Branson’s golf destination garnered several accolades via Golf Digest’s just released “2025-26 Best in State” compilation, including having four 18-hole courses recognized for excellence and the region as Missouri’s top place for public play.
Of the 15 best-in-state courses listed by Golf Digest, 10 of them are private, with Branson having a stellar quartet of public venues. There are 400 Missouri golf courses.
Wrote Golf Digest in its published analysis accompanying the rankings: “Missouri golf continues to benefit from the momentum of Big Cedar Lodge’s development. The boom in travel to the new Branson, Mo., golf destination has led to an increase in evaluations from our course-ranking panelists across the state—which means we were able to boost our best courses in Missouri rankings to include five more deserving layouts this year.”
“Not only do all three of Big Cedar Lodge’s 18-hole courses continue to hold a spot in our top-10 ranking with Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw’s Ozarks National ranking third, the Tiger Woods-designed Payne’s Valley sitting seventh and Tom Fazio’s Buffalo Ridge eighth, but Branson Hills Golf Club makes its first appearance in over 10 years, undoubtedly thanks to an influx of traffic headed that way.”
Golf Digest has been publishing a Best in State ranking every other year since 1977, making this its 25th edition. It deploys a trained panel of more than 1,700 low-handicap golfers to continually assess America’s courses. The rankings were based on more than 80,000 evaluations over a 10-year cycle from its panelists, who assess candidate courses based on the following criteria: Shot Options, Challenge, Design Variety, Conditioning, Aesthetics, and Character.
“Branson is an exciting destination where there’s something for everyone, including live entertainment theatres, lakes, historic downtown, modern waterfront Branson Landing, outdoor adventures, breweries and wineries, museums, and more,” said Heather Hermen, Senior Vice President/Chief Marketing & Communications Officer of Explore Branson. “With our courses consistently receiving global recognition and acclaim, we look forward to welcoming more golf travelers to Branson and the Southwest Missouri Ozarks.”
The golf destination’s array of 10 unique courses (an 11th is scheduled to open in July) provides a spectrum of experiences – from brawny, championship-style layouts that delight trophy course hunters, to a collection of more player friendly designs. There’s something for everyone’s tastes.
Branson is easily reached by vehicle thanks to its middle America location (one-third of the U.S. mainland population is within an 8-hour drive). Those who prefer flying have many flights from which to choose via Springfield-Branson National Airport (SGF).
Visitors can create any number of stay-and-play itineraries due to the destination’s vast array of lodging options and proximity of each course to one another. For more information about Branson Golf and a menu of family friendly things to do in Branson, visit www.explorebranson.com
