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HAWAII FOCUS:
Hawaii's Great 18 This week we are going to visit four islands as we present a unique feature… Hawaii's Great 18 that you can play. We're going to show you some of the best golf holes in the 50th state. The Great 18 is a mix of island golf that totals over 7500 yards with a par of 73. The number of the hole on our Great 18 corresponds with the number of the hole on the home course. #1 Plantation Course (Par 4, 520 yards)
This might be the best first tee setting on the PGA Tour… certainly the view is here at Kapalua's Plantation Course. This is a sweeping downhill par four that plays well over 500 yards. When the first shot is struck here each January it signals a new season in golf. A par is always a good way to start here.
#2 Wailea Emerald Course (Par 5, 532 yards)
Our second hole is also on the island of Maui at the Wailea Resort. This is #2 on the Emerald Course an uphill par five that demands strategy as much as length. The bunkering is beautiful at #2 and so is the scenery.
#3 Mauna Kea Golf Course (Par 3, 261 yards)
For our third hole we head over to the BIG Island to visit the famous par three 3rd at the Mauna Kea Resort. This magnificent hole plays all the way over the crashing Pacific below and can be stretched to nearly 260 yards. This hole has been the site of many memorable shots including those of the Big 3 back in the 1960's.
#4 Kapalua Bay Course (Par 4, 357 yards)
Our fourth hole is back on Maui, its #4 on Kapalua's Bay Course. This is a cute little oceanfront par four than can be played several different ways. Most players choose to lay-up with something less than driver off the tee. But if you're feeling strong this green can be driven.
#5 Royal Ka'anapali Golf Course (Par 4 444 yards)
To play our fifth hole we only have to drive about six miles down the road to Royal Ka'anapali. Number 5 here is a beautiful and demanding par four that plays right out to the ocean. The 5th green here is not an easy target because it is deep but not very wide.
#6 Makena North Course (Par 4, 337 yards)
For #6 we stay on the island of Maui but visit its south shore. This is #6 on Makena's North Course an up hill par split by a ravine. The route to the right is safer but longer… the route to the left is riskier but shorter. Either way this is a wonderful par four.
#7 Mauna Lani South Course (Par 3, 214 yards)
#7 at Mauna Lani's South Course on the Big Island of Hawaii is one of the most spectacular par threes you'll find anywhere. Enjoy the beauty but keep your concentration here because the tee shot is a tough one and the huge three tiered green is difficult to putt.
#8 Wailea Gold Course (Par 3, 216 yards)
For our 8th hole we go back to Maui to play another par three 8th on Wailea's Gold Course. The great view here is matched by the shot value required on the tee. This green is best approached coming slightly from the left.
#9 Royal Kunia Country Club (Par 5, 621 yards)
Our finishing hole on the Great 18's front nine is a massive par five on the island of Oahu… #9 at Royal Kunia. The views of Pearl Harbor are breathtaking but don't let your mind wander too much here because this is 621 yards of potential trouble.
The par for the front nine of Hawaii's Great 18 is 35. But now we're going to come home with a par of 38.
#10 Hualalai Golf Course (Par 5, 547 yards)
The back nine of our Great 18 begins on the Big Island at Hualalai. The 10th here is a par five that plays back away from the ocean toward the slopes of Mauna Kea far in the distance. I particularly like the green site here which for the long hitters requires a shot that must carry the ominous sand and lava fronting the green.
#11 Turtle Bay Palmer Course (Par 4, 433 yards)
To play #11 we go back to Oahu and the fabulous Palmer Course at Turtle Bay. This is a dogleg right par four that generally plays into the trade winds. There is water down the entire right side and fronting the green. At 433 yards this hole is a great test and a very valuable par if you can make one.
#12 Waikoloa Beach Course (Par 5, 502 yards)
Next we go back to the Big Island to play an oceanfront par five at Waikoloa's Beach Course. This is a gorgeous hole that turns sharply to the left at first and then hugs the lava lined sea shore all the way to the green.
#13 Prince Course, Kauai (Par 4, 382 yards)
Next we make our first trip to the island of Kauai and visit the Prince Course on its North Shore. This is the dogleg right par four 13th hole which has a very jungle like feeling. The second shot plays slightly up hill to a unique green setting complete with a waterfall as the backdrop.
#14 Makena North Course (Par 5, 620 yards)
Back on Maui Makena North's 14th hole plays to 620 yards but down hill all the way. The vistas here are breathtaking as the hole doglegs on three separate occasions. When you reach this green you'll want to go back to the tee for one more ride.
#15 Mauna Lani South Course (Par 3, 196 yards)
Over on the Big Island the South Course at Mauna Lani features one of the most photographed holes on earth, the par three 15th. The tee shot here is not as difficult as some of our others but the scenery is jaw dropping.
#16 Poipu Bay Golf Course (Par 4, 501 yards)
Our farthest journey from island to island is from the Big Island to Kauai where we play the 16th at Poipu Bay. This is a dramatic par four that can play to over 500 yards. The left hand side poses trouble all the way and the ancient rock wall reminds you not to hit your ball over there.
#17 Hualalai Golf Course (Par 3, 161 yards)
The next to last hole in our round is back on the Big Island at Hualalai. The par three 17th here is an oceanfront gem. At just over 160 yards distance is not really an issue here but keeping your concentration can be.
#18 Kapalua Plantation Course (Par 5, 663 yards)
The finishing hole of our Great 18 is right back on the course where we began the round Kapalua's Plantation Course on Maui. This hole is stunning and long. At 663 yards its one of the longest holes on the PGA Tour. The hole plays severely downhill though and because of this elevation change you may well hit the longest drive of your life here. And by the way save your best putts for this very tough green.
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About Golf Hawaii
Golf News
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Contact
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Site Map
©2007 Golf Hawaii. All rights reserved.