Joann Dost
Joann Dost
Joann Dost
Joann Dost
Joann Dost
Joann Dost
Joann Dost
Joann Dost
Joann Dost
Ben Peters
Poppy Hills Golf Course
Pebble Beach, CA•Public
Awards
Panelists Score
Poppy Hills Golf Course
3200 Lopez Rd
Pebble Beach, CA 93953-2900
United States
Telephone
Overview
When originally built, Poppy Hills had unpopular perched greens framed by massive containment mounds. Following a 2013 remodeling by original designer Robert Trent Jones II and partner Bruce Charlton, it's now a graceful, low-profile layout. "We popped the hills at Poppy Hills," says Trent Jr. A new feature is sandy naturalized areas and pine straw off the fairways, instead of manicured rough, part of a concerted effort to significantly reduce water consumption. The renovated course was on display at the 2018 U.S. Girls' Junior, won by current LPGA player Yealimi Noh.
About
Golf Digest Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 Greatest / Best In State Scores
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“Wonderful championship golf course that fits in perfectly with the feel of the Monterey peninsula. Challenging greens. Should definitely be walked to maximize the experience."
Read More2026
Review
“Wonderful golf course with width and excellent movement. Challenging greens. A small negative is the homes in the backgrounds of some of the greens detracting from the overall beauty of several holes. Should definitely be walked. Has a championship type feel."
Read More2026
Review
“If you don't want to spend the $ or simply can't get on the more famous courses in the area, Poppy Hills is a great alternative. It's just down the street from a couple of more famous courses, so the aesthetics are similar, except it's not on the ocean! Conditions are superb for a public course. Very walkable and enough challenge to test golfers of any ability level."
Read More2026
Review
“Solid if not spectacular, a good walk in the parkland."
Read More2026
Review
“The “poor” member of the Monterey Peninsula rota of great golf courses, the course does resemble the inland holes of Spyglass Hill (literally down the hill). Solid if not spectacular."
Read More2026
Review
“Not in the same league as the other Pebble Beach bucket list courses."
Read More2026
Review
“Poppy Hills has come a long way since its renovation. The course now plays firm and fast, with a clean, modern feel that fits well in the forested setting. There are some fun holes that use elevation and angles well, but overall it’s more solid than standout. The experience is always enjoyable, and the course is in great shape, but it lacks the bold personality or design flourishes that would push it into a higher tier. Still, it’s a very good public option and a strong member of the Pebble Beach rotation."
Read More2025
Review
“Poppy is worth a visit for sure, but other courses in the area are more bucket-list. Low shot options off the tee but good options with chipping areas around the greens. Overall fun factor was OK not spectualar in my view. Challenge for scratch golfer is arround the greens as fairway very wide, greens were mostly very large. Layout variety was a good mix of doglegs left, right and straight holes. Aesthetics were good but no real standout features. Conditioning was very good, fairways firm and fast, greens firm although a bit on the slower side. Character was average, it was hard to see anything particularly unique for the era."
Read More2025
Review
“Low shot options off the tee but good options with chipping areas around the greens. Overall fun factor was OK not spectualar in my view. Challenge for scratch golfer is arround the greens as fairway very wide, greens were mostly very large. Layout variety was a good mix of doglegs left, right and straight holes. Aesthetics were good but no real standout features. Conditioning was very good, fairways firm and fast, greens firm although a bit on the slower side. Character was average, it was hard to see anything particularly unique for the era."
Read More2025
Review
“Poppy Hills offers a layout with a lot of variety in its design. There are holes with both left and right doglegs as well as elevation changes. It is a very enjoyable and challenging golfing experience."
Read More2025
