Ozark National & Payne’s Valley

[TK3]

Hi guys,

 

Playing Ozark National & Payne’s Valley next Friday & Saturday - any word on conditioning, tips, etc?

 

My favorite (by far) is Buffalo Ridge, but I’m anxious to compare it to these 2 newcomers in Branson. 
 

Cheers,

TK3

[CWilliams]

I'm curious also. We are headed to play Payne's Valley and Buffalo Ridge at the end of this month. My first trip up there, can't wait to go.

[sippy2]

I prefer Buffalo Ridge to Ozark National. I have not played Paynes Valley...I would be interested to hear how it fits in the mix.

[oneunderbogey]

IMO its Ozark > Buffalo Ridge > Paynes Valley.  With the 10 round test I would probably do 5 at Ozark, 3 at buffalo ridge and 2 at Paynes.  PV is a little to forced / over the top for me.  

 

They are all really fun courses though.  I saw a recent report that the greens at BR aren't in great shape so maybe check on that.  

[CWilliams]

On 7/15/2022 at 8:46 PM, TK3 said:

Hi guys,

 

Playing Ozark National & Payne’s Valley next Friday & Saturday - any word on conditioning, tips, etc?

 

My favorite (by far) is Buffalo Ridge, but I’m anxious to compare it to these 2 newcomers in Branson. 
 

Cheers,

TK3

Well how was it at Payne's Valley?

 

[dmay73]

What is the rates at PV?

[CWilliams]

18 minutes ago, dmay73 said:

What is the rates at PV?

$345 after tax

[TK3]

Ok guys, just got back from playing Payne’s Valley & Ozark National. 
 

Let me begin by saying - WOW.

And it was 103* both days - but Thank You Lord for the wind!

 

Ozark National 

Big. Bold. Beautiful. 
Zoysia fairways in MINT condition. Fast, firm and not a bad lie in sight. 
 

Big fairways 

Big greens, fast but true. 
The course has several defenses:

1. Wind

2. Fairways slant either Left to Right or vice versa, so you have to drive the ball well or else many bunkers are in your future. 

3. Bunkers are extremely well placed. Hit 4 in my first 3 holes. 

Pace of play: Just over 4hrs

Price: $250

Shot 84 - Blue tees

Would I play it again? Absolutely. 

 

Payne’s Valley 

Like Ozark, WOW

Big. Bold. Beautiful. 
Zoysia fairways in MINT condition. Fast, firm and not a bad lie in sight. 
 

HUGE fairways 

HUGE greens, fast but true. 
(see the resemblance to above?)

 

Awesome holes, extremely scenic and TW/ Johnny Morris went overboard with spectacular waterfalls, caves, rock croppings, etc. 

 

Fantastic design, uphills/downhills short Par 3s over water, long Par 5s, this course has it all. 
 

Also, food is complimentary (you have to try the Bison dogs), free of course. 
 

Honestly, I loved the course and everything about it. No complaints. 
 

Pace of play: Just over 4.5 hrs

Price: $350 OUCH

Shot 89 - Combo Blue / white tees

Would I play it again? Absolutely.

 

Both courses are very playable - just go and enjoy. 
 

Cheers

TK

[CWilliams]

8 minutes ago, TK3 said:

Ok guys, just got back from playing Payne’s Valley & Ozark National. 
 

Let me begin by saying - WOW.

And it was 103* both days - but Thank You Lord for the wind!

 

Ozark National 

Big. Bold. Beautiful. 
Zoysia fairways in MINT condition. Fast, firm and not a bad lie in sight. 
 

Big fairways 

Big greens, fast but true. 
The course has several defenses:

1. Wind

2. Fairways slant either Left to Right or vice versa, so you have to drive the ball well or else many bunkers are in your future. 

3. Bunkers are extremely well placed. Hit 4 in my first 3 holes. 

Pace of play: Just over 4hrs

Price: $250

Shot 84 - Blue tees

Would I play it again? Absolutely. 

 

Payne’s Valley 

Like Ozark, WOW

Big. Bold. Beautiful. 
Zoysia fairways in MINT condition. Fast, firm and not a bad lie in sight. 
 

HUGE fairways 

HUGE greens, fast but true. 
(see the resemblance to above?)

 

Awesome holes, extremely scenic and TW/ Johnny Morris went overboard with spectacular waterfalls, caves, rock croppings, etc. 

 

Fantastic design, uphills/downhills short Par 3s over water, long Par 5s, this course has it all. 
 

Also, food is complimentary (you have to try the Bison dogs), free of course. 
 

Honestly, I loved the course and everything about it. No complaints. 
 

Pace of play: Just over 4.5 hrs

Price: $350 OUCH

Shot 89 - Combo Blue / white tees

Would I play it again? Absolutely.

 

Both courses are very playable - just go and enjoy. 
 

Cheers

TK

 

Awesome to hear! We are playing PV this Thursday. Please do a fare weather dance for me haha. It is showing around 50% thunderstorms and the same for Friday when we are playing Buffalo Ridge. I will be out there in a poncho if I have to, had this trip planned for too long! Glad you had a great time!

Edited July 25, 2022 by CWilliams

[TK3]

I bet $$ it won’t rain. 
There was rain forecasted for us as well, and not a cloud in the sky. 
 

Please check - I was told by my playing partners that BR has a fungus problem with their greens. My partners said they were still playable, but nothing like ON or PV. 
 

I would call the pro shop to confirm. 
BTW, even after playing all 3 course - BR is still my favorite ⛳️🏌️‍♂️🙏

 

Enjoy my friend 

[tim_harris]

We haven’t had rain in forever so I wouldn’t be to concerned about getting rained out.  If anything maybe a summer storm that blows through quickly.

 

Right now Buffalos greens aren’t as good as the others but still worth playing.  Many people I know consider it their favorite on the property.

 

Personally I would take Ozark over all the others but there isn’t a bad course on the property including the 2 par 3 courses

Edited July 26, 2022 by tim_harris

[Robby_Hughey]

Thanks for the report back OP! I'm heading to Tablerock in August for a bachelor party and might try to play PV and/or Ozark beforehand. I played Buffalo Ridge in college for the Missouri Am and it was so pure. If I end up playing PV or Ozark, I'll report back...

[robdalky]

Went there couple weeks ago, BRs layout is amazing but the greens are in serious trouble. Bad fungus issues, hope they can save them. Playable but barely.

 

Ozark is great.

 

Paynes imo though is incredible. My personal favorite. Wide open off the tee but not too easy / resort golf, closing stretch 15 through 18 is great. Not a single bad hole. Expensive but worth it. 
 

Also played Branson Hills. Great track, good condition. Very hard and in 105 it was hot as hell in some of the valleys. Lot of forced layups off trees and very difficult so may not be everyone’s cup of tea.

 

also the paynes valley cabins and the par 3 courses are great.

Edited July 31, 2022 by robdalky

[Modad]

Fortunate to live a couple hours south of the Big Cedar courses, so get there a couple of times a year.  I have to agree that Ozark National is my favorite; maybe that the Payne's Valley course is so $$.  Once was probably enough....

[TK3]

Looked into staying at the PV cabins during our golf trip next summer. 
 

is it true that a 4bd/4bath cabin is…..gulp, $7000/night???

[ND2005]

2 hours ago, TK3 said:

Looked into staying at the PV cabins during our golf trip next summer. 
 

is it true that a 4bd/4bath cabin is…..gulp, $7000/night???

those are their absolute highest tier of lodging. Like the equivalent of booking a presidential suite at a normal resort hotel. 
 

Their lodging in general is super expensive though. 

[tim_harris]

On 8/3/2022 at 1:24 PM, TK3 said:

Looked into staying at the PV cabins during our golf trip next summer. 
 

is it true that a 4bd/4bath cabin is…..gulp, $7000/night???

 

Prepare yourself for sticker shock everywhere you go there.  From lodging, to green fees, to meals nothing is cheap there.

[Modad]

4 hours ago, tim_harris said:

 

Prepare yourself for sticker shock everywhere you go there.  From lodging, to green fees, to meals nothing is cheap there.

You can get some good deals at the Big Cedar Wilderness club on Airbnb, otherwise any Big Cedar Resort lodging is expensive! 

[tte720]

We’ve booked the 2br/2bath cottages for $1250/night. 2 queens per bedroom will work out to 300ish/person/night for our group’s trip next year 

[puttnforthe8]

Anyone have info on what the the earliest golf will be playable?