I have spent some time in Hawaii the last couple of years and thought I’d compile a list with some thoughts about the courses I’ve played. This isn’t necessarily a list of the architecturally best courses but of the courses I enjoy playing the most. Golf in Hawaii is about the total experience. Beauty is certainly one of the components. The best courses. however, also requires some strategy and execution.
So, here it is.
1 Prince I love this course. It is one of those courses that has as many who hate it as love it. It is nothing short of spectacular. The beauty mesmerizes. The first time I played it my back tightened up so much I not only couldn’t play I couldn’t ride in the cart. I told my wife that I think we should go in. Her reply was, “Tough it out I a not quitting.” I understood. We replayed it a few hours later after I took about 37 Advil. It is as hard as drill sergeant’s heart but I enjoyed the challenge.
2 Mauna Kea The quality of this course surprised me. I knew about the third hole. But a bunch of courses have a similar hole. What surprised me was the quality of the rest of the course. I loved the elevation changes, the beauty, and the greens complexes. I could play it every day.
3 Kapalua Plantation I have played the Plantation three times. I enjoy the course more each time. The first time around you are not quite certain where to hit some of the tee shots. After I played it I thought, “What’s the big deal?” The third time I understood. It is one of the most fun courses on the islands but it takes a little time to understand the course. I hit some of my longest drives ever.
4 Kuki’o For some reason the Big Island has some of the more private clubs in Hawaii. I didn’t get to Nanea, but Kuki’o is pretty special. Very Fazio and very good. It also has a 10 hole short course that I didn’t play.
5 Hokulia Hokulia is south of the other high end private clubs and is not as solvent as the others. Too bad, because it is a special course. The par fours are really strong and the course sits on the side of a hill so the views are absolutely stunning. After the round we sat in their little outdoor dining area and watched the sunset. The entire day was memorable. If I lived there I would join in a heartbeat.
6 Challenge at Manele Manele, on Lanaii, is also built on the side of a hill that has ocean views on most of the holes. The par fives are really strong and the par three 12th and the par four 17th are as theatrical as any holes can be. I have played Manele four times over the years and like the Plantation course I appreciate the entire course more each time I play it.
7 King Kamehameha This is the only 18 hole private club on Maui. It is perched on the edge of one of the West Maui Mountains, Mauna Kahalawai, with bi-coastal views. The course is at an elevation of about 750 feet. The wind always blows and is one of the features of the course. It is possible and essential to play along the ground on many of the holes. The views of the mountain and ocean set this course apart. The 70,000 square foot clubhouse, based on a design by Frank Lloyd Wright, however, is way over the top. This course was a total surprise, because I virtually knew nothing about it. The golf is very good and the experience is worth the trip.
8 Wailea Gold This is a golfer’s course. While it is in a resort the course feels as though you are away from the madding crowd. Bring you’re “A” game. The course looks like it should be easy to score on, but it requires good execution on the shots into the green. I really like this course. RTJ Jr. did a wonderful job building a resort course that is playable for everyone but demanding for the low handicapper.
9 Makena (North) 10 Makena (South) NLE I had played the North course about six years ago and it was in pristine condition. Times have been tough for Makena. The South Course tried to go private but closed. Only a few holes by the ocean are being maintained at all. Like the Gold course this is a player’s course. Even though the conditioning was spotty the bones of the course are evident. I hope it survives. There are rumors about Discovery Land Co. purchasing the resort and reopening the South Course. Hope it happens because they are very good courses.
11 Hapuna I almost didn’t play this course because I knew nothing about it. My wife and I liked it so much that we played it twice. It is the sister course of Mauna Kea and is a Palmer design. It is away from the ocean but has ocean views because it is one the side of a mt. It puts a premium on driving and is very windy. It played hard and the wind made the course difficult. It made me think all the way around.
12 Kauai lagoons I have not played this course since it was redesigned. I probably have it a little high on my list but enjoyed the round and the day I spent there.
13 Wailea Emerald This is the charming little sister of the Gold Course. It is fun for the low handicapper and very playable for the high handicapper. It has wide corridors and large greens and one of my wife’s favorite on Maui. Like the Gold, the player feels isolated from the resort. Generally I am not crazy about plantings on a course, but the flora on this course is pretty impressive and helps make the round enjoyable.
14 Experience at Koele I like this course, partly because it is so very different from any of the other Hawaiian courses and partly because it is fun with a bunch of risk reward shots. The most famous hole is 17 that plunges a couple hundred feet from tee to fairway. The back nine is about 2000 feet above sea level and is forested with trees that you would expect to find on any mainland mountain course. I first played this course about five years ago. It was perfectly conditioned. I couldn’t believe the difference a few years make. The fairways were thin and grass non-existent in places, the bunkers lacked sand, and the greens were bumpy. I hope the new owner spends a few buck on the course. It isn’t a great course but coupled with Manele it is a great way to spend a day.
15 Royal Kaanapali This course suffers because it is just down the road from the Plantation Course. The first six holes seem like they are on flat uninteresting ground. Looks deceive. This a pretty difficult course with very large greens. I lacks some of the beauty of other courses but is a strong test. The 18th hole may be one of the best holes on the island.
16 Big Island CC This course has fallen on hard times. It is Perry Dye design with the perfunctory island green. I have to say, though, that I really enjoyed the course. It is away form the ocean and sits at about 2000 feet above sea level. It is very different from most of the Big Island courses. I enjoyed the course but did not find it architecturally compelling. The 18th hole, though, is a pretty good way to finish.
17 Kahili GC This is the public sister of King Kam. It lacks some of the dramatic beauty of King Kam but is very good nonetheless. It is well bunkered and meanders through some very interesting terrain. At less than $100 it is one of the better bargains on Maui.
18 Mauna Lani South
19 Mauna Lani North Both courses were a disappointment. I found the terrain uninteresting and except for the famed par three 15th on the South Course both courses lack some character.
20 Kapalua Bay I like this course. I have played it twice. I really enjoyed it the first time but the second time it left me wanting more than it gives. The course just didn’t deliver what it could have. It is built on some very interesting ground. It is close to being very good but in its present form misses the mark.
21 Kaanapali Kai This course isn’t in the higher echelon of Hawaii golf but it is great fun. The day I played it the wind howled and I had to hit some extraordinary shots into the smallish greens. I did something here I had never done before—I made18 straight pars.
22 Waimea GC As my wife and I drove around the island we would drive past this course. We thought let’s play it. I have to say I enjoyed the round and it has some very good holes. The conditioning was not very good but I would play it again. I would like to see it with the ponds full of water and the greens with grass on it. It has the bones of a pretty good test. The terrain is very interesting and plays both uphill, downhill, and across the hills, making for some demanding shots.
23 Hualalai Nicklaus This is my biggest disappointment in Hawaii. The seniors play and event here and I looked forward to playing it. It is just dreadful. Nicklaus should give his fee back. The terrain is ok but the design couldn’t be worse. Nicklaus left big outcroppings of lava and called playing around them strategy. There is no strategy required. After 6 holes I couldn’t wait to be done. Even the par three 17th, which is along the water, is boring. 18 may be the best hole on the course. But that is only compared to the other boring holes.
24 Makai Not sure why this course is rated among Hawaii’s best. I found it dull at best.