
The Preserve Course
The Preserve Golf Club



About this course
The Preserve Golf Club, nestled in the hills of Carmel-By-The-Sea, is a testament to unhurried golf amidst the wild beauty of the California coast. Carved into a landscape of dramatic elevation changes and dense oak woodlands, the course offers a singular experience where strategy trumps sheer power. Generous fairways belie the challenge; errant shots are swallowed by the natural terrain, demanding thoughtful club selection and an appreciation for the ground game. Designed by Tom Fazio, The Preserve embraces a modern aesthetic while respecting the inherent character of the land. Fazio meticulously routed the course to integrate seamlessly with the existing environment, creating vistas that are both breathtaking and testing. Here, the emphasis is on shot-making acumen, with approaches that require precision to navigate subtly contoured greens. More than just a challenging course, The Preserve fosters a deep connection with nature, an experience shared by a discerning membership who appreciate the tranquility and seclusion of the setting. It is not a place defined by championship banners or televised events. But rather a refuge for those seeking an escape from the ordinary, where the rhythm of the game is in harmony with the surrounding wilderness. And after a round, members can be found savoring a post-game meal highlighted by the club’s legendary artichoke fritters – a local delicacy reflective of the region's agricultural bounty.
Rankings
Ranked by CV ratings from golfers who've played this course. Positions are shown worldwide, by country, and by state; the Private column compares member-only and guest-restricted courses.
Best in World
Best in USA
Best in CA
Quick facts
- Location
- Carmel, CA, USA
- Access
- Private
- Year built
- 2000
- Holes
- 18
- Designer(s)
- Kevin Norby, Mike Poellot
- Par
- 72
- Length
- 7,067 yards
- Difficulty
- 74.5/146
- Course Vaults score
- 8.4
Getting there
The Preserve Golf Club is most readily accessed via Monterey Regional Airport (MRY), a compact facility lying roughly 45 minutes north, or through the larger San Jose International (SJC), a 90-minute drive that rewards patience with one of California's most dramatic coastal approaches. Private aviation clients benefit from the proximity of Monterey Peninsula Airport's fixed-base operations, though the true arrival experience begins as you depart Highway 1 and wind through the oak-studded ridges of the Santa Lucia foothills, where the Pacific emerges in glimpses between Monterey pines and coastal sage. The final miles descend into Carmel Valley proper, a landscape of rolling grassland and weathered stone that signals entry into one of North America's most exclusive golfing enclaves, with The Preserve's gates appearing as a quiet punctuation mark at the valley's heart.

FAQ
Common questions about The Preserve
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
The Preserve has a Course Vaults score of 8.4 out of 10 based on 29 logged golfers.
The Preserve was designed by Kevin Norby and Mike Poellot.
The Preserve is listed as private on Course Vaults; guest access is typically restricted.
Par at The Preserve is 72.
The Preserve plays 7,067 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at The Preserve is 146.





