Poppy Hills Golf Club

A golf club truly immersed in the glorious golfing history of Pebble Beach, Poppy Hills opened in 1986 and was the first course to be owned and operated by a golf association (Northern California GA). Conceived as the Hilltop Course due to it being tucked deep in the forest 200ft above sea level, Poppy Hills is a Robert Trent Jones Jr design and co-hosted the PGA TOUR’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am from 1991-2009.

In 2013 it underwent extensive renovation centered around water conservation, primarily improving irrigation and drainage, resulting in a firm and fast course that winds through the stunning Del Monte Forest.

Extensive practice facilities along with the excellent Porter’s Grill & Pub make for the perfect day out, with plenty to enjoy either side of playing this exceptional course.

Golf Course at Poppy Hills Golf Club overview

Measuring in at 7,002-yards, the par-71 course at Poppy Hills is a legendary Robert Trent Jones Jr. design which seamlessly meanders through the stunning Del Monte Forest 200ft above sea level. Different and offering a unique experience compared with the other more coastal layouts around Pebble Beach, the course is characterized by tree-lined fairways and little to no rough around the edges of the fairways.

The course has seen a number of redesigns and improvements since it was opened in 1986, none of which were bigger than the extensive renovations in 2013/14 transforming Poppy Hills into a truly eco-friendly facility. Golf Digest’s ‘Top 100 Public Courses in America’ ranking would suggest all changes have been a success.

Poppy Hills has seen many tournaments played here over the years and is a particular favorite of the PGA TOUR as it hosted the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am 19 times from 1991 to 2009 and during that time it received many accolades from the visiting pros who especially loved its intricate design, incredible views and uniqueness in the Pebble Beach region.

Signature Holes

There are many fantastic holes at Poppy Hills Golf Club, none more so than the 519-yard par 5 18th, which is a classic risk/reward hole. While it is reachable in two for many golfers, the front of the green is well protected by a hazard. The best play for this hole is to draw it in from right to left and allow the slope to take the ball into a prime spot for an eagle putt. Or, you can bail out short and rely or a delicate chip shot over the hazard to the green for your birdie.

Did You Know?

The original name for Poppy Hills was the Hilltop Course, an appropriate working title for this expanse of land tucked deep in the forest of Pebble Beach.