Big Cedar Lodge – Payne's Valley
Plan your round at Big Cedar Lodge – Payne's Valley
Payne's Valley is a par-72 course at Big Cedar Lodge in the Ozark Mountains near Branson, designed by Tiger Woods and TGR Design with the Payne Stewart family and Johnny Morris. It opened in 2021 as Tiger's first fully public-access design in the U.S. and was named Golf Digest's Best New Public Course in America. It plays 7,370 yards from the Tiger tees (75.6 rating, 132 slope) over limestone bluffs, creeks and lakes. A bonus par-3 19th hole, The Rock, sits at the base of a limestone wall with waterfalls.
- Resort
- 18 holes
- Par 72
- Designed by Tiger Woods / TGR Design
- Opened 2021
Course strategy
Read the card before you play it
Hole by hole
Walk the course
Hole 1
393
yds ·White
A long downhill opener with Ozark views. Aim down the left side to stay clear of the right-side bunker.
Hole 2
197
yds ·White
A long par 3 that plays shorter because it drops downhill, so adjust your club. A ridge runs through the green.
Hole 3
278
yds ·White
A drivable par 4. Driver brings the bunkers into play, and a layup is the safe option.
Hole 4
484
yds ·White
A risk-reward par 5. A creek and lake guard the front of a small green.
Hole 5
142
yds ·White
A par 3 to a peninsula green over water. The only safe miss is left.
Hole 6
405
yds ·White
Favor the right side off the tee. A large bunker sits left of the green.
Hole 7
315
yds ·White
An uphill par 4 with a limestone formation on the right. A false front on the left side of the green can send shots back.
Hole 8
455
yds ·White
A par 5 with fairway bunkers on both sides. Tee off down the left, away from the trees on the right.
Hole 9
372
yds ·White
A par 4 that doglegs right. Hugging the right-side bunker gives the best approach.
Hole 10
140
yds ·White
A downhill par 3 to a heart-shaped green with water and trouble all around.
Hole 11
374
yds ·White
Split the bunkers off the tee. The right side gives the best view of the green.
Hole 12
282
yds ·White
The fairway slopes left. Drive over the edge of the bunker or lay up.
Hole 13
493
yds ·White
An uphill par 5 with a bunker guarding the right side of the green.
Hole 14
353
yds ·White
Fairway bunkers sit on the right. The green is long and narrow, with a bunker and rough on the left.
Hole 15
376
yds ·White
A long, uphill par 4 to a narrow, deep green with bunkers on both sides.
Hole 16
171
yds ·White
A long downhill par 3 to a large green. Avoid the left, where rough, a bunker and the lake wait.
Hole 17
424
yds ·White
Two bunkers sit down the middle of the fairway. Left is shorter, while right gives an elevated approach.
Hole 18
479
yds ·White
A par 5 that bends toward the big rock wall. Water sits behind the green, so a layup is often wise. A bonus 19th hole, The Rock, is a short par 3 at the base of the limestone wall with waterfalls (134 yards from the back tee); it is not part of the 18-hole scorecard.
ScorecardView the full scorecard
Distances in yards
| Hole | Par | Hcp | Tiger | Blue | White | Red |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | 3 | 483 | 452 | 393 | 319 |
| 2 | 3 | 7 | 267 | 237 | 197 | 126 |
| 3 | 4 | 17 | 334 | 304 | 278 | 221 |
| 4 | 5 | 11 | 544 | 521 | 484 | 378 |
| 5 | 3 | 9 | 188 | 169 | 142 | 119 |
| 6 | 4 | 13 | 444 | 433 | 405 | 300 |
| 7 | 4 | 15 | 368 | 350 | 315 | 254 |
| 8 | 5 | 5 | 567 | 545 | 455 | 394 |
| 9 | 4 | 1 | 429 | 405 | 372 | 269 |
| Out | 36 | 3,624 | 3,416 | 3,041 | 2,380 | |
| 10 | 3 | 16 | 183 | 161 | 140 | 99 |
| 11 | 4 | 12 | 429 | 405 | 374 | 342 |
| 12 | 4 | 18 | 341 | 322 | 282 | 237 |
| 13 | 5 | 2 | 653 | 566 | 493 | 448 |
| 14 | 4 | 10 | 421 | 396 | 353 | 300 |
| 15 | 4 | 4 | 456 | 418 | 376 | 318 |
| 16 | 3 | 14 | 224 | 204 | 171 | 101 |
| 17 | 4 | 8 | 487 | 458 | 424 | 350 |
| 18 | 5 | 6 | 552 | 530 | 479 | 382 |
| In | 36 | 3,746 | 3,460 | 3,092 | 2,577 | |
| Total | 72 | 7,370 | 6,876 | 6,133 | 4,957 | |
| Rating / Slope | 75.6 / 132 | 73.2 / 125 | 69.4 / 119 | 64.0 / 102 | ||
| Women's rating / slope | — | — | 75.3 / 130 | 68.6 / 115 | ||
Before you go
Everything to know on arrival
Know before you go
- Wear a collared shirt (men) and soft-spike or tennis shoes; no metal spikes
- Bring your own bag; rental clubs are available at the shop
- Book through the Big Cedar tee-time page and check the waitlist if sold out
- Plan on about 5 hours for the round
- Check the aeration closure dates before booking
- Fairways go dormant from late October through March
- No outside alcohol
- Ask about forecaddies (March to November)
- Pick up a free rangefinder at the pro shop with ID
- The 19th hole, The Rock, is a bonus par 3; ask the shop how to play it
Dress code
Proper golf attire is required, including collared shirts for men over 12. Women should wear proper golf attire with no bathing suits or tank tops. Soft-spike golf shoes or tennis shoes only; no metal spikes, boots or high heels.
Carts & walking
Carts have built-in GPS. A non-playing rider pays a rider fee, and anyone hitting shots pays a greens fee. Forecaddies are available from March through November by arrangement with the Caddie Manager; gratuity is customary and cash is expected.
Practice facilities
The Ozarks National Practice Facility serves Payne's Valley guests, with a driving range (Zoysia grass plus artificial hitting surfaces), two putting greens and a three-green short game area with bunkers. The separate Tom Watson Putting Course is near the Mountain Top Clubhouse.
Rentals & pro shop
TaylorMade rental clubs are available and include two sleeves of balls. Players must use their own bags. Digital rangefinders are free at the pro shop with ID.
Food & drink
Mountain Top Grill, the clubhouse restaurant overlooking Payne's Valley and Mountain Top, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Tall Tales Bar & Grill near Angler's Lodge in Hollister is open to the public in the afternoon and evening. Check current hours.
Pace of play
The scorecard asks for a pace of 5 hours or less per 19 holes, and the course reports an average round of about 5 hours. Course guides are out on the course to help keep groups moving.
Policies
Groups are limited to four players. Outside alcohol is not allowed; beverages are sold in the pro shop. The course closes periodically for aeration, so check the schedule on the course page. A tee-time waitlist is available online.
Info last reviewed October 20, 2026. Policies change — confirm with the course before your round.
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