Buffalo Ridge Springs Golf Course

I think I enjoy what Johnny Morris has done to Buffalo Ridge more every time I play it. Unfortunately I come to expect more from this place as well. For a place that is trying to be top notch, and for the price you have to pay to play here (it’s not family friendly in pricing) there are a few things you don’t expect to see. First, you don’t expect to see lots of poa annua creeping into the nice bent grass greens. That seems to be a problem with a lot of Missouri courses lately...and that’s not a good thing in my opinion. Secondly, you don’t expect to see weeds growing in the sand of quite a few bunkers. Listen, I understand it’s been raining a lot here recently, and there has been nonstop activity for Big Cedars maintenance crews, especially preparing for The Legends of Golf, but removing weeds from bunkers is basic and simple stuff. Again, it’s not something you expect or like to see from a place this expensive and billed as this amazing. Lastly, there were a few spots where creeping Bermuda was getting into the fairways. That has to be stopped because I have witnessed how that stuff takes over zoysia fairways!
Outside of that, I had no problem with the fairways being uncut in certain areas and the greens being a little slow. It has rained a lot here and they probably couldn’t get the mowers everywhere they needed too or at the lowest heighth that they like.
Listen, this course has got a great layout, and some absolutely stunning holes! It brings you into contact with nature and some beautiful scenery. This isn’t a course for minimalists , because there is a lot of landscaping and nature enhancements going on. However I think anyone can appreciate just how much effort has been put into this place to make it over the top and beautiful! I fully recommend playing this course! I just hope they can start putting their best effort back into getting this course in its best possible appearance.

As the first "big course" to become part of Johnny Morris' Big Cedar Lodge resort outside Branson. Buffalo Ridge Springs was adjusted to fit its overseer's vision. Much like the resort at large, the course is part of an enhanced vision of the Ozarks. When Morris brought Fazio back to touch the course up, several rock outcroppings were revealed and featured, naturalistic water features were introduced to the landscape and the whole course received a refined edge.

The result is an HD version of resort golf, with a ton of fun shots and vistas. The back nine, which tacks counterclockwise around a valley rim and down, before rising back up, is a cracker. It immerses the golfer in a scene that combines natural beauty with a keen eye for landscape enhancement.

This course has some of the most beautiful views you could ask of the northern Ozarks. It historically has been in excellent shape. The course is in the worst shape I’ve seen it. Crabgrass is growing in many of the bunkers. This may because resources are being dedicated to the two new courses they are planning to open next year. Hopefully the they will bring this course back to the condition I have been used to.

Very scenic layout with springs everywhere.. The course plays very fairly from the whites. Not too tight, but requires plenty of shot making. You will hit every club in the bag....

This was my 1st time playing since Bass Pro/Big Cedar had taken over the course. They have turned it into a Outdoorsmans golf resort. The details are fantastic. There are numerous covered bridges blended into the rolling hills of Southwest Missouri. I didn't see them but I hear there are buffalo roaming on the range :-)

Today the wind was gusting up to 20 mph so the course [from the tips] played very difficult but I managed to post a 77 thanks to a hole out and my trusty Swing by Swing GPS app.

The daily rate during the week is going to be close to $150 but I played at the Fall rate of $65... it's well worth the play at that rate... or even at $150.

Go check it out.

Note: this is an un-walkable course :-(

I really liked the course. Generous landing area on most holes. Greens in great shape. Keep ball in the fairway and you will enjoy this course. Didn't see any Buffalo at this time of year.

The course was in fantastic shape but I had to knock the rating down a star due to the slow greens and the fact that they only the first 3 sets of tees available. Kind of disheartening to find out that you just drove 250 miles and paid $100 to play a course that only gives you the option to play a 7000 yd course at 6200 yds or shorter. Either way we still enjoyed the course and it was very challenging even at that short length. The course views are spectacular and the condition of the course was great. Next time I will ask about the course set up when making the tee time.

If you are in the Branson Mo, area, you have to stop by and play the Buffalo Ridge. The staff at Buffalo Ridge are some of the friendlies staff I have meet.
Our starter, Mike, was so helpful by giving us tips on each of the holes.
Hole 7 par 3 call the Intimidator maybe one of the hardest I have played.
The Scene is beautiful, nice covered bridges , water ways,etc
I am looking forward to coming back in the fall to play it again.

First off, I played the course twice, these last two afternoons in a row, wow what a value, $100. Super practice facility, great quality range balls, not a muni bone in its body. The course, reminded me of a really cool well designed inland California course, tracking along creeks, across drop offs and mind blowing down hill open vista type par 4 & 5's, especially on the back nine.

Typical of a Fazio course, Some of the holes have false fronts on the greens, especially the elevated greens. I'm not a fan of this design feature, in my opinion. But Fazio gets the max best routing for the layout as a rule from a a property tract, he did it here too!

Maybe a few of the fairways on the front nine need some aeration and sanding, turf seems sparse and ground hard. Having said that, there was no roll, played the fairly back tees, fairways grass was cut a longer length and conditions were really wet from recent heavy rains . I thought the bent grass greens were super nice! All the staff I met was very pleasant and friendly.

The rough & off the fairway on most very hole was ferocious, heavy, high and really very unforgiving, lost ball peril. Must be impossible for a local charity scramble. Beginners & folks who spray the ball will be forever looking for lost balls.

I'm a ardent walker and always carry my own walking bag, only 12 clubs. No way you can walk this course. Distance between holes will eat your lunch. Get a cart!

I'm coming back , loved it overall !!!

Course was in great shape, views were unbelievable, and it was absolutely a joy to play this course. Will definitely come back to play here if I am in this area again.

You can tell work is still underway at Buffalo Ridge Springs (formerly Branson Creek). While this Tom Fazio design has always been considered one of the best courses in the Branson area, Johnny Morris, owner of Big Cedar Lodge and Top of the Rock, has been busy squeezing every ounce of potential out of the property. New facilities and some enhancements to the course have been ongoing, and there's currently one temporary hole as the par-4 4th is re-graded and grassed.

I have little doubt that when the enhancements are complete, this will be a five-star facility through and through. For now, it's a four-star with a lot of five-star touches, from covered bridges and a wonderful comfort station on the front nine to a smattering of waterfalls, roaming buffalo and some really exciting downhill tee shots with fabulous, expansive views.