Poppy Hills Golf Course
About
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.
Tee | Par | Length | Rating | Slope |
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Jones | 71 | 7002 yards | 74.4 | 144 |
Jones (W) | 71 | 7002 yards | 80.3 | 150 |
IV | 71 | 6806 yards | 73.0 | 140 |
IV (W) | 71 | 6806 yards | 78.5 | 146 |
III | 71 | 6400 yards | 71.2 | 135 |
III (W) | 71 | 6400 yards | 76.3 | 142 |
II | 71 | 5901 yards | 68.6 | 131 |
II (W) | 71 | 5901 yards | 73.7 | 135 |
I | 71 | 5215 yards | 66.0 | 125 |
I (W) | 71 | 5215 yards | 70.1 | 125 |
Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jones tee M: 74.9/142 W: 81.2/148 | 443 | 203 | 447 | 633 | 497 | 194 | 414 | 427 | 532 | 3790 | 527 | 161 | 449 | 400 | 385 | 222 | 446 | 196 | 515 | 3301 | 7091 |
Black M: 73.2/139 W: 79.2/144 | 416 | 189 | 432 | 576 | 471 | 187 | 400 | 398 | 515 | 3584 | 514 | 148 | 415 | 391 | 369 | 197 | 437 | 172 | 503 | 3146 | 6730 |
Blue M: 71.6/134 W: 77.0/139 | 387 | 165 | 396 | 558 | 427 | 172 | 382 | 375 | 483 | 3345 | 489 | 132 | 390 | 373 | 356 | 188 | 421 | 147 | 479 | 2975 | 6320 |
White M: 69.4/129 W: 74.1/134 | 375 | 140 | 356 | 521 | 357 | 147 | 354 | 348 | 455 | 3053 | 458 | 118 | 370 | 346 | 322 | 160 | 394 | 123 | 447 | 2738 | 5791 |
Orange M: 66.2/120 W: 70.8/127 | 306 | 117 | 252 | 483 | 333 | 125 | 333 | 327 | 431 | 2707 | 421 | 99 | 351 | 302 | 291 | 140 | 376 | 123 | 414 | 2517 | 5224 |
Green M: 61.8/103 W: 64.4/111 | 306 | 117 | 252 | 372 | 218 | 125 | 272 | 204 | 296 | 2162 | 307 | 99 | 228 | 235 | 291 | 140 | 226 | 123 | 362 | 2011 | 4173 |
Handicap | 5 | 17 | 11 | 1 | 3 | 13 | 7 | 15 | 9 | 6 | 16 | 4 | 12 | 10 | 14 | 2 | 18 | 8 | |||
Par | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 36 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 35 | 71 |
Handicap (W) | 5 | 15 | 13 | 1 | 7 | 17 | 9 | 11 | 3 | 8 | 18 | 4 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 2 | 16 | 6 |
Course Details
Rentals/Services
Practice/Instruction
Policies
Food & Beverage
Bar, RestaurantAvailable Facilities
Clubhouse, Conference Facilities, Banquet FacilitiesAccolades
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Golf Advisor: Top Courses in California (2017 #22)
Reviews
Reviewer Photos
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Photo submitted by u7326787 on 10/26/2020
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Photo submitted by u176601787 on 10/15/2020
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Photo submitted by u176601787 on 10/15/2020
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Photo submitted by u176601787 on 10/15/2020
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Photo submitted by u176601787 on 10/15/2020
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Photo submitted by u176601787 on 10/15/2020
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Photo submitted by Sunti88 on 09/03/2020
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Photo submitted by Sunti88 on 09/03/2020
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Beautiful day for golf. Photo submitted by RGEF1E85B2FFDD1659B9 on 07/07/2020
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Photo submitted by caryswindle1 on 12/03/2019
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Hole #12 Photo submitted by Johnmaino on 01/15/2019
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Starting Clock Photo submitted by Johnmaino on 01/15/2019
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Deer crossing on Hole #3 Photo submitted by Johnmaino on 01/15/2019
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Pano of #9 green #10 Tee and #18 Green Photo submitted by Johnmaino on 01/15/2019
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Hole #6 Photo submitted by Johnmaino on 01/15/2019
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Hole #3 Photo submitted by Johnmaino on 01/15/2019
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Sunset on the back 9. Photo submitted by RobSlice on 10/27/2015
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The 10th is the start of what Jones refers to as his "Amen Corner." Photo submitted by MattGinellaGA on 03/29/2014
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The 11th is shorter than it looks from the tee box. Photo submitted by MattGinellaGA on 03/29/2014
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The 18th green from the back deck of Poppy's new clubhouse. Photo submitted by MattGinellaGA on 03/29/2014
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From opening day at the new Poppy Hills Photo submitted by MikeBaileyGolf on 03/20/2014
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Tom on the tee at Poppy Hills Photo submitted by thusseyusmc on 11/14/2012
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First hole from the tips Photo submitted by Highflyerfund on 10/20/2012
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lots of protection around the greens Photo submitted by Highflyerfund on 10/20/2012
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10th hole, good down hill par 5, birdie opportunity Photo submitted by bhoggjr on 10/04/2012
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18th from club house, great finishing hole Photo submitted by bhoggjr on 10/04/2012
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Spectators Photo submitted by bhoggjr on 10/04/2012
It Was Fine - Had Fun
My friend brought me here, and we had a great time. This was a very playable course; nothing overly difficult at all.
Customer service was a Little strange. We had to ask for things that I really wouldn’t have expected. For example, we had to ask for a scorecard, and then after being given the card, we had to ask for a pencil. For the cost, I would think that we’d be provided what we need. At a minimum, they should ask if we’d like a card. We weren’t told anything about what amenities were and were not available, how to get over to the first hole (because we didn’t have a map/layout), etc.
Another strange issue was that they decided to put some kind of foam on the course the morning we played. There were hundreds of small white [foam] spots throughout the course, and it was almost impossible to see where our balls were landing. I get that they have to maintain the course, but it was an inconvenience for us on that morning. It wouldn’t keep me from going back.
I’ve payed less money for nicer courses, but was happy to play here. If you haven’t played here, definitely try it once.
Cart Fee Insanity
Look, the course layout is great. But the greens were punched a week ago and they charge $25 per bag on the cart on top of the greens fee. $50 for one cart is utter insanity. Full price 1 week post aeration too. Feel quite a bit ripped off on that front.
Fairways were in spectacular shape. Greens still quite bumpy. Will be back again and will probably walk the course like I usually do. Not my favorite course, but still quite decent.
Great course poor service.
Our group took our annual Pebble Beach trip. We played Pebble twice, Spyglass, and Poppy. Treated like kings at Pebble and Spyglass. Poppy Hills a different story. First thing we noticed when arriving was another player arguing with staff about the range being closed. No problem for us, we just played 18 at Pebble. They were very short with this customer and he left very upset. The clubhouse was closed, they said because of Covid. Pebble and Spyglass were completely open. They made everyone double up on carts, not Pebble and Spyglass. The greens were sanded and never mentioned it. We can all deal with these things, but the attitude of all the employees was terrible!!!! Thats why this poor review.
Beautiful Course and layout
The course is in perfect condition. Nice fairways and layout. The green was aerated but the course did notify me in advance. The green fee is reasonable with the NCGA members rate.
This is one of my favorite courses and will definitely come back again.
Poppy
Rode the 3 Poppy tees (6400/71.2/135) in slightly under 4H twilight as a single on a GN Hot Deal. Played through one 4some then was stuck behind a walking 4some until they quit. POP was NOT an issue, as I was taking pictures and enjoying every minute of this place! 60 and overcast with a 0-2 club breeze throughout made for a nice experience.
WOW is the best one word descriptor I can come up with. I play alot of golf at courses all over California. Other than Rams Hill when it first opened and Pebble Beach a few months ago, I have never experienced conditions like this... and in my opinion, these were slightly better than those. So what I am saying is that in 45+ years of golfing, this was the best conditioned course I have ever played.
Lush and green throughout. They had a 2 man team fixing divots on the tee boxes. There were probably less than 2 dozen fresh tee divots on the entire course. They had a man out fixing divots in the fairways. Cuts around the greens, tees and sand traps were finely manicured.
Tees were just immaculate. Thick poa cut down, I putted on many tees to pass the time after I had my pictures. How good were they? They putted better than some courses greens I have played this year.
Fairways also immaculate, mowed down and firm. They played really well with thick, brown sand/dirt underneath if you took a large divot.
Rough was lush/thick. If you missed the fairway by 1', it was the difference in going for the green and advancing a shorter club for a player of my skill level. The ball almost always sat down, you often could not see your ball from 10 yards away.
Traps were large and plentiful. Exceptionally well maintained with thick lighter sand over darker sand underneath. Large, expansive waste areas on many holes were natural but cleaned up and added to the beauty of many holes IMO.
Greens I loved! You could make large ball marks and back up balls in places, but they were mostly firm. These were beyond medium fast, they were quick. Downhill putts would creep and creep. If not careful that putt you thought you nestled up for a tap in would be 6-8' coming back. Had three 3 putts and still had an excellent putting day overall. They rolled great.
Loved the RTJ, Jr. layout. Fairways much wider than I suspected going in, this is not a tight course, but I say that on a day I was hitting it better than average. If you get off line, huge, thick trees await. First time in a good while I played multiple shots off pine needles. That, coupled with the outlying sandy areas and mostly playing around no homes surrounded by thick trees actually reminded me of Pinehurst. Areas around the greens were mowed down close, I used a putter several times from 10+ yards off the green up over raised mounds to tight pins. Speaking of pins, not sure if they had a tournament that morning, but these were tournament pins. There was about 1 pin set in the middle, most others were just a few paces on the green. Up/down rolling hills, large greens that were fair with moderate amounts of undulation. Very peaceful, no ocean views and some nice house closeby, but most of the time you were away from everything just playing in the forest with lots of wildlife joining you.
I was running late because of the fog and called ahead. Kudos to Benjamin, he had me rearranged and everything set up to go out later. Very friendly cart attendant and maintenance staff, saw the drink gal a couple of times. Highly recommended, really look forward to my next round here.
Slow pace.
Slow pace of play . No course Marshall . Greens on course not same pace as practice green . All holes basically the same layout . Flags all tucked behind bunkers . Pretty venue . Just disappointed with overall layout .
Overall, a great track to be enjoyed!
Hats off to the maintenance crew and course sup. for keeping the course in fantastic condition. It’s a bit of a strange time for everyone right now. Bearing that, interactions with the greeter or check-in personnel could be warmer and a bit more welcoming. It would also be nice for management to send a welcome email with updated information for first-time visitors (e.g. $25 just to put a bag on a cart wasn’t a nice surprise). Glad that the food quality was on point even during this time. Overall, it was a nice outing and would come back for the course (now that we know what to expect and how to deal with the check-in staff).
Pristine and challenging
Course is in as close to perfect shape as I have ever seen it. Pace of play was just a little slower than last time but still just over 4 hrs.
Make the trip if you can!!
When in Pebble be sure to play Poppy
Can't say enough about this track! If you find yourself in the area make sure you reserve sometime for Poppy - you won't regret it! Tee'd off on a busy Saturday at 11am pace of play was perfect, played in a foursome and wrapped up our round right at 4 hours. Super friendly staff all around good food and good drinks. On top of it all the staff is doing a fantastic job managing all things Covid related. Signage was very clear masks are worn in common areas and they were doing a wonderful job managing the check in process. Bravo to the Poppy Hills team!!!
Probable to not go back
Great golf course, beautiful location, but really tough for a 19 handicap
Pro shop
My buddy and I were not offered range balls from the employee at the pro shop. When we went back to check with the cart employee he helped us out. As far as the course is concerned... it is in excellent condition. minus the bunkers. They were inconsistent. Some had plenty of sand and others barely had any sand in them at all. It was very difficult to judge how to hit the ball out of the trap.
fantastic course
Poppy is not part of the pebble beach resort, but it is a MUST play if you are in monterey. find a good price online and its a steal!
course is hard & fast, holes are interesting, setup is just fairways and pinestraw---> me likey!
GolfNow booking is treated differently
Greens were just punched, slow and bumpy. However there was no notification anywhere. Fairways were good and dry, but it’s cart path only for unknown reason.
Pro shop person doesn’t like GolfNow booking, I can tell from his reaction during check in. And when I asked for range balls, he said: “you don’t get range balls with THAT tee time!”.
Other less expensive course in the area provides free bottle water and bag of range balls. This course is too cheap.
There is no starter and marshals either.. No cart lady too. Bad service for the money.
Best course in Bay Area
This is by far my favorite course in the Bay Area. I’ve recently played pebble beach as well, but playing here is such a great experience that even a bad score doesn’t ruin it! Quite and calm setting among trees with each golf shot heard like that’s the only sound. Highly recommended.
Great Sunday
Course was in great condition, no pressure from playing groups, will be back again!