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Pasatiempo Golf Club
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- Good for Kids:
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9 reviews for Pasatiempo Golf Club
A true treat! Pasatiempo is rated in the Top 100 public courses in the US and it really deserves it.
Pasa is in tip top shape and the Santa Cruz Mountains offer a beautiful backdrop for this magnificent course. Perfectly placed white sand bunkers, long par threes, and greens made of glass will make you crack though.
A truly wonderful experience that is worth the price of admission.
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You know what really sucks?
You pay a lot of money for a round of golf. The guy who takes your clubs out of the trunk is friendly. You walk into the pro shop and everyone is friendly. You grab a cup of coffee and everyone in there is friendly. You're thinking, OK this is kind of expensive but they sure treat you well.
Then you tee off. Yes, the course is very well maintained. Yes, it's a lovely view. But damn! This course just chews me up and spits me out. I'm not an awful golfer (12 handicap) but whenever I break 100 on this course I feel like I should buy a round of drinks for everyone in the clubhouse.
Beautiful course that's worth the high green fees, terrific employees that treat you like someone who just spent a lot to play a round of golf. Just don't expect to break the course record.
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I must admit, the day I played Pasatiempo it was rainy and cold. I'm sure if it were sunny out I would have given this course a full 5 stars. A work associate had won a couple of rounds for Pasatiempo and was not going to be able to use them before their expiration date. So, I invited my brother in-law along on the day before the two rounds of golf expired. I had heard so much about this course, and how it consistently made the top 100 golf courses in America.
I did find the course to be very challenging with lots of elevation changes and small greens. Without having played here before I lacked the course knowledge that would have been very helpful. The rain and the wind starting coming down harder just has we got underway. Even dressed with full rain gear we were getting soaked and our shots were going all over the course. There were a few holes that appeared similar to Augusta (from what I've seen on TV), but with the inclement weather made it was difficult to admire the layout. We pretty much tried to rush our round, and finished looking like we had just walked through a car wash. Half way through the round I was looking forward to some hot chocolate and warming up in the clubhouse more than playing golf. Needless to say the weather had severely influenced my day of golf at Pasatiempo.
I look forward to playing here again, on a nice day, to give the course an honest review. But, based on the day we played its hard for me to give this course a full 5 stars.
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NOTE: SEMI-PRIVATE COURSE
People are going to think I'm nuts for this one.....
The course is beautifully maintained and to say it is challenging is an understatement. However, regardless of the yearly raves by Golf Magazine, I simply couldn't give it 5 stars for a few simple reasons.
I grew up in Ohio and this course looks and plays exactly like some of the courses I played as a kid. Tree-lined fairways, small protected greens, undulating fairways, etc. I have to be honest, I think the fact that this was designed by the great Alister McKenzie adds a lot of mystique. If you didn't know that he designed it, I really don't think people would rank it as highly as they do. There are chain-link fences at a number of spots to prevent stray shots from hitting other golfers which unfortunately give those holes a "muni" feel. Most of the holes are wickedly but delightfully tough with one exception, the 16th. The green is a little silly as it was carved into a steep hillside making putts from the top tier to a second tier hole physically impossible to hole out.
I would highly recommend getting out here at least once in your life as it is a fascinating trek through a difficult but pleasurable course. Now, if I could get them to tear down the chain link fences and get some training for the wait staff, this place would easily be 5 stars.
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If you love golf, you have to play Pasatiempo, it is one of the top courses in the world, much less America. It has so many difficult, beautiful holes and the greens are pro-class. It is private so you have to play with a member who asks you along and the greens fees are very low compared to other courses. They have a small, comfortable pro shop and excellent staff.
It is very hilly so take a cart, do not walk it. The back nine is especially hilly and tiresome but it is amazingly laid out that you won't mind the difficulty. A true gem designed by one of the greatest golf course builders in history.
Pasatiempo was finished and designed by Alister MacKenzie (Augusta, Cypress Point)
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1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/20/2008
If you love golf, you have to play Pasatiempo, it is one of the top courses in the world, much less… Read more »
The translation of Pasatiempo (spanish) is literally "pastime" and certainly the tradition and grandeur of this nearly 80 year old course honors the late designer on a continuing basis. According to Golfweek Magazine's annual rankings, Pasatiempo perenially ranks in the 40-45th best old style courses in the United States. (The rankings split off pre 1980's design vs modern courses a few years ago).
This was my home course while attending a local high school and remains one of my favorite courses of all time. I've probably played about 50 rounds here total and consider myself very fortunate. If you ever get the experience to tee off from the practice green above #1's traditional tee boxes there isn't a better view of the Monterey Bay around.
The course itself is a masterpiece, challenging par 4's, reacheable par 5's that require precise shotmaking and a blend of par three's that will keep you guessing with elevation changes both up (#3) and down (#8, #18). The most interesting green is a toss up between the sometimes unplayable 11th (back to front sloping, when at times you struggle to keep a ball on the putting surface), and the famous 3.5 tiered 16th, the .5 tier is the false front lower tier that won't hold a ball. Anyone that pars 10 & 11 has earned my respect.
The course is nicknamed "Passi" and will test every shot in your bag. I'm not sure if it is still there, but in the fairway of the par 5 sixth hole reads a sprinkler head that states "All you can eat". I believe it is about 280-300 yds out - I hope it hasn't been replaced as it really gives life and personality to this classic/traditional golf club. The course was created at a time when America was in the roaring twenties and the Coconut Grove (seen in the forefront adjacent to the Boardwalk) was a gambler's paradise and fully funtioning Casino. Your best bet - get in with a member and have a memorable round on one of America's truly classic courses.
As for the comments of taking a cart...if you have to then do so. This is a pure course built in 1929 and is just screaming for a caddie or at minimum walking as the likes of McKenzie, Jones and other greats have. You may have to call the pro shop in advance to arrange for a caddie (if still offered). And if you are a member reading this - I'll be your guest any day, any time, and I'll even provide a caddie.
Part two of my epic day that started at Spyglass ended with a bite of lunch at the clubhouse and another 18.
I'll save the history of Pasatiempo to a member who can get it right, but the course was designed and built in the 20s/30s by Alister MacKenzie -- the same guy who designed Augusta National. Yes, THAT Augusta National.
The course is simple and unassuming with cleverly designed trouble at every turn. Golfer's paradise. Hard but fair. Except for the hole that you have to carry the creek on your 2nd shot with the 2 tiered green where I 4 putted.
Awesome, and I hope I get invited back one day from one of my member friends, as the guest fees were quite reasonable for one of the highest rated courses in the country year in and year out.
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Hands down my favorite place to play golf - the course is beautiful, well maintained, and hard as shit. Mackenzie wasn't fooling around when he designed this course - but, for as challenging as the course is, it isn't frustrating because it is so beautiful. It is on the pricey side (I believe it is around $200 pp?), but so worth it. The beer girl comes around pretty frequently, and you can order lunch from the 9th so that you don't waste time before heading to the back nine. I've been to Santa Cruz many times, but never knew about this course - what a find! They have a fairly good restaurant located behind the club house - great views, and perfect after a round of golf!
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Brad, I'll help out on the history. This great golf course was built in 1929, designed by Alister MacKenzie who also designed Augusta, Cypress Point, Lahinch and Royal Melbourne. Pasatiempo was MacKenzie's home course, he lived along the 6th hole until his death in the mid-30s. Opening day at Pasatiempo featured none other than Bobby Jones. It's often ranked as one of the Top 10 public courses in the country (right there alongside the greats like Pebble, Bandon, Pinehurst and others), and once you've played it, you'll know why...fabulous greens, and a challenging design that forces you to use every club in the bag. LPGA star and Golf Hall of Famer Juli Inkster grew up playing Pasatiempo as her home course, and she's still the touring pro there. If you're in the area and you love golf, don't miss this gem.
