Golf Courses at Lake of the Ozarks

Lake of the Ozarks in central Missouri has a good spread of golf, from resort championship courses to a short executive layout, and most of it is open to the public. The Lake of the Ozarks Convention and Visitor Bureau puts the count at 12 golf courses around the lake, and you can play here in every season, though a few courses close or cut back in winter.

Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Weiskopf and Robert Trent Jones Sr. all have courses at the lake. The best known include Osage National Golf Resort, The Cove and The Ridge at The Lodge of Four Seasons, Old Kinderhook and The Oaks at Margaritaville Lake Resort, and several of them pair golf with lodging, dining and event space.

Key Takeaways

• Lake of the Ozarks offers a diverse range of golf courses for players of all skill levels
• Courses by Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Weiskopf and Robert Trent Jones Sr. are all around the lake
• Many courses also have restaurants, lodging or stay-and-play packages

Get into the swing of things at the beautiful golf courses of Lake of the Ozarks

Osage National Golf Resort

Located in Lake Ozark, Missouri, Osage National Golf Resort has 27 holes split into three nines: the Links, River and Mountain. Arnold Palmer designed the original 18 holes (the Mountain and River nines) in 1992, and the resort bills it as the only Arnold Palmer Signature Course in Missouri.

The River and Mountain nines were renovated in 2025 and 2026. The Links nine is closed for its own renovation, with new bunkers, cart path work and tree removal, and it's scheduled to reopen in April 2027. Until then, expect to play the Mountain and River combination.

The Mountain nine's tees sit high above the Osage River basin, and the course has bentgrass greens and a driving range. For lodging, Osage National offers stay-and-play packages year-round and rents The Villas at Osage National, three homes that overlook the course. The Eagle View Grille is on site, and the golf shop carries brands such as Peter Millar, Travis Mathew, FootJoy and TaylorMade.

The Cove at The Lodge of Four Seasons

The Cove, at The Lodge of Four Seasons in Lake Ozark, is an 18-hole championship course designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., with views of the lake.

With 72 bunkers, rolling hills, and water coming into play on nine of its holes, the par-71 course is anything but tame.

Visitors to this Lake Ozark, Missouri golf resort can also play The Lodge of Four Seasons' other championship course, The Ridge. The resort says both The Cove and The Ridge have been recognized among the top five golf courses in Missouri. The Cove stays open as weather permits after The Ridge closes for the season in mid-October.

The Ridge at The Lodge of Four Seasons

The Ridge at The Lodge of Four Seasons is a par-72 course in Lake Ozark, Missouri, designed by golf course architect Ken Kavanaugh around the natural terrain.

The layout runs over rolling hills and past natural rock outcroppings and native wildflowers, with views of the lake. The Ridge also has a full-service driving range that's open to the public.

As part of The Lodge of Four Seasons, The Ridge complements The Cove, and the resort sells golf packages that include lodging. The Ridge closes for the season in mid-October, so check dates and book your tee time ahead if you're planning a fall trip.

Bear Creek Valley Golf Club

Bear Creek Valley Golf Club is a public, par-72 course on Highway 42 in Osage Beach, Missouri, open since 2001. The course follows Little Bear Creek through Ozark forest, meadows and valleys.

The course has zoysia fairways, bentgrass greens and multiple tee settings, and riding carts are required.

The clubhouse has a pro shop, a restaurant and lounge that serves breakfast and lunch, and an outdoor deck that overlooks the first tee. Bear Creek Valley also hosts tournaments and golf outings.

Old Kinderhook

Located just 3 miles west of Camdenton on Hwy 54, the Old Kinderhook Golf Course is a Tom Weiskopf design that's open to the public year-round. It's the centerpiece of the 700-plus-acre Old Kinderhook community and resort.

The 18-hole, par 71 golf course spans 6,726 yards and features zoysia tees, fairways, and large bentgrass greens. The routing uses valleys, waterfalls, hills, trees and water hazards, with plenty of elevation change and the lake in the background.

Old Kinderhook offers golf lessons and an 11-acre practice facility, and tee times can be booked online or by calling (573) 317-3573. To get there, head west from Camdenton for three miles on Hwy 54, turn north on Lake Road 54-80, and follow Old Kinderhook Drive past the front gates to the Golf Village area.

Off the course, Old Kinderhook has three restaurants, including The Trophy Room and The Hook, plus lodging in the 84-room Lodge and in cottages, villas and homes.

A view of Old Kinderhook Golf Course, Lake of the Ozarks

The Oaks Course at Margaritaville Lake Resort

The Oaks Course, at Margaritaville Lake Resort in Osage Beach (the former Tan-Tar-A Resort), is an 18-hole, par-71 championship course designed by Bruce Devlin and Robert von Hagge.

The course runs through oak, cedar and dogwood woods over rolling hills, with tree-lined Bermuda and zoysia fairways, bentgrass greens and views of the lake.

The Oaks has a driving range and pro shop, and it hosts tournaments through the season.

Players can also take advantage of golf memberships offered by the Margaritaville Lake Resort, and the resort sells packages that combine an overnight stay with tee times.

Tee times can be booked online through the resort's golf page. The Oaks is a seasonal course; in 2025 it opened for the season on March 1.

Indian Rock Golf Club

Located in Laurie, Missouri, Indian Rock Golf Club is an 18-hole semi-private course about 2.5 miles east of Laurie on Route O. To get there from Lake Ozark, take the Community Bridge to Highway 5, or take Highway 5 north from Camdenton.

Rock formations guard the back of the club's signature 17th hole, and a deep, clear lake guards the front. The course has zoysia and Bermuda fairways and tee boxes, bentgrass greens and several sets of tees to choose from.

The club has a full-service pro shop and The Rock Bar + Grill, and it runs leagues and books group outings. Tee times are accepted up to 30 days in advance.

Eldon Golf Club

Eldon Golf Club is an 18-hole championship course in Eldon, at the edge of Lake of the Ozarks. It's built on the historic Sanning Homestead and uses the natural terrain.

The club says it has been voted Best Overall Public Golf Club in Lake of the Ozarks, and it was a Reader's Favorite in 2009.

Eldon Golf Club also has an indoor learning center with GCQuad and Bushnell Launch Pro launch monitors, along with lessons, leagues and events.

Lake Valley Golf Club

Lake Valley Golf Club is an 18-hole championship golf course located near Camdenton, Missouri, in the Lake of the Ozarks region. It was designed in 1967 and has been open for public play for more than fifty years.

The layout is unusual: six par 3s, six par 4s and six par 5s. The par 5s are relatively short, the Bermuda fairways are generous, the greens are quick and undulating, and there are four sets of tees.

The clubhouse has a pro shop and the Lake Valley Bar & Grill, which overlooks the course, and the club hosts a large number of tournaments and group outings each year. The golf shop's number is (573) 346-7218.

The Golf Club at Deer Chase

The Golf Club at Deer Chase, located in Linn Creek, Missouri, is an 18-hole executive golf course. Executive courses are shorter than regulation layouts, so Deer Chase is a good pick for a quicker round or for newer golfers.

Deer Chase offers twilight and same-day replay rates, memberships and group bookings, and it hosts weddings. As of fall 2026 it's closed Mondays and open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, and in winter it opens only when the forecast is above 40 degrees for most of the daylight hours.

Lake of the Ozarks, A destination where golfing adventures meet stunning lake views

The Club At Porto Cima

The Club at Porto Cima in Sunrise Beach is the lake's only private golf club. Its 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Course opened in July 2000, and the club says Nicklaus was involved in every phase of its development.

Seven of its holes play beside or over the lake. Golf Digest rated it No. 4 among the Best New Private Courses for 2001, and the club says it has been rated among the top 10 courses in Missouri since it opened. It hosted the Missouri Amateur Championship in 2021.

Members also get a clubhouse, dining, a yacht club, racquet sports and fitness. Porto Cima lists Stay & Play options as well, so visitors who want to play it should call the club at 573-207-8700 and ask about guest play.

Golf Course Facilities

Clubhouses and Golf Shops

Most Lake of the Ozarks courses have a clubhouse with a golf shop for balls, gloves, apparel and equipment, and the staff there can tell you about course conditions. Several, including Old Kinderhook, Bear Creek Valley and Indian Rock, have zoysia fairways.

On-Course Restaurants

Many courses at the lake have a restaurant or grill on site, including the Eagle View Grille at Osage National, The Trophy Room at Old Kinderhook, The Rock Bar + Grill at Indian Rock, the restaurant and lounge at Bear Creek Valley and the Lake Valley Bar & Grill.

LOZ Golf Lounge

The LOZ Golf Lounge on Osage Beach Parkway in Osage Beach is an indoor golf simulator venue listed in the Lake of the Ozarks CVB's golf directory. It's an option for rainy days or the off-season, and it can take groups. Call ahead (262-308-5909) to confirm hours.

Dining and Events at Golf Courses

Course Restaurants

Many golf courses in the Lake of the Ozarks area offer on-site dining. Margaritaville Lake Resort has several restaurants, bars and lounges on its grounds, and Old Kinderhook has three restaurants, so you can eat without leaving the resort after a round.

Golf Course Events

Golf courses in the Lake of the Ozarks region frequently host a range of events, from tournaments and charity fundraisers to leagues and social gatherings. Bear Creek Valley, Indian Rock, Lake Valley and Osage National all book group outings, and most clubs post an events calendar on their websites if you want to sign up for a scramble during your stay.

Embrace the challenge and beauty of golfing at Lake of the Ozarks

Notable Course Architects

Several of the lake's courses come from well-known golf course architects.

Arnold Palmer, one of the game's great players, went on to design courses after his playing career. His work at the lake is the original 18 holes at Osage National Golf Resort in Lake Ozark, which opened in 1992 above the Osage River.

Bruce Devlin is a former professional golfer from Australia who went on to design courses with his partner Robert von Hagge. At the lake, the pair designed The Oaks at Margaritaville Lake Resort.

Robert von Hagge was an American golf course architect who worked with Bruce Devlin on many projects, including The Oaks.

Tom Weiskopf, a tour winner who turned to course architecture, designed Old Kinderhook Golf Course west of Camdenton.

Jack Nicklaus designed the Signature Course at The Club at Porto Cima in Sunrise Beach, which opened in 2000.

Robert Trent Jones Sr. designed The Cove at The Lodge of Four Seasons, and Ken Kavanaugh designed the resort's other course, The Ridge.

Visiting Lake of the Ozarks Golf Courses

Selecting a Course Based on Skill Level

Lake of the Ozarks courses vary in difficulty and in how much elevation change they have. Deer Chase is an executive course for a shorter round, and Lake Valley's six par 3s and generous fairways suit higher handicaps. The Cove, a Robert Trent Jones Sr. design with 72 bunkers and water on nine holes, is a stiffer test.

Booking Tee Times

Book tee times in advance, especially for summer weekends. Most courses take reservations online or by phone, and Indian Rock accepts them up to 30 days out.

Accommodations

The Missouri Division of Tourism's Lake of the Ozarks Golf Trail itinerary pairs the lake's courses with nearby lodging and dining. Several golf properties have their own rooms: Margaritaville Lake Resort, The Lodge of Four Seasons, the Lodge at Old Kinderhook and The Villas at Osage National.

Lake of the Ozarks Golf Scenery

The Lake of the Ozarks golf courses embrace the beauty of their natural surroundings, creating a truly unique and memorable golfing experience. The courses are situated amidst rolling hills, offering golfers a challenging yet rewarding experience. The tree-lined fairways contouring these hills add a sense of tranquility and elegance to the landscape.

The courses at the Lake of the Ozarks are designed with diverse features that capture the imagination of golfers. It is not uncommon to find a mix of bunkers and bermuda grass on the courses, providing players with interesting challenges and a variety of playing conditions.

Tips for Golfing at Lake of the Ozarks

What to Bring

When planning your golfing trip to the Lake of the Ozarks Golf Trail, it's worth bringing the right gear. Here are some essentials for your visit:

• Golf clubs: Ensure you have a complete set of clubs suitable for your skill level and style of play.
• Golf balls: Bring plenty of golf balls as there may be water hazards and densely wooded areas along the courses.
• Appropriate clothing: Dress for the weather, keeping in mind the temperatures can vary throughout the day. Wear moisture-wicking clothes in hot weather and layers in cooler temperatures.
• Golf shoes: Choose comfortable shoes with proper traction, such as spikes or rubber grips, to prevent slipping on the course.
• Sun protection: Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat will protect you from harmful UV rays during your golf round.

Best Time to Visit

The ideal time to visit Lake of the Ozarks for golfing depends on your preferences for weather and crowd levels. Here are some general guidelines on the best times:

• Spring (March to May): This is an excellent time to enjoy the blossoming scenery and comfortably mild temperatures. Keep in mind that spring showers can occur, so pack rain gear just in case.
• Summer (June to August): Golf courses are most crowded during the summer months when vacationers flock to the lake. This season provides warm and sometimes humid weather, making early morning or late afternoon tee times ideal for avoiding the hottest part of the day.
• Fall (September to November): Fall color makes a good backdrop for a round, and cooler temperatures make for comfortable golf. Some courses may offer lower rates this time of year, but The Ridge closes for the season in mid-October.

When booking your tee time, consider weekday reservations as weekends tend to be busier. In winter, check before you go: some courses close for the season and others open only on mild days.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top public courses in the area?

The Lake of the Ozarks has plenty of public golf for a range of skill levels. Popular options include Osage National Golf Resort, Old Kinderhook, Bear Creek Valley Golf Club, The Oaks at Margaritaville Lake Resort, and The Cove and The Ridge at The Lodge of Four Seasons.

Which golf resorts offer stay and play packages?

Osage National, The Lodge of Four Seasons, Margaritaville Lake Resort and Old Kinderhook all offer golf and lodging packages. The Club at Porto Cima, a private club, also lists Stay & Play options.

How can I find a map of all the courses?

The Lake of the Ozarks Convention and Visitor Bureau keeps a golf directory with addresses and phone numbers for the courses around the lake, and its website also has lake maps and a free visitors guide you can request.

Are there any courses designed by famous architects?

Yes. The Club at Porto Cima is a private Jack Nicklaus Signature Course, the original 18 at Osage National Golf Resort is an Arnold Palmer design, Old Kinderhook is a Tom Weiskopf course, and The Cove at The Lodge of Four Seasons is a Robert Trent Jones Sr. design.

What amenities are available at The Oaks Golf Course?

The Oaks has a driving range and pro shop, and Margaritaville Lake Resort has restaurants on site. The resort also sells golf memberships and packages that combine a stay with tee times.

Which golf courses are located in Osage Beach?

Bear Creek Valley Golf Club and The Oaks at Margaritaville Lake Resort are both in Osage Beach. Bear Creek Valley is a public par-72 course that follows Little Bear Creek through forest, meadows and valleys, and The Oaks is the resort's 18-hole, par-71 course.