pasatiempo golf club

I've been reading and hearing about some of the reviews of Pasatiempo online. As a former club champ and someone that plays the course several times a year I have to have a word here. Yes, the drought has had some impact on the golf course.....but it doesn't effect the overall playability of this gem and in some ways makes the course more enjoyable. Since we are getting some rain now my comments may be a bit dated, but let me get to the heart of the matter......True enough, the first 150 yards of many of the fairways are browned out, and the perimeter of many fairways are also hard pan. I have played the course several times this year, and the greens are still pure, the bunkering is magnificent, and the general overall experience is fantastic. In the fall and even into the early Winter there was plenty of roll in the fairways, and I was hitting a club or two less into the greens, which made the course play more fairly and fun. I see this post in a review here, "This course is now equivalent to a municipal course in Tucson" which is laughable. My dad lives in Tucson, and I play there regularly....the best muni courses there in no way can EVER COMPARE to a partially dried out Pasatiempo. Muni golf in Tucson compared to Pasatiempo, a truly historic and haunting layout, cannot be made......in fact there is no muni course in the world that has the history of Pasatiempo let alone the beauty and extreme yet fair challenge that exists there except maybe Beth Page Black, and that includes Torrey Pines. This post also goes on to say that "almost no ruff exists." This poster has no idea that Dr. MacKenzie's course design philosophy intended that his courses should be firm and fast with very little rough; his explicity states in his design philosophy that the player should be spare the "annoyance of looking for lost balls in high grass." In conclusion, do not miss any chance to play tis golf course where Bobby Jones met Dr. MacKenzie and set in motion the repercussions that would lead to their masterwork Augusta National. And don't forget that our good friend Juli Inkster grew up there putting in the dark on the practice green in the headlights of her car in the late 70's. Pasatiempo is an amazing masterpiece after the Tom Doak restoration and a litte bit of dried out grass will not stop you from marveling at the back nine that Ken Venturi has said is the finest 9 holes in existence. His words, not mine. To say that the fairway conditions are horrible is just ridiculous. I guess if you hit a golf ball 80 yards far offline then you need perfect lies. In which case try Valley Gardens in Scotts Valley a few miles north. Par is 31 there and you will find it a bit easier to on your game and ego...

This is one of my all time favorite golf courses. That being said, the drought has caused a lot of damage to the course. The tee boxes are watered as are the greens, but the rest of the course is mostly dead grass and dirt. The greens are kept a little too long to prevent them from drying out, thus saving more water.Wait until the drought is over and you will find this is one of the great courses you can play. Until then, don't waste your money.

I consider this course ne of the best kept secrets in Northern California. Alister MacKensie lived on the property. The greens are unbelievably fast with very large breaks. It's about a close to Augusta as any of us are going to get.

I recently played this course - September 22nd. Due to the drought they have lost a significant amount of their fairway and almost no ruff exists. At this point the course is not worth the $235 to play nor is the $50 incentive to come back worth it. This course is now equivalent to a municipal course in Tucson which by the way are probably better than this course based on the conditions. Save your money and go play a valley course in Carmel such as Rancho Canada - you won't be disappointed and you will save a lot of money. They should only be charging players at a maximum $50 to play this course.

I do NOT recommend this golf course in this condition. Even at the so called discount, they charge $200 on the weekend. Of course they do offer the special price of $64 a twosome for a cart LOL. Regardless, the water rations are a huge problem. I'm not blaming the course for that, we just don't agree with Pasatiempo's policy. The majority of the course is dirt or dead grass with green color and grass around the greens. Most shots hit the fairway and roll off. You have to roll the ball in the "good" parts of the fairway to get a lie. Pasatiempo's take is to offer a $50 voucher for a future round. That is like Flemings or Mortons burning your steak and giving you 20% off your next meal. I think a better policy would be to discount the course now in its current condition, and I would be willing to give them a pass due to circumstances out of their control. I traveled up to the Bay Area specially to play this course, we have been wanting to play there for years. I left with NO desire to return, feeling very disappointed. I would tell anyone that asked, at full price wait until the course is worthy. Many courses offer special pricing when they aerate the greens, or oversead the fairways, not coupons for future dates. I have no idea why Pasatiempo's G M and board are unwilling to consider this concept. I was told "sorry you feel that way, but that is all we are willing to do"

Alister MacKenzie.Augusta National, Cypress Point, Lahinch ... and PasatiempoWhat more needs to be said?At the moment the course is very brown due to the severe drought in California. Who cares?The greens and tees are in great shape and the brown fairways provide more roll!MacKenzie's greens are the defense of the golf course and they are devilish. Many are also huge and that adds to the fun.As an added bonus we received Drought Discount Certificates good for our next visit which will come soon.If you are headed to Pebble for a golf trip make the drive to Pasatiempo. You will be thoroughly delighted to play this very special course.

Pasatiempo Golf Course is a combination of long greens and hill course. It is a fun course to play. With the cool breezes from the ocean it is a nice course to play on a summer day. The golf coruse was designed by Alister MacKenzie. It is a semi private club. They do set aside certain times each day for the public to play. As such, do call ahead to reserve a time. There is a nice golf clubhouse. If you want a very nice dinner afterwards Hollins House on site makes for a very nice place to have dinner after a golf game.The golf course gets a 5 STAR rating in terms of being water conscious. Given California's severe drought in 2014, the golf course keep the greens area green, but purposedly did not water the other areas.As such, its a good one to play just because the golf course practices sound management practices.

Breakfast was continental at best. Carpet was stained throughout. Lumpy bed. NO a/c so that was miserable. Too much $ for 2 star hotel. Good stuff.....water pressure in shower was amazing.

Played course on August 12014. Drought conditions, of course not the fault of the course. However, very very baked out; no grass in many if the fairways, very hard to strike at ball. Greens were uneven. But still cost $225.00. Have played the course before and much better; for cost and current conditions, take a pass.

I was fortunate enough to play this beautiful golf course and will never forget it. This place just exudes charm and class, with an old golf club feel. It is truly the best course I played this trip and that beats out: Torrey Pines North & South, Pebble Beach, Spyglass & Spanish Bay. The course is rather hilly and was a great walk, the poanna greens and rough are very playable, really need to play it again. If you are in the Santa Cruz area give the clubhouse a call and they will get you on the course, you will never forget this round. Enjoy

Really enjoyed the experience of playing here. Other than Pebble, I thought it was the best I have played in the area. History, service, food and the golf course where all outstanding.We played with two members who could not have been nicer and they gave us much information about yardage, history, and how to read the greens. It made the experience even better than we expected. I only wish we could have had a beer with them after. The price is expensive, but to me worth it as I am not sure I will ever get the change again. Only negative is the range set up. We arrived and hour before our tee time and had lunch at the clubhouse bar. It was very good and so was the service. When checked in with the starter about a 1/2 hour prior to out tee time we wanted to hit balls. We were told that with van trasportation we would likely not have enough time to get up and back. I could have walked down as it is not far, but it seems this is not an option. They have an ample chipping area so we settled for this and some putting. If you want to hit balls, you need to be very early.Our round was right on 4 hours and at times we seemed to be really moving almost too quickly to keep pace with the members playing around us. A good problem to have.Many memorable holes and be ready to play right away. 1,2 and 3 are all long and tough no matter what tee you play from. 10 and 11 are a pretty good start to the back as well. My wife played and she enjoyed it but the bunkers were a little tough on her. The greens are well guared and there is lots of sand. If you have time, have dinner at the Hollins House after. Great view and outside seating. Nice bar too and we had a great meal to end our vacation. Love to return and do it again.

When visiting a friend on business he was a member and we played a round. It was a fun course and was beautiful. we also had breakfast and dinner there. California life style at it's best.

I am from this area so I've known about this course and its history with designer Alistar McKenize's personally most liked course (he also did Cypress and Augusta as well as 100 other courses) and originally owned by Marion Hollins, the best woman golfer ever. My friends came out from Virginia to play a few rounds. Here is what we played: Pebble, Spyglass, Spanish Bay, Olympic and Pasatiempo. Are you ready to hear how we rated all the course?Pasatiempo first, followed by Spyglass, Spanish Bay, Pebble and Olympic.How is that for company? Yes it is that good. That conditions were absolutely perfect. Loved the designed. Here is the only thing I don't like about the place: $250 a round. Is that worth it? Mmmmm.... If it is was something like $175 it would be the best course in the US. At $250, its a bit of a stretch. But it is an amazing layout. Fun, hard, visually stunning, lush fairways, awesome traps. Every hole has character. Of course, Ben Hogan says 10, 11 and 16 are the best par 4 ever. Where do you find 3 of the best par 4's on the same back nine?Go and splurge. Just ask the staff to lower the price a bit.

While temporarily lodging at one of my brother's home in Soquel while working part-time, I desired to watch baseball and football. My brother suggested Pasatiempo Golf Club. It was everything he said it would be, plus more. I dined in their roomy yet cozy dining area with a nearly panoramic view of the golf course and surrounding nature. Some diners were also watching the game(s), then continuing to remain lounging to see the outcome of the game(s). It was fun to interact with them about the game(s). The food I ordered was top-notch, comfort food - "fitting the bill" for Fall/Winter season and environment. I would highly recommend Pasatiempo Golf Club for my experiences just shared. Since I am not a golfer, I do not know what it is like to golf on the course. I would quite imagine, though, that it is quite spectacular. Enjoy!!!!!

This classic course is absolutely spectacular and has a beautiful clubhouse restaurant/bar to go along with it. Have enjoyed this property many times over a 20 year period and its food is very consistent.