[Jay Flemma]

If you guys had to pick the best straight up architecture of all the Hawaiian courses, what would you choose?

[ed_getka]

I haven't seen a lot in Hawaii, but I would vote for Princeville Prince course. I haven't been to Kapalua.
  The best value I have found is also on Kauai (sp?), a public course back in town towards the airport from Princeville with some holes along the coast. At the time we played it was around $30.
   Most Hawaii golf is WAY overpriced. At least the locals get a great rate.

[John Foley]

The real question is who is #2?

#1 is Kaplua Plantation by a mile.

[rjsimper]

 The best value I have found is also on Kauai (sp?), a public course back in town towards the airport from Princeville with some holes along the coast. At the time we played it was around $30.

That would be Wailua Municipal

[Brad Tufts]

I've played about an 8th of the 80-90 courses in Hawaii, and I'd say even Plantation be #1 by a mile would be a stretch.  It's probably ahead by more.

It could potentially be challenged by a place like Nanea, if anyone ever gets to see it, but I would think Plantation is still better (without knowing anything about Nanea other than it's a Kidd course).

The Kauai Lagoons course is decent, as well as Poipu and Pu'ukea (near the Lihue airport on Kauai).  On Maui, Wailea Gold and the Dunes are decent as well, among those I have played.

I've heard that the Challenge at Manele, Royal Kunia, one of the Turtle Bay courses, Hualalai, Mauna Kea are among the best I haven't seen.

I'm personally not a Princeville fan, though it is a feat of construction.  It's overly penal if not very, very difficult, and is quite an experience.

[Michael Robin]

Anybody been to Nanea yet? Is it any good?

[David Stamm]

I have absolutely no experience playing in Hawaii but from what i've seen in photo's, Kapalua looks awful tough to beat. On the other hand, alot of the courses there just don't appeal to me (maybe I need to see them in  person) so I really can't say. For some odd reason, I've never felt compelled to go there and play. My aunt and uncle have a house on Oahu and the next time I go I may play, but I don't think I would go out of way to play there just for the sake of playing. It just seems to be alot of sizzle and no steak, IMHO.

[John Foley]

I think Manele is very solid, but it's solid because of the property. The terraced holes on the front are very repetative though the 5th par 4 wwas cool w/ it's dead end fairway.

I think that the Prince course at Princeville is also very solid. There are some very good holes (#15 good par 5 and 3 solid 4's to close) but some unmemorable ones also. Other than #1 I don't remember any of the holes on the front and none of the par 3's!

Brad's right Plantation is light years ahead.

[Aidan Bradley]

" don't think I would go out of way to play there just for the sake of playing. It just seems to be alot of sizzle and no steak, IMHO."

David.......how could you not want to spend some time with three good friends on terrain such as these..... I had the good fortune to get a tour of Nanea. It is quite spectacular and looks like a great test of golf and also your stamina, if you walk.

Kuki'o


The Experience


The Challenge


The Wieiskopf


Kuki'o(again)


Ko'olau

[Voytek Wilczak]

Aidan - HOW DO YOU DO IT???

Wow.

[Aidan Bradley]

VW......it's easy.

Get up before the sun, stay on the course 'till it's done.
Push a button once in a while, live life with a smile.

The rest is the "luck of the Irish"

[rjsimper]

Aidan,
If you've been to Nanea, I am sure you have photos.  Are they permanently embargoed?

Ever shot Luana Hills?

[Aidan Bradley]

Ryan..........As I said, I did get a tour of Nanea, but was not permitted to photograph the course. I have shot Luana Hills but do to my own self imposed standards I cannot share those images with you, sorry.

[Jordan Wall]

Kapalua Plantation.

Absolutely stunning too, along with the GCA of the course.
As close to perfect as I have ever played.

[Voytek Wilczak]

VW......it's easy.

Get up before the sun, stay on the course 'till it's done.
Push a button once in a while, live life with a smile.

The rest is the "luck of the Irish"

Alright, I am Polish so I cannot count on the "luck part".  

Do you get your best shots in the morning or the evening light?

(Even I know it cannot be midday... )

[Aidan Bradley]

VW........did you know that the biggest population of Polish people outside of Poland now reside in Ireland(maybe second largest).

"Do you get your best shots in the morning or the evening light?"

Maybe a little more in the evening but not by much.

Did you ever consider puting an "O" between your name? You might just have a little more luck(only applies to non-Irish, just a thought).

[cary lichtenstein]

Prince and Plantation are the 2 best I have played so far.

Both outstanding, Plantation was in much better shape and probably gets the node. Much easier than Prince which I think would beat up most players.

[Voytek Wilczak]

VW........did you know that the biggest population of Polish people outside of Poland now reside in Ireland(maybe second largest).

"Do you get your best shots in the morning or the evening light?"

Maybe a little more in the evening but not by much.

Did you ever consider puting an "O" between your name? You might just have a little more luck(only applies to non-Irish, just a thought).

LOL.

Voytek O'Wilczak. Dunno...

Regarding Ireland - it is amazing that after all those years of the Irish emigrating from Ireland now people (not only Polish, but maybe mostly Polish, cuz they're smart... ) are coming to Ireland.

I think that's great.

The clear benefit for the Irish, of course, is that you'll finally get to taste good kielbasy and pierogies.  

[Jay Flemma]

Interesting...two guys who normally get a hard time here - Jack and Tom W are praised.  Thats nice to see and shows that we are fair minded and give due credit where credit is due.

What do the rest of you think of Ko'olau?
Thanks.

[John_Cullum]

Kapalua Plantation.

Absolutely stunning too, along with the GCA of the course.
As close to perfect as I have ever played.

Thanks Jordan. We've been like the throngs of the faithful in the basilica awaiting to see which course you nominated.

[John Kavanaugh]

Nanea is the only real deal in Hawaii.

[Max Caulkins]

I was lucky enough to play Nanea and Kukio last spring, and thoroughly enjoyed both. Kukio is very nice in the realm of Fazio, resort golf type tracks. From a GCA perspective, it was nothing spectacular, other than the construction costs! There was a rumor of the membership voting to bury a powerline that ran parallel to one of the fairways, constituting an eyesore of epic proportions in the eyes of the membership. The cost of this was to be about 2x of the entire construction budget at Ballyneal! That black lava ain't like sand!
Regardless of how much it cost, I am glad they spent it as it is a very enjoyable course, exactly what I'd want while on vacation in Hawaii!

Nanea is a different animal (other than construction costs). Not sure if it is the "only real deal in Hawaii" but it is very impressive, particularly from tee to green. I found the green complexes to occasionally be a little over the top IMO but that would be my only complaint and a mild one at that. It is visually spectacular at times, the conditioning was absurdly pristine (my flatstick might have liked a little less speed on the greens though) and the layout, particularly from the back tees, was a true test. A friend who is very familiar with both courses told me that Nanea played 3-5 strokes tougher than Kukio. I think it was a few more than that for me!

Both are great courses. From this layman's GCA perspective, Nanea is more impressive but both are a treat. Run to play either but run and jump up and down (privately) to play Nanea.
My $.02.

[Jay Flemma]

Nanea is the only real deal in Hawaii.

What is it you like about this course, John?  What are some of the interesting architectural features?

[John Kavanaugh]

Nanea is the only real deal in Hawaii.

What is it you like about this course, John?  What are some of the interesting architectural features?

Never played anywhere in Hawaii including Nanea...Amazing how I can nail it with such little to work with.

[Steve_ Shaffer]

Nanea, without a doubt.

When Chuck invited me and my advisors last year, I managed to take this photo when no one was looking:

[Tags:]

Tags:

[Tags:]

Tags:

Call to undefined function theme_linktree()