Pasatiempo Golf Course

Pasatiempo Golf Course

Maybe not as well known as the course deserves to be, Pasatiempo Golf course does hold a somewhat cult status between true golfing aficionados. Pasatiempo is quite possibly the very best public golf course in the world and designed by the very great Dr. Alistair Mackenzie who made a home on the 6th Fairway where he resided until his passing in 1934. Of course, most would know Mackenzie for the design of Augusta National, Cypress Point, and Royal Melbourne. Rumour, has it that Pasatiempo was Mackenzie’s favourite ever design. The course is the finest example to come from the ‘Golden Age’ of course design. The Challenge sits at just 6,500 yards and with a Par of 70 from the back tees which in itself is very rare. Mackenzie did what he was very best at though with Pasatiempo and keeps players interested from the very first tee shot to the very last putt. 

The back nine holes are simply inspiring the way the course has been designed around the barrancas and you will not find a better designed, masterful, and fair golf course design anywhere on the globe. What Mackenzie perhaps is best known for is his use of camouflage. He had a way of playing with bunkers so that on approach to greens you would clearly see all of the bunkers in play. However once passed the bunkers and on the green, if you look back they will have disappeared. He mastered his trade of camouflage during the war where he was considered to be an expert. You will find amazing examples of camouflage and plays with the deception of distance on all Mackenzie designed tracks.