The Preserve at Jordan Lake Golf Club is a semi-private, 18-hole Davis Love III signature course that sits along the western shoreline of Jordan Lake in Chatham County, just south of Chapel Hill. Open to the public daily, the course opened in 2002 and was voted one of Golfweek Magazine’s Top 40 new courses. It plays 7,107 yards from the back tees at par 72, with a 75.1 rating and a 145 slope. Seven sets of tees give golfers a wide range of starting points, and the layout winds along Jordan Lake’s shore for several stretches, with water visible from multiple holes.
Love and co-architect Paul Cowley routed the course through dense pine and hardwood, with elevation changes, water carries, and rough that punishes anything imprecise. The Preserve rewards target golf and distance off the tee in roughly equal measure — a challenge to know on first play, and a satisfying one to learn. Players who know it learn quickly where not to hit the ball.
The practice facility includes a full driving range with six teeing stations and a short-game area. Lessons and group clinics are available with the head pro, and the club runs junior camps each summer for area kids. The Grille, the on-site restaurant, is a casual stop after a round, and regulars know it for its chicken salad sandwiches.
For visitors, The Preserve is the most accessible championship-caliber golf in Chatham County. It has a semi-private feel, true public access, and a course good enough to test your game without needing to be a member to get on. Tee times can be booked directly through the club online, with twilight rates and weekday savings available. Bring more golf balls than you think you need.
Banquets & Events
The Preserve’s clubhouse hosts weddings, private parties, business meetings, and corporate events, with views over the course and Jordan Lake. The on-site team handles food and beverage, from casual lunch service to seated dinner receptions, as well as setup, timing, and bar service throughout the event. Capacity, menu options, and pricing are coordinated directly through the club’s events team. The course itself is also available for tournament play and golf outings, which can be paired with banquet space for full-day corporate or charity events.
