20 Clubhouse Rd,
Santa Cruz, California 95060
Office
+1 (831) 459 9169Pro shop
+1 (831) 459 9155Fax
+1 (831) 426 0739Website
Visit websiteGolf pro
Ken Woods (Head Professional); Juli Inkster (Touring Professional)The Course:
18 holes. Tree-lined & open parkland. Undulating terrain - several slopes to climb.
Surroundings:
Woodland and residential.
Designer:
Original design by Dr Alister MacKenzie & Robert Hunter; modifications by Tom Doak (1998-2006).
37.004094
-122.025908
24 miles SW of San Jose
From Hwy 17, just north of Santa Cruz, take exit 1 (Pasatiempo Drive). Cross-over to the west side of Hwy 17, and follow Pasatiempo Drive / Clubhouse Road north for o.6 miles to clubhouse.
Pasatiempo
Pasatiempo Golf Club is not just home to a wonderfully designed and challenging Alister MacKenzie golf course, but also the home club of American golfing legend Juli Inkster (see Did You Know section below).
Attempts over many years to "simplify" the course, and especially Mackenzie's original bunkering, were reversed in the mid-1990s. Tom Doak was commissioned as the lead architect in a restoration project that returned Pastiempo to its glorious best, and the bunkering to its most threatening.
On this wonderfully undulating, parkland layout, it's not just the often dramatic and splendid bunkering that needs to be reckoned with. Trees of many varieties pleasantly, though never too densely, line the generally good-width rolling fairways. On the back-nine, two deep barrancas (ravines) will need to be crossed on several occasions, not least in front of the green at the wonderful par-3 closing hole.
The back-nine in particular is where MacKenzie most assuredly tests your course management and shot-making, with elevation changes, sublime bunkering, barrancas and an occasional blind drive all in the mix. The luxury housing around the course is unobtrusive, and where the layout climbs to its highest elevations you will enjoy picturesque views out to the Pacific Ocean.
As its name implies, to "pass time" at Pasatiempo is to indulge in one of those richly rewarding golf experiences that will stay long in the memory. Well worth the stop-over if you are on your way to or from Monterey.
Visitors welcome on weekdays and weekends.
Must book in advance.
Credit cards accepted. Contact club for full details, discounts, packages, etc. [Last updated: 2024].
Non-metal spike facility. Walking permitted. Golf carts available to rent. Caddies available if pre-booked.
Excellent
Top U.S. professional golfer, Juli Inkster has enjoyed a long association with Pasatiempo. Growing-up near the course she developed and honed her skills here, before setting out on an illustrious and highly successful career as one of top women golfers of the modern era. A very well-presented cabinet in the clubhouse displays many of her trophies and provides an excellent insight into her achievements.
Alongside the Inkster display, is another cabinet featuring the life and work of the course designer Dr Alister MacKenzie. In addition to Pasatiempo, another of his "local" designs is Cypress Point, while farther afield, Augusta National and the West Course at Royal Melbourne are listed amongst his finest works. MacKenzie lived the final few years of his life alongside the course at Pasatiempo.
California's 14th best course (Golf Digest, 2025/26).
USA's 93rd best course, and 15th best public access course (Golf Digest, 2025/26).
World's 40th best public access course (Golf World, 2025). Formerly ranked world's 100th best course (GOLF magazine, 1993; not in subsequent editions of this ranking).
6001 La Madrona Drive, Santa Cruz, California 95060
+1 (831) 440 1000
Visit websiteLocated just 4 mls north of Santa Cruz and 2 mls from Pasatiempo Golf Club, this Hilton hotel offers ideal accommodation for business and leisure travelers alike. Close at hand are many local beaches and the famous Santa Cruz Boardwalk. Hotel guests are also situated only 20 mins from San Jose International Airport, 40 mins from Monterey/Carmel and just over an hour from San Francisco.
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Pasatiempo
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1505 Ocean Street, Santa Cruz, California 95060
+1 (831) 457 8000
Visit websiteLocated off Highway 17, the Hampton Inn Santa Cruz provides excellent access to all the area's most popular attractions. Whether cruising the boardwalk, perusing the shops of the historic Downtown retail district or just relaxing on one of many beautiful beaches, you'll find this hotel is well situated in the "town that never shuts down".
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Pasatiempo
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Sony Open in Hawaii: played at Waialae Country Club near Honolulu, the Sony Open takes over the spotlight from The Sentry as the PGA Tour’s calendar-year opening event (Jan 15-18). The Sentry (not being played in 2026) was formerly known as the Tournament of Champions, with a field typically restricted to golfers who won a PGA Tour event in the previous calendar year.
Dubai Desert Classic: the DP World Tour’s first Rolex Series event of 2026, is contested for the 37th time (Jan 22-25). First won by Englishman Mark James in 1989, it now boasts a four-time winner, Rory McIlroy. Played on the Emirates Golf Club’s Majlis course, this once desert-surrounded course is the long-time flagship for Golf in Dubai.
Our visit last month included two rounds at Golf de Chantilly, one of France’s most prestigious clubs.
It offers two superb layouts: Le Vineuil, a five-star championship course with a rich history, and Longères, an excellent four-star course that provides a strong and enjoyable test.
The wider Paris region offers plenty more. Courses such as Fontainebleau, Golf de Saint-Germain, and several other top-rated layouts make this area one of Europe’s most rewarding golf destinations, offering a mix of woodland, heathland, and parkland designs.
The Dutch: "It's no' just a game", as they say in Scotland, and that's certainly true at The Dutch. With 5-star services throughout, a lavishly comfortable Loch Lomond-inspired clubhouse, and a superbly designed and presented golf course, one could not ask for more from this top-end private club.
Join us at The Dutch from August 21–24 for the Festival of Golf, featuring the HotelPlanner Tour. Experience four days of top-tier sport, live music, incredible food, and unexpected surprises. Explore the grounds, connect with others, embrace new challenges, and dive into an unforgettable celebration. Click here to buy tickets.
Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.
Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available
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