Why aren't more holes Like Kapalua #6

[John_Cullum]

I would love to play Kapalua one day because of its history. I believe Ernie Els 31 under in 2003 was the best 72 hole performance of all time. He won by 8.

[Gary Slatter]

I haven't played Kapalua, but I've played plenty of courses on hilly terraine, and I've got to say that the concept of #6 does not seem that difficult to replicate on the right piece of land -- and Maui is not the only landform in the world where such can be found.

I think architects are more likely to use steep drop-offs like the one behind this green for a drop-shot par 3, rather than risk the wrath of golfers who overshoot this green as a par 4 and lose their ball in the jungle. Personally, I'd love to see more holes like this, and I think almost anywhere you find hills (or mountains), you could do it -- presuming you could convince the course owner to go along with the idea.

I agree, most architects use this type of terrain to build downhill par three holes - The White Witch (Von Hagge Baril 2000) in Montego Bay had some superb hills and ended up with too many par threes from elevated tees.

[Eric Franzen]

Courses like Kapalua Plantation really let the pro's shine. There have been a good variety of different short game shots during the first two rounds that we rarely see on the regular PGA Tour stop.
Already looking forward to the broadcast of day 3.

[SPDB]

I recall Murcar #3 possessing many of the same qualities. While not nearly as steep a drop off from the middle of the hole to the green and somewhat longer at 400+ yards, the F&F conditions and the prevailing following wind makes it play much in the same way. The numerous humps and hollows makes driving the green a very dicey proposition.

From the tee (with Royal Aberdeen (and the Scottish Junior in progress) in the background)



From the hole's midsection looking down toward the green.



The green is set in a little dell. Looking back up the hill:

[Jordan Wall]

I would love to play Kapalua one day because of its history. I believe Ernie Els 31 under in 2003 was the best 72 hole performance of all time. He won by 8.

That's an amazing score.

I remember shooting 85 and being thrilled.
Not to mention, I didn't even play back.
That is one hard course.

-31 is unbelievable!