The Preserve Course
Addison, IL, USA
The Preserve at Oak Meadows, resting in the Illinois landscape of Addison, emerged from a significant reimagining of two prior courses, offering a fresh take on public golf in the area. The transformation, led by Greg Martin, successfully harnessed the flat, characteristic Midwestern terrain to create a playable layout. While not known for dramatic elevation changes, The Preserve presents subtle challenges through strategic bunkering and thoughtfully placed water hazards. The course is relatively open and caters to a variety of skill levels, allowing for strategic play rather than brute force. Known for its environmental stewardship, The Preserve was designed with an emphasis on water conservation and natural habitat restoration. As a public course, The Preserve aims to deliver an enjoyable experience without the pretension of a private club. The appeal resides in a relaxed atmosphere and community engagement that have made it a popular choice for local golfers seeking a solid and ecologically responsible round.
Ranked by CV ratings from golfers who've played this course. Positions are shown worldwide, by country, and by state; the Public column compares courses anyone can play.
Best in World
Unranked
Best in USA
Unranked
Best in IL
Public: #17
Golfers say The Preserve offers one of the better public layouts in the Chicago area, with a solid design that requires a full range of clubs and greens that roll true. Most praise the top-notch practice facilities, including a quality driving range and short game area, though some note that heavy play can leave tee boxes in rough shape while overall conditioning remains strong. Reviewers frequently mention that the course is expensive for a public track, with one calling it overpriced compared to nearby alternatives, and several warn that pace of play tends to be slow due to its popularity. A few golfers also point out noise from nearby O'Hare Airport as a distraction. Despite these concerns, many consider it a fun and worthwhile experience when conditions and flow are at their best.
7.5
89 players
Perfectly good public course. No frills. Good design.
Hands down the biggest rip off in the area. Layout good, condition a touch above fair. But you’re bombarded by noise pollution from O’hare. Prarie Landing, Village Links GE, Cantigny, all light years ahead of this place. Shame on DuPage County
The Preserve is one of the better public courses in the Chicago area — definitely a fun spot to tee it up. The practice area is great for warming up, with a nice range and short game setup that sets the tone for the round. The layout itself is really solid, offering a good mix of holes that make you use every club in the bag. That said, it can get a bit pricey for a public track, and rounds here tend to move slowly just because of how popular it’s become. The course gets so much play that some of the tee boxes can get beat up, but overall, the conditions are still strong. When it’s rolling, it’s one of the best public golf experiences around — just be ready for a longer day out there.
Expensive track but one of the better public layouts in the state. Gets a lot of play so sometimes tee boxes can be in iffy condition, but overall great course. Top notch driving range / short game area, and the greens roll true.
Public courses closest to The Preserve.
FAQ
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
The Preserve has a Course Vaults score of 7.5 out of 10 based on 39 explicit golfer ratings.
Yes. The Preserve is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at The Preserve is 71.
The Preserve plays 7,015 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at The Preserve is 142.
The Preserve is a 18-hole course.
