Island Hopping With Your Golf Clubs

July 1st, 2008 by Sean - NWA WorldVacations

As Ray Kinsella said in The Field of Dreams, “Is this heaven?”…No, it’s Hawaii! Hawaii is one of the most beautiful places in the world and it is no wonder people island-hop when they visit so that they can see it all. You will want to do the same on your golf vacation and hop to all of these islands so you can experience the true beauty that is Hawaiian golf.

· Poipu Bay on Kauai - Poipu Bay has been the host course for the PGA Grand Slam from 1994-2006. Some of the most recent winners include Jim Furyk, Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods. Designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr., this course plays high above the Pacific Ocean with rolling hills and mountains in the background. It’s hard to pick a signature hole, but I have to go with #16, a 501 yard par 4 that plays downhill and along the Pacific Ocean, absolutely gorgeous! Play Poipu Bay on your trip to Kauai because this is truly a spectacular course and it is a golfer’s dream!

· Ko’olau Golf Club on O’ahu – Ko’olau Golf Club has been considered one of the toughest golf courses in the nation. As hard as this course is, it is twice as beautiful. This course is placed in the rainforest on the Ko’olau mountain range and has some of the most dramatic views of the ocean. You will experience three distinct climate zones on the course due to the elevation changes, waterfalls and ravines. Number 15, a par 4,373-yard hole, has the best view from the tee box. Go play it and you’ll see what I mean. Club selection is the key to this course…actually a lot of golf balls is the key to this course, but after that definitely club selection and course management.

· The Challenge at Manele Bay on Lanai - The name says it all, though not as tough as Ko’olau, The Challenge is still a difficult course because there are many holes where you need to carry brush, ravines and gorges off the tee box. Built on lava croppings above Hulopo’e Bay, Nicklaus did an outstanding job of putting in this course without disturbing the natural terrain all around it and it even has views of the water from every hole! Because Lanai is a smaller island, this course doesn’t see much play which allows you to take in all the beautiful views especially on #11, a par 4 with a 250 foot elevated tee with a green surrounded by a lake. As George Patton once said, “Accept challenges, so that you may feel the exhilaration of victory”. So take on this “Challenge”, you won’t regret it.

· Royal Ka’anapali Tournament Course on Maui - If you are an avid Golf Channel watcher like myself, you will recognize this course because of the “Big Break”. There are two courses that make up Ka’anapali, The Royal and the Kai courses, I am suggesting Royal Ka’anapali. This course starts along the ocean at sea level and it works its way up into the foothills of the mountains. The finishing hole plays 449 yards where you have to avoid the lagoon that runs along the right side of the hole. Arnold Palmer called it one of the best and most challenging finishing holes he has ever played.

· Mauna Kea Golf Course on Hawai’i – When visiting Hawaii’s Big Island, be sure to play Mauna Kea Golf Course. Every hole could be considered a signature hole, but #3 is a favorite of those who play. It is a par 3 that plays 175 yards over the Pacific Ocean. That’s one water hazard that you won’t be able to find your ball in! This course is currently under renovations, but they are now open to accepting tee times for December 2008. They are putting in a new turf so that it is a more enjoyable experience for players of all abilities. Mauna Kea was the first resort course built on Hawaii’s Big Island in 1965, and is still the best course on the island.

Hawaii has always been “the” destination for luxurious vacations and now with beautiful and unique golf courses on every island it is THE destination for golf vacations. Taking a Hawaii golf vacation is an opportunity you don’t want to pass up. So take a look at your calendar and say good-bye to the ordinary city courses and “Aloha” to the best golf you will ever play!

If you have ever played these courses or any course in Hawaii please share your experience with us in the comments section.

Wishing you fairways and greens!