Detailed description of Poppy Hills Golf Course
Poppy Hills Golf Course, is a Public, 18 hole golf course located in Pebble Beach, California.
Poppy Hills first opened for play in 1986. The par-72 layout was designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr.
Poppy Hills is home to the Northern California Golf Association. It is the first course in the United States to be owned and operated by an amateur golf association and is the third course that's played during the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. Poppy Hills was carved out of the Del Monte Forest. Golf at Poppy and you are walking among towering cypress and pines and smelling the salty breezes of the Pacific Ocean. You are playing golf within minutes of Pebble Beach, Cypress Point and Spyglass Hill.
#1 is a 413-yard par 4 that doglegs right. If you don't hit it straight, you will not par this hole. It's a tough hole to start the round. The forest attracts balls like honey attracts bees. Even if you avoid the forest, a clean fairway approach is no guarantee. Red stakes guard the right side and bunkers flank the front of this two-tiered green. Go long and you're in deep rough.
#9 is a 555-yard par 5. If the length doesn't get you, the topography might. A giant ravine swallows the right side, with a tiny sliver of fairway to the extreme left. Landing where you won't have a downhill or side hill lie on the approach is important. The severity of the slope will be your biggest challenge on #9.
<p> #18 you remember from TV tournament coverage. This is a 500 yards par 5, a great finishing hole for the pros who often make an Eagle making great drama on a Sunday afternoon. For us mortals the trick is surviving the three tiered green. The right is guarded by a large pine on the approach. And the green breaks large left to right should you be left with a chip on the left side to the right pin placement.
In between you will find 15 other beautiful challenges.
Northern California Golf Association members get a reduced rate $55 verses the standard $200 (2009 rates). Unlike Pebble Beach, Spyglass or Spanish Bay, one can play Poppy Hills and still have money to pay the mortgage and yes, the Pacific Ocean does come into view several times during your trip around Poppy Hills.
Poppy Hills is a chance to play on the Monterey Peninsula, see and smell the Ocean, and enjoy a beautiful and challenging golf course. Once a year you can see the course played by the pros and relive your day at Poppy Hills. This is a popular course, almost 60,000 rounds per year and played at Poppy.
Black tees: 6,857 yards, course rating 74.3, slope rating 144.
Blue tees: 6,561 yards, course rating 73, slope rating 141.
White tees: 6,175 yards, course rating 71, slope rating 134.
White tees:(W) 6,175 yards, course rating 76, slope rating 141.
Gold tees: 5,421 yards, course rating 67.6, slope rating 126.
Gold tees:(W) 5,421 yards, course rating 71.9, slope rating 131.
$101 (cart included), played on Monday, May 2016 at 10:20 AM
The fairways were cut super tight and still not recovered from strip cut aeration. Some areas of the fairway wouldn't hold a ball on any degree of slope even when landed softly. The greens were hard and fast, therefore approaches would not hold without a good amount of backspin. Very difficult for mid to high handocappers. Pace of play was 5 hours and 20 minutes... Didn't see marshals doing anything to help the pace. This was an away tournament for our club... Not the first trip there... And pace has always been a significant issue. I would not recommend a return unless they were to give a pace guarantee.
$66 (cart included), played on Monday, August 2015 at 7:30 AM
The redesign is an improvement over the old course. The greens have softened up a little but are still pretty bouncy--not easy to stick the approach shot. The biggest drawback is the carts on path only rule; it seems like the fairways could handle cart traffic easily, but the rule is cart path only. Still, I love playing there.
$76 (cart included), played on Tuesday, September 2014 at 8am
The re-designed Poppy Hills is a gem. The elephant burials have been removed from the greens. Several holes have been re-designed and are more playable. Scarcity and expense of water caused the sand capping of the course and elimination of watered rough. There are substantial waste areas which are there to catch errant shots but really do not interfere with well played shots. The course is in incredible condition when you consider that it just re-opened in April ,2014 after having been closed for a year for a complete teardown. No carts on the fairways at this point can mean somehat torturous walks between the ball and the paths; seems unnecesary since the turf is in excellent condition. The greens are huge, new, and somewhat difficult to putt; probably be more consistent as they mature.
$76 (cart included), played on Monday, May 2014 at 10am
Poppy hills just completed a MAJOR renovation of the entire course. No rough anywhere. Because of the newness of the greens, they are very firm and this makes holding shots difficult. Very much improved layout over the last version. And to make my day, had a hole-in-one on #17!
Guest (cart included), played on Thursday, November 2012 at 8am
Great Venue with super greens
$76 (cart included), played on Saturday, October 2012 at 10am
Poppy Hills has always been a Great round of golf. The course will reward you for good shots and let you know when you missed one. It is one of my favorite courses to play. I love the beautiful walk through this treasure of a golf course.
$76 (cart included), played on Sunday, September 2012 at 6am
Loved this course.
Guest (cart included), played on Tuesday, April 2012 at 8am
Played with my dad in which we both qualified for this ncga event, me 48 him 79 which was a momment in itself!
$101 (cart included), played on Friday, April 2012 at 8am
Nice!!
Member (cart not included), played on Friday, February 2012 at 8am
The only drawback to this course is the sand. Not so much that there's a lot, but the entry into th sand is often very steep. In the morning when the grass is wet, footing can be a wee dangerous.
$76 (cart included), played on Saturday, December 2011 at 8am
The price was right, and the course was in beautiful shape! I can see why this is the NCGA signature course.
$56 (cart included), played on Wednesday, January 2012 at 8am
Great course overall, bunkers were very void of sand, so playing out of them was very inconsistent and costly.
$76 (cart included), played on Tuesday, October 2011 at 2pm
Spectacular course. Had to deal with some fog on a few holes - and not knowing the layout - made it a bit challenging. Probably would not have been able to play this course for the 'going rate' (too expensive). But, was able to book on Golfnow.com after noon for $80 (weekday).
$76 (cart included), played on Wednesday, December 2011 at 6am
A bargain based on the other courses in the area,
$51 (cart included), played on Tuesday, September 2011 at 10am
Greens had been aerated within two weeks and were still somewhat bumpy. A very difficult start with #1--don't let it get to you. A very fine golf course. Play it soon --- it will be unavailable for a year while the irrigation system is updated.
$76 (cart included), played on Friday, August 2011 at 2pm
Love looking at the Monterey Pines, but not so close up.
$71 (cart not included), played on Sunday, July 2011 at 6am
The greens were really bad but they had just recently been spiked and sanded.
$61 (cart included), played on Thursday, May 2011 at 8am
Tough layout makes hitting the fairway a premium. Fast greens and true breaks. Anyplace on the Monterey Peninsula is awesome, but as an NCGA Member we get to play for $65.00 as opposed to $300.00 at Spyglass and $450.00 at Pebble beach. Awesome for the price.
$71 (cart not included), played on Saturday, July 2011 at 8am
A super deal if you are an NCGA member. Course has a fairly high level of difficulty. Definitely not for beginners. It seems as if the greens are always in some state of aeration, which does not make for the most enjoyable putting experience. Great track...just try to play it when the greens are in good shape.
$101 (cart included), played on Sunday, June 2011 at 10am
unique layout and design make this a real one of a kind experience
$76 (cart included), played on Saturday, October 2010 at noon
Wonderful course, a slow day due to a previous tournament. Would recommend to any level of golfer.
$201 (cart included), played on Wednesday, June 2010 at 10am
Played this course during the U.S. Open, and gained appreciation for the conditions the pro's at Pebble Beach were playing (Poppy Hills in U.S. Open condition at time of play).
$201 (cart included), played on Wednesday, June 2010 at noon
Played during the week of the US Open. A shotgun start lead to a 5 1/2 hour round which was brutal. Marshalls were helpless to improve pace of play. Beautiful course and great ambiance.
$61 (cart included), played on Wednesday, October 2009 at 10am
Very nice site, First time I have used it.
Member (cart included), played on Monday, October 2008 at noon
Best Public course on the Monterrey peninsular
$71 (cart included), played on Monday, September 2009 at 6am
$101 (cart included), played on Friday, January 2009 at 6am
$71 (cart included), played on Saturday, June 2009 at noon
Price is good if an NCGA member; non NCGA member price on wkend is pricey. In 17 mile drive area, but not next to ocean like Pebble Beach or Spanish Bay; heavily wooded, very scenic. Same course used by AT&T pro am.
$61 (cart included), played on Monday, March 2009 at 10am
This is a tremendous value for NCGA members and their guests. Even non-members can enjoy a great cource at a decent price, compared to other high-prices courses in the area. Greens and fairways were recently aerated when we were there but they warned us and offered an e-mail special that included a sleeve of ProVs, cart, range balls, and half price off a beverage and an appetizer. You can’t beat the ambiance. Although deep in the Del Monte Forest, you can smell and see the ocean through the trees on certain holes. Can’t wait to play the course when it’s in better condition.
$71 (cart included), played on Saturday, December 2008 at 6am
With an NCGA membership discount, this course cannot be beat for value.
(cart included), played on Thursday, January 2008 at 6am
This course is an absolute steal for anyone with an NCGA membership at $45. You may not find a better bargain in golf. Great setting, definitely a course to target on the Monterey Peninsula.
$71 (cart included), played on Thursday, March 2008 at 10am
Very nice course, great area, but the greens were recently punched and the putting was not good.
$61 (cart included), played on Wednesday, November 2007 at 8am
When the weather is good, Poppy is one of the most beutiful, fun and challenging courses you will ever play.
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$101 (cart included), played on Sunday, March 2018 at 9:20 AM
Beautiful and well maintained. Greens were hard and fast and difficult to read. On some holes there are blind shots and it would be nice to have some tips on areas to place your ball on certain holes. Food was good but over priced. Beer was good but over priced.