Welp. Planned a family vacation to Hollister specifically to check a bucket list and play Payne's Valley. Decided to get a lake house for more family fun, which means I had to hit the 14-day window to book since we're not on property.

Based on internet lore, the play was hit the site promptly at 6A to try and book. I sat ready and willing at 5:30A this morning.

Primary Goal: Book Payne's.
Secondary Goal: Book Cliffhangers.
Tertiary Goal: Book Buffalo Ridge.

By 5:55A, I'm on and refreshing. 6A hits. No openings at Payne's. I pivot. No openings at Cliffhangers. I pivot. Nothing at Buffalo Ridge.

So I ended up grabbing Mountain Top so I can at least get on the property. Don't get me wrong, I'm excited to check Mountain Top out. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed, though. On the plus side, it's about a fifth the price of Payne's Valley.

I'm going to try again for Saturday, though I doubt it's any better given the Friday situation. I am wondering now if the 6A tip was right, or if the play is to hit it at midnight. Oh well.

I think I'm going to try and plan a day a Big Cedar for the family, though. Go and do the tour, play Mountain Top, and then see if we can stay for dinner or something. Any advice?

I'd call a week or so out. People will cancel as it gets closer. Also check out Ledgestone. Great course in West Branson at a much normal rate.

I played Top of the Rock in March. There's great restaurant at the course and really great Native American museum there as well. I was staying at Big Cedar Lodge but there was hardly anyone playing when my son and I played. Was great experience and great memories with my son.

Top of the Rock is an excellent 9 hole if all else fails. I played in March as well. Cold front hit about 20 minutes before my tee time so I ended up having the course to myself.

Buffalo Ridge is awesome

tur***gie24 said:

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Buffalo Ridge is awesome

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Might be my favorite out of all of them. Played there a few times - most recently after Arky game. Witnessed an ace on 17. My brother has a business partner that lives off 17.

Headed in a day early now and was able to score a Cliffhangers tee time.

why did you not try ozark national

Check every evening and morning for cancelations. We went on our way to ND and got on Buffalo Ridge just the afternoon before. They will often have groups scheduled for corporate deals that have no-shows and they will fill these with wait-list type people. You may have to play with people you don't know, but beats not playing.

CapCity12thMan said:

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why did you not try ozark national

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I did, actually. It was gone, too. It ended up working out because it's a golf trip masquerading as a family trip. Sneaking in a couple of Par 3s was easier to get past my auditor.

When are you playing? We'll be in the Ozarks the last wek of May and will probably play mountain top with my 11 year old.

We'll be in Norfolk so we might try a local course as well for a cheaper 9 holes.

Thinking Cooper's Hawk or Turkey Mountain.

This week, actually. Cliffhangers is tomorrow afternoon, Mountain Top this weekend.

Booked Mountain Top for 5/26.

Excited to hear your report.

restaurant recommendations?

Playing Mountain Top tomorrow morning (weather permitting).

Man...it isn't cheap, but that's a great experience.

Amazing property and golf courses.

We went last year in March, Cliffhangers wasn't finished yet, but played Paynes Valley and just marveled at what Cliffhangers was turning into.

Was a 16th birthday trip for my son, he smoked me. Went -1 on the back 9. The ladies sang happy birthday to him in the Turn House, and made him sit on the bar. Cant wait to go back.

My son has an edit on his tiktok page of the round @travis_perkins_golf and his newest post is some highlights from the TJGT event down on the campus course last week.

We went to several places, and there are a lot of great options. For breakfast Billy Gails stuck out to us as, we ended up there twice during our time in town.

I'm in Branson this week on our annual vacation with my wife's family. Nobody else golfs but I brought my clubs and will fit in a round. I've played Ledgestone before while on this trip and it's way closer to where we stay on Indian Point. Ozark National does have availability this week, is it worth $400?

Is Branson Hills an option worth checking out?

I think Ozark was like 250 when I played it but it was a random Tuesday morning 7 yrs ago. Totally worth it in my opinion but largely because I was there alone. Literally only one on the range and course. Didn't see anyone until 12th hole

$400 is steep so hard to justify IMHO but see if they can be talked in to playing 27 or 36

It's definitely $400 now for Monday morning at 9am.

Branson Hills is much closer to where I am and 70% the cost. Anyone played there?

Played there a handful of years back and thought it was good for the price. Lots of elevation if I remember correctly.

I know you mentioned it already but ledgestone is very underrated imo. One of my favs

Pahdz said:

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I'm in Branson this week on our annual vacation with my wife's family. Nobody else golfs but I brought my clubs and will fit in a round. I've played Ledgestone before while on this trip and it's way closer to where we stay on Indian Point. Ozark National does have availability this week, is it worth $400?

Is Branson Hills an option worth checking out?

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Ozarks National is an awesome track but $400 is pretty steep. I would be hammering that half way house each time I went by to try and make up some cost!

Ozarks National also has a decent amount of blind shots so hopefully you're playing with someone whos been there before. We had a forecaddie the day we played Paynes and Ozarks but dont think itd be worth the cost for just one course.

Pahdz said:

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It's definitely $400 now for Monday morning at 9am.

Branson Hills is much closer to where I am and 70% the cost. Anyone played there?

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We played Branson Hills after playing Big Cedar courses. Difficult track.

Pahdz said:

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It's definitely $400 now for Monday morning at 9am.

Branson Hills is much closer to where I am and 70% the cost. Anyone played there?

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Can't say if it's worth it or not.

Walking 13 of mountain top (long par 3s) was $130 if I remember correctly in June. I'd say it was worth it. Nice putting course below the club house as well.