- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Poppy Hills Golf Course
Rating Details »
- Good for Kids:
- No
14 reviews for Poppy Hills Golf Course
I was not disappointed in Poppy Hills one bit. Great driving range, super pro shop, fantastic golf course.
The course is absolutely carved out of the forest. Lined with well maintained and trimmed trees. Incredibly undulated greens. A truly beautiful golf experience.
Not to mention, incredibly affordable for NCGA members - only $60 on a weekday.
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
- Cool (1)
I have not found a reason not to like this place. they do marshal frequently, and they are not afraid to tell you to get up to speed to skip a hole. I don't mind that, even if it's me because as players, you do have to keep on pace of place (unlike my experience at Spyglass Hill, see my other review of that place). Nothing like saying welcome, hello and "this is a PRO course" at hole number one! LOL I mean, handicap #1 on hole number 1. That's just awesome to make high handicappers like me know what a "real" pro golf course is about! Makes you appreciate the pros actually. I like the fact they put GPS now (I have not visited in a couple of years or so).
The layout is nice. Some varieties. The greens can be a challenge, some of them 2-tiers with a few having large and deep bunkers around. I wish I was closer to this place. I'd play it at least monthly!
It does get a little cold and slightly windy later if you're unlucky and play on a gloomy day. But aside from that, this is a kick-ass golf course that forces you to play smart or you go into jail!
People thought this was:
- Funny (1)
Absolutely SUPERB! This is one of the best courses that I have played - period. Here are just some of the things I loved about the course:
- The tee boxes are in great condition - almost always even and perfectly mown.
- The fairways - these are in very good condition, especially given how many folks play this course. Makes you think why all courses are not this well maintained.
- The greens - oooh yea, the greens. The best part of the course, these are fast but true. They are very challenging, and I 3-putted 4 holes.
- The layout - this is the most interesting and sublime part of the course. The trees have been mentioned a lot already in other reviews, and make no mistake they are a definite threat to the wayward golfer. But even more interesting is the placement of the fairway bunkers. They are just perfectly placed for every drive, no matter which tee you play from.
Overall, it was a fantastic round of golf, even though I did not play my best (I shot a 100, and had 3 9's). The fact that I still enjoyed the day is testimony to the fact of how beautiful and good a course this is. One final note - you can get a cart for $18, but I my opinion, save on the $$ and walk - this is one course that is meant to be walked.
People thought this was:
- Cool (1)
This is probably a 4-star course anywhere else, but when you play Spyglass and Pebble Beach on the same trip, it slips to 3-stars. There are some really nice holes though and a great rate if you're an NCGA member.
The first thing when I arrive at this course from Silicon Valley is the cool ocean air. Then, it's the friendly staff at the clubhouse and pro shop. Then, this is one of the course used for the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
As a 16 handicap I find the course quite challenging, yet very enjoyable. You can be rewarded on some easier par 4's and 5s if you can keep out of the trees. On many holes it is better to leave the driver in the bag and try to keep the ball in the middle of the fairway. Plus, getting your ball on the right tier of the multi-tiered greens can save strokes. For a course that gets a lot of play, it is in great shape. I have always used a cart while playing here, but would enjoy walking it as well. The pace of play was very comfortable and the Marshalls try to keep it that way.
NCGA members get a nice discount on green fees. It can be tough to get a tee time on weekends, but like most courses, much easier during the week.
People thought this was:
- Useful (3)
- Funny (2)
- Cool (2)
Challenging for beginners; Well worth the experience.
Wow what can I say... this is a great course open to the general public in the heart of Monterey's 17-mile drive. As you unload your golf clubs from your car, typically a club house attendant will drive by and help you check your golf bags. Found that all the attendees are helpful and will do what they can to make your visit a memorable day. Clubhouse, pro shop, & restaurant can all be described as elegant with photos of the Pebble Beach Pro-Am competitors lining the hallway. One thing to note... Be sure to check the weather conditions as it can get foggy/cold (below 60 degrees) during the summer season.
Being an NCGA member or their guest significantly reduces your green fees here ($70 member / $100 guest on weekends). Print out your NCGA handicap score and show it to the ranger to waive the 17-mile drive entry fee ($9.25 value) for the four-some in your vehicle.
Full distance range off either synthetic or real grass, you can get a token for $5 at the proshop for a bucket of 50 high quality Nike range balls. Putting green is of decent size.
You have to seriously think about getting the golf cart w/GPS and caddie card to work your shot and hit the right tier on the greens here. Our starter said don't bother with lost balls in trees unless you want to touch poison oak... it's not worth it! Treat it as a hazard and take a stroke penalty.
This is a tough challenge for weekend hackers for sure... just remember to keep pace and enjoy the round in a beautiful setting.
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
This is my most favorite course to play, no contest! First of all, you're playing in one of the 3 courses on the rotation for the Pebble Beach Pro-Am. I've actually attended the event in 2001 before I played it for the first time. Secondly, the course is just beautiful and well maintained (sp?). All the holes are challenging yet fun. I especially like the 10th hole, which is a dogleg left par 5 with water in play on your approach shot.
I've heard you get a great deal when you use your NCGA card, but I haven't been here in years, so I can't attest to that. I definitely want to play here again once I get back into the game, which will hppefully be soon.
Best course in CA by far!
People thought this was:
- Useful (2)
- Cool (2)
An awesome public course. Definitely one of the best on the Monterey Peninsula (and, therefore, one of the best in California). The course is very challenging. It is rolling, so you rarely get a perfectly flat lie--even if you hit your tee shot in the middle of the fairway. Also, the course is nestled within the Del Monte Forest, so there are a lot of trees. As Jane Y. said, if you hit an errant tee shot, "it's pretty much a goner."
The first hole, in particular, is quite difficult. Be sure to give it your all. You can really mess things up there. If you can leave the green with a bogey, be happy.
I had the (mis)fortune of playing the course from the championship tees. The course plays REALLY long from back there--especially for a weekend hacker like me. Also, I happened to play after a rainstorm, when the conditions were wet, so my tee shots got absolutely no roll. (They literally plugged into the fairways.) Par 4s felt like Par 5s that day--and I was hitting fairway woods into them. I was grateful that I (barely) broke 100.
MORAL: if you are not a long hitter, and you play when the conditions are wet, don't play from the championship tees; the course is challenging enough.
Also, if you are an NCGA member, you get a discount on green fees.
People thought this was:
- Useful (2)
- Cool (1)
Superior course. Wonderful to play. See what the pros play when you see where their tees are compared to us hackers.
Great public course, and if you are a NCGA member, you can get on for a very reasonable price. Fairways are narrow. Straight shots required, or bring a lot of balls. Really beautiful scenery as you walk past the trees and at times, get views of the ocean.
Just a wonderful course and experience, and for the price, a super deal.
Go play it, you will love it.
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
- Cool (3)
Definitely get on this course if you can. Even better if you are NCGA. For $68 it's a steal!! I
The course is in amazing shape!!! Beautiful scenery and voluminous, lush fairways. Long par 3's that will really challenge you and overall just a wonderful wonderful, peaceful experience!!!!! Wish I was a pro so I can play in these conditions all the time!!
Spend a day in Carmel starting with a nice breakfast, then a fabulous round of golf at Poppy, then go to Pebble for a nice drink and watch the sunset. Doesn't get better than this. We are spoiled here!!
Excellent course. Challenging, fair, beautiful conditions, a host course to the annual AT&T Pro Am tournament, and a NCGA home course.
This is what a golf course should be.
People thought this was:
- Useful (2)
All around great course. One word of warning. Do NOT come out here unless you are an NCGA member or guest of a member. Members pay $68, Guests pay $95 but off the street the rate is $195.
I played here for the first time last weekend. Unfortunately, they had just punched and sanded the greens the day before, so the greens were in horrible shape. I'm not taking that into account simply because every course aerates their greens at this time of year.
This is a decent course for anyone from a mid-handicapper to a scratch golfer. I wouldn't reccomend it for newbies or high-handicaps simply due to the trees. If you can't keep it in the fairway, you are going to get frustrated very quickly. You'll also need to bring a ton of balls. The fairways and bunkers are in great condition. Plan your attack carefully. There are plenty of fairway bunkers to catch a poorly planned or struck tee shot...take my word for it.
They have a nice restaurant and bar for before and after your round.
Here's an extra bonus if you have a non-golfing spouse. In order to get to the course, you must pass through one of the 17-mile drive gates where they will charge you $9 to enter. They will refund the money when you get to the pro shop. Your spouse/girlfriend/whatever can easily wile away five hours by driving to any of the numerous oceanside lookout points, visiting the Lodge at Pebble Beach, touring the lighthouse or simply driving around and looking at gigantic $10, $20 and $30 Million dollar houses.
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
- Cool (1)
This place is aces on a Sunday twilight. Yeah, I know you won't get in 18 during the winter months but you get the entire course to yourself, and if you're lucky, you might find yourself paired up with one of the patron saints of the place who have the $1200 unlimited twilight memberships. Those dudes are kings around these parts, like an old weathered caddie who could talk your ear off about the seasonal changes and how he's expecting the rough to be unplayable as the Pro-Am moves in. Nothing like some history with a round where it feels like you own the place.
And that's $40, friends. You can't beat that, especially with the quality of these fairways, not to mention the greens. Tip-top shape and this is the off-season.
My only gripe is the temporary nature of the front nine. They're almost finished with Hole #2 but until it reopens, it's a trek to the tee at #3, #4 is a temporary Par 4 with a temporary green, and its real green is used to make up for the lack of a Hole #2. So not ideal, but they're almost done.
Carts are totally unnecessary at this place. It's a good walk but I saw a man in his sixties traverse 14 holes with no real problems, so what's your excuse?
what a beautiful course to play! too bad my game was soo off that day. it's a narrow and curvy course, so make sure you bring lots of extra balls because once it's in the trees...it's pretty much a goner. can't wait to go out and play again!
People thought this was:
- Funny (1)
- Cool (1)
