Big Cedar
Mountain Top
13-hole walking par-3 / short course
Mountain Top is exactly what a short course should be: quick, scenic, social, and more fun than the itinerary spreadsheet makes it look. Do not skip it just because it has 13 holes.
Course gallery
2 photos
The take
Mountain Top is exactly what a short course should be: quick, scenic, social, and more fun than the itinerary spreadsheet makes it look. Do not skip it just because it has 13 holes.
Best for
Arrival day, betting games, couples, and social golf
Watch out
Skipping it because it is short
How to play it
Essential short-course add
Course intelligence
What you need to know
Strengths
- Walking-only
- Fast
- Scenic
- Rock formations
- Perfect pressure-release round
Watch-outs
- Not a full round
- Limited strategic depth
- Easy to underrate on paper
Signature holes
3, 7, 11, 13
Book it right
Cost, access, and timing
Green fees
2026 published starting rates: $100 resort guest / $120 public peak; $70 / $80 shoulder.
Best season
Best window: April-May and September-October Summer reality: Hot, humid, storm risk, and premium family-resort demand Winter: Possible, but not the full Big Cedar golf
Caddies / walking
Big Cedar publishes 2026 caddie rates of $50 per bag plus suggested $30 gratuity for forecaddies, and $100 per bag plus gratuity for bag-carry
Replay priority
Situational
Booking move
Secure Ozarks National, Payne's Valley, and Buffalo Ridge first, then layer in Cliffhangers, Mountain Top, Top of the Rock, lodging, and dinners. For non-resort
Weather read
Pick the right window.
Best window: April-May and September-October Summer reality: Hot, humid, storm risk, and premium family-resort demand Winter: Possible, but not the full Big Cedar golf experience Shoulder
Jan
45F / 25F
Sun Mixed; rain Medium
Feb
50F / 29F
Sun Mixed; rain Medium
Mar
60F / 38F
Sun Good; rain Medium
Apr
70F / 48F
Sun Good; rain High
May
78F / 58F
Sun Good; rain High
Jun
86F / 67F
Sun Hot; rain Medium
Google review
5/5 - 7 months ago
Mountain Top was the first round of our trip, and it couldn’t have been a better way to kick things off. The course has a laid-back vibe that makes it the perfect starter round—lowkey, fun, and filled with awesome views. With its par-3 layout, dramatic rock formations, and rollin
Mountain Top was the first round of our trip, and it couldn’t have been a better way to kick things off. The course has a laid-back vibe that makes it the perfect starter round—lowkey, fun, and filled with awesome views. With its par-3 layout, dramatic rock formations, and rollin
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Google review
5/5 - 5 years ago
Played later in the evening. The most peaceful round of my trip. It was nice to take it all in and hit some good golf shots. This is a walking only Par 3 course with 13 holes. Every hole is in perfect condition and the greens were too. Worth every bit of money to play. You will d
Played later in the evening. The most peaceful round of my trip. It was nice to take it all in and hit some good golf shots. This is a walking only Par 3 course with 13 holes. Every hole is in perfect condition and the greens were too. Worth every bit of money to play. You will d
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Google review
5/5 - 6 months ago
It's a 13 hole walking course, but the views make the trip worth it.
It's a 13 hole walking course, but the views make the trip worth it.
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Keep planning
What should you do next?
Use Mountain Top as one piece of the Big Cedar trip. Build the routing, compare the destination, or ask how it fits your group.
Keep exploring Big Cedar
Other courses in the same trip.
Must play
Ozarks National
Ozarks National is the smart golfer's answer.
Must play
Payne's Valley
Payne's Valley is the show.
Strong play
Buffalo Ridge
Buffalo Ridge is scenic, fun, and very much part of the Big Cedar identity.
Strong play
Cliffhangers
Cliffhangers is Big Cedar being Big Cedar.
Strong play
Top of the Rock
Top of the Rock is an experience.
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