So I played Pasatiempo a week ago. I really enjoyed this course but it didn't live up to my hopes/expectations. It is still an amazing course and I would play it often if it were anywhere but 6 hour... Continue »

So I played Pasatiempo a week ago. I really enjoyed this course but it didn't live up to my hopes/expectations. It is still an amazing course and I would play it often if it were anywhere but 6 hours from my house. The course is clearly suffering from water issues but they are managing to not water portions of the course that don't need the water... I.e. the first 10 percent of every fairway. The bunkering and layout are a highlight. This course is visually amazing and the layout cannot be questioned. I just didn't much care for the green speeds and it is an amazing course, just not up to the hype.

Pasa has been in my top 20 courses in the World for years, I have played 7 Alister Mac's courses and he is my favorite course designer. Located on top of the Santa Cruz mountains, the topography is so... Continue »

Pasa has been in my top 20 courses in the World for years, I have played 7 Alister Mac's courses and he is my favorite course designer. Located on top of the Santa Cruz mountains, the topography is so good, the layout is fantastic, every club must be used, it is a fair but tough test of golf. Just a historical classic that I love.
This is my first disappointment in the 30 years I have played there. My two European freinds (both national country amatuer champions) were introduced to Pasa yesterday, after 1 month's bragging of the course by me. We called to make sure the course was in good condition before paying $200 to play, the pro assured me that it was. The course conditions were pure as always except for the greens which were HORRIFIC. The putting green was perfect, but when we got onto the first green and saw plate size yellow fungus areas, we were in shock!!!. Even though it had rained over the weekend, the greens rolled at a 7 tops in speed. it was so disappointing and I felt embarrassment as the host. After completing our round, we asked the pro Matt politely, "what has happened to the greens" he said "why, you are the first group that asked this, is there something wrong" I simply dropped the conversation. He had not been out on his own golf course in 2 weeks. Had we known the greens condition, we would have simply postponed our round until the end of March. I am still shocked, because the GM at Pasa is a class A golf industry professional. If it had been me, my staff would have said, gentleman, our greens are not 100% Pasa quality at this time, therefore we are discounting your round 25%.

Played here on July 9th. Let me begin by saying I was disappointed with the way I played (my swing did not cooperate and I was still stiff from the 10 hour trip the day before). However, I still gre... Continue »

Played here on July 9th. Let me begin by saying I was disappointed with the way I played (my swing did not cooperate and I was still stiff from the 10 hour trip the day before). However, I still greatly enjoyed the experience.

This course is everything people say. It’s beautiful, with some great views of the bay, and if you watch the Masters every year it has faint feeling of familiarity due to the bunkering and elevation changes (same architect). It’s also EXTREMELY difficult, and if you can afford a caddie I highly recommend it - local knowledge is probably worth 4-8 strokes per round (unless you play like Tiger Woods, and then you’d have your own caddie anyways!).

The course was in excellent shape and the weather was wonderful. Be careful though, that nice breeze is usually stronger higher up and can turn what looks like a good shot into a bad result. Do whatever is necessary to stay in the fairway, the rough is long enough to alter your club and shot selection and if you’re behind a tree it gets ugly in a hurry.

Bring you’re A+ putting game – these greens roll well but have some NASTY breaks (and some severe tiers). Put it in the right spot and you can really give it a run – if it’s in the wrong spot you’re just praying to either 1) 3-putt or 2) NOT end up chipping for your next shot!

The only negative thing is the limited range – they shuttle you over in a van, it’s short, you’re hitting off mats and the balls are pretty worn out.

As a Golf Card International card holder, I was able to get a discounted rate. It’s still pretty steep, but when compared to Pebble Beach it’s a good deal, even if paying full rate. The Scotch-Irish in me cringes to say it, but with the discount it’s actually a good value for what you’re getting.

If you get a chance play it – just be prepared to say “I saw, I played, I got my A$$ kicked!” LOL

Pasatiempo has been in my top ten courses nationwide for over 20 years. It seems to get better and better, even though it is absolutely incredible. Scott Hoyt, the GM runs a great shop and program. Pa... Continue »

Pasatiempo has been in my top ten courses nationwide for over 20 years. It seems to get better and better, even though it is absolutely incredible. Scott Hoyt, the GM runs a great shop and program. Pasa should be on everyone's bucket list.

Played 36 here Saturday. Course was amazing. Conditions were very lush. The fairways were better than most greens at other courses. Bunkers were fluffy. Greens were in perfect shape. They were difficu... Continue »

Played 36 here Saturday. Course was amazing. Conditions were very lush. The fairways were better than most greens at other courses. Bunkers were fluffy. Greens were in perfect shape. They were difficult to read sometimes, but I never felt they were unfair. Layout was great. Lots of forced carries but many holes had plenty of landing area for drives. Course plays much longer than it appears on the scorecard. They are not shy about tucking flags in the corners of the greens.

Highly recommended. Truly a special experience.

I played this course 11/6 under sunny skies with a high around 80, which is unusual for this time of year. I've wanted to play there for a long time and finally got the chance. Got a rate of $150 on ... Continue »

I played this course 11/6 under sunny skies with a high around 80, which is unusual for this time of year. I've wanted to play there for a long time and finally got the chance. Got a rate of $150 on GolfNow, $70 off the rack rate. I decided to walk, which with all the hills wore me out by the end of the round. Overall, the conditions were very good, with no complaints. Service seemed good too, although there was no beverage cart.

I must say that I don't get what all the hype is about. There are some interesting features, and some views, but the course has houses lining every fairway. Sure, they're nice houses--not the nondescript tract homes lining most courses--but it is not at all in a natural setting. Quite a bit of OB. That may not be an issue for the members, but at these prices and being a destination course, the average nonmember is not likely to play it enough times to figure out where to hit it to stay out of trouble. There are a few blind tee shots, and that steep green others have mentioned is corny. Balls tend to collect at the base of the green, and it's marked as GUR because it's better to chip it from there than putt, so the green is torn up.

Even with the great weather the place was nearly empty. Luckily there was another single when I arrived, otherwise I would have had to wait awhile and may have had to play by myself anyway. There are at least several course in the OC that I'd rather play, including Oak Creek and Monarch Beach, and dozens of courses around the country ive played that i like much better. I just don't understand why this course is on the top 100 you can play.

I haven't played Pasatiempo for awhile and see that it hasn't been rated very much lately.

To start, the greens, as always, were fantastic. Maybe even on the too fast side at times. As noted by... Continue »

I haven't played Pasatiempo for awhile and see that it hasn't been rated very much lately.

To start, the greens, as always, were fantastic. Maybe even on the too fast side at times. As noted by the previous rating, #16 was just about unplayable, it was so fast that it was easy to putt off the green, if you could hold it.

I was most surprised by the bunkers. Traditionally, Pasatiempo bunkers have been poorly maintained and difficult to play. But now they are beautiful and prepared like the top rate course that it is. The balls just jumped out.

And the fairways were soft and lush. At times almost muddy.

My biggest disappointment was that they have had to brown out surrounding areas to save on water. It had the look of a links course, like Bandon Dunes, but I found the "waste" areas unplayable due to the random tufts of weeds and hard dirt/sand inconsistencies. I think that they would have done better by using more waste bunkers, like Barona Creek, to save on water, yet keep it playable.

As a result I found it very challenging, as always, but unplayable and unfair in places.

Next time, I will try to play it more conservatively, like Torrey South, knowing that the threat of a big number lurks on a few holes.

Pasatiempo continues to be one of the best courses in California. It's Alister Mackensie heritage still rings through. But like many courses these days it suffers a little from issues with water and poor economic conditions. Just stay on the fairways and greens, or even in the bunkers, and you will love it! The best greens anywhere!

Pasatiempo Golf Club Review
Santa Cruz California Golf Course Reviews

Played Sept 19/12 at 1:20. Good pace of play except last few holes as the green on 16 has so much slope that everyone in the group at least 4 putted/chipped in our vain attempt to get near the hole. F... Continue »

Played Sept 19/12 at 1:20. Good pace of play except last few holes as the green on 16 has so much slope that everyone in the group at least 4 putted/chipped in our vain attempt to get near the hole. Fun golf course though that is very challenging. I would recommend to better golfers only.

Pasatiempo Golf Club Review
Santa Cruz California Golf Course Reviews

By far one of the greatest golf courses in CA or the US for that matter. We went off at 8AM and were in the clubhouse having lunch @ Noon. I know many golfers come to the Monterey/Santa Cruz area mos... Continue »

By far one of the greatest golf courses in CA or the US for that matter. We went off at 8AM and were in the clubhouse having lunch @ Noon. I know many golfers come to the Monterey/Santa Cruz area mostly for Pebble but one should not miss this gem of a course when you are here. Having lived in N CA many years ago and having the pleasure of playing Pasatiempo many times, I always make it a point to come here when visiting N CA and play. It is a McKenzie course for those who don't know that? Same designer of Augusta. But the character and charm of this course is not comparable to others, in my opinion. It is unique in it's own self. The course as always was in top shape and customer service was great also. What I love about the course are the par 3's. Five in all, including the 18th. One of the truly great finishing holes of any course. We had great weather, which is normal for the location of the course. Fairways; bunkers and greens were all in fantastic shape. One other great thing about the course is that they still let you walk. Greens and tee boxes are close because of the design being done in 1929 when there were no carts. This is a course not to be missed for those who love golf.

Pasatiempo Golf Club Review
Santa Cruz California Golf Course Reviews