They’ve been sitting all winter. Watching. Waiting. Looking for a sign.
Then one morning, they notice your heavy coat has given way to a lighter jacket. You’re smiling more. The temperature in the garage is a few notches warmer.
Finally, the day they’ve been waiting for arrives. You approach. They’re excited, ready to spring into action. Now, it’s up to you to make them perform.
Yes, the off-season is just as hard on your golf clubs as it is on you. Fortunately, winter is giving way to spring and it’s time to enjoy golf in Missouri.
One of the top golf destinations in the Midwest, Missouri is home to the annual Bass Pro Shops Legends of Golf Tournament in Branson and in 2018 will host the PGA Championship at Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis.
Across Missouri, there are many excellent golf courses from which to choose. From par- 3 tracks that test your short game to championship courses that emphasize shot-making skills, there’s a place for you in Missouri.
Here are just a few:
Pitch and Putt
Midway Golf Complex, Columbia – Located just west of the city, this par-3 has several water features that make club selection key.
Ken Lanning Golf Center, Jefferson City – This unique nine-hole course north of Missouri’s capital was designed for players with physical limitations or disabilities.
Top of the Rock, Branson – With Table Rock Lake as a backdrop, this course is part of the stunning Ozarks Heritage Preserve and one of the Show-Me State’s premier golf experiences.
Resort Golf
The Oaks Course at Tan-Tar-A, Osage Beach – The resort’s stay-and-play packages make it perfect for a weekend getaway and group outings, and the par-71 course is part of the Lake of the Ozarks Golf Trail.
Innsbrook Resort Golf Course, Innsbrook – Ample water features add to the fun at this course, which plays between 5,056 and 6,527 yards, depending on your tee-box preferences.
Thousand Hills Golf Course at Thousand Hills Resort, Branson – You don’t have to be a long hitter to enjoy Thousand Hills, which was rated as a four-star course by Golf Digest, as it has one par-5 hole, eight par-4s and nine par-3s.
Crown Pointe Golf Club, Farmington – The 7,000-yard, par-72 course is one of Missouri’s hidden golf gems, while the on-site lodge offers a chance to unwind with a swim in the pool or soak in the hot tub after your round.
Golf in the City
Shoal Creek Golf Course, Kansas City – Ranked as the No. 2 public course in Missouri by Golf Week’s America’s Best, Shoal Creek plays at nearly 7,000 yards and par is 71.
Missouri Bluffs Golf Club, St. Charles – This 18-hole course starts and finishes with a par 5, so make sure you’re ready to hit it long early and at the end of your round. It’s the only Tom Fazio-designed course in the St. Louis area.
Norman K. Probstein Golf Course, St. Louis – Situated inside sprawling Forest Park, the Probstein Course is a local and regional favorite. The original nine holes were designed in 1912.
Stone Canyon Golf Club, Blue Springs – Oversize bunkers, creative landscaping and beautiful water features highlight this course, which was designed by golf great Greg Norman.
Here and There
As your travels take you across Missouri, you won’t want to miss the golf opportunities at Sikeston Country Club in Sikeston, Horton Smith Golf Course in Springfield, Shamrock Hills Golf Club in Lee’s Summit, and Ste. Genevieve Golf Club in Ste. Genevieve.
Find more information on Missouri’s golf courses at VisitMO.com.
Oh, and get out there to wipe down your clubs today. They miss you.