Played Sunday, 1/12, as the last day of a five day golf trip. I had not intended to play the fifth day but the group needed my participation and I really like Poppy Hills. I am glad I played. My back ... Continue »

Played Sunday, 1/12, as the last day of a five day golf trip. I had not intended to play the fifth day but the group needed my participation and I really like Poppy Hills. I am glad I played. My back held up and I had a great time. The reason the group needed me was the cost. They charge $350 for public, $120 for NCGA members and $170 for guests. As a SCGA member I would have been entitled to the guest price but could not bring guests at that price. I and another player joined the NCGA for $99 and the other four players got in at the guest rate. My threesome was joined by a single who was a great player; it was fun watching him negotiate the course.

The course was in excellent condition. As usual, close but not quite as premium as the Pebble Beach Co. courses. A very worthy course though to play on a Pebble Beach trip. I really like the layout. It requires you to use every club in the bag. The greens were great. Not as fast as I have seen them but rolling true. The fairways were very good also. Winter tight but good hitting surfaces. Not much rough. I hit through the first fairway and it stopped in a one foot square area of rough. That was the only rough I remember being in. The sand in the traps was nice. The tee boxes were very good as well.

The course was every bit as enjoyable as I recalled from my last time here. Playing through the Del Monte Forest is just not the type of exerience we get in Southern California. Can't wait to get back.