John Daly's Murder Rock Golf & Country Club (review)

[Gozz]

Branson, MO

I've heard all the acclaimed status of Murder Rock ( http://www.murderrockgolf.com/ ) and being that it is the sister course to one of my favorite area courses ( http://www.bransoncreekgolf.com/ ) I thought it was time to take a lap around this track. You will not be disappointed upon arrival with a beautiful club house and scenic views for miles. Unfortunately that is about all the positives that I have for this course. This is a semi-private course with rates to match. I don't mind paying a little extra when I get a little extra but I was greatly disappointed with the condition of the course and facilities. The driving range is built into the side of a mountain and outside of warming up it is useless for practice. You are hitting into an uphill slope with no yardages provided. At this time there is no putting green available. The fairway's are thin and even bare in spots. I know that it is fall and the grass is going dormant but this course looks as though it was opened to soon to try to re-coup some money. The greens were plush but very inconsistent and SLOW. The GPS was useless from the tee boxes giving markers from 350-450 yards away and no aiming points. Several of the holes are blind driving holes (which I hate) and you have no idea where to aim. There are no hazard markers (red, yellow or white) so you have to hit a provissional ball if you think that you are even remotely close to trouble. Though I believe this course does have the potential to be one of the better courses in the area, right now it has a long way to go. I can not see it taking over the status as "the course to play" over Branson Creek. They need to follow the lead of Branson Creek and throw in the little perks, ie: range balls, bag tags etc. Will I play this course again? Yes, but not for another year when their rates drop and I have heard some positive feedback of improvement on the conditions of the course. If you can play it for $40 or less it will be worth your time. Anything over that you will be wishing that you would of stopped at Branson Creek.

[LP28]

I've heard all the acclaimed status of Murder Rock ( http://www.murderrockgolf.com/ ) and being that it is the sister course to one of my favorite area courses ( http://www.bransoncreekgolf.com/ ) I thought it was time to take a lap around this track. You will not be disappointed upon arrival with a beautiful club house and scenic views for miles. Unfortunately that is about all the positives that I have for this course. This is a semi-private course with rates to match. I don't mind paying a little extra when I get a little extra but I was greatly disappointed with the condition of the course and facilities. The driving range is built into the side of a mountain and outside of warming up it is useless for practice. You are hitting into an uphill slope with no yardages provided. At this time there is no putting green available. The fairway's are thin and even bare in spots. I know that it is fall and the grass is going dormant but this course looks as though it was opened to soon to try to re-coup some money. The greens were plush but very inconsistent and SLOW. The GPS was useless from the tee boxes giving markers from 350-450 yards away and no aiming points. Several of the holes are blind driving holes (which I hate) and you have no idea where to aim. There are no hazard markers (red, yellow or white) so you have to hit a provissional ball if you think that you are even remotely close to trouble. Though I believe this course does have the potential to be one of the better courses in the area, right now it has a long way to go. I can not see it taking over the status as "the course to play" over Branson Creek. They need to follow the lead of Branson Creek and throw in the little perks, ie: range balls, bag tags etc. Will I play this course again? Yes, but not for another year when their rates drop and I have heard some positive feedback of improvement on the conditions of the course. If you can play it for $40 or less it will be worth your time. Anything over that you will be wishing that you would of stopped at Branson Creek.

 

Branson is great place - buddy of mine lived there for a few years and been out there a few times. Boasts one of my favorite places to play - Ledgestone Golf Course. Played it many times. He knew the old Asst. Pro. What a great track. Never played Branson Creek but I know people who have and they said it is the nuts!!

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

Any pics????

[gboldman23]

I played Branson Creek and Murder Rock over the weekend. Honestly i liked Murder Rock better. May have been because it was in better shape too. As well as it presents itself alot better as well.

[exgolfpro]

A friend of mine is the Super at Murder Rock and has been for about 1 1/2 years. As of this past year (2009), he said he was still trying to grow the golf course in. Many spots are still a bit bare. I have not played there, but have several friends who have. From what I understand, Branson Creek is still the pick of the area.

[Justmuckit]

Heading down in two weeks to play 4 rounds in 3 days at Branson Creek and Payne Stewart.

[@Dr_Branon]

I'm going down in August. Planning on playing Branson Creek, Top of The Rock and the Payne Stewart course. Pretty excited about it!

Dr. B

[Night train]

Branson Creek and Payne Stewart are the two premier courses in the area. They are both excellent tracks with great turf, but entirely different.

Branson Creek lulls you into thinking it's not to difficult with it's huge fairways and greens, but when you walk off the course you can't understand why you're score isn't better. The course is big and majestic.

Payne Stewart is beautiful and brutal, I don't think a high handicap player could ever break 100 on it. It's very demanding in places. A beautiful course that will beat the hell out of you if you're game is not in order.

Murder Rock is a fun members club but not even close to these two layouts.

[jbird5150]

[quote name='Soon2AdjustYou' date='12 March 2010 - 03:31 PM' timestamp='1268425886' post='2311956']
I'm going down in August. Planning on playing Branson Creek, Top of The Rock and the Payne Stewart course. Pretty excited about it!

Dr. B
[/quote]

Might want to check on Top of the Rock. That course has been closed for renovations for quite some time now. I hear it's opening soon, but haven't heard anything solid on a date.

I played it a few years back. Nicklaus designed Par 3 with breathtaking views of Table Rock lake. Very nice. Looking forward to seeing what they add with the renovation.

[Choppy]

[quote name='jbird5150' date='04 May 2010 - 04:02 PM' timestamp='1273006959' post='2420992']
[quote name='Soon2AdjustYou' date='12 March 2010 - 03:31 PM' timestamp='1268425886' post='2311956']
I'm going down in August. Planning on playing Branson Creek, Top of The Rock and the Payne Stewart course. Pretty excited about it!

Dr. B
[/quote]

Might want to check on Top of the Rock. That course has been closed for renovations for quite some time now. I hear it's opening soon, but haven't heard anything solid on a date.

I played it a few years back. Nicklaus designed Par 3 with breathtaking views of Table Rock lake. Very nice. Looking forward to seeing what they add with the renovation.
[/quote]


I wasn't a fan of Murder Rock. Way too many bare spots and dirt in the fairways. No comparison to Branson Creek or Payne Stewart. Steer clear of the over priced mickey mouse course called Pointe Royale as well. As for Top of the Rock. That place has been a disaster for a while now.

[juddty]

Point Royale is a joke. Ledgestone is pretty decent with good scenery. Branson Creek is a good course but the people there are not very good to the customers especially considering their club house is a trailor. I have not played MR but my friend is the sup and he brags it up. I do think the prices are a little high to compete though