Inn at Pasatiempo

It's not everyday you can play an Alister Mackenzie public course, as most of his great work are reserved for the private side (Augusta, Cypress Point, Royal Melbourne, Crystal Downs.) On this occasion, I flew from Phoenix to San Francisco (with a work stopover in Florida) just to get a round in on this masterpiece.

I was a single but got paired up with a local which made the pace of play more manageable (wasn't going to be setting a land speed record on a Saturday afternoon.) I played Pasatiempo last July in the middle of the California drought. This time around the course, while still dry, was in much better shape.

What makes this course so special are the greens and bunkers. Tom Doak did a fabulous job in his restoration. I've been to Augusta and have played Victoria Golf Club in Melbourne, and I can see the similarities at Pasatiempo. I would hate to play these greens when they are firm and fast.

My favorite green has to be #16, a diabolical triple-tiered green that you need to hit your approach on the correct level (the pin was on the middle tier and I came up about a foot short and my ball rolled back down off the front of the green.)

Overall, it was a great round and I highly recommend this course to anyone with an appreciation for courses designed and built in the golden age of architecture. The course is also not overly difficult for the average golfer.

This course, because of the drought in California, is in horrible condition, I was lucky to find a patch of grass in the "fairway". To top it off the maintenance crew had no clue as to how to clear the way for the players. One crewman stood in front of the green hand watering without a hard hat and no intention of moving while I was trying to hit an approach shot.
They offered a $50 discount for the next round, I live 500 miles away, what am I going to do with that?
SAVE YOUR MONEY!

I have never heard of one golf course that has so much hype in my life. I was a bit worried because everyone raved about this golf course being in their top 3. I thought there was no way this place could be that good. I have played a lot of high end golf courses in the area, and this one is phenomenal. The uniqueness of the design in unmatched. Every hole is a great hole and I was never bored. Walking the course gave me a big appreciation for the details. It was the second highest green fee that I have played, behind Spyglass, and it was worth every penny. I highly recommend playing this golf course at least once in your life, you will not regret it.

I played Blackhorse and Bayonet, Ranch Canada, Pastiatempo, Half Moon Bay, and Pacific Grove on my trip. Pastiatempo is in a league of its own. Outstanding course! If you want a challenge you have it with this course. These greens are the toughest I've ever played on due to speed and slopes. But they roll true. An amazing golf experience. Best I've probably ever had. Play this course ASAP.

Architect Alistair MacKenzie lived on the course and called the 16th the best par-4 ever designed. Painstakingly restored a few years ago by Tom Doak, the course is memorable in so many ways. The back nine may be among the top 5 in all of golf. Every hole is special, with the possible exception of the par-3 18th, but that might be nitpicking. Definitely a must-play if you have the opportunity.