The Jewel of Hawaii's Big Island

Mauna Kea 3rd hole is being redesigned by Rees Jones.

There are six islands in Hawaii
that vacationers can visit and choosing one can be confusing for those who haven’t been to the Polynesian paradise before. However, if you’re interested in top-notch golf, as well as a wide variety of accommodations, dining opportunities, beaches and other recreational diversions, it’s pretty tough to beat the Kohala Coast region of Hawaii’s Big Island (www.kohalacoastresorts.com).

The island of Hawaii, aka the Big Island, covers just over 4,000 square miles and is bigger than all of the other Hawaiian Islands combined. Its  geographical diversity offers everything from volcanoes and forests to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Attractions include the district of Kona, where the well-known coffee is grown; Mauna Kea, the world’s tallest mountain measured from the sea floor (bigger than Everest); Parker Ranch, one of the biggest and oldest working ranches in the country; and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, among others.

Hualalai’s Jack Nicklaus signature course offers spectacular views of lava flows and the Pacific, and has plenty of tees to choose from.

And on the northwest section of the Big Island you’ll find the Kohala Coast, a 20-mile stretch of coastal area that offers near-perfect weather all year long (an average of 355 sunny days a year). Just a few minutes from Hawaii’s Kona International Airport, the Kohala Coast has eight luxury hotels and several resort communities from which to choose, as well as a ton of recreation opportunities, particularly for the avid golfer.

Hualalai Golf Club, Jack Nicklaus Signature Course
www.hualalairesort.com
Immaculately conditioned, the Nicklaus signature course offers several sets of tees that provide as much or little challenge as you like. Fantastic views of the Pacific, a pristine nine-acre range and a 27,000-square-foot short-game area, as well as a stunning clubhouse and restaurant, fill out the impressive facilities.

Mauna Kea Golf Course
www.princeresortshawaii.com
Traditionally considered one of the best golf courses in all of Hawaii, the Mauna Kea Golf Course is currently being redesigned by Rees Jones, whose father, Robert Trent Jones Sr., designed the original course. The new Rees Jones design is scheduled to open in the Spring of 2009. Stay tuned.

The Beach Course at Waikaloa will challenge you with stiff ocean breezes.

Hapuna Golf Course
www.princeresortshawaii.com
Located within walking distance of Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel, the Hapuna Golf Course features an Arnold Palmer/Ed Seay design that runs from the beach to approximately 700 feet above sea level. Spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean and the Kohala Coast, as well as Mauna Kea Volcano, make Hapuna a real treat.

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A glimpse at the best golf on the island of Kauai

Towering above the island of Kauai is one of the wettest places on earth, Mt. Wai’ale’ale. It’s the island’s second tallest mountain peak, and with 460 inches of annual rainfall, boasts lush rain forests, vibrant flowers and waterfalls that cascade down Kauai’s steep mountain cliffs. It’s a beautiful thing to behold,especially when you’re miles away on a dry golf course.

Kauai is an ecological oddity; while rain pummels its interior, the coast remains relatively dry and temperate, making it a year-round golf paradise.Visitors have long taken advantage of the island’s dramatic, rugged landscape to parasail, hike, take helicopter rides and swim in the Pacific Ocean’s temperate waters. But there are also plenty of adventures on its golf courses, including Princeville’s very challenging Prince Course, routinely ranked as Hawaii’s best course.

Outside of its verdant landscape, what makes Kauai so special is its size—or lack thereof. Kauai isn’t big—its square mileage isn’t much more than New York City—and with a population of just under 60,000, it’s easy to carve out your own slice of heaven. Plus, there’s only one major road on the island—Kuhio Hwy—a semi-beltway that serves the island’s major golf courses.

Kauai Lagoons Golf Club
www.kauailagoonsgolf.com
Although its most scenic nine holes (the Kiele Course back nine) are currently being renovated, 18 holes of this Jack Nicklaus design remain open for play, including the Kiele’s front nine. The challenging 5th hole, a 219-yard par-3 is a standout that asks golfers to hit their tee shots over a mango tree forest. (The cart ride from the tee box down into the jungle and back up to the green is worth the green fee alone.) Kauai Lagoons is a great track to play when you first arrive (or just before you leave), as it’s only a few minutes from Lihue Airport.

Kiahuna Golf Course
www.kiahunagolf.com
Like Poipu Bay and Princeville, noted architect Robert Trent Jones, Jr. designed Kiahuna Golf Course, and despite not having the dramatic elevation changes and ocean views of some of Kauai’s other courses, Kiahuna features a number of water hazards, views of Mt. Wai’ale’ale and ruins of historic buildings throughout the course.


Poipu Bay Golf Course
www.poipubaygolf.com
Former home of the Grand Slam of Golf, Poipu Bay once yielded a 59 to Phil Mickelson. For the first 14 holes, this Robert Trent Jones, Jr. design may appear benign from tee to green, but don’t be fooled, managing the powerful trade winds can be challenging. Don’t be surprised if your drives sometimes only travel two-thirds their normal distance. And if the wind blows your ball into an ancient Hawaiian “heiau,” or place of worship, take a drop. The course is tough enough without disturbing the golf gods.

Finally, on the 15th tee, there’s a sign informing golfers that they’ve turned the corner and are heading downwind. Elevated high above the ocean with waves crashing below and kite surfers launching themselves into the stratosphere, your drives will double in length.
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The Okanagan Valley in Canada?s British Columbia is packed with spectacular golf and extraordinary wine.

If the Okanagan Valley of Canada’s British Columbia is considered the best place in the country for winemaking, then consider the golf in the area to be the perfect filet mignon. Located just an hour by air from Seattle with the beautiful town of Kelowna serving as its anchor, the Okanagan Valley has become a wonderful retreat for both fans of exciting golf and delectable wine.

Before I get to the wine (which isn’t hard to find in the Okanagan), there’s plenty of great golf to write about. First of all, let’s clear up a few misconceptions that some of you southerners may have about the land up north. Canada isn’t all that cold. In fact, the Okanagan boasts some the best weather in all of Canada, with warm summers, beautiful springs and downright spectacular fall months. And the sun stays out for what seems like forever during early summer months, making it possible to play well over 36 holes a day if you feel so inclined. The weather? It’s a non-issue.

For starters, the Okanagan Golf Alliance represents the best of the best in the area, with four destinations already in the Rota and more are on the way. And while it’s suggested that there’s no particular order to enjoy them, why not take it from someone who’s been there and plan a trip over five days. (I’ll help outline the golf for you, but the wining and dining is up to you.)

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Hawaii

Holes 15-18 At Poipu Bay. Turn the corner between the 14th green and 15th tee, and you’ll understand why you maxed out your Visa to play here. Off to your left is the world’s largest water hazard, the Pacific Ocean. Don’t get distracted by the kite surfers hanging hundreds of feet underneath you. It’s all part of the show. For more info, visit www.poipubaygolf.com.

The World’s Largest Water Hazard. The Pacific waters in Hawaii are clear, warm and can produce some killer waves (hardly living up to its Latin name, Mare Pacificum, or “peaceful sea”). Of course, what would a Hawaiian golf course be like without a hole or two that incorporates this giant “drink” into its routing? Some standout holes that feature the Mare include Mauna Kea’s signature 3rd hole and the Prince Course’s 7th hole at Princeville.

The Aloha Swing. With its lush, balmy atmosphere, Hawaii enjoys the perfect year-round setting for golf. That’s why, when the rest of the country is hibernating, Hawaii is playing host to the three major tours. The Aloha Swing comes to the Islands during January and February each year. Highlights include the PGA Tour’s Mercedes Championship at Kapalua and the LPGA’s SBS Open at Turtle Bay. For more info, visit www.pgatour.com, www.lpga.com.

The Aerial Advantage. Time was, only Magnum P.I. flew around Hawaii in helicopters. Not anymore. With the abundance of spectacular sights inaccessible from terra firma (waterfalls, volcanoes, sea cliffs and fish ponds), the only way to enjoy them is from the air. Do you like bragging to your buddies about your aerial sightseeing? Check out Sunshine Helicopters. They offer pilot-narrated DVDs of your tour.

Get Pampered. Golf and spas are practically inseparable in the Aloha State. Some of the more interesting offerings include ANARA Spa’s (Grand Hyatt, Poipu Bay) 20,000-square foot garden spa and private lava-rock showers, Outrigger Reef on the Beach’s (Honolulu) poolside “Golden Touch” massage and the Luana Spa Retreat’s (Maui) 16-foot yurt that doubles as a spa treatment room. For more info, visit www.spaindex.com.

Volcanoes National Park. At 333,000 acres, there’s a lot to see in the country’s westernmost national park. Whether you get your kicks from watching lava ooze into the ocean or navigating a rainforest, the park’s size and significant elevation changes (a 13,677-foot rise to the summit of Mauna Loa) make Volcanoes an ecological and topographical tour de force. For more info, visit www.nps.gov/havo.

Underwater Sightseeing. Bathwater-clear oceans and plentiful reefs make spying on tropical fish a breeze. Be your own Cousteau with Holo Holo Charters, a Kauai company that claims to have “the fastest, largest touring vessel to Na Pali and the Forbidden Island of Niihau.” If you prefer to stay closer to shore, consider Waikiki Beach in Oahu. The water is so shallow, you can walk out nearly 150 yards and enjoy your own personal aquarium. For more info, visit www.holoholocharters.com.

Sand Traps. The first nonsmoking beach in the U.S. is also one of Hawaii’s finest. Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve in Oahu only permits 2,000 visitors per day, which might sound like a lot, but when you consider it’s in the crater of a volcano, it’s easy to understand why so many people flock to it. On Maui, try Palauea Beach for a more isolated experience. It’s a great place to get away from it all. Swim wisely—no lifeguards are on duty.

Men And The Sea. Want to get in touch with your inner Hemingway? Marlins might be at the top of the food chain in these parts, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be reeled in. Of course, it won’t hurt to have a seasoned crew to help you with the heavy lifting. The spear-nosed fish routinely tip the scales at over 1,000 pounds. Try Kuuloakai in Oahu or Kaanapali Sportfishing in Maui. For more info, visit www.kuuloakai.com or www.kaanapalisportfishing.com.

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The best golf in Palm Springs and LA-LA land

100+ Courses. Like Myrtle Beach and the Phoenix/Scottsdale areas, Palm Springs and its surrounding desert communities boast more than 100 golf courses. That list continues to grow. Last year, Escena, a new Nicklaus design, opened its doors for play. This year, Indian Wells debuts its first of two redesigns. The pros also head out to the desert for a handful of events, including the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic, Kraft Nabisco Championship, Samsung World Golf Championship and the annual LG Skins Game. For more info, visit www.palmsprings.com.

The Tiger Trail. Tipping out at a mere 6,025 yards, the Anaheim “Dad Miller” Golf Course might not be much of a challenge in these 460cc driver days—nor was it a challenge for a young Eldrick Woods. Woods’ alma mater, Western High School, played their home matches at this Orange County muni. When Tiger was two, he was rumored to have shot a 48 on the back nine at the nearby Naval Course.

The Nissan Open. Put it this way, this is the tournament Tiger Woods has played the most times without winning. The Nissan Open is contested every January at the famed Riviera Country Club (aka Hogan’s Alley) and features several of the world’s highest-ranked golfers battling to keep Tiger from breaking through. If you’re not pressed for time, take a stab at another Southern California golf landmark: Rancho Park Golf Course, which hosted the tournament when it was known as the L.A. Open. Located about 15 minutes south of Riviera, Rancho is so L.A. There’s a movie studio across the street, and the Pacific Ocean and Beverly Hills are just a few blocks away. For more info, visit www.pgatour.com. 

Coastal Courses. Host of the 2008 U.S. Open, Torrey Pines is the jewel in the coastal crown. At a staggering 7,607 yards, Torrey’s South Course promises to add brawn to its beauty when golf’s greatest tee it up in 2008. Farther up the coast are Monarch Beach Golf Links, a Robert Trent Jones Jr. design and “The Don’s” latest over-the-top offering, Trump National. For more info, visit www.scga.org.

Funky Homes. In its heyday, Palm Springs was a haven for Hollywood celebrities. The area’s surreal landscape, sun-soaked days and weekend-retreat vibe also made it the breeding grounds of midcentury modernist architecture. Albert Frey, a Swiss-born architect, was its leader, and his work brings to mind swinging space-age bachelor pads. The Palm Springs Visitors Center is one of Frey’s more famous creations, so don’t miss it when heading into town from the west. 

Ventura Ventures. Calling it a “hotspot” is a bit of a misnomer, considering the relatively cool climate Ventura County has all year long. Nevertheless, some great golf abounds. Angelinos flock to places like Rustic Canyon, Moorpark Country Club and Lost Canyons. Other gems in the area include Tierra Rejada and Sterling Hills Golf Club. View www.golfsocal.com for a listing of ’em all.

The LG Skins Game And The Target World Challenge. Yeah, we know it’s the silly season, but the LG Skins Game and the Target World Challenge are two of the best ways to get up close and personal with a handful of the world’s greatest players. The Skins Game is played in November at Trilogy at La Quinta, featuring four players who agree that the Skins Game is just as much about having fun as it is about winning money. The Target World Challenge is played in December at the ultraprivate Sherwood Country Club and features a select group of top-ranked players. The host? None other than Tiger Woods.

Short Sports. Los Angeles has a thriving par-3 culture with dozens of short courses dotting its massive basin. Many of the city’s par-3s were designed by well-known architects. William P. Bell worked with William H. Johnson on his Rancho Park par-3 layout, and Bell’s son, William F. Bell designed Heartwell, young Tiger Woods’ home course. Frederick Law Olmstead Jr., one of the best-known landscape architects of his generation, designed the supercheap ($2) Armand Hammer course in Holmby Hills Park. Arroyo Seco ($15) in South Pasadena is the most costly, but it’s worth it. You can play at night.

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Kauai, Maui and the Big Island are golf heaven

Golf in Hawaii is a study in variance. At the same time, the island game is littered with awe-inspiring topography—replete with the expected natural beauty—and not-so-subtle dangers from tee to green. Perhaps that’s what makes playing golf on Hawaiian courses so intriguing: You don’t mind the occasional double bogey when you’re in paradise.

Indeed, island golf is both beauty and beast—there’s no way to sugarcoat it. But after spending just a few hours on the islands, you wouldn’t want it any other way. Hawaii’s geographic wonders are incumbent on all sides, instilling the notion that you’re securely entrenched in a land with an undeviated link to earth’s prehistoric past. On several courses, at any moment, you half expect a Tyrannosaurus rex to lumber around the next corner and point its hungry head in your direction. Of course, that won’t happen, but you’ll surely get a little weak in the knees facing the awe-inspiring beauty of courses like the Kiele course at Kaua’i Lagoons, Poipu Bay Golf Course or all three course at Kapalua. Whatever the cost (even if it’s a dozen new Pro V1s), summon the courage, do the deed and walk away with a great story to tell all your friends; not that you slayed a T. rex, but that you met the challenge of some of the most scenic golf courses in all the world.

A recent poll of professional golfers showed that Hawaii is their favorite place to visit. And it’s no wonder, with eight of the top 25 resort courses in the country situated amongst the Hawaiian Islands. It’s amazing how the world’s best golf course designers – Jack Nicklaus, Robert Trent Jones, Arnold Palmer – were able to visualize and create courses up, down, and around cliffs, beaches, rolling hills and lava fields.
             
Of course, any trip to Hawaii wouldn’t be complete without enjoying the encompassing beaches and ocean side resorts. In fact, when it comes to golf, it’s a safe bet that most golf courses are either affiliated with or located in close proximity to a variety of hotels and resorts. For more, visit our Stay and Play section, where you’ll find the best of both worlds.

Aloha!

When To Go

Weather on all of the Hawaiian Islands is consistent, with only minor changes in temperature throughout the year. This is due to year-round warm sea surface temperatures, which keep the overlying atmosphere warm as well. In practical terms, there are only two seasons: the summer months (called Kau in Hawaiian) that extend from May to October and the winter months (Ho'oilo) that run from November to April. The average daytime summer temperature at sea level is 85 degrees F. while the average daytime winter temperature is 78 degrees. Temperatures at night are approximately 10 degrees F. lower.          

What To Bring

If there is one thing certain about Hawaiian weather, it’s to always expect the uncertain. Weather patterns can change from day to day, sometimes hour to hour, often with or without the occasional tropical shower. Always pack an umbrella and a lightweight rain jacket. You’ll rarely find a cold spot in Hawaii, but it can rain at a moment’s notice. Otherwise, when the weather is perfect—it’s shorts season for everyone.

When it comes to equipment, be sure to pack a few extra golf balls. In fact, pack as many as you can. Several of the courses in Hawaii are on the narrow side, often replete with elevation changes that can trick your eyes into believing there is or isn’t fairway to land your golf ball. And, buying a few extra sleeves when you get here can be costly.

Hybrid clubs are also a solid choice. As mentioned, fairways are sometime hard to hit, requiring accurate placements for a good look at the green. Courses here also tend to be shorter in overall length, thus making it a lot more important to hit the fairway than to hit the ball as far as you can.

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From the Monterey Peninsula to San Diego, discover golf in the Golden State

Within the nation’s most populated state lies some of the best golf resorts in the United States. The terrain varies greatly from one tip of this long region to the other, as does the weather—from craggy, seaside links to rolling, inland meadows; from 80 degrees and sunny to dense fog and biting wind. But one thing is certain wherever you choose to visit: It doesn’t get much better than the Pacific Coast when it comes to top-quality golf resorts.

The California coast below San Francisco presents a golfer a range of excellent choices. Just 30 minutes south of San Francisco is Half Moon Bay, where a Ritz-Carlton and two affiliated oceanfront golf courses add a splash of elegance to a charming farming and fishing town. On scenic Monterey Bay golfers find the Holy Grail of U.S. golf resorts, Pebble Beach. With several “it-doesn’t-get-any-better-than-this” courses in the Del Monte Forest—Pebble Beach Golf Links, Spyglass and The Links at Spanish Bay among them—it’s easy to overlook the Monterey Peninsula’s other fine designs. But out in Carmel Valley, Quail Lodge and Carmel Valley Ranch have been pleasing guests for years with their sunnier weather and serene layouts.

Once you hit Southern California, look to Orange County and San Diego County to provide the best resorts offerings. The courses in this southern part of the Pacific region are less tree-lined than those found in northern California and Oregon. Instead, gently rolling hills and panoramic views are the norm. Golfers find themselves shooting over arroyos and playing through golden canyons. The weather is typically warmer too.       

Along the Newport coast, the two Tom Fazio designs at Pelican Hill fit this description. They are among the most desirable upscale public layouts on the West Coast. Nearby in Dana Point are Monarch Beach and the affiliated St. Regis Monarch Beach Hotel. The Dana Point and Laguna Beach area is a favorite with nongolfers, too, as shopping, art galleries, spas and divine cuisine are in abundance.
             
Further south still, golfers can play to their heart’s delight at Four Seasons Aviara, La Costa and Torrey Pines—three of the top resorts in the United States, all located within 20 minutes of each other.

With such a wide and diverse selection of courses and resorts, it can be hard to choose. Clearly, multiple visits to the Pacific Region are required to make a dent in your “must-play” list.

When To Go

California doesn’t experience a true cold season, as temperatures remain comfortable all year long. That being said, The Sunshine State does endure its fair share of rainfall, typically December through March. Winter temperatures average in the low to upper 60s (degrees F), with summer months nearing the mid-90s in some regions. All in all, it’s never a bad time to plan a visit.          

Getting There
Considering that the freeway systems of California are among the nation’s most complex, it’s just as important to know not only where you’re going, but how to get there.

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“This is the most magnificent, balmy atmosphere in the world.”
— Mark Twain   

In 1898, Samuel Mills Damon, a wealthy Hawaiian banker, built Hawaii’s first official 18-hole golf course. Even though it was on his estate, Damon didn’t charge any greens fees. A nice gesture, but the free rounds didn’t last long. Three years into its operation, Damon’s son made the course semiprivate and, because of the warm, tropical climate, lopped off nine of its holes. Playing 18, it seems, was just too hot to handle.

Today, the course is still around (known as Moanalua Golf Club in Honolulu, it retains its semiprivate, nine-hole status), but the weather hasn’t gotten any cooler. Thankfully, those itchy woolen suits have long been abandoned for clothes that “wick,” so weather that was once considered too hot is now—how do you put it?—just right.

So too is the golf. When you consider that Hawaii’s six major islands boast more than 90 golf courses (many of which rank atop numerous “Best of” lists), it’s easy to see why the 50th state is one of the world’s most popular golf destinations. Most courses feature ocean views and obstacles specific to this tropical archipelago: lava outcroppings, jungle ravines and, of course, the world’s largest water hazard, the Pacific Ocean.

That being said, from the many photos of and the extensive television coverage the Aloha State receives, it would be easy to mistake its golf as merely tranquil, leisurely and aesthetically pleasing. To that impression we add these words: “trade winds.” While most courses enjoy picture-postcard views, strong trade winds frequently turn serene moments into testy ones. (Don’t worry, we’ve provided tips on how to handle those “breezes.”) But that’s what makes playing golf in paradise so exciting. Now if only every round was free again.

Hawaii THE "BIG ISLAND"
Mauna Kea Golf Course 7,124 Yards, Par 72 | Architect: Robert Trent Jones, Sr. Greens Fees: $110-$210 | (808) 882-7222 | www.princeresortshawaii.com From abundant views of the Pacific to the snow-capped Mauna Kea volcano, it’s easy to see why the 40-year-old course remains one of Hawaii’s most popular experiences. Mauna Kea’s third hole is so famous, you can buy framed photos of it.	Mauna Lani Resort Golf Course 6,812 Yards, Par 72 (North Course) | Architects: Homer Flint and Raymond Cain 6,938 Yards, Par 72 (South Course) | Architects: Nelson/Wright/Haworth Greens Fees: $70-$205 | (808) 885-6655 | www.maunalani.com Built on a lava bed, the North Course has a reputation for being slightly more difficult than its sister to the south. No. 17 will attract shutterbugs. The par-3 is tucked away inside a natural lava amphitheater.	Waikoloa Golf Course 6,560 Yards, Par 70 (Beach Course) | Architect: Robert Trent Jones Jr. 7,074 Yards, Par 72 (Kings’ Course) | Architects: Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish Greens Fees: $130-$185 | (877) WAIKOLOA | www.waikoloabeachresort.com Robert Trent Jones Jr. once said that Waikoloa’s Beach Course was the most “beautiful and unusual course I ever designed.” The course was carved from a lava flow and hugs the Kohala coastline. The challenging Kings’ Course features a trademark Tom Weiskopf design element. On both sets of nine, he tempts you to drive a par-4.

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