Inn at Pasatiempo

Disappointing round of golf. I was a single and I was hoping to be paired with others. There was no starter and I ended up playing with a woman who only played 9 holes so I was left to play a difficult course without local knowledge.

The course is very difficult and needs more tee boxes for seniors.

I recently had the chance to play Pasatiempo while visiting Santa Cruz. It obviously has a reputation as one of the best courses in the country, and is rumored to be Alister MacKenzie's favorite design. That's a lot of hype!

As an older course on a smaller property, there isn't much in the way of a practice area. While understandable, it's not what you might expect from a top notch course. So just be prepared for that. Cause once you get on course it won't matter.

On the front 9, I was taken by the views of the surrounding trees and even some ocean. I appreciated the subtle misdirections and bunkering, but wasn't totally blown away by the course. Although, I should note all three par 3s on the front are awesome and challenging.

As I made the turn I was wondering if this would just be a "very good" course... then the back 9 happened. Right away, you face a different looking tee shot on 10, but it's the second shot where I really had my first "oh my gosh" moment. Things only got better from there. Most of the back 9 plays around a barranca that influences almost every shot. That combined with the bunkering keeps you on your toes, but also provides some incredible looking golf. I can safely say this is among the best 9 holes I've ever played.

In the end, I left impressed. The price is a bit steep, but I think it's justified. This is truly a gem of a course.

Absolutely amazing experience. Service was excellent from the time you step on the property to the time you leave. The course was in amazing shape and every hole was different and picture-worthy. Can't wait to be back.

1.Cypress Point

2.Spyglass

3.Pasatiempo

4.Bayonet

5.Montreux-Reno,

Pebble missed the cut, and I havent played Bandon yet.

TOUGH COURSE WITH LOTS OF CHANGING TERRAIN AND UNDULATING GREENS.

Great challenging course. Greens are fast and difficult especially if you are above the hole. Walked the course but recommend taking a cart since lots of uphill and downhill approaches. Played with a person who knew the course and he helped guide me where to hit my shots.

This a municipal course that charges way too much for what they offer. It would worthwhile to just walk around the course without playing since it has beautiful flora and an ocean view. But it's definitely not worth the $35 booking fee + $40 cart fee (per person) + $325 green fee. The greens were in pretty good shape but the fairways, no. Also, be prepared for very, very slow play. As far as I could tell there was no monitoring of pace of play but it so, it was not enforced. Our round took 5 1/2 hours and we were waiting excessively at almost every hole. The staff was friendly but not close to the service level one would expect at a course with these high fees.