POPPY HILLS GOLF COURSE
🇺🇸 Pebble Beach, CA, USA
Designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr.
Poppy Hills, conceived as the original home course for the Northern California Golf Association, unfurls through the Del Monte Forest, a demanding test forged from the unique ecosystem of Pebble Beach. Originally designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. in 1986, the course was reimagined by the firm in 2010, softening some edges while enhancing the natural drama.
The layout presents a compelling blend of links-style aesthetics and towering Monterey pines. Wide fairways invite aggressive drives, but errant shots find unforgiving sandy scrub and strategically placed bunkers. While the course meanders across rolling terrain, its most memorable moments come from the revamped back nine, where elevated tees offer breathtaking views of the Pacific and challenging approaches require keen judgment.
Poppy Hills has served as a host course for the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, offering amateurs and professionals alike a taste of championship-caliber conditions. While not as widely celebrated as its neighbors along 17-Mile Drive, Poppy Hills presents a stern but fair test and is highly regarded by golfers who appreciate strategic course design, solidifying its place in the region’s storied golfing landscape. A popular post-round tradition is the 'Poppy Burger', a local favorite, enjoyed while recounting the day’s challenges on the course.
Reviews
Fantastic public track in the heart of Del Monte Forest. Felt like the course was naturally there in the geography of the grounds as opposed to something manufactured. Very good value too and the clubhouse was nice!
Played in November 2024 during the IAGA. First experience at a truly manicured course. Finishing stretch keeps you fully engaged through the end, and I found every hole unique. Amazing experience from the range through drinks on the patio at sunset.
The bargain of 17 mile drive “lF” you know the secret. Join the Northern California Golf Association or NCGA it’s the NCGA member course and members play for $130 while non members can pay $300 plus. NCGA annual membership is $100ish. So you save $70 out of the gate if you only play it once. But N GA membership gets you discounts at Spanish Bay, Spyglass, Del Monte, Bayonet/Blackhorse in the Monterey area but you also get the member rate at the NCGA’s other course which has been in the news thanks to a recent Jay Blasi Renovation. Fantastic deal Anyway Poppy Hills very fun RTJ2 course walkable interesting lot more critical acclaim since its own renovation. I try to play here every year at least once sweet patio too for a post round cocktail 🥃. Highly recommend
Place is always pure. I’d recommend being an NCGA member.
Great value for NCGA members.
Pretty fun course, the back nine is great.
Shades of Pinehurst with ANGC topography. I’ve played this course a lot over the course of my life and it seems to get better every time I come back. Such a treat.
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FAQ
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Poppy Hills at Poppy Hills Golf Course has a Course Vaults score of 8.4 out of 10 based on 63 explicit golfer ratings.
Poppy Hills was designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr..
Yes. Poppy Hills at Poppy Hills Golf Course is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at Poppy Hills is 71.
Poppy Hills plays 7,002 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Poppy Hills is 144.
