Branson Hills Golf Club

The day I played this course, the weather was excellent and I was pumped because I had heard so much about how tough this course was. I am a 70 year old, 14 handicap and typically play a fairly flat municipal course, so I was looking forward to this course reputed to be the best in the State of Missouri.

I was told in the Pro Shop that, due to recent rains, it would be cart paths only for the round. No problem. I found many fairways with evidence of previous carts having been driven across them and the ground was definitely "squishy." The fairways were generous and the greens were fast and had a lot of undulations in them, so the front 9 was interesting. I managed 5 over.

When I got to the back, the course started to show its teeth. I was looking forward to more of a challenge. Unfortunately, I wasn't expecting what I got. Number 11 was a pretty little par 5 on which I got a pretty decent drive, but not quite enough to get home in two. I left my cart on the path up on the side of the hill and descended to my ball when all of a sudden, sprinklers on both sides of the fairway erupted! I had already noticed the fairway was one of the wettest I had seen, so this was more than ridiculous. I was soaked, my cart and everything in it including my smartphone were soaked. Needless to say, I was furious!

I called the clubhouse and left a message for the general manager on his voice mail. I then finished my round, soaked to the skin, with an 88.

Luckily, due to my past experience, I knew how to dry out a smartphone, so it wasn't ruined. The general manager gave me a raincheck for two free rounds plus carts and range balls to be used within two years, assuming I am back in the area.

I had an opportunity to chat with the Course Marshall. He had not been made aware of the cart path only policy for that day. He also was astounded at the course being watered during playing hours. Seems there was a communications problem, but one that could and should be resolved, hopefully after the e-mail chats I had with the general manager over the course of a couple of days; we were never able to make contact verbally. He seemed like a nice enough fellow.

Overall the course is a nice one. It has a great deal of potential and was voted Best Public Course in Missouri in 2015 (I believe I'm correct in this).

Nice course. Difficult greens.

My wife and I played the course for the first time. Remarkable views and very challenging, but fair. We played the course in the afternoon and the beverage lady stopped serving at 3:00pm which we believe was ridiculous. Also, there is no drinking water on the course.

In spite of the lack of amenities, we will play this exceptional course again and again.

Hit it in the fairway and you'll always have a great lie. The course is very interesting. There are many deceptive holes--deceptive to the eye at least--and some blind shots. Believe your GPS--rangefinders aren't much use on this course--instead of your eyes. Too bad the carts don't have builtin GPS. Greens are in generally good shape--I remember at least one that was patched in the middle. However, areas around the green are in poor shape, with many bare spots. We played after a rainy day, so it was cart path only. If this happens to you, be prepared for some exercise. Most holes run through a valley and the walk to and from the cart path is usually very steep. One of us has knee issues and had to sit out about half the last nine holes. I played the combo tees--just under 6,000 yards and they were about right for me (69 yrs, 12.7 index). The tips would be a real challenge for anyone. Our round came with a $10 food voucher and the food in the clubhouse was generous and tasty.

Fun to play. Challenging holes. Well maintained. Friendly, organized staff.

Fairways are tight and greens sloped and hard for me to read

We booked our tee times for 12 people a month in advance. A few days before the tee time we noticed a special online at Branson hills.com for cheaper Golf and a free lunch that was not there when we made the tee times . They would not honor it or even just the free lunch even after paying full price for golf. When we arrived there was no management to speak to so we took our lunch and afternoon drinks elsewhere. We will not be back.

We booked tee times for 12 people. They then ran a special that lowered the price and included a voucher for lunch. They would not give us the deal. So we played and then took our large lunch tab elsewhere. Great course, but staff was not friendly.

We booked tee times a month in advance for a group of 12. A few days before our tee time date we noticed a deal online for cheaper golf including lunch. Branson Hills would not honor it only saying we previously booked. There was no management on site to speak to. We spent our lunch and afternoon drinks elsewhere and will not be back.

The fairways were like carpet! Bunkers were hard and compacted . Greens had just been aireiated and very sandy. I have played here before and it was in much better condition.

Greens and Fairways were in great condition, as were the greens. It is a very woman-friendly course. We are from Iowa so will have to wait a while before we can play it again.

The course was in excellent condition. The pace of play was very slow. It seemed like the people holding everyone up had no clue as how to let faster players play through. Sometimes there were three groups on one tee box. But, the course was in excellent condition. The fairways were like hitting off of a smooth green. Excellent work in keeping the course in pristine condition.

Beautiful layout of course. Tough and unforgiving if you make a bad shot. Play the hills and that helps. Local expression is "you are always one shot away from an 8."

Great golf course also in terrific shape. Play was a little slow possibly due to the three most difficult holes at the end of the round. Great views from this course and a great price.

It was a beautiful setting and very scenic. It was women friendly and in great condition There could be more holes with water available.

We were having a great round the greens were in great shape and challenging fairways were in good shape but as we finished the 9th hole we were warned about intense weather coming in by marshall and given options we chose a rain check. We truly enjoyed the course and will play again.

Very senic welldeveloped and the layout is exceptional but demands accuracy

Best Public course I've played in a while. Great mixture of holes. Gotta think your way around the course. Can't just grip it and rip it!!! Got a hot deal special, best value for the money in several years. Course is in great shape. Back tees will offer all the challenge anyone will want. Beautiful houses surrounding the course, but even close to being in play. Stopped on several holes to take pictures as the views were very nice.

My wife and I played this course today on a beautiful day. We had high ecpectations of a top notch course and we were not disappointed. The course was in excellent shape from tee to fairway to green. The greens were very true and quick but not very difficult if you took the time.b

What you see is what you get from the tee but hat you see needs to be hit straight as there is not a lot of room for error without losing a stroke or two on the way.

The staff was extremely friendly throughout the day from the starter, cart girl and clubhouse staff.

A down pour caused the course to play long and really slowed the greens down to the point they were just flat slow. Outstanding layout and a beautiful course. Definitely want to play here again.