Branson's - Divine Nine

Branson, Missouri is renowned for its Ozark Mountain beauty and live entertainment where 50 theaters and daily shows abound. It's also an underrated golf getaway with eight good to great courses near one another and many complementary lodging options of all styles and price points.

Many Branson entertainment "stars" are avid players uniquely qualified to weigh in on their favorite Branson golf holes. It's a perfect marriage, and here is their take on some of the destination's most compelling holes - the "Divine Branson Nine".

One (16th Hole, LedgeStone Golf Club)

Known as "The Big Chill", this 416-yard par 4 starts with an elevated tee shot aimed at two bunkers, which serve as a back-stop to this dogleg right. Cut off too much and you'll need to reload - balls that fail to carry the hazard down the right edge of the fairway are Out of Bounds. Any shot hit short of the fairway bunkers leaves a short iron or wedge. This is the deepest green on the course, 50 paces from front to back. Be bold and fly it to the hole.

"This is one of the most scenic holes in the Ozarks; it represents the true nature of Branson - challenging but so beautiful."

- Steve Presley, Presleys' Country Jubilee. www.presleys.com, 417.334.4874
www.ledgestonegolf.com, 417.335.8187

Two (9th Hole, Murder Rock Golf Club)

This is a scintillating par 3 playing downhill to a tree-surrounded green complex. You may need to hit one less club to account for the downhill. Take your time and hit a well-measured shot to avoid the many deep bunkers surrounding this shallow green. Pay attention to the elevations in this tricky putting surface and you can finish the front nine with a great par.

"The green is narrow, very wide and undulating, so it can be trickier than a three-legged pony. Find the 'right' side of the putting surface and you'll be golden."

- Clay Cooper, Clay Cooper's Country Music Express
www.claycoopertheatre.com, 417.332.CLAY
www.murderrock.com, 417.332.3259

Three (14th Hole, Branson Creek Golf Club)

It may seem endless - and it measures 600 yards from the rear tees - but this Tom Fazio-designed hole is mesmerizing. The creek wanders the right side and crosses in front of the green, making this the only hole at Branson Creek - ranked the No. 1 course in Missouri by Golfweek magazine - where the golfer does not have the ability to roll their ball up from the fairway.

"I don't hit a long ball - I'm no Rory McIlroy - but with five sets of tees to play from that's not a problem, even on No. 14. It's an unforgettable hole on an amazing course."

- Shoji Tabuchi, Shoji Tabuchi Show, www.shoji.com, 417-823-8645, 800-987-6298
www.bransoncreekgolf.com, 417.339.GOLF (4653)

Four (3rd Hole, Payne Stewart Golf Club)

This downhill hole is the only reachable par 4 on the course - 302 yards from the middle tees. Players face a wide fairway that quickly narrows as it weaves past "Payne's Pit" to a green guarded by sand, water and natural rock cliffs. Classic "cost/benefit" tee shot strategy prevails on this honey of a hole.

"Oh, yeah! You're gonna love this hole, I guarantee it. Not many things make me put down my banjo, but I've got my clubs and am out the door to play this hole and course. Oh, yeah!"
- Buck Trent, www.bucktrent.com, 888.222.8910
www.paynestewartgolfclub.com, 417.337.2963

Five (12th Hole, Point Royale Resort & Golf Course)

Watch out for the water on this par 3, which stretches from 91 to 224 yards, depending on the tees played from. Tee shots must carry water fronting the smallish-sized green, and a sand bunker flanks the front-left side of the putting surface, which slopes from back to front.
"I live in the community at Pointe Royale and have had many fun times on this hole; it's a beauty."

- Andy Williams, www.andywilliams.com, 800.666.6094
www.pointeroyale.com, 417.334.4477

Six (16th Hole, Holiday Hills Resort and Golf Club)

This downhill par 3 is very sneaky. With a prevailing wind moving left to right, this hole is hard for those who tend to hit fades. Trees heavily guard the left side not allowing you to start the ball far enough left to work with the wind. If by chance you're not on in one, you must be precise with your chip shot for the slope and undulations of this green are severe and give it its character.

"I like this hole because if you par it you've really played it well. It's got so many challenges that you should be happy if you walk away with bogey."
- Brent Mabe, www.baldknobbers.com, 800.998.8908
www.holidayhills.com, 417-334-4838

Seven (9th Hole, Thousand Hills Golf Resort)

This par 4, measuring 388 yards, brings players to the most dramatic tee shot on the course. The richly contoured fairway sits in a tree-lined valley 80 feet below the tees. The dogleg left has a bunker located on the inside challenges the golfer. If the player can clear the bunker, effectively the hole is shortened and provides the best angle to the green. A short iron is required to a green with a sloping front and two distinct levels. Bunkers short and right keep errant shots in play.

"Thousand Hills has many great holes; this one really brings the drama! The elevated tee shot is an exciting start, and the fun continues through the two-tiered green."
- Marty Haggard, www.martyhaggard.com, 888.222.8910
www.thousandhillsgolf.com, 800-487.0769, 417.334.4553

Eight (Big Cedar Lodge)

There are many lodging choices in Branson, from condos and hotels to Bed & Breakfasts. One of the finest is Big Cedar Lodge, where a plethora of family friendly activities and exemplary customer service is offered amid a glorious natural setting. Boating, swimming, Wilderness Club, miniature golf, and fresh-baked cookies delivered to you each afternoon are just the tip of the iceberg at Big Cedar, where an exquisite main lodge hosts corporate meetings, weddings and other events.
- www.big-cedar.com, 800.225.6343

Nine (Branson Hospitality)

Gentle and kind hospitality is a hallmark of Branson, known as the "Live Music Show Capital of the World." This one-of-a-kind family vacation destinationhas more than 50 live performance theaters, three pristine lakes, championship golf courses, an international award-winning theme park, shopping, RV parks, campgrounds, meeting and conference facilities, and dozens more attractions and museums. Branson is less than a day's drive for one-third of Americans, and with low-cost flights to the new Branson Airport and nearby Springfield-Branson National Airport, it's never been easier to get to Branson.

For more information on where to play, visit www.golfbranson.com. For more information about the destination, visit www.explorebranson.com.