Lake of the Ozarks

[CStephenson17]

Looking at doing a guys trip in June to Lake of the Ozarks. Looks like the golf and lodging are extremely affordable. Thinking of playing Old Kinderhook, Osage National, Bear Creek Valley, The Oaks at Tan Tar A. Anyone have experience in this area or golf clubs? Any others we should add or leave out? Thanks!

[Chrismydawg]

I heard the Blue Cat Hotel is a happening place...

[br61]

I live about 50 miles southwest of Old Kinderhook. I enjoy playing there and Osage National. I have not played at Bear Creek. The last time I played The Oaks at Tan Tar A was about 20 years ago, their greens are pretty grainy. Short and hilly course but it can be tough to score.

 

There is a private course that I always enjoy playing on, The Club of Porto Cima. I'm not sure if you can get on that course but it probably won't be cheap. Depending on day of the week, a round on my home club might be arranged. You'll like the course.

[exgolfpro]

Old Kinderhook is a nice choice and has lodging on site. I second the above recommendation of Porto Cima if you can swing it. I thought they had a stay and play agreement with one of the resorts...maybe Lodge of the Four Seasons? Might check it out.

[br61]

Old Kinderhook is a nice choice and has lodging on site. I second the above recommendation of Porto Cima if you can swing it. I thought they had a stay and play agreement with one of the resorts...maybe Lodge of the Four Seasons? Might check it out.

 

You are correct, I forgot about that. Here's the link. A round at Porto Cima is included.

 

https://4seasonsresort.com/discover-the-best-of-the-lake/

 

Old Kinderhook's hotel is rather new and they do have some cottages or villas for rent.

[jli2636]

Maybe it was just when I played it(after pretty heavy rain) but I thought Kinderhook was overrated. I understand fully that I am in the minority with this opinion as well. The Oaks was just OK in my opinion. Like someone mentioned it’s really hilly and conditioning was not great but good enough. I will say from what I have heard(haven’t played it personally) if you can swing Porto Cima don’t hesitate. I live about 90 miles north of the lake so it’s tough to justify playing much down there with My daughter keeping me busy. Kind of a quirky but fun course I thought was Eldon Golf Club. This was a couple years ago but you can get it for a song on GolfNow and the conditioning was great. It’s pretty short, but I had the course essentially to myself and enjoyed it a ton, especially for the price I paid, but others might be able to chime in on more recent conditioning.

[Justmuckit]

You've received good advice thus far. Personally, I'd focus on Old Kinderhook, Osage National and Porto Cima if you can get on. The Oaks course is nothing special, and neither are the Four Seasons courses, IMO.

[sabram]

Photo tour of Old Kinderhook. Well worth playing IMO: https://www.flickr.com/photos/golfcoursepix/albums/72157683832572162

[CStephenson17]

Thanks for the info guys!

[kamizzou91]

I would echo the above. Me and 11 other guys do a trip every summer there. We stay at Old Kinderhook and play two rounds there, and a couple other rounds at other courses. Porto Cima is the best if you can get on, otherwise Osage National is probably the second best public course behind Kinderhook. The other courses there I would say are a notch below those and in a similar tier (The Oaks, Witch's Cove, Season's Ridge, Bear Creek Valley) and aren't that great. It is usually a very affordable trip though.

[miket_81]

Kinderhook is a shorter but very fun course that can play pretty tight on some holes and it has some of the best fairways and greens you will play. Osage National is a very fun course with some great views and fun holes and is usually in great shape. I would skip the Oaks. Of the 2 4-Seasons courses I would play the ridge if it were me but the Cove isn't terrible.

[krb]

Kinderhook is a nice layout and affordable. Osage national is good. Porto Cima is the best conditioned club I’ve played in the area, but expansive for non members.

[Rosales]

Love Old Kinderhook. Great layout around the resort and cabins, Stayed at The Lodge of the Four Seasons once and had a co-worker robbed at knife point in a cab.

[ChipNRun]

Played Old Kinderhook. First time through, just enjoy it. You don't really know what's there until you play it once.

 

Warning on hole No. 12... position your drive in the center of the fairway at start of dogleg. Do not try to cut corner left, there's not much fairway between creek and bushy hillside.