Ozarks National Golf Course

Comments

The slope ratings belie the difficulty of Ozarks National.  It is a very difficult course, primarily because if any of your shots are off target, you are likely to find yourself (. . . if you can even find your ball) in some trouble, which will cost you a stroke or two; quite possibly a stroke or two . . . and distance.  But, if you can keep your ball in play, you can score well at Ozarks.  The course, designed by Ben Crenshaw, is extraordinarily well maintained and is one of the prettiest in the state.  It is simply breathtaking.  The course sits atop a Missouri mountaintop with spectacular vistas from almost every hole.  The grasses are immaculate and the transition from the tee boxes to fairways are seamless since Meyer Zoysia* grass is used on both.  And, the greens are quick, roll true and have a low to medium level of complexity. 

As the rating implies, this is one of the top courses in the state and every golfer should carve out 3 or 4 days to play every course at Big Cedar.  It’ll set you back a couple thousand dollars, for all expenses, but it is likely a once in a lifetime opportunity. 

During my round, I spoke with several other players and not one single person or group was from Missouri.  There were groups from Houston, San Antonio, Wisconsin, Florida and Oklahoma.  This means that Missouri, and specifically Big Cedar, is now one of the top golf destinations in the country, competing with the likes of Kohler, Bandon Dunes, Tennessee Golf Trail, etc. 

*Meyer Zoysia also known as Z-52, has been a successful medium bladed zoysia grass for over 60 years throughout the southern United States. This grass was selected primarily for its texture, color, and vigor compared to other zoysia grass selections. Meyer Zoysia develops a very dense turf, demonstrates good cold tolerant and grows well in partial shade. Meyer Zoysia grass is best adapted to the transition zone where summers are too hot and humid for cool season grasses and winters too cold for Bermuda grass.