Poplar Creek Golf Course

Terrible experience here, the staff is unorganized and simply does not care about the tee times, pace of play or general upkeep. Fairways are dried out and the Marshalls aren’t really around. The only thing going for it is a decent half-way house, but it doesn’t make up for the general inattention of the staff

Today (Sunday) I took a chance with this course, eager to share the time with my 10 year old and to kindle his interest in the game. I brought my push cart to make the walk easier.

As soon as I tee off, a staff member stopped us to enforce a rule that demanded that we rent a cart since my 10 year was only walking with me; not playing. They charge us $35 for the cart even though the twilight green fees was only $39.

My son did his best to help me scramble to dismantle my push cart, take it back to my car, pay for a cart and catch up with my group on the next hole.

We carry on with our round, and get to the 14th tee around 4pm, with hopes of finishing the round before the sunset (around 5pm).

That's when the same staff member drives up in a cart, this time demanding that we return the cart by 4:30pm no matter which hole we are on.

Faced with the prospect of making the trek back from the furthest hole at 4:30pm, I chose to end our round right there, sparing my son and myself further indignity.

This experience of forcing us to use their cart, even though we had a push cart ourselves, and then to push us off the course early, justifies the course's dismal reputation (even though in a prime location).

Hope future visitors are more aware and would not have to put up with such harsh behavior.

As for my 10 year old, I owe him better golf outings so that this is not the father-son golf memory that stands out.

Poplar Creek is a typical Bay Area muni. It struggles with conditions during the drought and its routing is solid but nothing spectacular. Its selling point is convenience off the highway and being near the airport. The restaurant called Par 3 is probably its strongest asset. There's lots of TVs to watch the big game and patio dining on a nice day. The menu is much more upscale and varied than a traditional muni 19th hole. If you're going to play here, make a tee time before 11 a.m. The afternoon the winds start to howl off the bay, making life difficult on the course.

The most challenging putting greens in the area. Cut to precision for weeks. So bring your putting game. The carry is respectable. Lots of great risk reward holes on the front nine....

Simply the best cheap muni course around. Flat, minimal OB, fast pace due to it being really easy. Course moves, players love it because you can usually finish in under 4 hours and without losing a ball. If someone put together a system that could calculate quality of greens relative to cost, this would be right at the top. Best muni greens around, and you might shoot your record round here. Love Poplar.

This is a good course to walk and play. While it is generally flat with fairly straightforward fairways, they are often tree-lined and challenging. Often, there is a cross wind that can make play even more challenging, and there are a few water hazards along the way.

The pace of play is very good.

Too much Geese Poop, and I don’t think the GC management is doing anything to improve it.

The people at Poplar keep the course in great conditions. It's not Harding or Pasatiempo "great" but its not $200-300 either - it's $39 at weekday primetime to walk. Greens are consistent and smooth. Fairways are clean and maintained. Easy, open layout but that wind makes it tougher in the afternoons. Holes 2, 18, 16, 13, 3 and 11 are no slouches. And everyone at the course and the restaurant is fantastically accommodating. Go out and have a great time on and off the course at Poplar Creek without blowing through your entire quarter's golf budget in one go.