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Poppy Hills Golf Course
- Good for Kids:
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33 reviews for Poppy Hills Golf Course
33 reviews in English
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Review from Justin B.
Brentwood, CA
10/23/2011
Beautiful course. Well maintained. Greens were not in the shape that I expected, but from what I was told it is the type of grass with the moist air from the ocean.
Not a course to hit Driver on every hole if you have decent length. However, make sure you place the ball in the right location.
This is a golf course to where if you place smart you can shoot a decent score.
Love Holes 9 and 10. -
Review from Joseph C.
Mountain View, CA
1/17/2012
I have played here over 3 times and the course is beautiful and when you get it on a special it is the best deal in the bay area.
However ,it is not the course i am rating it is the staff. This is the first negative review i have ever wrote.
I booked the course on a special from Golf now about a year ago for a Saturday morning tee off time. The morning of, two of our foursome pulled out. One of the 2 was our lift down as we live in Mountain View. So 2 1/2 hours before tee off i called the pro shop and asked could i cancel (i am aware of the 2 day notice and i was expecting that i might have to buy a rain check). Once i asked the guy at the pro shop could i cancel , he responded " are you serious!!! You are calling to cancel 3 hours before the tee off time!!!" I responded yes and i apologized.
He dismissed my request for a refund or a rain check and told me to call golf now. To cut a long story short i got my money back but the pro shop guy told me i was black listed from any further outings at Poppy hills.
The facts are , am i partly to be lame ? absolutely. But the way it was treated was embarrassing and to get black listed for this is crazy.
This has happened to me (having to cancel the day of) over 6 years of playing golf about 3 times and each time the pro shop gave me a refund and said do not worry about it. -
Review from Markus N.
4/14/2011 1 photo
Loveys, did you have a nice day? I had a nice day.
Being able to walk 18 at Poppy with one of my best buddies on a schoolday is one of the reasons I work for myself.
Six pars or better, six bogeys, and six unmentionables. 65 degrees, a cloudless sky, and nobody pushing us or slowing us down.
Poppy is one of the few greater Bay Area courses without houses. I don't hit houses anymore, so their absence doesn't matter with respect to the loss damage waiver. But it's nice to play sans dwellings. It feels like a walk in the woods. Except for the whole swinging sticks and chasing little white balls, that's kind of an unwildernessy aspect, but still.
The course is not super challenging, a little narrow in places, not too long. The traps are placed in reasonable locations and there's not a ton of water. A forced carry here and there, but all in all, not a course that's designed to ruin your day.
Poppy is a fine track. If you're an NCGA member it's actually cheaper than many in the area. And if you scored that Groupon, you got a membership and a round of golf for 85 skins. That's a heck of a deal. And since I bought said Groupon two months ago, it was a sunk cost. Today it felt like I got to play for free.
I'd give five stars to a day half as nice as today. -
Review from Ionakana H.
San Jose, CA
7/5/2011
Great Golf Course.
Fog was thick on the first 8 holes we played, but as long as you can keep it straight you're fine.
Greens are easy to read and putt on, but it seemed like the pin was placed behind a bunker on every hole played today.
Overall, it was a very peaceful round of golf in the forest. Definitely walkable so ditch the cart -
Review from May O.
4/3/2011
We love playing this course, and try to when in town, only because we are NCGA members. If not, we probably would not pay the regular green fees. This course was in great shape a week after the rains, but was cart path only, which is just a pain in the a$$. Might as well walked. Also, apparently they got a new computer system, they could not figure out how to use the register at the bar and snack counter.
I heard that they are planning to close this course next year for a long time to completely redo it. So play before they close!Listed in: Golf
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Review from Tamar D.
4/18/2011
Love your putter, kids, love your putter.
Undoubtedly, these are the most troublesome greens I've ever encountered. Placement on the fairway is achievable quite easily if you're prone to hitting straight, but the greens are just, ridiculously complicated. Ridiculous in that they laugh at you at every hole, but the challenge of them is worth the fees alone. A putt is never straight - you need to know how to read the greens extremely well. Up, down, valleys, breaks, they have it all.
Carving this beautiful course through the Del Monte forest also makes it a real treat. That is, unless you're prone to NOT hitting straight. Then, the trees are your enemy. That said, the forest floor is not so mucky that you can't find your way out should you land at the base of its slender trees. However, if you find your way out, know that one of the trunks may get in your way to put right back in it...just with a different lie.
We got a deal on Schwaggle and with that deal, I thought this course was entirely worth it. The regular green fee of $200 might be a little much, but I realize that 1) they're paying Pebble Beach real estate taxes; 2) they keep the place in great shape; and 3) prestige pricing keeps out the roughnecks. Oh, and it IS the home of the NCGA.
I highly recommend Poppy. Someday, I'll try to afford its billionaire cousin down the road. Look out for a major renovation coming up at the end of the year. The prices may further increase. -
Review from The G K.
Sunnyvale, CA
Updated - 9/23/2011
I think this is one of the best public courses. The greens were recently punched but other than that, the conditions were really nice. I love this place! Played 36 holes and witnessed an Eagle on 10th hole! Nice day! Great food and staff!!!
Listed in: PLACES I'VE GOLFED 2010, Best Places to Golf
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/4/2010
The best Public Course you can play in Monterey Peninsula, PERIOD!
I Love this place. I would drive… Read more »
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Review from Sunny J.
Berkeley, CA
How could I give Poppy anything less than 5 stars. I'm not good at golf, so I would probably not pay $200 for a round, but with a groupon and the best golf weather of the year my 40 over par was still a great day. Poppy is one of the most serene golf courses I have ever played on. The only sounds you hear are birds chirping, squirrels climbing trees and the occasional sound of the ocean.
The course is well maintained and the staff is very friendly.
However, given that it is a golf course and takes full advantage of natures beauty, I would like to see a more Eco friendly approach to running the club. "Plastic" cups, utensils etc should be compostable and there should be more recycle and compost bins throughout the course as opposed to just a garbage can every few holes. -
Review from Randy G.
Paso Robles, CA
7/11/2010
I have now played Poppy Hills four times and it is absolutely one of my favorite courses. Poppy is the home course of the NCGA and it shows. Everything is top notch starting with the Bloody Mary's in the bar to the course conditions. Service is first rate as well, from the clubhouse to the cart girls, everyone is friendly and helpful.
The course is a challenging, yet fair test of your golfing abilities. Course knowledge is definitely helpful and the greens can be very tricky. Playing safe may lead to a bogey, but taking chances leads to triple bogey.
As others have mentioned, if you are a NCGA member you can play this course for a huge discount off regular rates, and the best value in the area. The course is also walkable, which I like. Too many people use golf carts. Walking adds to the experience.
Due to the difficulty of the course, rounds here can go up to 5 hours. Try to play on a weekday when it is usually less crowded.
I love this course! -
Review from Kioko O.
Well maintained everything everywhere! What more can we possibly ask for?
For some reasons, I thought it would be hot and dry when the time I played. Big mistake! Be sure to check in the weather when you play here and dress accordingly. -
Review from Perry W.
Los Gatos, CA
4/16/2009
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.Listed in: Fore! Golf Courses in the…
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Review from DAVID N.
Brisbane, CA
12/21/2009
I crushed my ball to the middle of the 18th fairway and with my 3-W, the approach shot was in the green side bunker. With the packed down sand, I got the ball onto the undulating green with my pitching wedge. It took 2 putts and I walked away from the final hole with the 5th par of the round. Woohoo!!! This, I will take away together with my 4 8s. Ecstatic but at the same time, humbled!
Note: Driving accuracy is King here! If not, you will be fighting out of the trees. Did I tell you I took 3 strokes to get out of one?! First stroke into one of the impeding trees. Second stoke into the blocking utility box. Third stroke was a successful lay up shot to within 40 yards of the flag. Stubborn and not too smart golf strategy. Watch the OB!!!
Undulating greens are also a challenge. The greens are not as severe as Black Horse or Bayonet but almost equally challenging. I averaged somewhere close to 2 putts per hole. Ouch!!!
I walked the course and loved it. Good exercise!
Great course layout which can give you a false sense of difficulty. Local knowledge is key in figuring out where to place you ball
I wished it possesses views of the ocean like Spyglass Hill.
$72 weekend green fee for NCGA members.
What a way to spend a perfect Sunday!!!
=)Listed in: Golf!
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Review from Pat M.
Burlingame, CA
5/26/2009
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 in my opinion, save on the $$ and walk - this is one course that is meant to be walked. -
Review from Robert M.
Redwood City, CA
10/2/2007
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.Listed in: Golf Course Reviews for the…
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Review from Sophrosyne Y.
Los Angeles, CA
3/2/2006
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. -
Review from John G.
12/28/2006
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.Listed in: Favorite Golf Courses
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Review from Rob M.
West Covina, CA
6/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
Book through golfnow and you can find 1/2 price tee times. Sure they're early, but so what? You're playing Poppy Hills. This means the course is always in spectacular condition, the staff is friendly and professional. What else do you want? Pick up a tri-tip sandwich after you finish 9, but keep an eye out for the crows on 10. They're looking to poach it from your cart when you go to the green.
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Review from shaun l.
San Francisco, CA
7/24/2006
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.Listed in: Golf
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Review from Joel V.
7/29/2009
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.Listed in: Golf Ratings
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Review from Joe F.
Oakland, CA
5/23/2011
I really enjoyed this course, with its tree-lined fairways, even though I think I hit every overhanging branch. It was just so very peaceful and lush, with a great design, rolling fairways, deep sand trips, and undulating greens. Plus there were red-headed woodpeckers and swallows darting about. It also has great amenities, including a nice range and a bar/restaurant to relax in after a nice round. The only reason I don't give it 5 stars is because I feel like it's a tad overpriced in comparison to the nearby Bayonet and Black Horse courses, which admittedly are tremendous values.
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Review from S B.
Folsom, CA
3/27/2011
Sand Sand Sand! I have never played a course where sand is not a TRAP but strategically confused as grass on every hole. i agree with a lot of reviewers that this course is pretty, serine, and a great experience. Not $200 experience esp. when you can pay that and golf nearby Inn at Spanish bay... but for a bucket list check off you won't be disappointed.
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Review from King L.
Newark, CA
8/17/2008
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. -
Review from Mr. Putt P.
Livermore, CA
7/24/2009
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! -
Review from C K.
Saratoga, CA
5/12/2008
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!! -
Review from j s.
Philadelphia, PA
5/7/2010
Everything about Poppy Hills screams VALUE!
I grabbed a Monday afternoon tee time from http://golfnow.com and my round cost me $55 bucks! For that price, I was extremely happy through all 18 holes!
The course is in great shape for how much play it gets. Greens are pretty quick for a muni and the holes are beautiful. No views of the ocean here, but the tree lined fairways are still a pleasure to look at.
The best value in Pebble Beach, CA. But I think I'm ready to spend a little more for that ocean view next time.... -
Review from Mike H.
Walnut Creek, CA
3/21/2011
Very nice golf course. Certainly not worth $200. Please don't pay this much to play there. If you can get on for between $60-90 I would say go for it.
It's maintained very well as you would expect it to be. It's a pretty tough course so play on the conservative side and you'll do fine. -
Review from Sean P.
Manhattan, NY
11/17/2008
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? -
Review from Mike S.
San Jose, CA
8/2/2010
Friendly staff, beautiful course design and reasonable green fees. Can't really ask for anything more.
This is by far the best bargain in the monterey area, with better values being had by NCGA members. We played there on a monday and it was still crowded, but the pace was 4.5 hours and the marshal even apologized for the folks in front of us which weren't really an issue.
Course was in great condition overall with almost no imperfections. The course is very challenging with a lot of side slopes and deep bunkers. Driving accuracy is at a premium here and if you don't have it you will pay accordingly.
The only knock i have was that the bunkers were very wet. I didn't deduct any points because it has been very foggy lately and that probably added to their condition. Hopefully they dry out in the future. -
Review from T. W.
El Dorado Hills, CA
6/28/2010
A special golf course in a special part of the world.
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Review from Peter H.
San Francisco, CA
10/18/2009
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.
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Review from Michael P.
Los Altos, CA
10/4/2010
Went on a normal day, received FANTASTIC service & the course not only in great shape (wish I had scored better) was free from delays, waiting etc etc etc & it was quiet felt like we were the only ones there... I recommend Poppy Hills anytime!
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Review from Salvador B.
San Diego, CA
12/21/2009 3 photos
Just went up to play Poppy Hills this weekend and although it isn't nearly as nice a view as Pebble or Spyglass, it is a great course nonetheless. From beginning to end, the entire trip was excellent. To begin, the 17-mile drive will cost you nothing if you just tell the guard that you have a tee-time (a $9.25 savings). The drive is a little crazy because the roads are winding and intersecting, but if you are smart and have GPS you won't have a problem. The staff is very friendly from the starter to the clubhouse to the cooks, all great and welcoming. The range was grass this time though I hear they have mats as well. Good range but actually smaller than many I've seen at comparable courses. Nevertheless, the tee-time came with the token so it was a good warm-up. We had an 11:30 tee-time but they offered to let us on earlier (a gesture/offer I love). The course was in great shape, fairways were lush and tee-boxes were clean (I played from blue and got 3 legit par's). Better make sure the drive stays in the fairway or you better have the worlds best punch shot. Greens were a little slow but they were just aerated so I understand. Overall not a bad deal for about $75 on http://golfnow.com
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Review from Jane Y.
Fremont, CA
2/10/2006
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!
Listed in: FORE!!!
