Cliffhangers

Big Cedar already had a par-3 capital’s worth of short courses. Then Johnny and JP Morris spent six years carving one more into the cliffs — and Cliffhangers is the most theatrical of the lot. Opened on July 4, 2025, it’s an 18-hole, all-par-3 course that runs along limestone bluffs, threads through caves, and crosses waterfalls, climaxing with a closing hole played from inside a cavern, out through a curtain of falling water. Johnny Morris calls it “golf on the edge — literally.” He’s not exaggerating.

How it plays

Eighteen short holes, roughly 60 to 170 yards, each built for drama over difficulty. The elevation changes are enormous, the backdrops are absurd, and the format — all par-3s, walking-friendly, snacks on the house — is pure fun. It’s not a card-and-pencil test; it’s a two-hour thrill ride for golfers of every level, where the shot values matter less than the fact that you just hit a tee shot through a waterfall.

The pedigree

Cliffhangers is Big Cedar’s sixth course and its boldest statement yet — a brand-new, purpose-built spectacle that extends the resort’s claim as America’s par-3 capital. It’s too new for ranking lists, but as an experience it’s instantly one of the most talked-about short courses in the country, and a natural companion to the resort’s championship trio.

Plan your visit

It’s at Big Cedar Lodge near Branson, on the Payne’s Valley / Top of the Rock side of the sprawling property. Book through the resort — guests get the best access and rates — and treat it as the dessert to a day on the big courses. Wear shoes you can walk and scramble in, and keep your phone charged, because you’ll want the photos.

Who should play here

Thrill-seekers, families, and anyone who thinks golf could use more waterfalls. Cliffhangers isn’t about your score — it’s about the sheer theater of hitting short-iron shots through some of the wildest terrain ever turned into a golf course. If you’re at Big Cedar, it’s unmissable.

Cliffhangers, quickly

What is Cliffhangers?

An 18-hole, all-par-3 short course at Big Cedar Lodge that opened on July 4, 2025 — routed through Ozark limestone cliffs, caves, and waterfalls, and billed as the most dramatic par-3 course in the world.

Who designed Cliffhangers?

Big Cedar founder Johnny Morris and his son JP Morris, with the resort's design team — roughly six years in the making.

What makes the finishing hole special?

It's played from a tee set inside a cavern, out through a cascading waterfall toward the green — one of the most theatrical closing holes anywhere.

How much does Cliffhangers cost?

Roughly $145–$275 depending on season and resort-guest status. Complimentary on-course snacks are part of the experience.

We may earn a commission on the tee-time link above — we only point you where we’d book ourselves. Scorecard figures are illustrative.