Payne's Valley at Big Cedar Lodge

About Payne's Valley at Big Cedar Lodge

This is Tiger Woods' first and only public design, and he clearly wanted to make a statement with his debut architectural effort. Built into the rugged Ozark Mountains terrain, the routing takes full advantage of dramatic elevation changes and natural rock outcroppings that give each hole a distinct character. Woods incorporated his player's perspective throughout, creating multiple tee options that allow different skill levels to experience strategic decisions without being overwhelmed by length. The signature par-3 19th hole – yes, there's a bonus 19th – plays from a cliff-top tee to an island green, serving as both a spectacular finishing touch and a nod to Big Cedar's commitment to creating memorable golf experiences. What sets Payne's Valley apart from typical resort courses is Woods' restraint in design philosophy. Rather than forcing dramatic features, he let the natural Ozarks landscape dictate the holes, resulting in a course that feels authentic to its setting. The conditioning is exceptional year-round, benefiting from significant investment in maintenance infrastructure, and the walking-friendly routing makes it one of the few destination courses where you'll actually want to skip the cart. At around $200-300 depending on season, it's pricey but delivers an experience you can't get anywhere else – the chance to play the design vision of golf's most successful player in one of the most beautiful settings in the Midwest.

Key Facts