Pasatiempo is a gem

[Tom_Doak]

Eric,

# 3 at Merion seems to be a hybrid Redan and much shorter than the 3rd at Pasatiempo.

The 3rd at Pasatiempo is one of the most challenging and architecturally pleasing holes I've ever played

Pat,

I just know that at either hole it's a long iron (3 or 4 for me) and that my low hook is not the preferred method of attack. Isn't short right pretty much dead at either of them?

The hole at Merion is relatively flat.  The hole at Pasatiempo has to play at least 20 feet uphill, maybe 30 feet.  [I'm not in the office, so I can't check the topo map this week.]  In my experience the Pasatiempo hole plays quite a bit longer than Merion's 3rd, but there is a fairway to play to, unlike at Merion which is pretty much all carry to the front of the green.

[Patrick_Mucci]

Tom,

In reality the fronting fairway is steeply sloped and doesn't lend itself to a bailout area or reasonable alternative like # 16 at CPC.

The hole requires a driver or 3-wood if you're a longer hitter.

It's a pretty neat, intimidating hole

[Patrick_Mucci]

Erik,

Short right isn't  the "garden" spot

[JLahrman]

#3 is an extremely difficult, intimidating tee shot.

It's made up for by the fact that none of the other par-3s are nearly as tough - off the tee at least. I believe I recall hitting 8-iron to 5-irons off each of them. Of course, 3-putting is a possibility at Pasa no matter how close your approach winds up.

But the uphill fairway wood to a well-protected green at #3 is just plain difficult, pure and simple.

[Robert Kimball]

Thanks for the great pictures! Brings back memories, I played it back in 2002 pre-Doak restoration and it was still wonderful. 99% of the golfers I play with at my club would look at me sideways if I mentioned Pasatiempo as in my top-5 courses.

Then, all I have to do is say the same guy that designed Augusta was the architect and they would nod their heads with new-found understanding and reverence.

If I tried to begin to explain through example how the two courses have changed over the years and I frankly consider Pasatiempo more MacKenzie than Augusta (especially after the Doak restoration) they would do a "spit take." Oh well.

P.S. They probably wouldn't know who Tom Doak is either. No offense, Tom. I take money off them all the time if it makes you feel better!

-- Rob 

[David_Elvins]

The 3rd at Pasatiempo is one of the most challenging and architecturally pleasing holes I've ever played

It also helps make the course the 'longest' 6500 yards in golf.

[William_G]

Simply put, I loved Pasatiempo.  The wonderful green sites.  Routing through the barranca on the back nine.  Hilly terrain. The scenic par 3s. The course history with Hollins and MacKenie.  The restoration work by Doak and Urbina.  Below are a handful of photos.  

The only regret was that the Hollins House didn't open until 4 pm and we couldn't enjoy a drink on the porch while looking out over the front nine and the ocean in the distance.  That's the vantage point from the first photo below.  


#1  
457 yards

nice pic of #1, just to your right up above the paths is the old #1 Championship tee

phenomenal greens at Pasatiempo there are

[John Cowden]

Ken Venturi, practically a local, called no.3 the toughest par three in golf.