The Most Popular Products In March, According To Forbes Vetted Readers

Every month, Forbes Vetted rounds up the top products that piqued our readers' interest across a range of categories. Curious about what caught their eyes? Look no further.
Last month, Forbes Vetted readers stocked up on a variety of spring favorites, just in time to greet the season. Some prepared for warmer weather with our top cooling mattress and bamboo PJs; others invested in a nourishing filtered showerhead and an LED face mask to start showing off glowing skin for the sunny seasons ahead.
Ahead, see all 24 of the most popular products our readers shopped in March, from a luxury aluminum suitcase our senior travel editor says 'rolled like silk on every surface' to a wireless gaming headset with a battery life that blew away our consumer tech editor. And make sure to check back here next month to see what Forbes Vetted readers loved in April.
A perennial Forbes Vetted favorite (including our pick for best mattress overall and the best mattress for shoulder pain), the Helix Midnight Luxe tested well with a variety of sleepers across just about every category to deliver 'the perfect mix of support and comfort.'
Our top pick for mattresses for back pain is optimized for your lumbar region, featuring a 3-inch Euro pillow top for cushioning and a dual-coil system to keep you stable. After our rigorous review, the Saatva Classic also stood out for its edge support: Our testers reported minimal to no buckling while lying or sitting on its edge.
This pick from Brooklyn Bedding thoroughly impressed during the best cooling mattress testing. It contains active cooling features in every layer, including top cover fibers that redirect heat away from the body. According to senior mattress and sleep editor Bridget Chapman, the Aurora Luxe keeps you from overheating and has a plush feel that's reminiscent of a luxury hotel bed.
For our roundup of the most comfortable heels, deputy editor and fashion expert Kari Molvar tested these pumps on a variety of surfaces before awarding them our best overall spot. Molvar cited their pillowy-soft lining, top-notch shock absorption and breathable, rounded toe—perfect for wearers who are blister-prone.
Compact size? Check. Spacious interiors? Check. Buttery leather? Absolutely. This bag from Quince met all our fashion team's criteria for a stylish yet functional crossbody option, earning its spot as our favorite crossbody bag overall. After wearing it for more than three months, Molvar was impressed by how its canvas lining held up over time.
As spring rolls around, our readers are swapping out their cozy PJs for more cooling options, like our top pick for the best cooling pajamas for women. This set from Cozy Earth is expertly crafted from temperature-regulating bamboo viscose to ease the discomfort of hot sleepers. The set is also stain-resistant and comes in 13 colors and patterns for customizability.
Swiss running shoe brand On pulled out all the stops when it comes to the comfort of this popular sneaker, which we deemed the best walking shoe for men overall. Its unique cushioning and mesh air flow make every stride more breathable, and its removable arch insole adds a tailored feel to the design. 'I really enjoy its breathability, and the mesh airflow helps keep my feet cool after a long walk,' says our panelist.
With its breathable mesh upper and balanced cushioning, this cult-favorite sneaker provides just enough stability and comfort to earn the top spot in our roundup of the best shoes for standing all day. Gear editor Cam Vigliotta also cites it as his go-to travel shoe: 'I know it'll keep my feet happy no matter how long I'm standing,' he says.
Molvar named the Brooks Glycerin Max the most comfortable walking shoe for women after falling for its lightweight feel and sturdy rocker design. In testing, its forward-propelling motion added a notable bounce to her step, making walks and everyday errands more enjoyable.
Our dermatologist-approved pick for the best filtered shower head for hair and skin uses a robust, three-stage filtration system to remove common irritants like chlorine and mercury. The model also has three spray settings and an essential oil diffuser for a soothing aromatherapy shower.
In our best self-cleaning litter boxes story, executive strategy editor Lindsay Boyers sang the praises of this model's odor-fighting properties, laser-sensing system and helpful smart features (including its connectivity to an app that monitors litter and waste levels). For all this and more, the Litter-Robot continues to top our best list, even after more than two years of testing.
If you're a fan of extra thick towels, this option from Brooklinen stands out for its luxurious fluff. During our laundering tests, it held up notably well, maintaining 'the same post-first-wash feel after subsequent washes,' says one panel tester.
As far as luxury luggage goes, this suitcase is our favorite aluminum design due to its high-end anodized craftsmanship and striking durability (which is backed by a lifetime guarantee). Senior travel editor Astrid Taran recently vacationed with this suitcase and loved its smooth-spinning wheels and heavy-duty compression system: 'I was able to fit so much more into this suitcase than many of my other carry-on bags,' she says.
For under-$150, this Samsonite spinner offers many high-quality features that rival that of most luxury options. Its built-in TSA lock keeps your belongings secure, and its 1-inch expandability helps stow heavier loads. 'As a chronic over-packer, I love that it's expandable and has organizational pockets to help separate my clothes and essentials,' says one of our carry-on luggage testers.
Perfect for jet-setting families gearing up for summer, this three-piece July luggage set includes all of the brand's essentials (a.k.a. its Carry-On, Checked and Checked Plus suitcases). Each piece features July's signature smooth wheels and retractable handles, and conveniently nest inside one another for easy storage.
'The noise canceling of these earbuds is unparalleled,' says tech and electronics editor Rebecca Isaacs, who was blown away by how they muted her surroundings on the New York City subway. Although pricey, their equalizer adjustment controls and excellent sound quality helped them secure the top spot in our guide to the best wireless earbuds.
We named these Samsung Buds the best wireless earbuds for Android users thanks to their seamless combination of ANC and high audio quality. Isaacs wore them comfortably for hours at a time and loved experimenting with their audio presets. Their battery life is also substantial, offering seven hours of extended listening time.
When it came to reviewing the best gaming headsets, the HyperX Cloud Alpha ultimately won Isaacs over with its generous battery life, which allows up to 300 hours of playtime. 'I charged them around once a month—but really, I could have gone much longer,' she says. Its other notable perks include clear spatial audio and adjustable EQ settings.
An acne-targeting tool worth its salt, our tester found this LED face mask to be a useful addition to her skincare routine. Its red-light function tackles signs of aging, like fine lines, while its blue light minimizes acne. Read our full guide to the best LED face masks for more info on this top pick.
Our favorite teeth-whitening kit's handy pre-filled trays make it an excellent option for beginners. It's easy to use, and employs ingredients like xylitol and potassium nitrate to reduce decay and desensitize teeth. (You'll see the best results after wearing them for 15 to 30 minutes daily.)
This Crest teeth-whitening kit works fast: 'Within 10 to 12 days, I already see a slight difference in terms of shade, ' says our tester. Using hydrogen peroxide as a key ingredient, its strips can lighten teeth up to 20 shades whiter in less than a month—an incredibly short period compared to competitors. The set is also wallet-friendly, so you can stock up.
The TickTalk 5 offers basic GPS, texting and calling, as well as a slew of kid-friendly features, like a 5MP camera, unique GIFs and animated e-greeting cards. We named it the most fun kids' smartwatch due to its cute interface and quirky, monster-themed charger.
Our pick for the best split-screen non-Wi-Fi baby monitor is compatible with up to four cameras, allowing you to monitor more than one child in different rooms. It also has a customizable nightlight, two-way talk and the ability to play white noise or a selection of lullabies.
In our coverage of the best travel cribs, kids and baby gear editor Margaret Badore praised our top pick's backpack-style case and lightweight frame (it clocks in at just around 15 pounds).'Of the travel cribs I tested, it's among the fastest to set up,' she notes. Its side zipper also clips securely to prevent any toddler breaches.

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Travel + Leisure

a day ago

• Travel + Leisure

I Island Hopped in Greece for 2 Weeks—and I Didn't Check a Bag Thanks to These 15 Packable Fashion Pieces

Greece will always hold a special place in my heart. It was the very first international destination my (now) husband and I visited, nearly a decade ago—and, just last year, it's where we went on our honeymoon. On the former trip, we visited Athens, Santorini, and Crete; on the latter, we spent two gorgeous weeks island hopping from Paros to Milos and then on to Sifnos. Visiting three Greek locales requires a foolproof packing list to ensure that every activity, terrain, and climate is accounted for. I also highly recommend sticking to a carry-on bag if you can (at least, that's my preference, especially when navigating the narrow streets of Greece). Below, explore the 15 non-negotiable travel clothing and accessory essentials I relied on that deserve a spot in your suitcase when visiting the Greek Isles this summer. A solid button-up blouse — ideally in linen, cotton, or silk — is at the top of my summer vacay list. I personally packed this Quince Washable Stretch Silk Blouse on my trip, and it's one I often take on any vacation because it's so versatile and easy to wear. Not only is it super lightweight and breathable (a must in a warm climate like Greece), but it also takes up virtually no space in your suitcase. Plus, this top is the ultimate clothing chameleon: Pair it with casual shorts and sneakers, wear it with a skirt and heeled sandals, or toss it over your swimsuit as a classy cover-up. I personally own it in white (and find that's the most versatile), but it also comes in a number of other lovely colors. For days of visiting beaches or exploring Cycladic towns, I always reach for an easy-to-wear pair of shorts. On extra warm days, I'm a fan of wearing a loose-fitting linen option like these Quince European Linen Shorts, which I packed for my last trip to Greece. I own them in black, but they're also available in a number of pretty colors and patterns to suit any preference. For something a bit more structured, you could opt for these classic Madewell Bermuda Shorts. Either of these neutral options could easily mix and match with any of the tops in your luggage, so there's no need to pack more than one pair in your carry-on. A gorgeous pair of linen pants is a must for any Greek vacation. I've been obsessed with the Australian fashion brand Dissh's elastic linen trousers for travel, but if you're looking for something at a lower price point, you can't go wrong with this $40 wide-leg pair from Halara. Whichever route you choose, you'll have a wrinkle-free, space-saving option that goes with everything, whether you're exploring the city or hanging by the beach. Let's be real, when we're packing for vacation—especially somewhere as scenic as Greece—you're going to want to bring at least one standout, picture-worthy outfit. My personal favorite: a statement dress, like this stunning floral one from ASTR the Label. It's worth noting that while a maxi dress may take up a bit more space than its shorter counterpart, it's a one-garment outfit, which is ultimately a space-saver. Any dress with a vibrant pattern or unique design will make you feel like an ethereal Greek goddess, in my opinion. However, you can still go bold with something understated like this smocked maxi dress from Amazon-loved brand PrettyGarden. Personally, I packed this Favorite Daughter linen dress on my last trip to Greece, and it was a chic hero piece for my vacation wardrobe. On a trip to Greece, you're going to need sandals that are well-suited for wearing to the beach, walking along cobblestone paths, and maybe even hiking down into secluded coves (yes, this came up while I was in Milos). For that reason, I'd recommend packing a pair of sandals that are well-suited for any active adventure, like the Teva Hurricanes or Merrell Speedfusions. When I'm headed to a coastal destination like Greece, I love packing a simple dress like Dissh's Lotus Linen Dress that I can toss on with a pair of sneakers and head out for a day exploring, or slip over my swimsuit before heading to the sea. It embodies that effortless Greek style, hardly takes up any packing space, and creates a complete outfit with just one easy-to-wear piece. For something a bit more budget-friendly, I found this linen dress at Amazon that achieves the same vibe at a fraction of the price. $90 at Amazon $90 at Nordstrom While you'll most likely spend your days ambling around Greece in a pair of sandals, it's always a good idea to bring at least one pair of closed-toed shoes on any trip (especially for when the temps drop at night). For the purposes of a Greek vacation, I'd keep it simple with a pair of white sneakers. On our trip, I opted for classic Reebok Club Cs, whereas my husband packed a pair of white and navy Nike Killshot leather shoes. Pro tip: I'd wear these on the plane to save space in your bag. A trip to the Greek Isles means plenty of time swimming in pools and the sea; therefore, a chic swimsuit is a must. For lounging by the pool at Andronis Minois Paros, I packed the LSpace Hazel Ribbed Bikini Top and matching bottoms, which I adored because both are super comfortable, offer a decent amount of coverage for a two-piece, and also the white piping gives the classic black bikini a more unique design. However, if you're not a fan of bikinis, then check out the Baewatch Colorblock Trim Ribbed One-piece Swimsuit, which has a similar style, or Cupshe's ultra-flattering one-piece that's only $40 at Amazon. Hopefully, your Greek isle itinerary includes plenty of time at the beach and on the water, which means your valuables might be in danger of getting wet or sandy. That's where a waterproof bag like this one from Amazon (which has thousands of five-star reviews) can come in handy. Simply slip in your phone and then enjoy the Aegean Sea stress-free. While you can get away with dressing pretty casual in Greece, I like to have at least one pair of sandals that feel elevated enough to wear to a nicer dinner, which is why I packed the Nisolo Platform Sandals for my trip and absolutely loved wearing them. Not only do they have incredible support for long days on your feet, but they also work just as well with a pair of shorts as they do with a more elegant dress. $198 $158 at Even though Greece gets quite warm in the summer, temperatures can drop at night, especially if you're visiting one of the windier islands like Milos. I recommend packing at least one jacket, like this insulated option from Vuori, which is one of my go-tos for just about any trip—it features a lightweight yet warm construction and neutral colorway that goes with everything. Speaking of layers, a cardigan is another great option for when the temperatures dip come nightfall. A few of my favorites include the Jenni Kayne Murphy Cardigan, which you can wear on its own as a sweater or draped over a dress (it came in handy when we ferried over to Sifnos, where we experienced the incredible cuisine and meandered about the breezy cliffside towns). Over at Amazon, you can achieve the same look with the Verdusa cropped cardigan ($30) or the Amazon Essentials V-neck Cardigan Sweater that's on sale for $17. One of my favorite accessories to pack is a silk scarf. It takes up virtually no room in your luggage, but can completely transform an outfit by adding a splash of color to an otherwise simple ensemble. Most of the scarves in my collection are either passed down from my mom or sourced vintage, but I spotted a couple that would be a great addition to anyone's collection, like this pretty blue and white option from Kurt Geiger, bold printed Nordstrom one, or even this silky floral-adorned option from Amazon that's on sale for $13. An iconically shaped pair of sunglasses is a great space-saving accessory that can elevate your entire outfit while also protecting your eyes. I packed these fun cat-eye sunglasses from Maui Jim for my last trip to Greece, and I love these sunnies for their vintage style, along with the fact that they feature polarized lenses, a must when walking around Greece or relaxing by the pool at our sophisticated yet understated hotel, Verina Astra. For a lower price point option, I'd recommend Goodr's no-slip, no-bounce Circle G shades for $25. When I'm enjoying a dreamy adventure abroad, I want my sleepwear to rise to the occasion. I am currently obsessed with the silky-smooth pajama sets from Eberjey, which feel truly luxurious on my skin. The breathable fabric also stays fresh and clean after multiple wears, reducing the need to pack excessive sleepwear. My other favorite summery shorts sets (both on vacation and at home): Cozy Earth's bamboo PJs, Quince's 100% European Linen PJ set, and Old Navy's $40 Poplin Pajama Short Set. Another small accessory that can make a big impact: jewelry, of course. For a Grecian vacation, I love this Pavoi coin necklace at Amazon, which only costs $17, or this layered set from Aritzan Joyeria, both of which help upgrade even a simple outfit. I'm also a fan of these lovely Gorjana braided earrings for the same reason. Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week.

Tom's Guide

2 days ago

• Tom's Guide

I live in a building with no air conditioning — here's how I get a good night's sleep in summer

Summer is officially here and the sun is out to brighten my day — and ruin my sleep at night. While many people are turning to their air conditioning to keep their bedrooms cool and fresh at night, unfortunately I do not have that luxury. During hot, humid weather, my apartment is like an oven which makes my bed, well, a literal hotbed for sleep troubles and discomfort. However, I've now discovered five ways to make my bedroom cooler without the aid of air conditioning and these tips are so easy that you can start tonight. From window tricks to the best mattress toppers, here's how to sleep better in summer when you can't seem to cool your bedroom down. When trying to cool their bedroom, people almost automatically open a window to let some refreshing air inside. However, on a very warm day, you're actually increasing the room's temperature by allowing hot air to enter. Instead, I keep my windows closed throughout the day if I know that the outdoor temperature is higher than the indoor temperature (typically 68°F-77°F). I also keep my room dark by keeping the blinds closed, too. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. I know that this may be difficult when you want to let the cheerful sunshine in to brighten your room but darker is better during a heatwave. Temperatures tend to drop in the early evening, so that's when I know it's time to open my blinds (luckily, the sun is often still out thanks to longer summer days) and windows. I usually close the blinds when it's time to sleep due to light pollution, but I keep the window open throughout the night and close it a couple of hours after I wake up. Opening your window throughout the evening, night, and early morning allows the cooler air to circulate the room, dropping the room temperature for a better sleep. Yes, that's right, an eye pillow is indeed a thing. They are small weighted masks that act like hot and cold compresses, and they're often stuffed with lavender and flaxseed for a soothing scent. While you can heat up these pillows in the microwave as a hot compress, you can also put them in the freezer and use them as a cooling weighted eye mask. I put mine in a freezer-safe zip-lock bag and then place it in the freezer for about 30 minutes to an hour before I go to bed. It instantly cools me down and helps me to fall asleep. Plus, they're easy to find; you can buy two lavender eye pillows for $15.99 at Amazon. There's plenty of bedding you can buy that is designed specifically to cool down your bed, from mattress toppers with heat-dissipating covers to pillows for those who sleep hot. I love the Brooklyn Bedding Luxury Cooling Mattress Protector, and I rank it as one of the best mattress protectors for keeping your mattress cool. It's made using heat-dissipating GlacioTex, a high-tech cooling fabric used in some of the best cooling mattresses on the market. You probably already know this one, but it's worth mentioning as it really does work. Fans circulates air around the room during days (and even nights) when it's too warm to open a window, keeping you cooler and feeling less stuffy. You can find out more about optimizing your fan use in hot weather with our 7 pro tips for cooling with fans, which includes ideal fan placements and how to create DIY aircon. There are a lot of different fans to choose from, too, from floor fans to tabletop fans. You can even get app-controlled smart fans, such as the Dreo TurboPoly Fan 508S for customized cooling that won't break the bank.

Forbes

2 days ago

• Forbes

Stunning New Golf Course At USA Today's Best Golf Resort In America

July 4th is America's birthday, and American golfers are getting a great present this year. For the past several years, Big Cedar Lodge in the beautiful Missouri Ozarks has continued to improve and expand its golf offerings, to the point where for the first time, back in April, USA Today readers voted it the nation's Best Golf Resort for 2025 (as a longtime but not current USA Today contributor I was asked to be one of several panelists on the nominating committee but did not vote in the competition). Just a month later, the crew at Forbes Vetted named Big Cedar the 'Best Golf Resort in the U.S. for Families' and one of the nation's '8 Best Golf Resorts.' But those awards, as impressive as they are, both came when Big Cedar 'only' had five courses. On July 4th weekend it will officially open its sixth and most unique layout, Cliffhangers, which has been 'soft' opened for limited preview play the past few weeks, and I was able to go and see it. Here is your first look at a stunning new golf course at USA Today's best golf resort in America. There are more than 38,000 golf courses on earth, making it extremely hard to do anything in golf course design that has literally never been done before. I have not played every course, but I have been covering golf travel, courses and design in deep detail for over 30 years, and I have played many of the very highest rated ones on every inhabited continent. So, I am pretty sure that the third hole at Cliffhangers is the only one on any course where golfers tee off from inside a cave and hit their tee shot through a waterfall cascading over the mouth of the cave to a green far below. There's a course in Idaho with a movable island green in a lake that changes locations daily, an ocean island hole in Mexico you have to take an amphibious cart to putt out, and a 19th hole in South Africa that requires a helicopter to reach the clifftop tee. Cliffhangers instantly joins this pantheon of crazy, unforgettable, one-of-a-kind golf. Or as Big Cedar Lodge owner Johnny Morris calls it, 'Adventure Golf.' Morris is the founder, owner and CEO of outdoor retail giant Bass Pros Shops (which also owns outdoor retail giant Cabela's) and has been called 'the Walt Disney of retail' for his elaborate, theatrical and sometimes interactive in-store displays, which involve everything from live alligators to fishing boats docked in the water—inside one of the world's largest pyramids. Morris is famous for his vision, for seeing things others do not and then sparing no expense to turn them into reality, and the 4,600-acre Big Cedar Lodge resort is his personal pride and joy. He grew up in this part of the Ozarks, loves it, and want you to love it too, and he has done a tremendous amount of work to make sure that happens. While his other courses have involved the world's most famous designers (more below), Cliffhangers was the work of Morris and his son John Paul, who looked up at the precipitous, rocky, cliffside terrain and thought what no one else would: why not build a golf course there? 'This is golf on the edge—literally,' said Morris. 'We wanted to create something that celebrates the natural wonder of the Ozarks while delivering an unforgettable adventure for every golfer.' John Paul added, 'Cliffhangers reflects everything we love about nature, adventure, and golf. It's wild, fun, and unlike anything in the game of golf today' He is right about that. Golfers traverse steep cart trails and drive through creeks, past waterfalls, and through the signature cave. And Johnny Morris so wants visitors to go home with a hole in one as a memory that he built extra tee boxes on holes one and ten and greens fee include a shot from each so you get 20 bites at the apple. That's because Cliffhangers is a par-3 course, which as traveling golfers know, is all the rage in golf right now. The best resorts, from Pebble Beach to Pinehurst to Bandon Dunes, along with Streamsong, Cabot Citrus Farms, Sand Valley and many others have been rushing to introduce new par-3 courses, but none of those are as memorable as Cliffhangers, which is meant to be super fun for both the most seasoned golfers and those new to the game (though with all the water features it is entirely possible to lose more balls here than on one of the resort's three championship eighteen hole courses—all of which are ranked in the nation's Top 100 You Can Play by Golf Digest). Also, while many of the new short courses popping up across the country are only nine holes (or random ten or twelve), this is 18-20, the full deal. Not your usual golf course cart path. Big Cedar Resort Like most of the current crop of par-3 courses, born from the tradition of pitch and putt layouts, holes are on the shorter side and I got through Cliffhangers hitting northing more than an eight iron. But the visual variety is staggering, with an island green, peninsula holes, huge elevation changes, and exposed rock and water everywhere—it is built into and on top of cliffs, after all. The cave tee box and waterfall combo make three an instant de facto signature hole, but really just about every hole out here could be one. I mean, just look at the pictures. All of this overlooks Payne's Valley, my favorite course at Big Cedar and a drop-dead visual stunner with more lakes, more greens, more waterfalls, and beauty as far as the eye can see. Another person who previewed the course in advance was golf personality Lauren Thompson, host of The Morning Drive on The Golf Channel. She said, 'I've played many great courses around the world, and Cliffhangers is unlike anything I've ever seen. It's breathtakingly beautiful, incredibly challenging, and the best thing to happen to golf in years.' Years. Aerial view of the new Cliffhangers course. Big Cedar Resort The resort is so big that it has an extensive free shuttle system to move guests around, as lodging options include a hotel, lakefront cabins, rental homes, a safari-style glamping resort, and new luxury golf cabins out at the Mountain Top clubhouse by Payne's Valley and Cliffhangers. I rode to dinner in a shuttle with a group of retired bank executives who had been doing an annual golf trip together for 31 years, and had been all over the place, to many regions and golf resorts. They told me they had just played Cliffhangers and one of them confided, 'It was as much fun as any 'real' course I have ever played.' I loved it too, and it is a perfect short 20-holes to get in before tackling one of the bigger courses at Big Cedar, because in addition to getting you in a great mood, it will help dial in your short game, as the fast bentgrass greens are similar in speed to those on the full-sized layouts. Short courses do not need to have grass this good, but Morris does not cut corners, and those playing Cliffhangers even get to stop into the fancy Payne's Valley halfway house during their round, where all the snacks are free, including the signature premium bison hot dogs, from a herd he raises in a nature reserve near Big Cedar. I recommend you try to make a morning tee time at Cliffhangers before a round at Payne's Valley, for a near-perfect day of golf. As good as it is, golfers are not likely to make a trip to Big Cedar just to play the new par-3 layout, but they might be curious how it became the Best Golf Resort in the U.S. So here's the Big Cedar golf overview in a nutshell. The highest rated course in Missouri is Ozarks National, by the legendary design duo of Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw. The second highest rated course in Missouri is Payne's Valley, the 19-hole effort by Tiger Woods. It is the only public eighteen by Woods in the country, and it is fabulous. I think the magazines always favor Coore and Crenshaw designs, but I firmly believe the Woods course is even better. I played it the day it opened in 2019, I have played it since, and wrote this story here at Forbes, 'Tiger Wood's First Public U.S. Golf Course is Awesome.' It is fun, extremely playable, has some great risk/reward holes so it appeals to all caliber players, and it is visually stunning. It is telling that they sell more tee times at Payne's Valley than on any other course. The third highest rated course in Missouri is Buffalo Ridge, a Tom Fazio design that has bison grazing next to its fairways (not the ones that make the hot dogs). All three eighteens are ranked in the Top 100 in the U.S., a feat only a handful of resorts have ever achieved. On top of this, the facilities, service and conditioning are first rate, and the concept of standout Midwestern hospitality is very much evident. Big Cedar also has caddies, forecaddies and extensive practice facilities, including a putting course inspired by the Himalayas in St. Andrews, Scotland and designed by 8-time Major Champion Tom Watson. Then there are two stunning 'regular' par-3 courses, not shortened versions, but all full-length holes, up to 221-yards. The Gary Player designed Mountain Top is a walking-only 13-hole stunner carved through rock formations and rolling terrain. The Jack Nicklaus Signature Top of the Rock 9-holer is the only par-3 course ever used in competition in a PGA Tour sanctioned event, the Bass Pro Shops Legends of Golf, which used to be played here and on Buffalo Ridge. These par-3 courses are so good that you could make a trip to Big Cedar just to play them and Cliffhangers, though I would not pass up the 'big' courses. But as one-shotters go, both Mountain Top and Top of the Rock are as good as anything I have seen on earth. Golf Magazine finally added a ranking of short courses to its more famous Top 100 in the U.S. and Top 100 in the World lists, before Cliffhangers. It ranked the 25 Best Par-3 Courses in the World, but unlike the Top 100, courses were not ranked in order, just the best 25. The vast majority are at the world's top ultra-private clubs, like Augusta National, Pine Valley and the Olympic Club. Less than ten of the world's courses on the list are public, and both Mountain Top and Top of the Rock made the cut. That means until Cliffhangers opens July 4th, every one of the five golf courses at Big Cedar has made the most important 'Best' lists in the industry, and that is no coincidence. In addition to the stunning new golf course, for fishing fans, Big Cedar Lodge sits right on 43,000-acre Table Rock Lake, host of a professional bass tournament and renowned as one of the best fishing spots in the country. Being owned alongside Bass Pro Shops, it is no surprise that Big Cedar has two different state-of-the-art marinas equipped with the newest boats and gear, and it is arguably the best freshwater fishing resort in the country as well, though USA Today does not rate those. Yet.