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Lance Rieber

  • Karma: +0/-0
Big Island golf
« on: December 21, 2009, 04:45:29 PM »
I just returned from the Big Island and was able to play Nanea and Hokuli'a. l would be curious to hear from those who have played these and what their thoughts are.  I thought Nanea was the best golf experience I have ever had.  Amazing course and facility.  Hokulia' was totally different but also a fantastic course, for sure  in my top two Nicklaus courses. 
Any thoughts from those who have played?

Damon Groves

Re: Big Island golf
« Reply #1 on: December 22, 2009, 01:58:43 AM »
Have not played those. Played both Hualalai courses and Mauna Lani North. Mauna Lani was a little disappointing but very much enjoyed both Hualalai courses. Probably the best Jack Nicklaus course I have played. Also, I cannot think of any courses I have played in better condition then the Hualalai courses.

Lance Rieber

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Big Island golf
« Reply #2 on: December 22, 2009, 09:56:03 AM »
 Damon, I have played the Hualalai course that they play on the senior tour.  Thought it had some really good holes.  What is the private course at Hualalai like? It is a Weiskopf and have enjoyed most of his courses.
Anyone else out there played Hokuli'a?  I am really curious if anyone had the same opinion I do.

Doug Wright

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Big Island golf
« Reply #3 on: December 22, 2009, 04:45:20 PM »
Lance,

I played Nanea earlier this year and liked it very much. It is laid on a canvas with a grand scale, and I thought Kidd used the topography very well. There were some excellent holes there. For example I really liked the par 5 6th with a skyline green and the two holes that followed, a long par 4 and downhill par 3. I liked the width of the course, which is necessary given the windy conditions, and the greens were solid if not spectacular. I did think that there was some sameness to the tee shots on several holes, with diagonal carries required over or around bunkers.

I've compared Nanea to Kapalua Planatation and find that I prefer Kapalua, perhaps due to the familiarity that I have with Kapalua Plantation from several more plays as well as the quirk afforded by the way the ball runs out on the slopes of Kapalua. But Nanea is a Big Island must play if you can access it. 
Twitter: @Deneuchre

Damon Groves

Re: Big Island golf
« Reply #4 on: December 22, 2009, 06:28:57 PM »
Damon, I have played the Hualalai course that they play on the senior tour.  Thought it had some really good holes.  What is the private course at Hualalai like? It is a Weiskopf and have enjoyed most of his courses.
Anyone else out there played Hokuli'a?  I am really curious if anyone had the same opinion I do.

Lance - The private course at Hualalai is the Weiskopf course and I enjoyed it very much. Very typical of a Weiskopf design with the Island flare. The Nicklaus course I enjoyed probably because it was unlike most of Nicklaus' other designs. Given the location at the Four Seasons pretty hard not to enjoy yourself. Next visit I will try to get on to both Hokuli'a and Nanea but not sure I have the connections to pull it off. You never know.