
Mountain Top Course
Big Cedar Lodge

About this course
Mountain Top, carved into the Ozark Mountains near Branson, Missouri, represents a bold departure from traditional golf course design, forging a challenging and visually stunning experience on land previously deemed unplayable. Its elevation changes and dramatic rock outcroppings define the course's character and provide a unique, rugged aesthetic. This 13-hole par-3 course, designed by Gary Player, defies easy categorization. While relatively modern, its strategic bunkering and demanding green complexes nod to classic design principles. The layout is less about length and more about precision and course management, challenging players to navigate the undulating terrain and account for swirling winds, conditions amplified at altitude. Mountain Top's appeal extends beyond pure golf. Itβs become a sought-after destination for those seeking an experience that blends the sport with the natural beauty of the Ozarks. The course is often booked by groups looking for a memorable, social round, often followed by the clubβs famed barbeque - a tradition amongst visiting golfers that has been going on since its inception. Its shorter format encourages camaraderie and allows players of varying skill levels to enjoy the challenge together.
Rankings
Ranked by CV ratings from golfers who've played this course. Positions are shown worldwide, by country, and by state; the Public column compares courses anyone can play.
Best in World
Best in USA
Best in MO
Quick facts
- Location
- Hollister, MO, USA
- Access
- Public
- Holes
- 13
- Par
- 39
- Course Vaults score
- 7.5
Getting there
The journey to Big Cedar Lodge begins at Springfield-Branson National Airport (SGF), a comfortable forty-minute drive north through the rolling Ozark hills. Private arrivals often favor Branson Airport, positioned even closer to the resort's wooded embrace along the shores of Table Rock Lake. The final miles wind through dense hardwood forest and limestone bluffs, the road descending toward the water's edge where Big Cedar's rustic stone-and-timber lodges emerge like a natural extension of the wilderness - a fitting threshold to one of America's most ambitious golf resort destinations.

FAQ
Common questions about Mountain Top at Big Cedar Lodge
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Mountain Top at Big Cedar Lodge has a Course Vaults score of 7.5 out of 10 based on 44 logged golfers.
Yes. Mountain Top at Big Cedar Lodge is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at Mountain Top is 39.
Mountain Top is a 13-hole course.



