“Short Courses” have been springing up around the globe and the trend is so prevalent that Golfweek recently unveiled its first list dedicated to the niche – “Top 40 Par-3, Short and Non-Traditional U.S. Golf Courses in the U.S.”
Fortunately for Explore Branson Golf visitors, the destination has two courses that garnered top rankings in the list, including two in the top 20 and one in the top 10.
- No. 8 – Top of the Rock, the 9-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Course, is the first-ever par-3 course to be included in a professional championship (PGA TOUR Champions Bass Pro Shops Legends of Golf.)
- No. 19 – Mountain Top, the 13-hole, walking only course designed by Gary Player, it showcases stunning Ozark views amid diverse, dramatic holes that wind around 300-million-year-old limestone formations.
Both courses are amenities of Big Cedar Lodge, which also has three 18-hole courses, all ranked among the best in the state and country and all are Audubon International certified for their best enviro and sustainability practices.
There are 10 courses in the destination, including two non-Big Cedar courses that are also ranked best-in-the state (Branson Hills and LedgeStone). All are located near one another as well as hundreds of restaurants, lodging options, and after-golf attractions (Silver Dollar City theme park, museums, live entertainment theaters, three lakes, zip lines, marinas, family venues).
An 11th course in the destination is under construction. It is an 18-hole, par-3 design called Cliffhangers that is located adjacent to Payne’s Valley, the championship layout authored by Tiger Woods and his TGR Design partners.
Wrote Golfweek about its inaugural “Short Course List”:
“We included par-3 courses as well as short courses that might have a few par 4s and even par 5s. Some are crazy, over-the-top fun meant to be played barefoot with a cold drink in hand. Others are more traditional in their design. They might be at an elite private club, or they might be a muni down the street. There might be 18 holes, or there might be only six — who cares when you’re having a blast?”
For more information about Branson and its golf destination, visit www.explorebranson.com/golf, Instagram (@ExploreBransonGolf) or Facebook (@BransonGolf).