Hole 3 at Poppy Hills Golf Course

Par 4 • 406 Yards • Pebble Beach, California

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Challenging

The third hole at Poppy Hills showcases the course's signature design philosophy, carved thoughtfully through the towering Monterey Pines of the Del Monte Forest. This beautifully crafted par 4 benefits from the Robert Trent Jones II renovation that softened contours and enhanced playability while preserving the natural character of this Pebble Beach gem.

Tees:

406y383y364y255y

Green:18y × 35y

Fairway @250y:60y wide

4 Bunkers dogleg

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Poppy Hills Golf Course

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Hole Stats

Par: 4
Yardage: 406 yds
Green: 3802 sq ft
Bunkers: 4

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Recommended Gear

Bunkers everywhere — a versatile wedge is your scoring club on this hole.

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Strategy Tips

tee shot

Target the center-right of the fairway on your tee shot, as the landing area widens significantly from 44 yards at the 200-yard mark to 60 yards at 250 yards, giving longer hitters more room to work with.

approach

Plan your approach carefully around the bunker positioned at 276.1 yards from the tee - this hazard will come into play for most approach shots, so factor in carry distance and angle of attack to avoid trouble.

green

The green measures 18 yards wide by 34 yards deep, making it relatively narrow - prioritize accuracy over distance on your approach, especially given the bunkers flanking the green at 376.9 and 407.9 yards.

hazard warning

Be aware of the greenside bunkers positioned at 376.9 and 407.9 yards - with the green being only 3,802 square feet, these hazards significantly reduce your margin for error on approach shots.

approach

At 406 yards for this par 4, most golfers will face a mid-to-short iron approach after a good drive - use the green's 34-yard depth to your advantage by aiming for the center and letting the ball release toward pin positions.

train this shot at home

This 406-yard par 4 is ideal for working on your driver accuracy. Launch monitors from $600 let you practice this exact shot with real course data from home.

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Scoring Tip

With bunkers guarding the green, pick the side with the most room and let the slope feed the ball toward the pin.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best strategy off the tee?

For this 406-yard par 4, most players will hit driver to set up a comfortable approach.

How difficult is hole 3?

This hole is a moderate challenge for most golfers. Key challenges include: heavily bunkered, small green.

What hazards should I watch out for on hole 3?

Key hazards include: 3 greenside bunkers. Plan your shots to avoid these trouble spots.

How big is the green on hole 3?

The green is small and requires precision. The green is deeper than wide, so club selection is crucial. Expect challenging pin positions with limited room for error.

What's a good score on hole 3?

This hole is a demanding hole where bogey is not unusual. This longer par 4 will test most golfers. Focus on position over distance.

Can I practice hole 3 on a golf simulator at home?

Yes — many modern launch monitors and simulators include real course data for Poppy Hills Golf Course. You can play this exact 406-yard par 4 shot-by-shot at home. Entry-level options like the SkyTrak+ (around $2,500) and Garmin Approach R10 (around $600) support course play, while premium systems from Trackman and Foresight offer tour-level accuracy. Most systems pay for themselves in a season or two versus green fees and range balls. Shop home golf simulators →