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
Great course, service second to none
The course is fantastic - hadn't played it since its re-do. Very enjoyable. Pace of play left a little to be desired, but to the marshal's credit, he noticed this, and offered to route us on the wide open front nine a second time after seeing that it took 2.5 hours to play the front due to some really slow groups ahead. Everyone there was great.
Bucket List Round - Totally Worth It.
This was a bucket list round and well worth it. Only negative was not due to course... Mother Nature was in a foul mood and it was rainy and windy so the course was not in the best shape. However, what an experience!
Just a fantastic course
A great course aesthetically and fine test of golf. It will lull you into thinking it's not too difficult and pounce if you let your guard down . Well-bunkered greens a make it tough for direct attacks on pins in some placements . Use the whole green, tough punishments for over-aggressive approaches . Great staff and food . One of Monterey area best for sure.
Worthy addition to the Monterey rota
We travel to the Monterey Peninsula annually, and for some reason have never experienced Poppy, opting for the other great courses. We learned this week what a mistake that has been, not because the others are poor choices, rather, that Poppy is most definitely worthy of a visit.
Our group has plus handicaps, senior players, and those that play no more than a handful of times every year. All of us found something to enjoy - good holes, without the severe penalties we sometimes find, great hole locations, challenging our very good players, without abusing the rest of us.
One more thing - we played after a good bit a rain - the place drains extraordinarily well. Don't let rain keep you away.
Stunning course
This is a beautiful, well laid out course. It is certainly challenging, with sloping fairways and tough greens. No hole is the same and you will struggle to think of which is your favourite hole once you have finished.
We started out on the back 9 (there had been a competition in the morning) and we moved at a great, steady pace. For some reason, once we got to the first hole, (our second 9) the pace was much slower to the extent we wondered if some extra groups were on the course, this meant we then had to wait at every tee, often with the group in front also waiting and then the group behind catching us up before we had teed off. It made for friendly golf, nut it did disrupt the rhythm.
A very small point, there are no ball washers on the course which seems slightly strange.
Best if Walked
I'm not going to talk much about the course conditions. Anytime you play golf in the Pebble Beach area you expect the course to be in pristine condition. Poppy Hills is no exception. Staff was friendly and accomondating as well. This course is best walked. It's cart path only so if you ride you will be stuck on the side of the course in the tree line and miss most of the spectacular views. Do yourself a favor and get out in the middle of the fairway where the views of the ocean tucked behind the forest are abundant. Well worth the walk. Given that, pace of play is going to be a bit slower.
Great layout. Great views
A must play. Stunning views, immaculate shape. Tough course,especially if you don't have first hand knowledge of the greens. Only down side was pace of play-5 1/2 hours on a Friday afternoon. No marshals. If you remember where you are and what you're doing, it'll take the pain of how slow it is and make it a little easier to swallow
Top Notch Experience
The new Poppy Hills is a great experience that is on par with the courses at Pebble Beach Resort. The staff at the course were very friendly and courteous.
I will say I think that Poppy Hills has a collection of the best par 3's in the game. The course is fair and great but I was in awe of the par 3's.
I would definitely make it back on another trip to Monterey. Make sure you play this course when you are in town.
Tour Quality Worth Twice the $$ Easy
The New course definitely belong in the same class as it's neighbors Pebble Beach, Spyglass Hill, and Spanish Bay. The best part is it's only 1/2 the price!
You can book hotel packages online and get crazy good pricing on your room and golf and if you forget your clubs they give them to you at no cost! If you are looking for soft fluffy lies this is not the place. The turf is perfect and firm, ball rolls forever. The greens are literally up to Tour standards after having the Champions Tour their last month.The new design is very rewarding if you can play the low knockdown and use the slopes around the greens. Don't fly the ball to the green or you'll be sorry. The only real negatives you hear are that it's too firm but those people don't understand the design and how to approach it. The course definitely grows on you the more you play it. Get a yardage book, only use your sand wedge if your in a bunker and think outside the greens. Use the slopes to bank the ball and you'll have a ton of fun hitting shots you won't hit at any other course on the west coast except Bandon and Chambers Bay (same exact turf as Poppy) If you are anywhere near Pebble Beach and you have your clubs with you, DON"T MISS THIS PLACE.
Hit the ball
We were paired with a couple that measured every shot, took many practice swings and wouldn't stop talking about how great their shot should have been. This is not a fault of the course but the staff.
Poppy Hills
What a gem! Difficult course; trees, lots of bunkers added that seem to jump up and grab your golf ball, greens large but rock hard so play one club higher as if you don't your ball will roll off of the green. Lots of challenging holes that will make you want to return and play at Poppy again!
Really getting bad
Yes, there is the Rolex clock but come on the fairways are worse than any muni in NorCal. The new design was a mistake and the course has to be one of the worst values in CA. Greens still won't hold a shot and why on Earth is it STILL cart path only.
needs work
Very disappointed in condition and maintenance of course. While the weather was poor that was not the issue.
Poppy Hills was "Popp'n"
Great course, but typical Pebble Beach prices. Eh, what's an out of towner going to do but pay the price to take home some great memories. More treed views then Pebble or Spanish Bay so if you are wanting the Pacific Ocean for a back drop, this is not the course for you.
A Punishing Beaut
I'm not a good golfer. I'm not a fair golfer. I'm a horrible golfer when it comes down to it. But still, I enjoyed Poppy Hills a great deal. It's a beautiful track in excellent shape. It is TOUGH, but honestly, I was not surprised. There's some considerable elevation changes, and I think that adds to the challenge and the fun. It's still a fair course - there's no real tricks here other than tight fairways, the elevation, and some doglegs. This is a place for the bucket list, and I'm glad I got to play it. NOTE: I did play during a NCGA tournament, so that backed us up a bit and greatly slowed play. I'm not sure how fast a round is during normal operation.
Great track on an amazing piece of land
Poppy Hills is very well known but doesn't get the "wow" factor like the neighbor courses like Pebble, Spyglass, and Spanish Bay. However, it is still an excellent track and good enough for the PGA tour's ATT tournament.
The course is on an amazing piece of property that has just towering pine trees on the entire course. It is like a nature hike while playing golf. The redesign is very good and definitely was needed as the course was getting outdated and needed to save water. They definitely made it more challenging but it is not super difficult. You have to play a few times to get to know the course and there are few holes that are kinda weird and difficult but otherwise it is a well designed course. Not super long if you play from the tips and is around 7000 yards but definitely challenging for the really good golfers.
Condition of the course is very good. However, the greens are slow for my liking. I prefer greens that are at least 10+ on the stimp and they were pretty slow and fuzzy. Bunkers are excellent. They use the best sand I have seen for bunkers.
Facilities are pretty good with a grass range. Good practice putting/chipping green. Clubhouse has been remodeled recently and the pro shop and restaurant are really nice.
Definitely worth a round if in the area.
Not as Good As It Looks
It's a very beautiful course but not as fun to play. It's a little unfair. To many trees in play, bunkers in the middle of the fairway, etcetera.