Poppy Hills Golf Course

It's a very beautiful course but not as fun to play. It's a little unfair. To many trees in play, bunkers in the middle of the fairway, etcetera.

Let me begin by saying how jealous I am of NCGA members for having this place and Poppy Ridge as member courses. Obviously, your association is being run very effectively. We have no such thing here in SoCal.

Poppy Hills has always been one of my favorite places to play and I was looking forward to my first time back since the redo. Yes, there are issues with the redo but every new course has its issues. I expect the NCGA will makes subtle changes to address those issues in the future. One of the problems I believe, is the lack of water and the affect it is having on the new turf. Most courses are very firm when new and this one is the same. The drought is certainly not helping either. The greens were rather slow compared to Spyglass (that I played the next day). But the overall experience was top notch. I feel lucky that NGCA have a special SCGA reciprocal rate. I'll be back just as soon as I can.

This course is FUN. I can't speak to the redesign. But you can step up and rip drive on every hole. Massive fairways!!! It's not super long bUT you do have some ocean air so it feels long enough. The greens seem huge but that adds to the challenge cuz once ur on you can easily 3 putt from another zipcode. Just get on. Club down and let the ball finish on the green! Pace of play was a little slow but the marshall got us back in place by speeding up groups ahead. As an NCGA member this course was affordable $90 compared to $200!! But it's all still another dollar level for the average golfer. Being an NCGA member greatly increases incentive to play this course. My favorite holes were the 10th, 9th, 5th, and 18 because the walk was over and it was time for a beer!! Foods great aND Paul the bartender was very helpful in helping us navigate the pebble /carmel /monterey area! !!

I need to preface this review by saying that Poppy Hills was my favorite course in the world before the re-model. This was my first time playing since the extensive re-work of the course, and I have to say I am disappointed. My favorite holes on the old course were 9 through 12, and this is where they have made the most changes.
Let's start with the par-5 9th hole. The new route of the hole has eliminated a series of bunkers along the left side of the fairway and placed a fairway bunker right in the flight path of balls hit to the right center and 220 yards. Needless to say, I found that bunker with a perfect tee shot. Not good. They have moved the green up about 50 yards, which isn't a horrible thing, but made it so rock hard that no approach shots will stick. I hit my approach to the front to a short flag and ended up at the back of the green.

On Number 10, which used to be my favorite hole in golf, they have taken that dramatic green which used to hug the pond and moved it about 50 yards to the right. You are left with this out of the place pond - brackish and ugly with algae - having no bearing on your approach shot to the green. Again, the green was rock hard and wouldn't hold a shot to the green.

The biggest tragedy was re-moving the dramatic par 3 11th and turning it into a re-routed "throw-away" par 3 that most golfers can find the green with a wedge. This is not what I came to Monterey for, folks. I could go on an on about hard greens on every hole that won't hold approach shots, but my ultimate advice is to head over to Ford Ord and play those two magnificent golf courses for less money on Golf Now.

Approach shots don't hold. Frustrating! Good course.

Robert Trent Jones II should refund NCGA the money they gave him. The overall design and feel of this course doesn't belong in a forest setting, it belongs on the ocean or transition areas to the coastline from the forest. It's not a natural setting for all that sand. It is way overpriced, no wonder the tee sheet is wide open. At $90 to walk and $115 to ride I would rather play Bayonet and Blackhorse where you can get on for $59 thru internet specials or golf now. After playing I understand why the PGA made a long term commitment to MPCC for the ATT. As a member of NCGA I am really disappointed in the new course, some wholes are improvements, 1, 10-12 come to mind, other than tournaments I will play elsewhere.

When Robert Trent Jones Jr. took the mic at the press conference for the reopening of Poppy Hills, he reminded the assembled blue coats of the Northern California Golf Association, select members of the community and media that the Monterey Peninsula is "the best golf zip code in America." Which is why he was sincerely appreciative of the NCGA for asking him to come back and renovate a course he built for them in 1986. "This was a chance to refresh," said Jones. And to laughs, he compared it to renewing marriage vows. Truth is, avid golfers had divorced themselves from Poppy Hills when planning their trips to Monterey. Even the AT&T had opted to drop Poppy Hills and made a deal with Monterey Peninsula Country Club to be the third leg of the iconic Clam Bake rotation. (Poppy Hills had previously replaced Cypress Point.) As an avid golfer, a Northern California native and one of over 150,000 members of the NCGA, I'm pleased to announce that Poppy is back. The results of a $12.5 million renovation of the course, clubhouse and practice facilities. He also reduced the annual water usage by 25 percent. Jones and his crew made significant tweaks to holes 10 thru 12, which he referred to as "my Amen Corner." He took what was a weakness of the routing, and made it into arguably the best three-hole stretch on the course. Jones raised the 10th green and defends the long approach with a deep front-bunker, and a tightly-mowed slope, which evokes the front of the 15th green at Augusta National. The 11th is a short, charming par 3. The new 12th went from a nearly 90-degree dogleg of a par 5, to a straight par 4, lined with a staggered set of fairway bunkers that get deeper the closer you get to the green. (Come up a little short and your ball will be kicked to the right.) "You can't run it up on every green and expect a favorable result," said Jones. Although one of the main goals of the renovation was to reduce irrigation by exposing and integrating natural sandy areas, Jones says they've actually increased the amount of fairway throughout the routing. They've also sand-capped the course, which is adding a substantial layer of sand below the playing surface, which improves drainage. "Firm, Fast, Fun" is the working slogan embroidered on the back of the new Poppy Hills hats. And given the price structure for members of the NCGA—$70 during the week, $90 on weekends—they could add "affordable." It's $210 for non-members, which is still good value considering that aforementioned zip code and the price point of premier courses on the peninsula. (Pebble is $495, Spyglass Hill is $370.) Other news coming out of the press conference is that Poppy will join Pebble Beach as the co-host of the Nature Valley First Tee Open, a Champions Tour event in September. And thus, Poppy isn't just back for the avid amateurs, it's back for the pros. And the best news: everyone who plays the new Poppy, is going to want to keep coming back.

Poppy Hills was never a bad golf course, but considering it's surrounded by several top 50 layouts, there was certainly room to improve to reach the standards of its neighbors. After a year of being shutdown for a complete renovation, the course didn't disappoint. While the routing remained largely intact, and the chief designer was still Robert Trent Jones Jr., the new Poppy Hills, which reopened for play today, isn't your father's Poppy Hills. Conditioning is impeccable, holes are lot more interesting, and there's a lot more fairway than they're used to be, about 60 acres to be exact. Despite the wide fairways though, it's hardly easy, though. Greens can be tricky to read (some uphill putts appear downhill and vice-versa), they're firm, and the bunkers, of which there are several on every hole, tend to swallow up a lot of balls. Plus, there are still thousands of mature Monterey Pines. In short, the new Poppy Hills is a formidable test, but played from the correct tees, enjoyable by most every player. My only complaint was some of the use of native grasses in several areas, which could swallow up balls. That happened to me on the new hole, the par-3 11th, where my tee shot landed on the back of the green, only to roll into the thick grass in between the bunker and the green. It's an area that's sure to be addressed, but very minor overall.

Obviously letting Mother Nature run its course. A 12 million dollar renovation in the works for this coming week. Overall beauty of the natural layout is amazing.... Can't wait to see post reno.

Many bumpy green made me a lot of disappointments.

I've played this course about 10 times. It is a great lay out and very challenging. I recall hearing that when it is in the ATT mix, it is one of the most challenging. It is in the process of being renovated as of February of 2013 with big piles of sand/earth on at least of couple of holes (9 and 14). Every hole is unique and has its own challenges. I especially like the par fives which present excellent risk - reward choices. Par threes vary between relatively short and long. Not a course for a beginner! Condition of greens was poor due to patches of what appeared to be dead areas on several greens... Otherwise in great condition for winter!

course is "getting ready to be redone" , Greens destroyed- half dirt and half 'green'- took the putting element out of the game. numerous holes shortened by over a 100 yards- tractors and trucks constantly working loudly while play is going on- very disappointed- would not recommend- website says nothing of poor course condition

The course layout was fun and challenging. The greens were in poor diseased condition. A rate reduction is called for but not given. I doubt I would return here. Pacific Grove pub-links is a much better deal. Better scenery too!

Great layout. To be rebuilt starting 3/13 with new greens. Looking forward to improvements in 2014

The course is always a stout test with good conditions. Normally the greens are in good shape but this time they were pretty bad. Almost impossible to keep a putt from bouncing different directions. Maybe they've neglected them a bit since they will b shutting down soon for a complete renovation. Cant wait for the new layout but gonna miss the old one too. Get a round in before its totally different plus the rates will go up after the renovation. Great staff as well. Very friendly and helpful. Always worth the drive from SF.

The last time I played Pebble my caddy said Poppy Hills was his favorite course in the area, so I gave it a try. A great layout and a great experience. But for the first four holes at Spyglass, I'd say it's the better course of the two. Dramatic setting in the del monte forest, but still with some ocean views in the distance. While set in the beautiful woods, it is a very playable course. You have to miss pretty badly to get into any real trouble. It'll be interesting to see it after the renovation that begins soon. Definitely worth playing if you're in the area. Of all the courses other than Pebble, Spyglass or Spanish Bay, this is my favorite.

Very enjoyable round of golf. We had an early morning tee time. Tempature was around 38 degrees. After a bucket of balls on the range we were ready. By the time we finished it was sunny and 50 degrees. We liked the course so much we came back the next day for another round. The course was very wet. Renovations to this course will take place in March. They said the course will be closed for almost two years. You better hurry if you want to play this course.

This is a good track with wide fairways. Lots of grounds crew activity early in the morning.

Love Poppy Hills. I am very disappointed they are closing down for renos. The thing I love most about Poppy is how secluded it is. When you play Poppy, it's just you, the course, trees and wildlife. No freeways with traffic, no buildings or homes with construction going on etc. The course is very challenging, at least for a novice like me. I would have rated the course conditions as pristine, however the last time I played it was during winter months and the greens were a little chewed up. Love this course, go play it!

Had a great time on a beautiful day just before the rain. The Deep blue sky matched the Deep blue Pacific peeking through the Pines. If you didn't see the ocean you might mistake the course for Pinehurst. The grass was a little beaten down, don't expect a lie with the ball sitting up. My wife says "Too many downhill / sidehill lies", "it's called golf honey"... A lot of nice targets to hit to where you have to trust your swing... have fun! Oh yeah, be sure to book online, $200 bucks a round is steep.