is pasatiempo @ $345 worth it?

[JohnDrives2222]

One of my friends is leaving bay area, so we are trying to get one last round in at a top-tier course in the area.

 

I've always wanted to go play pasa, but it's now at $345 + $45 (the reservation fee), which pretty much makes it the most expensive tee time beside Pebble.

Given I have duke's membership, a round at spyglass would be around $250, so the thought experiment of the day is, would you pay ~$400 to play Pasatiempo or ~$300 to play Spyglass? 😛

[goaliedad30]

I've played Pasatiempo a number of times. If you're a fan of truly strategic golf course architecture, and have never played it, it's a chance to see some of MacKenzie's signature work. At $400, I really don't play it much any more. 

 

Spyglass you get the ocean views at the start, and just a tough track. Heck, for the same money you could play Spyglass AND Pacific Dunes, and make a day of it ....

 

TL;DR Unless you're an architecture geek, play Spyglass.

[JohnDrives2222]

8 hours ago, goaliedad30 said:

I've played Pasatiempo a number of times. If you're a fan of truly strategic golf course architecture, and have never played it, it's a chance to see some of MacKenzie's signature work. At $400, I really don't play it much any more. 

 

Spyglass you get the ocean views at the start, and just a tough track. Heck, for the same money you could play Spyglass AND Pacific Dunes, and make a day of it ....

 

TL;DR Unless you're an architecture geek, play Spyglass.

 

yeah, we're leaning towards spyglass for sure. Like you said, for the same money, we can play spyglass + throw in the Hay or other things at the resort 🙂

 

Hopefully I get to play pasa at some point too though

 

 

[North Texas]

Pasatiempo is one of my favorite courses that I have ever played but I just don't know that I would pay $400 to play it again. 

 

That being said, if my choices were Pasa for $400 or Spyglass for $300, I'm paying the extra $100 and playing Pasa at least 8 times out of 10. And, yes, I have played Spyglass

[mci711]

Pasa > Spyglass even at $100 more in my opinion. I've only played each once, but I loved Pasa, it became an instant favorite. 

[sharkiesj]

Has your friend played Pasa?  If not, play Pasa.  If he has then play Spy and play Pasa on your own when you can find a cheaper time on golfnow during the summer.  

[cassel191919]

I played it for the first time in February and I think it is worth every penny, I can't wait to play it again.

[hammergolf]

Admittedly Pasa is one of my favorite courses in the world. I agree $400 is steep, but given your choices, I would definitely pay the $100 more and play Pasa. It’s a much better design and if you’re driving from SF you’ll prob save the $100 in gas not driving all the way down to Monterey and back….

[tw422]

Didn't read the other replies but my short answer is yes, it is worth it.  Considering the golf economy right now that's market rate for a historic (and great) public course built by a Top 3 golf architect.  Is it Pebble?  No, doesn't have ocean views.  But what are your alternatives?  Not many public golf courses that are kept in that condition, with the architecture and history that Pasa offers.  Save up, play it and enjoy yourself.  

[mci711]

18 hours ago, tw422 said:

Didn't read the other replies but my short answer is yes, it is worth it.  Considering the golf economy right now that's market rate for a historic (and great) public course built by a Top 3 golf architect.  Is it Pebble?  No, doesn't have ocean views.  But what are your alternatives?  Not many public golf courses that are kept in that condition, with the architecture and history that Pasa offers.  Save up, play it and enjoy yourself.  

 

You are selling Pasa short... You can see the ocean on 1 tee! 😂

[Mullenboy]

"Is it worth it" questions to me are silly because it completely depends on personal issues... ie how much is too much for any round?  Have you played it before?  Will you play it again?  Are you an architecture geek such that the MacKenzie pedigree means something?  

 

I live 1/2 hr drive from Pasa.  I have played it many times.  It's a great course and I do love it so.  But will I pay $350+?  No freaking way.  I'll wait for an event, or a member to invite me, or some other deep discount.

 

But if someone has few financial issues.... wants to see it once for sure... does love the architecture stuff.... then hell yes it's worth it.  A great man once said "you can't put a price tag on a great time."

 

 

[fjk]

On 5/16/2022 at 4:19 PM, goaliedad30 said:

I've played Pasatiempo a number of times. If you're a fan of truly strategic golf course architecture, and have never played it, it's a chance to see some of MacKenzie's signature work. At $400, I really don't play it much any more. 

 

Spyglass you get the ocean views at the start, and just a tough track. Heck, for the same money you could play Spyglass AND Pacific Dunes, and make a day of it ....

 

TL;DR Unless you're an architecture geek, play Spyglass.

I hope I’m wrong but do you mean pac grove? 😂 

[DandyDon]

I wouldn't pay 400, I have played it twice and have no problem spending a lot of money for courses.  Are you playing Spanish Bay, if not, I would play there before I would play Pasa.  

[grega79]

If you have some flexibility in when you can play check out teeoff.com.  The usually have a couple of discounted times per day and they also often have coupons of 20% off that you can add on. As an example you can play next Wednesday at 11:20 for $220 per person.  $275 - 20% coupon SHOPNSAVE.  You can even book pretty far in advance for $300-310 

[Pepperturbo]

Presuming Pasatiempo is in really nice condition, I'd go with Spyglass for the money.  That said, no course is worth over $200.  So when I pay that, it just is what it is... 

[sharkiesj]

Just got this email today. If it makes a difference to you either way…
 

[sharkiesj]

[mark174ace]

400 is definitely steep. I played their back when the rates were below 300 and all 3 times I played was on Thanksgiving Day when the rates were a little discounted. Since I have played it before I am not sure I would go back for 400. 

[SouthBayGolfer]

12 hours ago, sharkiesj said:

Just got this email today. If it makes a difference to you either way…
 

Dang, 8 months for greens restoration seems like a long time! 

[callawayjay]

I’ll let you know on the evening of 7/6 after I’m finished. 
 

price is relative. As I’ve gotten older my family and I vacation at pebble about every other year. I’m an introvert by nature and enjoy playing by myself

 

the times I’ve spent at spyglass and pebble beach is something I cherish and will continue to do as long as my wallet, body, and family can take going to. 
 

i cant wait. 

[tad950]

I've played both courses a handful of times over the decades. And I prefer Spyglass. But if you've never played Pasatiempo, I certainly wouldn't discourage you from playing it. It's never going to get any cheaper.

[Nels55]

I would play Spyglass.  I played Pasatiempo a few times last year though and I have not played Spyglass in several years.  LOL I am not much of a course critic and I could not tell you why Pasatiempo design in superior to Spyglass...  I like both courses pretty well I guess!

[jjr]

I've played both Pasa and Spyglass dozens of times, $400 is steep, if one of you has never played Pasa I would play there.

 

DandyDon what are you smoking? Spanish over Pasa?

[AUTIGER07]

I played it for the 1st time last year at the $400 rate. Overall it lived up to the hype for me and it's instantly in my top 10 I've ever played.

 

That said, would I pay $400 to play it again? Probably not but at $400+ I'm reserving those rounds for knocking off remaining top 100 tracks I haven't played before such as Pebble, Spyglass, Whistling Straits, etc.. I have noticed after Pasatiempo aerates their greens the green fees are reduced to ~$165 for 2-3 weeks after so if you could grab one of those times at the end of period it would be an absolute steal in my opinion.

[ebrasmus21]

I played it a few years back on GolfNow for I think 185.00. 
 

It’s an amazing course. 

[Pepperturbo]

On 5/19/2022 at 9:50 AM, SouthBayGolfer said:

Dang, 8 months for greens restoration seems like a long time! 

Actually 8 months is considered short.  Most high-end courses shut-down for a year, sometimes longer.  Reason, their green subsurfaces are NOTHING like the greens encountered at most courses.  Even more, if they are building them up to old standards, when they open will depend on how they are constructed and turf.

[SouthBayGolfer]

16 hours ago, Pepperturbo said:

Actually 8 months is considered short.  Most high-end courses shut-down for a year, sometimes longer.  Reason, their green subsurfaces are NOTHING like the greens encountered at most courses.  Even more, if they are building them up to old standards, when they open will depend on how they are constructed and turf.

Shows how much I know. I would be disappointed if I were a member for those 8 months though. 

[JohnDrives2222]

 

On 5/18/2022 at 12:19 PM, grega79 said:

If you have some flexibility in when you can play check out teeoff.com.  The usually have a couple of discounted times per day and they also often have coupons of 20% off that you can add on. As an example you can play next Wednesday at 11:20 for $220 per person.  $275 - 20% coupon SHOPNSAVE.  You can even book pretty far in advance for $300-310 

 

thanks for the tip here! definitely going to checkout those sites for some future tee times 🙂

I'm hoping to play there before they start the renovation—I want to experience their "original" greens before they change them up

[iGolf67]

On 5/16/2022 at 6:59 PM, JohnDrives2222 said:

One of my friends is leaving bay area, so we are trying to get one last round in at a top-tier course in the area.

 

I've always wanted to go play pasa, but it's now at $345 + $45 (the reservation fee), which pretty much makes it the most expensive tee time beside Pebble.

Given I have duke's membership, a round at spyglass would be around $250, so the thought experiment of the day is, would you pay ~$400 to play Pasatiempo or ~$300 to play Spyglass? 😛

I think it depends on what the individual values. For some they are okay with paying that kind of money to play a round of golf. I don't happen to be one of them.  There is no right or wrong to it...it's simply a choice an individual makes. 

[vallygolf]

20 hours ago, iGolf67 said:

I think it depends on what the individual values. For some they are okay with paying that kind of money to play a round of golf. I don't happen to be one of them.  There is no right or wrong to it...it's simply a choice an individual makes. 

This is so true.  I have a golf friend that always whines about greens fees, but has no problem with the lease for his high end automobile which is over 1k/month.  I would much rather keep the memories and experiences of 1K worth of good golf a month.  Not right or wrong, just preferences.  For me I have no issues dropping $400 for an elite course.....but I drive a ho hum car.