The Preserve Course at Reynolds Lake Oconee

For the inaugural course at Reynolds Lake Oconee, Bob Cupp was hired along with player consultants Fuzzy Zoeller and Hubert Green. The Preserve incorporates Cupp’s essential design principle of subtle deception and Fuzzy’s philosophy of making the game fun for players of all levels by taking advantage of the natural rolling topography. The result is an immensely playable course with back tees challenging enough for low handicappers and forward tees forgiving enough for beginners. In 2016 a fun and unique six-hole course within a course called the Quick Six was added to The Preserve

Despite its manageable length, this dogleg-right opener is no softy. There is a generous landing area for the tee shot, but out of bounds lurks on both sides. There are no bunkers around the green, but the uphill approach and a deep swale on the left presents a challenge. Although the water rarely comes into play on this hole, it’s never far away

The elevated tee on this relatively short hole provides an inspiring view. A driver is not necessary, but avoiding OB to the left is a must. A good opening shot leaves a short approach to a green guarded on the right by sand and water. An early birdie possibility

The downhill design makes proper club selection vital. The deep green provides for a variety of hole locations, most guarded by the fronting pond and bunkers on both sides. Hitting the green is no guarantee for success, because of potentially long, tricky putts

The ideal target off the tee on this uphill hole is the right third of the fairway. Anything hit too far left brings into play the overhanging trees and the shape of the narrow green. In addition to a greenside bunker, a large swale left of the green can be trouble

On the first of three par 5s on the front nine, the back of the green provides the first look at Lake Oconee, while trouble lurks with out of bounds on the left and right. This fairway doglegs only slightly to the left. Those laying up should hug the left side to leave the best angle for the approach and. Short of the green is the best result for a missed shot, since anything long may find the water

This dogleg-right is defined by a blind tee shot with two options. The safe play is up the left side of the fairway, leaving a mid- to long-iron approach. More risky drives up the right side cut the corner and leave a shorter approach, but flirt with the out of bounds. Only one bunker, on the front left, protects the green

Longer hitters might go after the green in two, since the second shot is downhill. But water on the right of the green swallows anything hit that direction. After a blind tee shot, the hole plays mostly straightaway. Those laying up will find a generous landing area, setting the stage for a short approach and a legitimate birdie opportunity

Among the more scenic holes on the course, offering another look at Lake Oconee, there is a demand for accuracy here. The small green is flanked by the lake on the left and bunkers on the left and back right

The tee shot is greeted by a large landing area, with left-center being Position A for both the drive and lay-up. Anything missed to the right on the second shot could find the rough-filled ravine. The narrow green is defined by plenty of rises and falls, a challenge for lag putts

This long, rolling layout is an attention-grabbing start to the back nine. The uphill tee shot requires a lengthy carry in order to have a view of the green on the approach. But that second shot is back downhill to a large putting surface. Although there are no bunkers, shots missed left of the green face a tough recovery up a steep bank

What you see is what you get on the first of three par 3s on the back side. Anything that drifts left finds sand or water, and even the bailout area to the right leaves some danger. A recovery pitch must contend with a green that slopes toward the hazards

The difficulty on this hole comes from the slender fairway and trouble around the green. The right side of the sloping fairway is littered with several large rocks. The left side of the oval-shaped green finds a large bunker -- and an even larger water hazard. Approaches missing to the safe side are left with a delicate pitch from a grassy slope

This compact test doesn’t require the driver to come out of the bag. Virtually anything that finds the generous fairway sets up a slightly uphill approach to a small green, sloping mostly on the left side. A shot favoring the right side of the green works best here as a bunker guards the left side of the green

The right side of the fairway is the place to be on the drive, since anything on the other side likely will kick farther left – and could find the water hazard. A narrow, elevated green awaits the approach, which must skirt the bunker and a steep drop-off to the right

Extra club may be necessary because of the uphill tee shot. The large, teardrop green has two tiers, and is receptive, but serious bunkering to the left stands guard. The putting surface presents a consistent break down the center

The first of two 5s among the last three holes, the landing area from the elevated tee appears slight, but the corner can be cut on this dogleg-right. Going too far right may clip the trees, or even worse, find the OB. Those playing it safe with the second shot will find a wide landing area, while those going for the green face a daunting pond to the right

Arguably the most difficult par 3 on the course, the uphill tee shot is suited for a green with extreme undulations. The mounding demands an awareness of the hole location in order to secure manageable putts. Bunkers on the front right, along with a false front on the left, punish anything that lands short of the green. It can be a beast, but with a beauty of a view from the green, looking back to the tee

The risk-reward factor on this finishing hole makes for a variety of possibilities to end the round. The elevated tee allows golfers to see the best place to aim their tee shot is down the left side of the fairway. Those going for the green on the second shot face a large pond on the right of the green. The water actually extends about 10 yards in front of the green, as well, and a spillway continues behind the green. The putting surface is extremely deep, so even shots that find it in two could be left in three-putt territory. The greenside waterfall, which was added during the recent renovation, adds visual splendor to the finish

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