The Preserve Golf Club
Carmel, CA • Private

Allen Kennedy/Courtesy of The Preserve GC

Allen Kennedy/Courtesy of The Preserve GC


Joann Dost/Courtesy of The Preserve GC

Joann Dost/Courtesy of The Preserve GC

Courtesy of the club
Overview
Located a few miles inland from the glorious fivesome of 100 Greatest courses on California’s Monterey Peninsula (Pebble Beach, Cypress Point, Spyglass Hill and the two courses at Monterey Peninsula C.C.), The Preserve Golf Club is dramatically different, the only golf course contained within a 20,000-acre parcel of gentle hills and mammoth oaks. Fazio moved almost no earth here, so perfect was the routing established by Poellot and Tatum. The greens are subtle, the bunkering low key, the atmosphere one of absolute tranquility.
About
Awards



Ranking history:
Second 100 Greatest: Since 2021.
2023-'24 ranking: 103rd (and previous).
100 Greatest: Ranked for 16 years from 2005-'20.
Highest ranking: No. 68, 2011-'12.
Best in State: Ranked eighth, 2011-'12. Ranked ninth, 2013-'14. Ranked inside the top 10, 2009-'10. Ranked 11th, 2015-'18. Ranked 12th, 2019-'20. Ranked 14th, 2021-'22. Ranked inside the top 15, 2001-'07.
2023-'24 ranking (and previous): 14th.
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“Santa Lucia preserve is a Tom Fazio golf course built in 2000 in a remote inland section of Carmel Valley"
Read More2024
Review
“Absolutely play here if you can. A unique experience, given its setting in a huge nature preserve. THe Tom Fazio course is as good as the setting itself, presenting a wonderful, varied challenge, while remaining fun for all skill levels."
Read More2024
Review
“quite the hike, but worth it!"
Read More2024
Review
“Tom Fazio design set in the 20,000-acre Santa Lucia Preserve. Even though you're not far from the Pacific Ocean, the club sets at an elevation of around 1500 feet. Very peaceful setting with abundant wildlife and small stands of Redwood trees near the course. Staff is very friendly and accommodating. Do not turn down any offer to play here."
Read More2023
Review
“If you ever get the chance, you will not be disappointed."
Read More2022
Review
“A good golf course that should have been so much better! Number 1 is a very curious start to a course aiming to be Top 100 in the country. Far too many bland holes left me with a blah feeling post round. It's an amazing area, the facilities and service are world-class, it's just that the actual golf course (again, while good) doesn't live up."
Read More2018
Review
“Very private and secluded club in a great setting. Good test of golf and great facilities. Feels like you are playing in the mountains a long way from any city."
Read More2018
Review
“Spectacular - this place is just about as good as it gets. Exceptional golf course, impeccable conditioning "
Read More2018
Review
“The drive up to the course is unforgettable. The course emphasized distance much more so than accuracy or finesse. The greens were big, and the driving area was generous enough."
Read More2018
Readers
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