The Preserve Golf Club

Overview: Located within the protected Santa Lucia Preserve in Carmel, California, The Preserve Golf Club offers an 18-hole mountain layout designed by Tom Fazio. The routing winds through rolling valleys, stands of giant oaks, and seasonal creeks. Because the course has no homes lining the fairways, players enjoy a quiet, nature-focused experience where course management and accuracy are highly rewarded. The challenging design forces golfers to think about every shot selection off the tee.

History: Opened in 2000, the course was built on a historic 20,000-acre ranch. Fazio worked closely with environmental scientists to ensure the construction minimized impact on the local ecosystem. The club has maintained a small membership of roughly 300 members, preserving the serene atmosphere of the coastal mountains.

Did You Know? To protect the native wildlife, the golf club features a unique design where paved paths are carefully hidden from view, and the fairways are separated by vast stretches of native meadows. Players frequently spot black tail deer, wild boars, and golden eagles during a round.