Hole 4 at Pasatiempo Golf Club

Par 4 • 378 Yards • Santa Cruz, California

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The 4th hole at Pasatiempo stands as one of Alister MacKenzie's most dramatic creations, featuring what has been called "the most famous and terrifying chasm in golf." This challenging par 4 exemplifies MacKenzie's chess-like design philosophy that he would later refine at Augusta National. The hole demands both courage and precision to successfully navigate its intimidating terrain.

Tees:

378y358y343y

Green:21y × 46y

Fairway @250y:64y wide

8 Bunkers dogleg

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Pasatiempo Golf Club

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Hole Stats

Par: 4
Yardage: 378 yds
Green: 4838 sq ft
Bunkers: 8
Course Slope: 140
Course Rating: 72.3

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Recommended Gear

Bunkers everywhere — a versatile wedge is your scoring club on this hole.

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Strategy Tips

tee shot

This is the narrowest hole on the course, so accuracy trumps distance off the tee. With the fairway measuring only 64 yards wide at the 250-yard mark, consider using your most reliable fairway wood or long iron to ensure you find the short grass for your approach shot.

approach

The green is relatively small at just 4,838 square feet (21x46 yards), making accuracy crucial on your approach. Club up and aim for the center of the green rather than attacking pins, especially with MacKenzie's notoriously fast putting surfaces awaiting.

hazard warning

Three bunkers guard the green area at 353, 364, and 388 yards from the tee. These greenside bunkers are strategically placed to catch both short approaches and shots that run through the green, so be precise with your distance control.

green

The green's 21-yard width creates a narrow target that drops off steeply at the back. Be extremely cautious with back pin positions - it's better to be below the hole on these lightning-fast MacKenzie greens than risk running off the back edge.

tee shot

At 378 yards, this hole rewards strategic positioning over pure distance. The fairway is more generous at 78 yards wide at the 200-yard mark, so focus on placing your tee shot in this optimal landing area for the best approach angle.

train this shot at home

This 378-yard par 4 is ideal for working on your driver accuracy. Launch monitors from $600 let you practice this exact shot with real course data from home.

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Scoring Tip

With bunkers guarding the green, pick the side with the most room and let the slope feed the ball toward the pin.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best strategy off the tee?

For this 378-yard par 4, most players will hit 3-wood or driver to set up a comfortable approach.

How difficult is hole 4?

This hole is a good scoring opportunity for most golfers. Key challenges include: heavily bunkered.

What hazards should I watch out for on hole 4?

Key hazards include: 5 greenside bunkers. Plan your shots to avoid these trouble spots.

How big is the green on hole 4?

The green is medium-sized with moderate targets. The green is deeper than wide, so club selection is crucial. Pay attention to pin placement when selecting your approach club.

What's a good score on hole 4?

This hole is a medium-length test where par is a solid result. A straightforward par 4 where course management pays off.

Can I practice hole 4 on a golf simulator at home?

Yes — many modern launch monitors and simulators include real course data for Pasatiempo Golf Club. You can play this exact 378-yard par 4 shot-by-shot at home. Entry-level options like the SkyTrak+ (around $2,500) and Garmin Approach R10 (around $600) support course play, while premium systems from Trackman and Foresight offer tour-level accuracy. Most systems pay for themselves in a season or two versus green fees and range balls. Shop home golf simulators →