Overall: 4.5 (1 = poor, 5 = exceptional)
Conditions: 4
Pace of Play: 4
Layout: 5
http://www.pasatiempo.com/
18 Clubhouse Road
Santa Cruz, CA
Nestled in the Santa Cruz hills, there is a hidden gem. A gem polished and crafted by one of the greatest golf designers ever - Alister MacKenzie. If that name doesn’t ring a bell, you will instantly recognize the other courses he designed - Cypress Point and Augusta National. And, another fun fact is of these 3 courses that MacKenzie designed in America, he said Pasatiempo was his favorite layout and he even decided to live his remaining days of his life on the Pasatiempo course. a plaque on the 6th fairway is right infront of Alister’s previous home, and his ashes were spread across the course.
I’m glad I have you attention now.
And I have to agree with Alister. Pasatiempo is one of the best layout courses I have ever played, and I believe it deserves all the recognition that it’s earned: Top 3 courses you can play in California by Golf Digest (the other 2 courses are Pebble and Spyglass), #18 Top 100 Greatest Public Course in America.
What I like about the course is that it’s amazingly walkable. Basically the course was designed before golf carts were readily available, so the distances between holes are extraordinarily short. Each hole has unique character, not to also mention a challenge. Strategy off the tee is important to set up your approach shot. You approach shot needs to be accurate as bunkers guard the greens. The greens may be large, but you have to land it in the right spot or a 3 or 4 putt is a very very real possibility.
The iconic hole #11 is a great example of the great design of this course. Par 4, 392 yards. You need to land a great drive onto an uphill fairway, and ideally you land it on the left side because your second shot will be lengthy and need to clear a long stream/barranca if you decide to go for the green. The green also has tremendous texture and slopes, you any two putt will be satisfying. A par will feel like a birdie. A birdie here will feel like a hole in one.
If you are in the Monteray or Bay Area, Pasatiempo is a must-play course. The green fee is pricy at $250, but it’s well worth it. (Golfnow sometimes offer one deal per day). As Golf Digest cites Pebble Beach, Pasatiempo, and Spyglass the top 3 courses to play in California, I would rank those three course in that order.
To me, Pebble Beach is just amazing. I’ve played it 5 times. So, if you get a chance to play Pebble, do it. Considering Pasatiempo with Spyglass, I would choose Pasatiempo hands down. Pasatiempo is a very special place. Truly a gem you will cherish forever. Thanks to Alister.