Hole 9 at Pasatiempo Golf Club

Par 5 • 500 Yards • Santa Cruz, California

Enhanced Content

Moderate

The 9th hole at Pasatiempo marks the culmination of Dr. Alister MacKenzie's "relaxed" front nine, where the renowned architect's straightforward design philosophy creates deceptive challenges beneath serene tree-lined corridors. As golfers prepare to turn toward the back nine's intimidating barrancas, this closing hole of the outward journey demands both precision and strategic thinking.

Tees:

500y473y420y

Green:31y × 35y

Fairway @250y:64y wide

6 Bunkers dogleg

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Pasatiempo Golf Club

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Hole Stats

Par: 5
Yardage: 500 yds
Green: 4690 sq ft
Bunkers: 6
Course Slope: 140
Course Rating: 72.3

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A dependable fairway wood can turn this par 5 into a real birdie chance.

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Strategy Tips

tee shot

This downhill par 5 offers generous landing areas with the fairway expanding from 53 yards wide at 200 yards to 64 yards wide at 250 yards. Take advantage of the downhill slope and wider target zone by playing aggressively with driver to set up a potential eagle opportunity.

approach

With three greenside bunkers clustered tightly around the putting surface at 470, 485, and 501 yards, your second shot placement is critical. Lay up to 100-120 yards to avoid these hazards and leave a comfortable wedge into the relatively compact 4,690 square foot green.

green

The green measures just 31 yards by 35 yards - quite small for a par 5 - making precision essential on your approach. MacKenzie's design rewards accuracy over distance, so focus on hitting the correct portion of this compact target rather than attacking pins.

hazard warning

Beware of the three strategically placed bunkers guarding the green between 470-501 yards. These MacKenzie-designed hazards are positioned to catch aggressive second shots, so consider the risk-reward carefully based on your lie and distance remaining.

approach

At 500 yards total length, this hole is reachable in two for longer hitters, but the compact 4,690 square foot green and surrounding bunkers make the aggressive play extremely risky. Most players should treat this as a three-shot hole and focus on position over power.

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This 500-yard par 5 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

Scoring on par 5s starts with a smart second shot. Laying up to your favorite wedge distance gives you the best birdie chance.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can this par 5 be reached in two?

At 500 yards, Reachable in two for longer hitters. Consider laying up short of hazards if going for it is risky.

How difficult is hole 9?

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

What hazards should I watch out for on hole 9?

Key hazards include: 3 greenside bunkers. Plan your shots to avoid these trouble spots.

How big is the green on hole 9?

The green is medium-sized with moderate targets. Pay attention to pin placement when selecting your approach club.

What's a good score on hole 9?

This hole is a solid birdie opportunity with smart layup strategy. Most golfers can reach in three. Position your layup to leave a comfortable wedge.

Can I practice hole 9 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 par 5 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 →