Buffalo Ridge Springs Golf Course

Buffalo Ridge Springs originally opened as Branson Creek in 1999, a Tom Fazio design on rolling terrain south of Branson. When Johnny Morris acquired the course and folded it into the Big Cedar collection, Fazio returned to redesign the layout in 2014, and the result is a course that feels fully integrated into the resort's identity despite its origins as a standalone facility. The course has been ranked among Golf Digest's Top 100 Public courses, and the playing experience delivers a different character than the more rugged ridgeline courses at Payne's Valley and Ozarks National.

The terrain here is more open and pastoral than the wooded hillsides that define the other Big Cedar courses. The routing moves through rolling grassland with gentle elevation changes, wider fairways, and fewer forced carries over native terrain. The Fazio design philosophy is on display: generous landing areas off the tee, well-shaped bunkers that frame the approach zones, and greens that reward precise iron play without harshly penalizing marginal misses. The course plays as an approachable 18-hole layout that skilled golfers can attack and higher-handicap players can navigate without losing a sleeve of balls per nine.

The resident bison herd is not a marketing gimmick. The animals graze alongside several fairways as part of Morris's commitment to the natural landscape, and encountering them during a round adds a quality that no other course in the country can replicate. The herd is managed to stay clear of playing areas, but their presence at the edges of holes provides a visual reminder that this course sits in a working landscape rather than a manicured bubble.

The green complexes are moderately contoured, with enough internal movement to create varied pin positions without the dramatic tiers that characterize Payne's Valley. The greens accept running approaches and are well maintained, with speeds that are fast enough to reward good putting without becoming punitive.

Cart play is included, which distinguishes Buffalo Ridge Springs from the walking-only policies at Payne's Valley and Ozarks National. For golfers looking for a less physically demanding round between the two championship walking courses, Buffalo Ridge Springs provides a natural complement. The green fee of $225 for resort guests at peak rates matches Ozarks National, though the non-guest rate of approximately $275 sits well below the non-guest pricing at the flagship courses. Book direct through bigcedar.com.