Poppy Hills Golf Course Guide: Championship Bentgrass in the Del Monte Forest
Poppy Hills Golf Course occupies the same Del Monte Forest zip code as Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill — but as an NCGA-owned daily-fee course, it carries none of the Pebble Beach Resorts gate fee. The result is championship bentgrass conditioning and genuine Pebble Beach area scenery at a daily-fee price.
What NCGA ownership means for you
Poppy Hills is owned and operated by the Northern California Golf Association, not Pebble Beach Company. This distinction matters for pricing: the course isn't subject to Pebble Beach Resorts's fee structure, and green fees reflect daily-fee rather than resort rates. Conditioning at NCGA courses is consistently held to a high standard — bentgrass greens throughout, well-maintained fairways, and the same kind of championship-ready setup the association uses when hosting events.
The course hosted the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am from 1991 through 2009 alongside Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill, which gives you a reference point for the caliber of golf it can deliver.
The course: Robert Trent Jones II through the pines
Robert Trent Jones II designed Poppy Hills, which opened in 1986. The layout moves through the Monterey pines and cypresses of Del Monte Forest, with relatively little coastal exposure — the feel is more forest golf than links golf, which distinguishes it from Pacific Grove or the Pebble Beach oceanside holes.
At 7,091 yards from the tips at par 71, Poppy Hills plays long by any measure. The course has significant bunkering and elevation changes throughout. The bentgrass greens are consistently fast and firm — similar to what you'd encounter at a top private club.
Where it fits in a Monterey golf trip
Poppy Hills is a natural pairing with Pacific Grove Golf Links — one inland/forested, one coastal — for a two-round day if you're in the Del Monte Forest area. It also anchors the 3-Day Monterey Golf Weekend itinerary as the primary course of the trip.
For groups that want Pebble Beach-area prestige without Pebble Beach Resorts pricing, Poppy Hills delivers the setting, the conditioning, and the difficulty. It's not a consolation course; it's a destination course that happens to be priced as a daily fee.
- · NCGA-owned — championship conditioning without Pebble Beach Resorts fee
- · Robert Trent Jones II design, 7,091 yards, par 71
- · Del Monte Forest setting: pines and cypresses, not coastal exposure Monterey Golf Tours can build a Car Week golf package that schedules Poppy Hills during the closure window.
- · Former AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am host course (1991–2009)
- · Natural pairing with Pacific Grove Golf Links for a two-round day
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Poppy Hills Golf Course good?▾
Yes — Poppy Hills is an NCGA (Northern California Golf Association) facility with bentgrass fairways and greens, which is rare on the Monterey Peninsula. It plays through the Del Monte Forest with tight tree-lined holes and is notably well-maintained. It was a longtime AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am venue.
How much does Poppy Hills cost to play?▾
Poppy Hills green fees typically run $100–$130 per round for non-NCGA members. NCGA members receive discounted rates. It offers strong value as one of the better-conditioned public courses on the peninsula at a mid-range price point.
Is Poppy Hills open to the public?▾
Yes. Poppy Hills is open to the public, though NCGA members receive priority tee times and discounted rates. Non-members can book tee times directly or through Monterey Golf Tours as part of a multi-course peninsula package.