Mountain Top Course

The golf courses designed by Gary Player are a mixed bag, but Mountain Top is a home run. It enjoys a wonderful piece of ground in the form of a finger ridge of the Ozarks, complete with limestone faces exposed during construction. But it’s the thoughtful design of its 13 par-3 holes – a really nice mix of yardages, bunker schemes and green contours – that makes it shine. One of the best 90-minute golf experiences you can find, with arguably the smoothest greens at a resort full of them.

First time playing at big cedar, and it didn’t disappoint. Very walkable course with some nice scenic views. The course set up was nice and the staff was friendly and helpful. Will definitely try to play again in the future. It was first weekend of it being open so the course needed a little work, but still in good shape for the time of year.

Mountain Top gets the par-3 formula just right. It's fun, fast, interesting, playable, walkable, challenging, scenic and flat-out cool.

It's as good for beginners as it is for buddies looking for more golf before or after a regulation round. There's no water or cross hazards, other than the occasional bunker guarding a front portion of the green but not the entire thing. The stretch from the downhill 7th to the rocky 8th and 9th is simply fantastic. The 13th green is made to funnel shots toward the pin, so take aim for that hole-in-one!

If I had a minor complaint, it would be to ask for a little more variety of yardages. From the tips, there's only two holes playing between 125 to 170 yards. Those are the scoring clubs I need work on (along with many other golfers). Thankfully, your group can likely mix tees up to find the perfect match for your game.

Mountain Top shares a clubhouse with Payne's Valley, so playing both would make for one of the best 1-2 punches in resort golf.

Played this course about 5-6 times and it's always fun. It's one of the more fun GOLF experiences you could have whether you are a scratch or starter golfer. All walkable par threes. Lots of fun holes and hole in one watches. I actually enjoy this course more than the sister par three course top of the rock and it's about half the price. Gary Player did a great job helping design this gem. One hole you might need a 5-wood/4 iron depending on wind (it's always windy on the mountain top), otherwise it's a lot of 6 iron through wedge. Super fun course.

"Golf" has often been thought of in narrow ways, even by the game's more avid players. Big Cedar Lodge's Mountain Top Course succeeds in challenging those preconceptions. It's 13 holes, all par threes, with walking being mandatory. Though a player won't hit many longer clubs than a mid-iron, it is a satisfying golf experience unto itself.

The winding expanse of closely-mown turf knits together the baker's dozen tests, which amble along a ridge top sporting beautiful Ozark views. Limestone outcroppings spring up, creating vistas that might remind golfers more of Sedona, Arizona than Missouri. The greens are undulating and great fun to putt, and there are plenty of opportunities for pars and birdies for golfers of all stripes. Best of all, it's a lovely walk that acts as a great second round of a day, paired with one of the resort's "big" courses.

Took my fiancé along with me it was her first time. No one was really on the course. It was a blast and great set up. Recommend if you want a nice view and fun short course

Wife and I played this walking only course and had a ball. This is the perfect course to play with your spouse or children that have some golfing experience. You have a choice of where to tee off to make yardage fit your game. Longest hole is just over 200 yards at the tips. Scenery is fantastic and you can see the two new courses being built in the distance. Nice pro shop and restaurant. You know its a great course when the on course restroom had heat and AC!