Want the best public-access golf in Missouri? It’s simple: Head to the Branson area for Big Cedar Lodge and the independent Branson Hills. Each of the top four public-access layouts in the state lies not far from the southern Missouri border with Arkansas.
Golfweek’s Best offers many lists of course rankings, with that of top public-access courses in each state among the most popular. All the courses on this list allow public access in some fashion, be it standard daily green fees, through a resort or by staying at an affiliated hotel. If there’s a will, there’s a tee time.
Also popular are the Golfweek’s Best rankings of top private courses in each state, and that list for Missouri’s private offerings is likewise included below.
(m): Modern course, built in or after 1960
(c): Classic course, built before 1960
Note: If there is a number in the parenthesis with the m or c, that indicates where that course ranks among Golfweek’s Best top 200 modern or classic courses.
* New to or returning to list
Best public-access courses in Missouri in 2022
1. Big Cedar Lodge (Ozarks National)
Hollister (128m)
2. Big Cedar Lodge (Buffalo Ridge)
Hollister (m)
3. Branson Hills
Branson (m)
4. Big Cedar Lodge (Payne’s Valley)
Hollister (m)
5. Swope Memorial
Kansas City (c)
6. Old Kinderhook
Camdenton (m)
7. Ledgestone
Branson (m)
8. Missouri Bluffs
St. Charles (m)
9. Stone Canyon
Blue Springs (m)
10. Rivercut
Springfield (m)
Best private courses in Missouri in 2022
1. St. Louis CC
St. Louis (54c)
2. Bellerive
Creve Couer (T104m)
3. Dalhousie
Cape Girardeau (m)
4. Old Warson
Ladue (c)
5. Boone Valley*
Augusta (m)
