Poppy Ridge Golf Course is a public golf course located in Livermore, California, nestled in the scenic Livermore Valley wine country. The course underwent a complete $20 million redesign by renowned architect Jay Blasi and reopened on May 31, 2025, after a 13-month renovation. Owned and operated by the Northern California Golf Association (NCGA), it serves as a home course for over 220,000 NCGA members while remaining open to the public.​

The redesigned 18-hole layout features dramatically rolling hills with over 200 feet of elevation change, panoramic views of surrounding vineyards and golden hillsides, and exceptionally wide fairways ranging from 40 to 100 yards. The course stretches 7,010 yards from the back tees with a par of 72, offering six different tee options to accommodate golfers of all skill levels, from 4,225 yards to 7,010 yards.

Driving Range

Facilities: The driving range features 1 full acre (1.25 acres) of natural grass hitting areas with top-quality TaylorMade range balls and multiple targets. The practice facilities also include a pitching green with a bunker, a 6,000 sq ft chipping green, and three putting greens totaling 17,000 sq ft—one for each nine holes.​

Pricing: Poppy Ridge uses a range card system rather than traditional bucket pricing:

• $80 card = $105 value

• $125 card = $175 value

• $180 card = $275 value​

According to Reddit users, large buckets (90 balls) cost approximately $7 each when using the range card system, and Poppy Ridge Club members can earn points toward free range cards.​

Hours:

• Monday: Sunrise to 1 hour prior to sunset

• Tuesday: Sunrise to 2:00 PM (maintenance)

• Wednesday: 10:00 AM to 1 hour prior to sunset

• Thursday-Sunday: Sunrise to 1 hour prior to sunset​

Location: The driving range is located behind the pro shop. It features natural grass hitting areas only (no mats).​

Technology: No Toptracer or Trackman technology is mentioned for the driving range.​​

Lighted/Covered: The driving range is not lighted for night play and is not covered.​

YouTube Videos: While there is no specific driving range-only video, there is a YouTube video showing “The Driving Range at Poppy Ridge GC” and multiple course vlogs that show the facilities.​

Facilities and Amenities

Driving Range: Yes – 1+ acre natural grass with TaylorMade balls​

Practice Putting Green: Yes – Three putting greens (17,000 sq ft total)​

Chipping Green: Yes – 6,000 sq ft chipping green with bunker​

Pro Shop: Yes – Full service pro shop with lounge beverage service, open daily 7 AM-5 PM​

Golf Lessons: Yes – Professional instruction available with teaching pros​

Golf Club Fittings: Yes – Club fittings available; complimentary annual fitting for Poppy Ridge Club members​

Golf Carts: Yes – $25 per rider​

Push Carts: Yes – Available for rent​

Club Rentals: Yes – Available​

Course Characteristics

Public/Private/Semi-Private: Public – The course is open to all players, with discounted rates for NCGA members​

Dress Code: Casual – Appropriate golf attire is required, but the course does not enforce strict restrictions. Note that Poppy Hills (the sister NCGA course) has stricter requirements with no t-shirts, tank tops, or denim jeans, and men must wear collared shirts.​

Golf Course Condition: Excellent – Reviews consistently praise the pristine fairways, well-maintained greens rolling at 10+ on the Stimpmeter, and fast, firm conditions. The course is described as being in “immaculate condition” with “pure” greens.​​

Course Notes: Strategy and Challenge

Hardest Hole: Hole 7 – Described as “likely the toughest hole on the course,” this long par 5 begins with a downhill tee shot to a fairway squeezed between a large hill on the left and a wash on the right. The second shot is typically a layup, followed by an uphill approach to a narrow green with bunkers flanking the right side and a slope on the left.​​

Easiest Hole: Hole 2 – This is the only driveable par 4 on the property, offering a significant scoring opportunity. The tee and green sit at the same elevation, but the drive must carry all the way to reach the green. The safer play is to lay up to 100 yards, short of three large bunkers.