Pasatiempo Golf Course Santa Cruz, California
Pasatiempo Golf Course is a par-70 public course in Santa Cruz, California, playing 6,495 yards from the Gold tees with a rating of 72.5 and slope of 141. Pasatiempo is Alister MacKenzie's self-proclaimed favorite design, perched above Monterey Bay with artistic green complexes and strategic bunkering — and the only original MacKenzie course open to the public.
Course Overview
| Type | Public |
| Holes / Par | 18 holes, par 70 (5 par 3s, 10 par 4s, 3 par 5s) |
| Length | 6,495 yards |
| Rating / Slope | 72.5 / 141 |
| Tee Options | 7 |
| Location | Santa Cruz, California, USA |
| Coordinates | 37.0025, -122.0278 |
Tee Options & Ratings
| Tee | Yards | Metres | Par | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | 6,495 | 5,939 | 70 | 72.5 | 141 |
| Gold/White Combo | 6,222 | 5,689 | 70 | 71.3 | 135 |
| White | 6,093 | 5,571 | 70 | 70.8 | 134 |
| White/Green Combo | 5,780 | 5,285 | 70 | 69.5 | 133 |
| Green | 5,595 | 5,116 | 70 | 68.5 | 132 |
| Green/Hollins Combo | 4,846 | 4,431 | 69 | 64.7 | 122 |
| Hollins | 4,366 | 3,992 | 68 | 62.8 | 116 |
Scorecard
| Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold 72.5/141 | 458 | 430 | 222 | 378 | 190 | 567 | 347 | 176 | 492 | 3260 | 437 | 390 | 371 | 532 | 426 | 142 | 392 | 372 | 173 | 3235 | 6495 |
| Gold/White Combo 71.3/135 | 440 | 430 | 200 | 378 | 172 | 510 | 347 | 176 | 492 | 3145 | 437 | 377 | 371 | 484 | 382 | 142 | 367 | 372 | 145 | 3077 | 6222 |
| White 70.8/134 | 440 | 403 | 200 | 360 | 172 | 510 | 335 | 158 | 471 | 3049 | 437 | 377 | 371 | 484 | 382 | 120 | 367 | 361 | 145 | 3044 | 6093 |
| White/Green Combo 69.5/133 | 458 | 382 | 157 | 360 | 172 | 490 | 335 | 158 | 407 | 2919 | 437 | 316 | 343 | 442 | 330 | 120 | 367 | 361 | 145 | 2861 | 5780 |
| Green 68.5/132 | 458 | 382 | 157 | 316 | 158 | 490 | 325 | 146 | 407 | 2839 | 437 | 316 | 343 | 442 | 330 | 94 | 355 | 352 | 87 | 2756 | 5595 |
| Green/Hollins Combo 64.7/122 | 426 | 275 | 85 | 316 | 145 | 490 | 304 | 146 | 407 | 2594 | 302 | 250 | 343 | 368 | 330 | 94 | 263 | 215 | 87 | 2252 | 4846 |
| Hollins 62.8/116 | 426 | 275 | 85 | 233 | 145 | 264 | 304 | 144 | 407 | 2283 | 302 | 250 | 232 | 368 | 272 | 94 | 263 | 215 | 87 | 2083 | 4366 |
| Par | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 35 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 35 | 70 |
| Hdcp | 4 | 8 | 2 | 16 | 6 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 18 | 5 | 1 | 13 | 15 | 7 | 17 | 3 | 9 |
Which Tees Should You Play?
Multiply your handicap index by 28 and add it to par. If the result exceeds the total yardage divided by 100, move up one tee.
Handicap 0-10: Gold (6,495 yards, 72.5/141)
The back tees offer the full test. Attack the 3 par 5s for birdie opportunities and respect the #1 handicap hole 12 (par 4, 371 yards). Use the shot dispersion model to find optimal targets on every approach.
Handicap 10-20: Green (5,595 yards, 68.5/132)
This tee gives you a realistic chance to reach greens in regulation without brutal carries. Course management is key. Identify trouble spots and plan your misses to the safe side. Use the strokes gained data to find where you're leaving shots on the table.
Handicap 20+: Hollins (4,366 yards, 62.8/116)
From here the course becomes about accuracy, not power. The short par 3 on hole 15 (94 yards) is a genuine birdie chance. Focus on finding fairways and keeping the ball in play.
Hole-by-Hole Highlights
Number 1 handicap hole. At 371 yards it requires two solid shots to find the green.
The easiest hole on the course and a genuine scoring opportunity. Play smart and take your par or better.
The longest hole on the course at 567 yards. Reachable in two for scratch golfers but a true three-shot hole for most. The smart play is two accurate shots to within wedge range.
The shortest par 3 at 142 yards. A wedge or short iron for most players. A birdie opportunity if you find the green.
The #2 handicap hole. A challenging par 3 at 222 yards.
Nearby Courses
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Pasatiempo Golf Course known for?
Pasatiempo Golf Course is known as Alister MacKenzie's personal favorite design. Opened in 1929, it features artistic green complexes, dramatic bunkering, and panoramic views of Monterey Bay. MacKenzie loved the course so much he built his home along its sixth fairway. It is the only original MacKenzie-designed course that remains open to the public.
What is the slope and rating of Pasatiempo Golf Course?
Pasatiempo Golf Course has a course rating of 72.5 and slope of 141 from the back tees. From the Hollins tees, the rating is 62.8 with a slope of 116.
How long is Pasatiempo Golf Course?
From the back tees, Pasatiempo Golf Course plays 6,495 yards. The course is par 70 with 18 holes (5 par 3s, 10 par 4s, 3 par 5s).
What is the hardest hole at Pasatiempo Golf Course?
The number 1 handicap hole is hole 12, a 371-yard par 4 from the back tees.
What tees should I play at Pasatiempo Golf Course?
For handicaps 0-10, play the Gold tees (6,495 yards). Handicaps 20+ should consider the Hollins tees (4,366 yards).
Is Pasatiempo Golf Course public or private?
Pasatiempo Golf Course is a public golf course in Santa Cruz, California. Tee times are available to the public.
What courses are near Pasatiempo Golf Course?
Nearby courses include Valley Gardens Golf Course, Spring Hills Golf Course (Watsonville), Cinnabar Hills Golf Club (San Jose), Saratoga Country Club.
Is there a yardage book for Pasatiempo Golf Course?
Yes. Yards Golf Book offers a personalized digital yardage book for Pasatiempo Golf Course with hole-by-hole maps, shot dispersion analysis, strokes gained heatmaps, and club recommendations tailored to your handicap and distances. You can view it online or download a printable PDF.
Does Pasatiempo Golf Course have strokes gained data?
Yes. Yards Golf Book runs a 1,000-shot Monte Carlo simulation on every hole, factoring in your handicap, club distances, shot shape, and the actual hazard layout. The model recommends the best club and target for each shot.
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