Multiple Explore Branson (MO) Golf Courses Earn Honors to Tee Off 2026

Branson Hills Golf Club

Eight playing venues in the SW Missouri Ozarks destination recognized for their excellence by national media

Branson Golf continues its ascent as a top destination in America by traveling players and media, a fact illuminated by the plethora of honors that member courses continue to earn. The latest accolades include a Top 10 U.S. ranking for the championship course at Branson Hills Golf Club and all three Big Cedar Resort par-3 short courses rated among the Top 12 nationally in that category (Cliffhangers, Mountain Top, Top of the Rock). With four other 18-hole layouts already holding best-in-kind distinction – LedgeStone, Buffalo Ridge, Payne’s Valley, and Ozarks National – eight of the golf destination’s 11 courses are critically acclaimed for their high quality. 

Designed by Chuck Smith with erstwhile U.S. Amateur champion Bobby Clampett, Branson Hills garnered a no. 10 ranking in the newly released “Golfers’ Choice 2026 – America’s Top 50 Public Courses.” To determine the list, more than 226,000 GolfPass reviews were submitted by golfers throughout 2025.

“Big Cedar has catapulted the destination into elite status among traveling golfers, and Branson Hills earning a top 10 finish among U.S. Public courses underscores the many high-quality playing options there,” said Jason Scott Deegan, the managing editor of GolfPass.com who has reviewed nearly 1,200 courses in 28 countries.

Golfers submitted more than 226,000 reviews of roughly 7,500 courses via GolfPass during 2025. These votes factor several categories including Value, Conditions, Layout, Pace of Play, Staff Friendliness, and Off-Course Amenities, to determine an Overall Rating.

LINKS Magazine released this week its list of “15 Best U.S. Short Courses” with three destination members included – Cliffhangers (no. 10; co-designed by Johnny and John Paul Morris), Top of the Rock (no. 11, Jack Nicklaus), and Mountain Top (no. 12, Gary Player).

Stated LINKS in its write-up of the three short courses at Big Cedar Lodge: “Each one offers a distinct take on the format, starting with Cliffhangers, the newest and most adventurous of the bunch. The 18-hole par-3 layout lives up to its name, carved directly into limestone cliffs. Top of the Rock leans more traditional, though the setting hardly plays it safe. The 9-hole course weaves through lakes, cliffs, exposed rock ledges, and downhill tee shots that tumble toward the water below. So revered is the routing (and so dramatic the design) that it’s the only par3 course ever used for a PGA Tour-sanctioned event. Lastly, there’s Mountain Top, a walking-only par-3 loop that feels like an ode to the Ozarks. The 13-hole course offers a more accessible, family-friendly experience.”

Golf Digest rates the three Big Cedar 18-hole courses among its “America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses” and Golfweek rates five Branson Golf destination courses among Missouri’s top 10 in the state (Ozarks National, Payne’s Valley, Buffalo Ridge, Branson Hills, and LedgeStone), including the top four. LedgeStone is a Tom Clark creation filled with unforgettable holes named for design aspects that help define them – Sidewinder, The Shelf, and The Plunge are examples.

The destination is easily reached by vehicle thanks to its middle America location (one-third of the U.S. mainland population is within an 8-hour drive). Those who prefer flying have many flights from which to choose via Springfield-Branson National Airport (SGF).

Visitors can create any number of stay-and-play itineraries due to the destination’s vast array of lodging options and proximity of each course to one another. For more information about Branson Golf and a menu of family friendly things to do in Branson, visit www.explorebranson.com