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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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$120 in monthly tee time promo codes
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12 rounds of waived fees
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Tee Time Protection

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 12
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Beautiful Experience

This was our (my wife and I) second time playing and it was even better than the first time. Though she's an "advanced beginner," she really enjoyed the course (and played great!). The back nine is unlike any other in the area - beautiful vistas, wonderfully elevated tee boxes and a pleasure to play.

Pace was perfect: what a great way to usher out 2017

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 25+
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

A very enjoyable course.

I had an 11:10 tee time and drove from San Mateo to the course. Traffic was heavy leading up to the New Years weekend so I arrived late. The starter took me out to 15 to start since the next tee time would have been noon so he saved me 40 minutes of waiting.

Pace was great and conditions were ideal. (Sunny and nearly 70 f) My only criticism is my attempt to purchase a souvenir shirt. The clerk was so pre-occupied with answering the phone that after 3 phone call interruptions to my purchase I left without the souvenir... Rude and patronizing demeanor.

Conditions Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 25+
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Fun Day

Enjoyed our round of golf. Have golfed this course several times. Always very consistent experience. Look forward to playing it again.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Nice Course

The course condition was great. The greens were extremely well kept and the grounds were groomed nicely. That course is tucked away in Carmel Valley hold with beautiful scenery. The first nine is relatively flat and the second nine is hilly with some breathtaking views and some elevated T shots that challenged into reach Par 4 with your drive.

I liked the course slot. I would say that you should play from brown tees to have similar yardage to a white/blue typical yardage. The course is otherwise short with only 2 Par 5’s.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 12
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Wonderful 1st Visit

We've wanted to play this course for a couple of years and finally got the chance. The course is in great shape (fast greens, too) and the weather was spectacular, especially for December.

My wife, an "advanced beginner" golfer, had a wonderful time. I loved the layout (the back nine was just as spectacular as we had heard). Don't walk this course, though; it's a real workout. But with a cart, it's a treat. The views from some of the tees are unbelievable. We were paired with novice golfers on the front nine, so that impacted our pace of play. I wouldn't recommend this course for beginners; too challenging for them.

Great pro shop staff and facilities, too. We'll be back.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 16
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Pretty but not what I expected

Thanks to Golf Now I finally got to experience the one time private, now overpriced, Carmel Valley Ranch. I'm glad I played it, if only for the 11th hole where you tee off from the top of the world and face a uphill second shot that sends short approaches to a collection area about 100 yards out! Thankfully the green fees are cart included...not only for the hilly holes on the backside...but for a layout around a gated community that requires a long drive to get from green to tee. As far as from Tee to Green long drives are not required as this course is senior golfer friendly. There is GPS in the carts that works well, when it does, but the twosome with me could not work their's. Their cart almost died going up the backside as well, which could have been a disaster!

Not a lot of marshalls and when we saw one they didn't much care when members jumped in front of us with a 5 some. In fact I did feel a bit like an interloper. I would play it again if me and friends could all get a hot deal rate. But for the the normal asking price...there are too many other options here, to pay that much to play there. For a course that asks about $150 I expected more.

Conditions Good
Value Fair
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Carmel Valley Ranch

Course excellent condition . Front nine very scoreable and pretty straight forward . Back nine goes up into the hills and much more difficult.Greens very true and smooth .Overall very beautiful golf course . Not very long yardage wise . Definitely an iron course .

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 15-19
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Cold weather
Used cart

Don't walk, ride!

Some ridiculous trails from some greens to the next tee. Thank heavens for golf carts.

Course O.K., but didn't ring out special to me.

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 6
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Valley Gem

Spectacular views!! Challenging course with variety of hole shapes and shots required. Local course knowledge would go a long way for playing several of the downhill and uphill shots, as well as tee shot placement for approaches. Love to play it again. f

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Cold weather
Used cart

You can score

Course is in a beautiful valley. Fog that we dealt with the previous day at Poppy Hills was above us at mountain top all day, Not a problem. Nice layout that gave you the opportunity to score if you didn't force the birdies. Nice practice facility. Will go back.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great Day

The course was in great shape. Hreens fast and true while also receptive. Would definitely play again.

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
First Time Playing

Amazing course even better staff

The course was in spectacular shape. Great greens (fast) and fairways were great as well. Overall the course was in great shape. Elevation on several holes made it fun to take a rip with the driver. The staff was extremely friendly and as good as the course is, and it is amazing, the staff was top notch and made the experience that much better. Most friendly staff I’ve dealt with on a golf course.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 72
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 18
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Windy weather
Used cart

Scenic/Challenging

Fast greens. Front nine relatively flat, back nine has some severe elevation changes. Fun track!!

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 48
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

We Had Fun!

My wife and I played here while vacationing in the area. You know....some courses are work....some are meh....this one was fun and we truly enjoyed our round! A beautiful setting, the front nine is played on the floor of the valley. Then starting with #10 you start climbing until you reach a point several hundred feet above the valley floor with views all the way to the ocean. Dramatic elevation changes up and down. Par 70. Not overly long - you don't need to hit driver on every hole. Conditions were near perfect. Staff were friendly and helpful. Only minor glitch is that the range is short and limited to irons only. Highly recommend this course.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 25+
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once every three months
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
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
Verified Purchaser
San Francisco Advisor
Previously Played

New Top 10 Favorite Course

This is my second time playing here. Course conditions are top notch as expected from a high quality resort course. Tee to green the course is in fantastic shape. Greens offer some challenging breaks but have spacious landing zones. The course is set up against a mountain and several of the holes have fun elevated tee boxes with great views of the surrounding mountains and course below. Water hazards add to the beauty and challange of the course.

Turkeys and deer are plentiful on the course for added wildlife scenery. Being inland you are sure to find sun while other Peninsula courses are fogged in. Pace of play was decent considering it was weekend prime time when I played. Only drawback on the track is that there are only two par 5's one of which is uphill (the only uphill hole by the way).

Other than that Carmel Valley Ranch is a super course that's a blast to play and has moved up into my top 10 favorite courses!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Short tough course

This course was in great shape. I teed of at 10 am and was done in 8 hours Loved the elevation change. Saw deer and wild turkey

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