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4.0
190 Reviews (190)
5 Stars
109
4 Stars
45
3 Stars
20
2 Stars
13
1 Stars
3
Conditions
4.9
Value
3.7
Layout
5.0
Friendliness
4.3
Pace
1.6
Amenities
4.0
98.2%
Recommend this course
162 out of 190 reviews
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Average Rating
Avg Rating
0
5 Stars
0
4 Stars
0
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
0
Value
0
Layout
0
Friendliness
0
Pace
0
Amenities
0
0%
Recommend this course
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.0
1 Reviews (1)
5 Stars
0
4 Stars
1
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
5.0
Value
4.0
Layout
5.0
Pace
1.0
Amenities
4.0
StaffFriendliness
5.0
100.0%
Recommend this course
1 out of 1 reviews
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About

Holes 18
Type Public
Style Parkland
Par 71
Length 7002 yards
Slope 144
Rating 74.4

Located on the famed 17-mile-Drive, Poppy Hills Golf Course in Pebble Beach was the first course in the United States to be owned and operated by an amateur golf association, the Northern California Golf Association. Originally opened in 1986 and designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr.,Poppy Hills is a challenging, par-71 venue that weaves through the Del Monte Forest and has played host to several renowned tournaments, including the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am from 1991-2009. In 2014, it received an extensive, $10 million renovation by RTJ Jr. The project was first and foremost aimed to improve environmental responsibility, and cut water consumption by reducing the amount of irrigated turf -- about 60 acres -- while also extending the layout to over 7,000 yards. From a playability perspective, all the rough was removed and doglegs were softened. The course was awarded "Best Renovation" that year by all four major golf publications.

Course Details

Year Built 1986
Greens Bent Grass
Golf Season Year round
Architect Robert Trent Jones, Jr. (1986) Donald Knott (1986) Gary Linn (1986) Mark Rathert (1986) Mike Gorman (2014)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes - $25
Clubs Yes
GPS Yes
Pull-carts Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Caddies Yes
Golf School Academy Yes
Golf Simulator Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Indoor Practice Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Walking Allowed Yes
Dress code Proper golf attire required.

Food & Beverage

Bar, Restaurant

Available Facilities

Clubhouse, Conference Facilities, Banquet Facilities

Accolades

  • Golf Advisor: Top Courses in California (2017 #22)

Reviews

4.0
190 Reviews (190)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 9
19th Hole Scenic Views 6
Patio Dining 6
Course Challenges Include:
Bunkers 12
Undulating Greens 10
Forced Carries 6
This course/club is great for:
Wildlife/ Scenic Views 12
A Weekend Splurge 11
Advanced Golfers 10
This Course's Location is:
Worth the Drive 10
Near Local Attractions 6

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Reviewer Photos

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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 10
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Beautiful course spoiled by pace of play

I was looking forward to this course more than any other on our golf trip up the California coast. The course was beautiful and in great condition. But the day was spoiled by an excruciating 5:20 pace of play (10am on a Sunday). Aside from the lack of anyone monitoring or enforcing pace of play I found the staff to be very helpful. I'd come back only if I could be sure of a faster round.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played

Great golf course, Mediocre Service

Aside from the outstanding course conditions, For a Pebble Beach and NCGA golf course, the attitude and vibe from the employees is mediocre at best. First, as an NCGA member, I was charged 25$ more for a cart. The total was $115. This was NOT stated in the reservation process. The Pro even mentioned that they do not mention the cart fee on purpose. Having said that, as a member, I love the discount.
Secondly, we arrived early for our tee time so the girl at the bag drop said we would get a cart 30 minutes before the time. We left our bags on the grassy knoll by the putting green. 20 minutes till the time I had to go to the bag drop to get a cart. Overall the service and attitude from the shop to the tee box was just met with an indifferent attitude. I guess I expected more.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Fair
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 68
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 1000 Contributor
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Amazing Course, can't wait to play again

pace of play was slower than 4.5 hrs, but the quality of the conditions and the feeling of the course were both second to none and worth coming back for more rounds.

I can't stress enough how manicured this course was, consistency in grass cuts was immaculate, greens had some spots where grain was slightly different, but for me on the day, my putter was the strongest club in my bag, which means they rolled true and rolled fast enough. Fairways looked unreal, simply pristine; it looks like the course is barely used! Bunkers were also without faults... Plus the environment is really unique. Bring an extra 2 layers since this course can go from sunny and comfortable to foggy with a chilly breeze. I donned the thermal base layer without a jacket after a couple holes and that helped big time.

Just an FYI: for COVID reasons they don't allow ride-alongs or spectators to accompany players. I wish Golfnow had told me beforehand since my wife and I booked a weekend around this assuming she could join me but no go and she had to kill 5 hours by herself.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Tertble pro shop

Poppy is still 3 great course to play, but the staff at the pro shop give the impression that they are doing you a favor by letting you play the course if you booked through Golfnow, maybe if you pay the rack rate they would be courteous. Sad, terrible service, but a really good course.

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

Some of the best grass around

Love hitting off the fairways here, so smooth the club cuts through like butter. Extremely well maintained, beautiful golf course. Would play here all the time if I lived just a little closer.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Winter play

Wonderful round of golf. All staff were top notch. The course was well kept and in great condition. It was a great day!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Perfect weather
Walked

front 9 went well. seemed like a foursome cut in front of our foursome on the back nine and slowed the pace to a crawl , the ladies behind us left because it was too slow.

Conditions Good
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Amenities Poor
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 21
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 21
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 8
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 68
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Top 1000 Contributor
First Time Playing

Immaculate course and beautiful setting

The course is in perfect condition, probably best condition I’ve ever experienced on any golf course. Fairways are lush and even, as though they went out and measured each blade of grass... tee boxes were great, all the different cuts of grass were clear and consistent. Greens had small patches of inconsistent grain but I felt they rolled very true and indeed my putter was the best club in my bag that day. I’ll definitely be back. I can’t stress enough how well maintained the course is.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 8
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart

COVID Restriction enforcement??

Very disappointed in how course enforced COVID guidelines. Shut down Clubhouse yet would not allow me to ride alone in my cart despite charging each rider $25 for the cart. I don't have a problem with the fees just find it ridiculous that I was forced to ride with another player despite 6 foot social distancing signs posted throughout the course. Think this decision is more revenue based and done so with complete disregard for the players safety.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Fair
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 30
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
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 11
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Slow play - wow!

Played front 9 in 2-1/2 hours. Played 10-13 in 2-1/2 hours at which time I gave up. Group in front of me also left and 2 people playing in my foursome also gave up. On way back to clubhouse, saw foursome holding everything up with empty holes in front of them. No marshalls. I did talk to a marshall halfway through the front 9 who advised “whole course was jammed up”. I hesitate to play here again after this.

Conditions Good
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 42
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
1.0
First Time Playing

Terrible Experience -

This was by far the most poorly managed and run golf course I've ever been to. The people who work here clearly have an inferiority complex with some of the other courses in this area. Rude staff, no customer service or appreciation... they won't even let a solo rider take a golf cart (during COVID-19).... they force you to ride with another person in your golf cart, clearly violating the CDC rules and California guidelines for COVID-19. They even had signage which said "only 1 person per golf cart".... but for some bizarre reason they refused to adhere to their own signage and force you to jam into a cart with another person.. . The funniest part, there was no one else even playing the course and the golf carts were lined up like it was an abandoned muni course... I guess all of the other golfers in the area have learned their lesson as well and avoid this place at all costs. Do yourself a favor and go play some other great courses in the area at the same price point (with very friendly staff) like Carmel Valley Ranch and Quail Lodge.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Poor
Friendliness Poor
Pace Poor
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 76
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Top 1000 Contributor
Previously Played

Poppy for your habit

Great time to come and golf In Carmel area
The weather still good and the greens are rolling well and the fairways are in great condition

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Walked

Pinehurst meets Augusta!

After playing this course for the first time all I can say is wow! The Layout is fantastic, Course conditions are great, and the greens are fun with huge undulations. No rough, except for near the bunkers, means you can get away with some errors off the tee, but your irons and wedges need to be dialed in, as the greens are a great challenge. Fairways are wide and sloping, but tend to narrow down to try to discourage from simply hitting bombs all day. There are several holes that offer risk-reward from the tee where carrying certain bunkers or hills can result in getting an extra 30-50 yards of roll. Pay attention to the pin position and the shape of the greens, as simply hitting the middle of the green might leave a slippery putt that can easily end in frustration as it runs off the green. Several holes have slopes to the side of the green that you can use to run the ball towards the hole, depending on the hole location. I found most bunkers to be a decent miss, as they were in great condition with consistently soft sand that made them easy to play out of, so long as you aren't plugged.

Something that can't be quantified is the atmosphere at Poppy Hills. I found myself at peace as I meandered through the course, masterfully woven into the transcendent Del Monte Forest. With the quiet of the forest and the company of resident deer, I felt like I was in another world as I watched the shadows slowly dance their way lower and lower until I teed off on 18 in near darkness. After not finding my approach to the green and I guessed where I thought it went and gave myself a free drop. I chipped onto the green and two putted to finish with par and said out loud to my audience of nobody "Wow, what a great course".

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
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