December in Branson, MO: shoulder season for golf — playable with smart tee time selection. Best tee times: late morning to early afternoon after dew burns off.
| Average December Weather | |
|---|---|
| Avg daily high | 53°F |
| Avg daily low | 35°F |
| Rainy days | 11 / mo |
| Avg peak wind | 9.9 mph |
December sits in a tight cold corridor for Branson — cooler than November but not yet the hardest month the calendar delivers. The average high drops to 53F and the low falls to 35F, an 18-degree daily swing that demands layers even if you tee off at midday. Wind averages 9.9 mph at peak, which keeps it manageable but not forgettable on exposed holes along the lake bluffs.
The silver lining is that December is one of the drier stretches of the year, tied with January as the 3rd-driest month at 11 precipitation days. Morning frost is the main nuisance, so early tee times carry real risk of cart-path-only conditions. Plan around an 11 AM start when temperatures have climbed closer to the mid-40s or above, and December rounds are genuinely playable for golfers who dress for it.
With morning lows at 35F, the frost delay window can push cart restrictions past 9 AM on cold nights, so booking a 10:30 or 11 AM tee time is the practical hedge rather than chasing early-bird rates. Midweek slots in December also tend to open up as holiday travel focuses on weekends, which can mean better availability and lighter play on the back nine. See how conditions rate hour by hour on our playability scale.
Coming out of November, you lose 7 degrees off the average high — dropping from 60F to 53F — while picking up two more precipitation days and a barely noticeable half-mile-per-hour of wind. Moving into January, the high falls another 6 degrees to 47F and the low sinks to 29F, a threshold that starts producing more consistent frost and frozen turf. Precipitation days hold flat at 11, so the step from December to January is mainly a temperature story, not a wet-weather one.
Climate normals show the long-term picture, but day-to-day weather varies. Check today's live golf weather score for Branson, MO for the current playability rating, hourly wind, temperature, and the recommended tee time window.
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Most public and resort courses in Branson remain open through December, though hours shorten as daylight drops. With a 53F average high and peak winds around 9.9 mph, conditions are cold but functional, and many courses offer discounted winter rates. Calling ahead to confirm frost delay policies is worth the two minutes.
Expect morning lows around 35F with afternoon highs reaching 53F on a typical December day — an 18-degree swing. That range means starting conditions can feel near-freezing, especially on elevated or open holes exposed to the wind. Dressing in removable layers and targeting midday tee times is the practical approach.