Top of the Rock's ninth and final hole unveils a majestic view of the green and Table Rock Lake.
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4.3
10 Reviews (10)
5 Stars
7
4 Stars
1
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
1
Conditions
4.8
Value
2.8
Layout
4.0
Friendliness
4.1
Pace
4.7
Amenities
4.7
70.0%
Recommend this course
7 out of 10 reviews
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About

Holes 9
Type Resort
Par 27
Length 1420 yards
Slope N/A
Rating 27.7

Course Details

Year Built 1996
Fairways Bent Grass
Greens Bent Grass
Golf Season April - December
Architect Troy Vincent Jack Nicklaus (1996) David Heatwole (1996)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard, Amex Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Walking Allowed Yes
Dress code Collared Shirts required

Food & Beverage

Bar, Restaurant

Accolades

  • Golf Advisor: Top Courses in Missouri (2021 #5) (2020 #6)
  • Golf Advisor: Top 25 Short Courses in the U.S. (2020 #20)

Reviews

4.3
10 Reviews (10)
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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Amazing

First time playing this course and it did not disappoint. A challenging par 3 course with fantastic views. Surprisingly there wasn’t many people playing the course so we could really soak in the views and admire the course. I highly recommend playing if you are staying at big cedar.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 638
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Golf Advisor
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

One tough par 3

Top of the Rock will wow and intimidate you at the same time. It's a demanding test of golf. No matter how short the hole, there's always an obstacle in the way of par, a bunker, water hazard or slope of the green.
I'd recommend you play it twice before worrying about how poorly you scored the first time around. So much elevation change creates a lot of guess work with club selection. Plus, much of the first time you play is spent looking around at the scenery. Maybe the second time you can focus on executing the proper shot.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 146
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Top 100 Contributor
Missouri Advisor
Previously Played

Overpriced but beautiful and worth it once!

At $150, overpriced for a 9 hole par three but worth it at least once! Course is beautiful and home to the seniors/champions tour. Conditions are great and the course has little play which means you can play a couple balls off each tee to feel like you are getting your money Worth. Would also recommend Osage restaurant over Arnie's barn for dinner... Go at sunset and see the cannons. I take it for granted being local, but it one of the most beautiful places in the world at sunset.... I rank it right up there with Augusta and Jackson hole, Wyoming in my beautiful places book. The chapel on the course is also beautiful and has been home to golf weddings such as matt ginella and scotty mccarron.

Conditions Excellent
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
1.0
First Time Playing

Poor Value Poor Service

For the price of a 18 hole professional golf course, don't expect much more than a glorified putt putt course. The layout and views are spectacular, the pace of play is fast (due to no one being on the course) but the staff is rude and and will nickel and dime you if you want to play. The 1 1/2 hours that it takes to play should be included in a one nights stay at Big Cedar or at least the $25 "riders fee" for a 10 year old to join you on your round.
Don't waist your time or money on this course.

Conditions Good
Value Poor
Layout Fair
Friendliness Poor
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
4.0
First Time Playing

Did Jack Really Design This Course?

If this is the future of golf, include me out. It is Too perfect. It is Too manufactured. It is not a design of man made and nature. It is 90% man made carved into the Ozark mountains. It is not Golf. It is an enlarged version of miniture golf. The only thing missing are the dinosaurs. I can't believe that Jack desinged this thing. Now, the question is, is it worth the price. Only if the trail ride is included. Don't think you'll be missing something if you never play this 9 hole, all par 3 layout that doesn't have a weed on the entire course.

Conditions Excellent
Value Fair
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 378
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Top 10 Contributor
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Walked

Among the top par 3s in the world

Some people call it "over the Top of the Rock," but that's not necessarily a bad thing. I mean, I like Disney World, and that's manufactured, and much of Top of the Rock, with its waterfalls, etc.., is, too. But who cares? It's beautiful, and in incredible shape with views of the Ozarks that go on for miles and miles. Each hole is memorable (as is the driving range), making it one of the best, and possibly the most unique, par 3 courses in the country. Great short courses is a trend I'd like to see continue.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
First Time Playing

This course is awesome!!! The grounds crew are JERKS!!!!

I hate to have to give a negative review of this place. But the grounds crew is horrible. The course looks amazing! Be sure to ask about the $10 just to get to the clubhouse. Be sure and ask if all the tee boxes are available. I showed up and no one was ready. There driving range is outstanding but no one was there to tell me where the balls are or what markers to hit from. It is spring break in Branson right now and there is not a full parking lot. I would advise to play the other course. This 9 joker is not for me. $100+ for nine holes and this is what I had to put up with. Hope this helps.

Conditions Good
Value Fair
Layout Fair
Friendliness Poor
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Great Birthday Outing

My twin brother and I had our 68 birthday at the Top of the Rock . Excellent golf course and best practice range I have been on especially at night. The pro shop is great and the staff very friendly and helpful.
Looking forward to coming back later this year.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Tough and great par 3

Great course. It was in pristine condition. Scenery is awesome. All the trees are elevated which made my shots a little harder to judge, I over shot most of the greens. Water comes in to play on three or four holes.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 324
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Texas Advisor
Top 10 Contributor
First Time Playing
Average weather
Used cart

Among the world's most exciting short courses

There's a reason Top of the Rock is a rare par 3 course with the ability to host a professional event: it's scenic, exciting and challenging at every turn. One of two host courses for the Champions Tour's Bass Pro Shops Legends of Golf at Big Cedar Lodge, this 9-holer is complete with downhill holes with surreal Ozarks views, an island green and many more unique looks. Magnificent landscaping accentuates a great variety of shot values. You'll hit some short wedges up to mid or long-irons. Be sure to come early to hit balls at the one-of-a-kind driving range, and stay late for a meal or drink in the clubhouse. They've spared no expense at Top of the Rock, and the finished product (at least for now), is one of the game's great modern marvels.

Conditions Excellent
Value Fair
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
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Golf Packages

The Best of The Lake Package

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LAKE OZARK, MO | Enjoy 3 nights’ accommodations at The Lodge of Four Seasons and 3 rounds of golf at The Club at Porto Cima (Troon Privé) and The Lodge of Four Seasons – Cove & Ridge Courses.

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