge

Every hole (EVERY HOLE) is memorable at Buffalo Ridge

Crews work non-stop to discover unlimited beauty in this sinkhole

Hole No. 1 is a sample of amazing views at Top of the Rock

There's an island green at Top of the Rock (I carded a 2!)

Green surrounds are challenging and beautiful at Branson Hills

Mountain Top is a 13-hole, walking-only Gary Player gem

Exposed limestone is stunning at Mountain Top

Mountain Top allows golfers to create their own course throughout the round