Thanks Frank. How did the lost ball count compare at each course? What are the head scratchers at Kapalua?
Jason - I know you asked for Franks input (maybe because you know each other and you trust his opinion) but wanted to provide my input on the head scratchers at Kapalua. While I think the course is darn good after reading Ran compare it to and beat Muirfield on a hole by hole basis I had really high expectations that weren't met. Maybe people will be able to tell me what I missed and why things I didn't appreciate aren't that important.
The experience started less than ideal as the range wasn't open prior to my 808 tee time. There were at least three other groups that went off before me. I usually love walking from the car to the first tee but I hadn't played for some time, this was the first round of the trip, and I arrived an hour early with the expectation to hit the range. Obviously not a knock on the course but still something I scratched my head about.
On the first tee I wasn't sure what line to take and prefer a little more straightforward opening tee shot where I can see the landing area. I hit the fairway and drove to my ball. That was essentially the experience of the first hole as they rope off the fairway over 100 yards from the green and before a gully. The cart path takes you way out of the way where you can't see anything but wall of Jungle and entry road until you reach the green. I understand I chose the cart in lieu of caddie and a caddie would make that complaint mute. The other side of my complaint is the cart path doesn't come into play (despite the fact that I drove by at least 10 balls just off the path) and certainly isn't in camera view during tourney time.
2-4 were ok holes, but what is the purpose of the first bunker on the right that that is at most 160 yards to carry. They look nice...I guess.
I thought 5 was the best hole on the front 9. But after my favorite hole my least favorite feature of the course occurred and basically deflated my enthusiasm. The drive from 5 to 6 is literally a half mile drive. I guess for spectator purposes and shuttling players for the PGA event they no kidding needed to put a mini runway between these holes. When I got to 6 I hit my worst drive of the day and ended up happy to be in one of the bunkers short right just over the carry that I normally wonder who the purpose of the bunkers as I figure no one ends up in them. The approach into 6 is tough but fun. We all smiled as we watched our balls land well short and either roll well past the hole or down to the right of the green.
7-9 were good holes
I don't mind the long drive between 9s.
I thought 10 and 11 were both good holes but to me I felt 10-14 were a bit crowded in an effort to get the amazing backdrop they did for the 11th. It just seemed really crowded/busy in the 10 green, 11 tee, 13 green and 14 tee area.
12-14 ok
15 - I thought was a bit on the severe side.
16 I honestly don't remember playing this hole even after reviewing my photos (probably fuming after hitting multiple shots on 15 from essentially the same spot after leaving approaches short of the green - this experience is only part of what I was referring to in calling the hole severe).
17 - my favorite hole on the back 9.
18 - good long hole to finish.
In my mind overall a darn good course considering the severity of the site, but the caveat is stated for a reason.