The Best of Branson Golf
The secret is really no longer a secret. Branson golf is world class and should be on every group’s short list of golf vacation destinations. So, the purpose of today’s post is to highlight some of the greatest things about Branson golf.
Best Par 5: Rivercut #10. This mammoth plays 611 yards from the black tees and 576 from the blue tees. Tee shots left fall off the fairway into a huge/deep bunker. Right is protect by a tree line off the tee. The rest of the hole is framed by a lake on the left all the way to the green, with a creek crossing the fairway 130 yards in front of the green. The green is protected by bunkers left and right. Adding to the difficulty of this #2 handicap hole is the wind, which is usually in your face coming out of the west. Par is cause for great celebration!
Best Par 4: Branson Hills Golf Club #1. Most courses ease you into the round with a fairly benign opening hole. The first at Branson Hills gets your attention in a hurry. From an elevated tee you can see the entire hole, which provides a pretty generous landing area. Even if in the fairway, your approach shot will likely be from a downhill lie to a green protected by a hazard/creek on the left. Too far right and you’re in the woods. The green is one of the most severe on the course, sloping hard from back to front, making putting from above the hole very difficult.
Best Drivable Par 4: Branson Hills Golf Club #3. After #1 has gotten your attention and playing the tough par 3 2nd, this great hole is next. Playing from 273-344 yards , depending on the tee box, you have to decide how aggressive you want to be. From an elevated tee, the fairway is tightly framed by woods on both sides. A pot bunker looms about 50 yards in front of the green, not visible from the tee. The green is protected by a creek on the left and behind. Laying up off the tee should give you a good chance for an easy par. But if you’re tempted to be greedy, the risk is great.
Best Par 3: Buffalo Ridge Springs #17. This beautiful hole plays from 108-165 yards from an elevated tee, with a huge rock formation and cave opening as a back drop. The cart path winds down the hill and over bridges crossing beautiful water features in front of the green. The green is very large and can be difficult to read the subtle breaks.
Best Par 3 on a Par 3 Course: Top of the Rock #9. A round at Top of the Rock finishes in dramatic style. The elevated tee provides an awesome view of Table Rock Lake as a back drop. The hole plays 108-163 yards downhill to a green protected by a huge bunkers front and right. The green has a huge shelf on the left. When the pin is up there, any play from the lower part of the green will be a difficult par. Make sure to acknowledge your adoring gallery watching from the Osage Restaurant.
Best On-Course Services: Ozarks National. You can’t beat drinks and snacks included in the green fee. Actually, you can if you throw in complimentary Andy’s Frozen Custard behind #9 green. If you don’t know about Andy’s, make sure to try it. If you do know about Andy’s, you know this is a big deal!
Best Clubhouse: Mountain Top. This clubhouse sits high up on the ridge overlooking the Mountain Top course to the south, Buffalo Ridge Springs’ back nine to the north, and the soon to open Payne’s Valley to the northwest. Floor to ceiling glass affords great views from anywhere in the clubhouse, or enjoy your favorite cold beverage on the outdoor verandas. You’ll definitely want to get some photos.
Best Clubhouse Food: Top of the Rock. Before or after your round at Top of the Rock, enjoy lunch at Arnie’s Barn, which was built from the barn at Arnold Palmer’s home in Latrobe, PA. The menu features some fantastic Mexican dishes. Enjoy an upscale dinner while watching the sunset over Table Rock Lake at the Osage Restaurant.
Best Driving Range: Top of the Rock. Nowhere else can you hit to target greens surrounded by ponds, waterfalls, and a monstrous cave! Even better, it’s lit at night (literally and figuratively).
Best Practice Green: Mountain Top. Tom Watson designed it. It is humongous, and not unlike the greens you’ll see on the course. Wicked fast with lots of up and down!
Hopefully, we’ve given you a little taste of what to expect from Branson golf. If you’re ready to plan your Branson golf vacation, request a quote here!
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Top of the Rock 9