Poppy Hills
Robert Trent Jones Jr carved Poppy Hills out of the Del Monte Forest in 1986, then returned in 2014 to rebuild it from the ground up. A par 71 of about 7,091 yards on firm, sandy, tree framed turf, it is the rare Pebble Beach course you can simply book and play.
Photo: Poppy Hills Golf Course via Google.
The verdict
Poppy Hills sits in the pines of the Del Monte Forest at Pebble Beach, and it carries a distinction no other course can claim, it is owned by a golf association, the Northern California Golf Association. Robert Trent Jones Jr designed the original in 1986, and for two decades it took its turn in the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am rota. In that era it was respected rather than loved, soft underfoot and heavy with trees.
That changed in 2014. Jones came back for a thirteen month, ground up redesign that thinned thousands of trees, sand capped the fairways, rebuilt every green and cut acres of irrigated turf. The course that reopened runs firm and fast and plays far more like a walk through the forest than a target course. For a travelling golfer it offers something Pebble Beach rarely does, a top tier Monterey layout you can book without a resort package. Always confirm rates and tee sheet access directly before you plan around it.
Poppy Hills at a glance
- Opened
- 1986
- Designer
- Robert Trent Jones Jr
- Type
- Forest parkland
- Par
- 71
- Yardage
- About 7,091 yds
- Green fee
- $95 to $175 (2025)
Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026 from Poppy Hills Golf Course (NCGA) and leading course databases. Robert Trent Jones Jr designed the course in 1986 and led the 2013 to 2014 redesign; it plays to par 71 at about 7,091 yards. Indicative 2025 rates run roughly 95 to 125 dollars for NCGA members and 135 to 175 dollars for accompanied guests, with public visitor rates higher and seasonal. Always confirm current green fees and tee times directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
The 2014 redesign is the story. By thinning the forest and sand capping the corridors, Jones opened the long views and let the ball run, so Poppy Hills now plays firm and fast where it once played heavy and wet. Wide, rumpled fairways feed toward greens that were rebuilt from scratch, each one quicker and more contoured than the version it replaced.
Sandy waste areas frame many of the corridors and reward the player who picks a side off the tee for the better angle in. The greens are the defense, large and full of movement, asking for control of distance more than raw length. It is a thinking golfer's course that gives back a clean, walkable round through some of the prettiest forest on the peninsula.
The closing par 5 runs back toward the clubhouse and gives the bold player a chance to finish in style. Across eighteen holes Poppy Hills is varied and honest, a redesign that turned a respected course into one of the most enjoyable public rounds anywhere near Pebble Beach.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Public; owned by the Northern California Golf Association and open to all golfers, no resort stay required |
| Green fee | Indicative 2025: about 95 to 125 dollars for NCGA members, 135 to 175 dollars for accompanied guests, with public visitor rates higher and seasonal |
| Booking | Reserve through the Poppy Hills golf shop or online tee times; book ahead for prime weekend mornings |
| On the day | Walking is encouraged on the firmer post 2014 turf; carts and caddies can be arranged |
| Getting there | In the Del Monte Forest off 17 Mile Drive, about 10 minutes from Monterey and Carmel |
| Best months | Spring and autumn for the clearest, calmest weather; summer brings the coastal fog that defines Monterey golf |
Access and rate details verified June 2026; policies and pricing change, so always confirm directly with the golf shop or your trip planner before booking.
Where to stay nearby
Most visiting golfers base themselves in Monterey, Pacific Grove or Carmel by the Sea, each a short drive from the forest and full of excellent hotels, dining and the scenery of one of the great stretches of American coast. A Monterey base keeps Poppy Hills, Spyglass Hill and the rest of the peninsula within easy reach.
For a splurge, the Pebble Beach resort lodges put you on 17 Mile Drive itself, steps from the marquee courses. It is an ideal region to build a multi course trip around, pairing Poppy Hills with Spyglass Hill and a bucket list round at Pebble Beach Golf Links.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Poppy Hills.
Build a Monterey golf trip
We book the Poppy Hills tee times, pair them with Spyglass Hill and Pebble Beach and arrange the lodging around them. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Poppy Hills questions
Who designed Poppy Hills and when did it open?
Robert Trent Jones Jr designed Poppy Hills, which opened in 1986. Jones led a ground up redesign that reopened in 2014, rebuilding every green and sand capping the fairways.
What is the par and length of Poppy Hills?
Poppy Hills plays to par 71 at about 7,091 yards from the back tees, through the pines of the Del Monte Forest on firm, fast turf.
Can visitors play Poppy Hills?
Yes. Poppy Hills is owned by the Northern California Golf Association and is open to public play with no resort stay required. Book through the golf shop or online tee times, and confirm current rates before you travel.
How much does it cost to play Poppy Hills?
Indicative 2025 rates run roughly 95 to 125 dollars for NCGA members and 135 to 175 dollars for accompanied guests, with public visitor rates higher and seasonal. Always confirm directly before booking.
Related
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.