Branson, MO

[ckates7]

Has anyone taken a trip to play golf in Branson? If so, what courses would you recommend?

[cbehan]

Great topic.

I went down there a year ago and played 4 courses in a weekend. Here's my rundown:

Branson Creek - Great track. Typical Tom Fazio with reachable par 5s, and many holes playing downhill. The "clubhouse" is an embarassment, but this is an absolute top notch public course.
Murder Rock - Right across the street from Branson Creek....and that's about the best I can say about it. Overpriced, and very boring. Many holes are completely exposed so the wind will affect your game, and they have bermuda fairways, which is different than most Zoysia or Bent fairways you'll see in the midwest. Nice clubhouse.
Ledgestone - Hidden gem. Not nearly the pub of BC or Payne Stewart (or even Murder Rock), but a mature, insteresting, target golf course. Doesn't play too long, but you need to be straight and take what the course gives you. It has some blind shots, but usually includes visual target clues to help first timers.
Payne Stewart - Fun course, but a little overdone at times. Usually in good shape, and has probably the 2 or 3 best holes of the list here, but also has some ones that seem forced or simply disappointing. The 18th here is the worst 18th of all this list without question.

If I had to rank them:

1. Branson Creek
1b. Payne Stewart
1c. Ledgestone
2.
3.
4. Murder Rock.

[Truman]

Ledgestone is my favorite in the area. Branson creek and Murder Rock are clear out by the airport, and not nearly as scenic as Ledgestonr,

[Rosco1216]

Branson Creek, Payne Stewart, LedgeStone, Murder Rock.

[br61]

I live about 75 miles north of Branson and have played many courses there often. 3 of my favorite courses there are Branson Creek, Payne Stewart GC and Ledgestone. Other courses are ok though. Branson Creek has a great staff in their "pro shop" and they deserve better facilities but I guess Troon Golf are tightwad idiots.

If you have time to play on my home course(Silo Ridge CC), you'll enjoy it. PM me if you need more info.

[ckates7]

This helps a lot guys. I was looking at photos of Murder Rock before, and I thought it looked boring as well.