Osage National Golf Club

Osage National Golf Club's River 9 forms part of a 27-hole Arnold Palmer design situated along the Osage River in Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks region. Opened in the early 1990s as part of a resort and residential development, the course takes advantage of the area's rolling terrain and wooded hillsides characteristic of the Ozarks landscape. Palmer's routing works with significant elevation changes and incorporates views of the river valley below, creating a layout that differs notably from the flatter parkland courses common elsewhere in Missouri. The River 9 features the kind of strategic bunkering and green complexes typical of Palmer's design philosophy, which emphasized playability for resort guests while maintaining challenge for accomplished players. The holes move through corridors of oak and hickory, with several playing along ridgelines that offer glimpses of the water. The terrain naturally produces uneven lies and requires thoughtful club selection on approach shots where greens sit at varying elevations. Osage National operates as a semi-private facility, serving both members and resort guests visiting the Lake of the Ozarks area. The club combines the River 9 with two other nines—Mountain and Links—allowing for varied 18-hole combinations. The setting provides a more rugged, naturalistic golf experience than many Midwest courses, reflecting Palmer's tendency to preserve existing landforms rather than impose heavily manufactured features on the property.