Trying to plan a trip with another family up to Branson for stay at Big Cedar with rounds at Payne's Valley and/or Cliffhangers. Has anyone done this trip? Worth it to get a lodge on the property or stay in Branson and drive in? Any idea of the costs for the rounds as a resort guest versus the public option?

We have done this trip twice. Once in October and stayed on property. Once in June and stayed off property. Everything is very expensive at Big Cedar. In my opinion, it is not worth staying onsite. You can find much cheaper options that are just as good if not better. We have stayed at a couple of Faria Resort properties in the area and they are great. The golf is also expensive, but absolutely worth it. Buffalo Ridge, Ozark National and Payne's Valley are all good. They are all a little different, but you will enjoy them all. The par 3s are just as good. Mountaintop and Top of the Rock are both really fun. I have not played Cliffhanger but it was just about to open the last time we were there.

Even if you stay onsite, you will have to drive to the golf courses. We stayed in a cabin on the lake at Big Cedar and it would take us more than 20 minutes to get to the golf course. My point is that whether you stay onsite or off, you will have to drive to the golf courses, which are all close to each other (except for Top of the Rock). The only real advantage to me is that if you stay onsite, you get to book your tee times earlier. However, we did not have trouble booking a tee time when we stayed offsite.

I hope you enjoy it as much as we have.

Awesome tips. Thank you!

That part of the Ozarks is some of the prettiest country around.

My suggestion is to find a nice VRBO on a river or on a mountain top within an hour drive of your destinations. But I prefer to stay away from the touristy craziness while I'm on vacation and only mess with it when I purposely drive to it.

We love going to Branson, this past March was first time my son and I actually had a day to golf and hang out at Big Cedar. Played Paynes and loved it, my 16yr old shot -1 on the back 9. Stock up on some swag, especially at the Turn House. Cliffhangers wasn't open yet, but can't wait to go back.

We have stayed in West Branson every year we have gone. Look in Ledgestone for a nice Airbnb. We always stay here, easy drive in and out. Its across the street from Silver Dollar City. Would highly suggest a day spent out at Dogwood Canyon.

You might look into Branson Hills and Ledgestone golf courses which are not part of the Big Cedar property. I played Payne's Valley when I was there last a enjoyed it immensely. Been trying to plan a trip to go back.

We've been a couple of times and plan on going again next May. Highly recommend staying on site if budget allows. Everything on property is first class. Specifically, we love the golf cottages at Payne's, or the cottages on the main property. Very nice and well appointed.

If you'd rather less expensive options, sure you can go to Branson. It just depends on what you want.

Play Paynes, Ozarks, and/or Buffalo. Cliffhangers is cool, but you'll be done in under an hour and a half. All the other courses are great, just depending on how much golf you can afford out there. Payne's is the highest cost, and I think we like Buffalo and Ozarks equally if not a bit more than Payne's..

I believe it is a $50 discount to green fees to the 3 18-holers if you stay on property.
Payne's Valley $450 or $400
Ozarks National and Buffalo Ridge $250 or $275 to $200 or $225.

Not sure about The Cliffhanger or the other 9-holer or the walking course.

We went in September before the ND game. We stayed at a VRBO condo on a golf course in Branson for $300 for 2 nights (1400 sq ft with 2 King Bedrooms) v the cheapest room on property was over $300/night for a 250 sq ft room with no view.

I think if you are taking a family or non-golfers, I'd probably stay in town. Taking just the wife - stay on property. There are some nice condos that are basically on-property, but are VRBO that would be great for a guys trip.

Great trip. The golf is reasonable. The lodging seems to be over-priced.