Branson, Missouri, celebrating its 50th year of live music shows and known as the live music show capital of the world, but Branson also offers a choice and variety of activities perhaps unequalled at any other destination city in the world. Golf is one of those activities and those having a passion for golfing can tee off to their hearts content in Branson.
Paul Miller, General Manager for the Branson Tourism Center, said, “For those wanting to golf, Branson is a fabulous golfing destination and has a choice of courses offering a great golfing experience for beginners as well as more experienced golfers.” Miller said that there are three championship courses located within the city limits of Branson the Thousand Hills Golf Course, Pointe Royal Golf Course and Branson’s newest course, the Payne Stewart Golf Course. He also pointed out that within a ten minute drive of Branson’s famed strip there are the championship courses of Branson Creek and Murder Rock and the Holiday Hills course.
The Thousand Hills Golf Course is a very popular course in Branson and centrally located about two blocks south of the famed Branson Strip on South Wildwood Drive. Thousand Hills is a four star Golf Digest rated course designed by Robert E. Cupp with Michael Riley as its architect. The 5,111 yard 18 hole course has a par of 64, USGA Rating of 66.5 and a Slope of 125 when played from the back (Blue) tees. It features bent grass greens with Zoysia Grass fairways and tees and has been described as “a thrilling test for players of all skill levels.”
The Pointe Royale Golf Course, located just opposite the entrance to the Welk Theatre on State Road 165. Pointe Royale, was designed by Ault-Clark and Associates and constructed by Carter Golf and is considered Branson’s original championship course. The newly renovated 18 hole course plays 6,400 yards, has a par of 70, a USGA Rating of 70 and a Slope of 128 when played from the back (Black) tees. It features rolling Bermuda Grass fairways and eight water holes with twelve holes having some sort of water hazard.
Branson’s newest golf course, the $32 million Payne Stewart Golf Course located in Branson Hills just off of Branson Hills Boulevard, was designed by Chuck Smith with consultation from PGA golfer Bobby Clampett. The 18 hole course plays 7,324 yards, has a par of 72, USGA Rating of 75.1 and a Slope of 135 when played from the back (Gold) tees. The course is a tribute course with each hole designed to honor the career and memory of Payne Stewart.
Although the course statistics are given from the back tees, Miller notes that all the courses mentioned have tee placements to accommodate most levels of play and have rental clubs available. He also pointed out that advance reservations for tee times should be made whenever possible and all the golfing packages Branson Tourism Center features for Thousand Hills and Pointe Royale include specific tee times.
