Golfweek’s Best 2022: Top public and private courses in Missouri

The best public-access courses in Missouri are gathered around Branson, with Big Cedar offering three must-plays.

Want the best public-access golf in Missouri? It’s simple: Head to the Branson area for Big Cedar Lodge and the independent Branson Hills. Each of the top four public-access layouts in the state lies not far from the southern Missouri border with Arkansas.

Golfweek’s Best offers many lists of course rankings, with that of top public-access courses in each state among the most popular. All the courses on this list allow public access in some fashion, be it standard daily green fees, through a resort or by staying at an affiliated hotel. If there’s a will, there’s a tee time.

Also popular are the Golfweek’s Best rankings of top private courses in each state, and that list for Missouri’s private offerings is likewise included below.

(m): Modern course, built in or after 1960
(c): Classic course, built before 1960

Note: If there is a number in the parenthesis with the m or c, that indicates where that course ranks among Golfweek’s Best top 200 modern or classic courses. 

* New to or returning to list