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Rating Index Rating
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4.7
405 Reviews (405)
5 Stars
288
4 Stars
95
3 Stars
14
2 Stars
4
1 Stars
4
Conditions
4.6
Value
4.3
Layout
4.7
Friendliness
4.6
Pace
4.6
Amenities
4.4
97.3%
Recommend this course
387 out of 405 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.8
13 Reviews (13)
5 Stars
10
4 Stars
3
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.7
Value
4.4
Layout
4.6
Pace
4.3
Amenities
4.4
StaffFriendliness
4.2
100.0%
Recommend this course
13 out of 13 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.8
40 Reviews (40)
5 Stars
33
4 Stars
7
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.6
Value
4.3
Layout
4.7
Pace
4.6
Amenities
4.3
StaffFriendliness
4.5
100.0%
Recommend this course
40 out of 40 reviews
Read Reviews
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AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
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Course Highlights
Carmel Valley Ranch delivers a thoughtfully designed layout with memorable back-nine holes, top-notch conditions, and a smooth pace of play. Welcoming staff and well-maintained facilities consistently make this a must-play destination worth returning to year after year.

About

Holes 18
Type Private/Resort
Par 70
Length 6117 yards
Slope 131
Rating 70.1

Back along Snively’s Ridge on the eastern boundary of the Santa Lucia Preserve is a spot that is one of the great luxury getaways in the USA. It’s called Carmel Valley Ranch, and its Pete Dye par-70 layout is a very playable golf course that was voted one of the Top 100 Women-Friendly Courses in the country by Golf for Women’s Magazine.

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Course Details

Year Built 1981
Fairways Rye Grass
Greens T1 Bent Grass
Golf Season Year round
Architect Pete Dye (1981) Gene Bates (2006)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes - included in green fees
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Golf School/Academy Yes - "The Carmel Valley Ranch Golf Academy"
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard, Amex Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No

Food & Beverage

Cafe, Restaurant

Available Facilities

Clubhouse, Spa, Locker Rooms

Available Sports

Fitness, Tennis

Accolades

The Best Way To Book Is With GolfPass+ Annual
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12 rounds of waived fees
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Reviews

4.7
405 Reviews (405)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 9
Course Challenges Include:
Elevation Changes 15
Bunkers 13
Water Hazards 10
This course/club is great for:
A Weekend Splurge 14
Wildlife/ Scenic Views 13
Advanced Golfers 10
This Course's Location is:
At a Resort 16
Worth the Drive 13

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great golf course

The staff was very friendly. I was treated so well. The power carts have a lot of juice for getting up those hills and very quiet. The fairways and greens were perfect! Had a great day! Worth the money. Worth every penny!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a year
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Nice Front 9

Great front nine then made turn and a 6some was in front of us. The 4some in front of us must have been let thru. After calling pro shop we were also let thru but the group tried to hit into us. I think it was a wedding party. The disruption thru us off our rhythm which was too bad.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Some of the best views on my golf vacation

Spectacular views, nice layout. Great place to stay as well. Would have been perfect if there wasn’t a fivesome a few groups in front of us and a crazy lady behind hitting into us. Actually hit are cart once as we were putting our clubs in our bags!!

Will return the next time I have a chance to go to California

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 72
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Carmel Valley Ranch a real golfing treat!

All aspects of the day were perfect ( except my golf score)...Staff friendly...course in excellent shape.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 156
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Top 100 Contributor
San Francisco Advisor
Previously Played

Fun Layput w/ great conditions

Was "forced" to play Carmel Valley Ranch today. We practically had the course to ourselves all day. No one behind us for 4-5 holes and we never caught up to anyone until the 17th and I'm still not sure where that foursome came from! Greens were rolling the perfect speed at a medium fast pace. Greens were still firm with approach shots rarely leaving a divot.

Fairways are green and lush. First cut of rough is very playable with the second cut being "good luck" territory. As in good luck finding your ball and good luck getting a club on it if you do.

Wildlife is plentiful with an abundance of deer and turkeys on the back nine. The front nine is easily walkable but the back nine would be extremely difficult to walk due to the severe elevation changes and long transfers between holes.

Definitely a recommended "go to" course in the peninsula.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser

Unusual layout, but fun and interesting.

First nine is flat, second is in the hills creating wonderful views. Not long but tricky. Fun!

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 14
Handicap Don't know
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once every three months
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

AWESOME DAY FOR GOLF

This Course is an amazing course to play, the weather was awesome, the sights and surroundings are amazing, and even on the 14th. hole if it is a clear day, you can see the Ocean View in the background. This is a Great course to se A lot of animals as well during your play, a must at least once, this was our second time in 4 months.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 29
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Difficult to concentrate on golf

The course is set at the base of mountain range, the views take your breath away. The course is challenging, number 10, for. starters, several blind tee locations, with the Carmel River rushing by. The staff. Is beyond helpful, if you can snag a tee time on golf now take it.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Used cart

Nice coourse

Very nice people working there. My one complaint would be the fairway grass was mowed very short...probably the time of year we played. .. very thin.

Course was fun with great views and wildlife.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Fairly Easy
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great layout and challenging!

This is a beautiful course with views of Carmel Valley!

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 72
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once every three months
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 29
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

great destination course

Played Sunday at noon. Course may not be long, and you think you can move back on tees, but this course has nuances that take care of any challenge you might want. Staff was very helpful, friendly, and knowledgeable. Irons only on the driving range, but you don't need the drivers many holes as strategy is more of the challenge. First time to play and we will be back.

Pace was very good for Superbowl Sunday, right at 4 hours. Not a real walking course as the elevations are very challenging. Lots of elevated tees. What a beautiful course.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 21
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Amazing Views

Played on a Saturday at 11:00 am and didn’t have to wait once. Amazing course conditions for February, it was sunny and 75 degrees out, very light breeze. Carts have GPS and preview of each hole. Course can be tricky, not very long, but some fairways are narrow. My only downsides are that there are only 2 par 5 and the driving range is irons only. Great course overall, would recommend for all!

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 9
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great Day!

Great views on the back nine. Interesting holes on the back nine as well. Got done in 4 hours. I will be back.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Another beautiful round in Carmel!

Spectacular views and amazing course layout. I absolutely love this course. I would recommend to any and everyone!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Amazing course and great staff

Really love this course. I haven’t played here in 10 years so I has so happy to see it’s been well cared for and kept up. A must if your in the Carmel area. Everyone there is really great and super helpful. Thanks for the lesson Leon.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
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