How to Play Pasatiempo: Mastering MacKenzie's Greens and Barrancas

Pasatiempo, in the hills above Santa Cruz, is one of golf's most treasured courses. Marion Hollins brought in Dr. Alister MacKenzie to design it, and when it opened in 1929, Bobby Jones played in the opening match. MacKenzie liked it so much that he built a home along the 6th fairway and lived there until his death. He reportedly considered it among his best work, ahead of even Cypress Point and Augusta National.

At around 6,500 yards and par 70, Pasatiempo isn't long. Its defense is in the greens, the bunkers and the barrancas, the deep ravines that cut across several holes. A recent restoration led by Jim Urbina brought the greens back toward MacKenzie's original shapes. If you love classic architecture, strategic golf and creative short game, this is a pilgrimage. If you rely on bombing the ball and hoping, expect some humbling moments on the greens.

Before you go

• Book in advance. Pasatiempo is semi-private but welcomes outside play. Tee times are in demand, so plan ahead and be flexible with your dates.
• Walk if you're able. The course is hilly but walkable, and walking lets you appreciate MacKenzie's routing. A caddie can be a huge help on the greens.
• Choose your tees honestly. Even at modest yardage, the course plays longer than it looks because of uphill holes and elevated greens. Most mid-handicappers will be happy around 6,000 yards or a little less.
• Expect fast, sloping greens. Practice lag putting and short uphill putts before your round.
• Plan for coastal weather. Morning fog is common near Santa Cruz, and afternoon breezes can pick up. Dress in layers.
• Visit the MacKenzie history. There's plenty to see around the property, including his former home beside the 6th fairway.

Hole-by-hole strategy

Hole 1: a scenic opener

The 1st is a long par 4, around 450 yards from the back, from an elevated tee with views toward Monterey Bay. The fairway has no bunkers and slopes left. Aim right-center and let the slope bring the ball back. Your approach is long, so a bogey isn't a disaster.

Hole 3: the long uphill par 3

At around 220 yards from the back, the 3rd plays uphill and can feel a club or more longer than the yardage. Many players come up short. Take more club than you think and aim for the middle. A ball on the green is a great outcome.

Hole 6: MacKenzie's backyard

The par-5 6th runs through a narrow corridor lined with houses and trees, including MacKenzie's former home. Accuracy matters more than distance. Hit a club you can keep in the fairway off the tee and play the hole in three solid shots.

Hole 8: the downhill par 3

The 8th is a short par 3 of around 175 yards that plays downhill to a green with strategic contours. It looks inviting but is deceptively difficult. Take a little less club for the drop, aim for the safe part of the green, and expect a tricky putt.

Hole 10: the toughest hole

The 10th is rated the hardest hole on the course. A barranca must be carried off the tee, and the green kicks hard to the left. Make sure your tee club comfortably clears the hazard. On the approach, aim to the right of the green and let the slope feed the ball left. Missing left can leave a nearly impossible recovery.

Hole 11: across the barranca

The 11th requires an approach over the barranca, with a bridge crossing the hazard. The green is large but full of movement, and pin positions change the hole dramatically. Prioritize a solid tee shot so your approach is from a comfortable distance, and aim for the safe side of the flag.

Hole 12: the severe slope

The 12th plays from an elevated tee over a valley to a green with a severe right-to-left slope. Aim right and let the green bring the ball toward the hole. Being above the hole here is a recipe for three putts.

Holes 13 and 14: bunkers and a trench

The 13th is a par 5 of about 530 yards from the back, and its green is framed by five bold bunkers with the flashed-sand faces MacKenzie loved. Plan your layup so your third shot comes in from a full wedge, high enough to carry the sand and stop. Short-siding yourself here usually means a tough bunker shot to a fast green. The 14th is a par 4 of roughly 425 yards with a trench cutting across the fairway. Know the distance to it before you tee off and choose a club that stays short or carries it comfortably. The green is open at the front, so this is one of the best places on the course to bump an approach onto the surface rather than flying it all the way.

Hole 15: short but dangerous

The 15th is a short par 3, only around 140 yards from the back, but the angled green offers limited pin positions and punishes misses. Take a club you can control, aim for the center, and accept a two-putt par.

Hole 16: the three-tier green

The 16th is a mid-length par 4 with a semi-blind tee shot and one of the most famous greens in golf, split into three tiers. Your goal is to land on the same tier as the flag. Check your yardage carefully and commit. If you miss the right tier, focus on lag putting rather than trying to make it.

Hole 18: a par-3 finish

Pasatiempo ends with a par 3, around 175 yards from the back, with bunkers recreated in MacKenzie's style and a heavily contoured green. It's an unusual and memorable finish. Take enough club to reach the putting surface and aim for the middle of the green.

Scoring tips for mid-handicappers

• Stay below the hole. The greens are steep and fast. An uphill putt is far easier than a downhill slider.
• Respect the barrancas. When in doubt, lay up short of the ravine and take an extra shot rather than risking a lost ball.
• Club up on uphill shots. Several approaches play significantly longer than the yardage. Pay attention to elevation.
• Play from the fairway. The course isn't long, so you don't need driver on every hole. A fairway wood or hybrid off the tee can be a smarter play.
• Use the open fronts. Where MacKenzie left the entrance to a green open, a running approach is a high-percentage shot for mid-handicappers.
• Get comfortable in bunkers. MacKenzie's bunkers are large and deep. Spend some time in the practice bunker before you play.

Pasatiempo rewards thought, patience and touch. Play smart, stay below the hole and enjoy the history, and you'll see why MacKenzie loved it.