Hollister, Missouri
Ozarks National delivers a bold, scenic, and demanding walk along spine-tingling ridgelines, shaped by the unmistakable touch of Coore & Crenshaw. This is not just Missouri’s premier public course—it’s a true centerpiece for regional golf trips, with views and shot values that make every hole an event.
Ozarks National is a masterclass in minimalist routing by Coore & Crenshaw, using every natural rise and dip of the Ozark ridges to create a bold, open, and rugged playing field. The course delivers a high-wire act of strategic options—with broad, exposed fairways, dramatic carries, and green complexes that both invite and punish aggressive play. The post-2026 renovation sharpened its artistic edge, with new greens and bunkering on key holes, keeping the course fresh and ever-challenging. Every hole is shaped by the wind, the mountain exposure, and the designers’ insistence on letting the land guide play. It’s drama, strategy, and scenery, perfectly intertwined.
Coore & Crenshaw’s design here is at its minimalist, naturalistic best—letting the terrain drive each decision and creating drama without artifice.
Perched atop a wind-battered crest, the 6th is a long, visually intimidating par 3 where the horizon seems to stretch forever over the Ozarks. It demands aerial precision to a large, well-defended green that falls off dramatically on three sides.
Select the right club for wind and elevation, favoring the center of the green—avoid short and left, where shots feed into trouble.
Miss left or come up short, and you’re tumbling well below the putting surface; long bunkers catch the bailout, making par a prize.
Rugged, expansive terrain in pristine shape with new greens and crisp, playable turf post-renovation.
Allow for a longer, thoughtful round—challenging holes and scoring stretches can slow pace, especially in peak travel season.
Majestic, modern, and invigorating—golfers rave about the sense of occasion and adventure.
Play the right tees for your game—forced carries and elevation make Ozarks National play much longer than the scorecard.
Many holes ride exposed ridgelines; adjust club selection and shot shape for gusts that can change throughout the nine.
You’ll need every shot—driver, long iron, hybrid, wedge—to score across the diverse set of par 3s, 4s, and 5s.
Even if riding, expect plenty of uneven ground and some big hikes; comfortable shoes are a must on these mountain fairways.
Course construction is completed
Official public opening; earns Golf Digest Best New Public Course
Hosts Charles Schwab Series, Mickelson's senior debut
Hosts 113th Missouri Amateur Championship
Cracks Golf Digest Top 50 Public ranking
Major Mountain Nine renovation—new greens, bunkering, upgrades
Every hole at Ozarks National feels perched atop the Ozarks, with wind and sky dictating club choice while the land itself shapes bold, unforgettable holes. This elevated sense of drama is Coore & Crenshaw at their most daring—yet always in tune with the terrain.
In 2020, Phil Mickelson made his Champions Tour debut here, choosing the Ozark ridges as his first battleground and electrifying crowds with big swings amid even bigger scenery. The Charles Schwab Series showcased the course’s championship teeth and visual drama on national television.
Within a year of opening, Ozarks National rocketed straight to the top of national public rankings. The course’s combination of minimalist design, jaw-dropping views, and severe shot values struck a chord—making it a true symbol for the new era of American public golf.
The 2026 Mountain Nine renovation introduced new green complexes on holes 3 and 5, reworked bunkers, and improved cart paths, keeping Ozarks National at the forefront of Midwest destination golf. Early post-renovation buzz praised the refreshed holes as 'incredible.'
Perched on exposed Ozark ridges—wind is always a factor.
Hosted Phil Mickelson's first competitive round on the PGA Tour Champions.
Every par 3 plays in a different direction, maximizing wind variation.
Greens and bunkering on the Mountain Nine were entirely upgraded in 2026.
Part of a golf destination campus with five distinct courses at Big Cedar Lodge.
Signature Tom Fazio design with wild elevation and water throughout
Tiger Woods’ bold, playable design and an epic 19th hole
High-caliber par-3 course—jaw-dropping views, unique golf adventure
Consistently ranked among Missouri’s best public courses
Known for beautiful holes and occasional public-guest access
Stay at Big Cedar Lodge or nearby Branson for easy access to top-tier golf, restaurants, and activities within a short drive.
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Why it matches: If Ozarks National is your kind of course, Martis Camp is worth a look because it puts the same premium on presentation.
Why it matches: There is real overlap here. The Club at Boot Ranch offers similarly polished playing surfaces, making it a compelling counterpart to Ozarks National.
Why it matches: Glenwild Golf Club & Spa is a natural next stop after Ozarks National: it shares a memorable sense of place.
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