Top of the Rock Course
Top of the Rock Golf Course
About this course
Top of the Rock, the first-ever par-3 course to be included in a professional golf tour event, sits nestled in the Ozark Mountains near Branson, Missouri. The course is a testament to the vision of Johnny Morris, founder of Bass Pro Shops, who sought to create a unique golfing experience that harmonizes with the stunning natural landscape. Designed by Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson and Arnold Palmer, the course features dramatic elevation changes and breathtaking views of Table Rock Lake, playing at just over 1,400 yards. The course design is challenging, with strategically placed bunkers, water hazards, and undulating greens that demand creativity and precision from players of all skill levels. Its not uncommon to see players go for broke with the scenic backdrops and relatively modest demands from tee to green. This unique course has hosted the Bass Pro Shops Legends of Golf PGA Champions Tour event, showcasing its playability and appeal to both professional golfers and enthusiasts alike. Not necessarily known for its exclusivity, Top of the Rock has instead provided a unique experience for golfers traveling in the Ozark region and helped to provide a distinct location for championship golf.
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
- Ridgedale, MO, USA
- Access
- Public
- Year built
- 1996
- Designer
- Jack Nicklaus
- Holes
- 9
- Par
- 27
- Length
- 945 yards
- Course Vaults score
- 7.9
Getting there
Top of the Rock Golf Course sits perched in the Ozark highlands near Ridgedale, Missouri, most readily accessed via Springfield-Branson National Airport (SGF), roughly ninety minutes to the southwest, or alternatively through Kansas City International (MCI), a two-and-a-half-hour drive north through rolling prairie that gradually gives way to the region's distinctive bluff country. The final leg of the journey traces state highways eastward into the Boston Mountains, where the landscape shifts decisively - dense forest canopy closes in, elevation climbs, and the road narrows into the kind of winding approach that announces arrival in genuine high country. From the moment you crest the ridge and glimpse the clubhouse framed against the Ozark skyline, the isolation and elevation that define Top of the Rock become unmistakable, a remote perch that rewards the drive with unobstructed views across the plateau.
FAQ
Common questions about Top of the Rock
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Top of the Rock has a Course Vaults score of 7.9 out of 10 based on 69 logged golfers.
Top of the Rock was designed by Jack Nicklaus.
Yes. Top of the Rock is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at Top of the Rock is 27.
Top of the Rock plays 945 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
Top of the Rock is a 9-hole course.
