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| Golf from the Mountains to the Sea |
| Every day is a good day to golf on the Big Island.
If the weather is out of sorts in one part of
the island, there is sure to be a bright spot somewhere else. Whether you prefer to play in a cool
misty climate reminiscent of Scotland, or so close to the Pacific that you have to wipe the salt
spray off your clubs, there's a course or three for you.
The 18 courses on the island range from spectacular championship resort courses, to unique upcountry
links and homey municipal courses. Each course has a distinct design and personality suited for the
challenges of the avid golfer or the wannabe golfer. From atop a volcano to the famed third hole at
the Mauna Kea Resort, just pick a course and tee off. |
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| One of the island's newest courses is the Big Island Country Club.
Located about 30 minutes from
Waikoloa and Kona, the course is a challenging play at an affordable price. Near Waimea in scenic
cowboy country, the course is a pleasant upcountry drive along Highway 190. The signature courses of the Big Island are clustered
along what Neil Bastamante from the Mauna
Lani Resort calls the 'diamond coast' with some of the best golf facilities in the world. 'There
are seven great golf courses in a 15-mile radius with great names and great architects,' Bastamante
said. |
| Another lava desert 'crunched' into soft velvety
greens is home to two outstanding twin courses at
the Waikoloa Resort, the Beach Course and the King's Course. These courses will challenge the best
golfers, the bunkers being the difficulty factor, and the beach course is sporty, so a golfer of any
caliber can enjoy it. Six miles up the hill from the coastal courses is the older Waikoloa Village
Course, which has a very different feel to it. The average golfer can really enjoy this course, which
allows the golfer to hit the ball all over the place. |
| In the heart of Kona, you can literally play from the mountains
to the sea at the Kona Country Club in
Keauhou. The Club has two 18-hole courses, the popular and doable 30-year-old Ocean Course, which
Springer says is the most fun ocean course of them all, and the newer and tougher Alii Mountain Course
with spectacular panoramic views of the Kona Coast. |
| The Big Island has four upland golf courses.
Makalei is 2,500 feet up on the slopes of Hualalai
mountain, above the Keahole-Kona airport, in a magnificent ohi'a forest and grassland setting,
complete with bird medleys. 'The toughest course is Makalei', said Springer, 'but it is also one
of the most serene areas we have. As far as environment, it is hard to beat Makalei.' |
The three courses in East Hawaii have a real
local flavor and are used mostly by area residents.
The 18-hole Hilo Municipal Golf Course ('the muni') is an institution for the hardy residents of
this unique and often rain-washed town. The Naniloa Country Club, in the heart of the Banyon Drive area,
is a cute little 9-hole course. The Hamakua Country Club in the historic town of Honoka'a is also a
9-hole course, Warning, many of the fairways overlap.
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Maui
(Kaanapali, Lahaina, Wailea, Makena, Hana)
It’s 11,000 feet from the top of Haleakala crater down to Maui’s
whale-filled seas – and you can
experience them both in the same day on this compact island. Whether you’re drawn to shopping,
nightlife, art galleries, beaches, golf, or spas at world-class resorts, Maui will charm you. |
Sunset during Maui |
Oahu (Honolulu, Waikiki)
The island that attracts the most visitors, Oahu is home to world-famous Waikiki Beach.
And that’s only part of its allure: from Diamond Head crater to Pearl Harbor, Iolani Palace to
the Banzai Pipeline, Oahu offers unique attractions plus fine restaurants, shopping, golf courses,
and nightlife.
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Waikiki Bay, Oahu |
Hawaii (Big Island) (Kona, Kohala)
While the Big Island challenges athletes in the annual Ironman Triathlon, vacationers are energized
by its golf-shopping-dining triad. And no trip is complete without a visit to Hawaii Volcanoes
National Park. Hike to the lip of Kilauea’s red-hot caldera –
especially dramatic when viewed after dark.
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Waikoloa Beach Golf Club, Big Island |
Kauai (Poipu, Lihue, Kapaa)
Lush Kauai, where South Pacific was filmed, offers vibrant beauty. For the big-picture view of
lush Waimea canyon, the steep cliffs along Na Pali coast, and Kauai’s uninhabited beaches, take a
narrated seaplane excursion. On land, relax at the lush Princeville and sunny Poipu Beach resort areas. |
Na Pali Coast, Kauai
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Lanai
Once the site of the world’s largest pineapple plantation, small and isolated Lanai has no stoplights,
one tiny town, and two five-star resorts. This island is a favorite with snorkelers,
especially Hulopo’e Bay. Golf, sun, swim, hike, and saddle up to ride across
Lanai’s sun-drenched terrain.
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Dawn on Manale Bay, Lanai |
Molokai
Molokai affords vacationers a glimpse of Old Hawaii, where Father Damien once faithfully
tended to Hansen’s disease sufferers on Kalaupapa peninsula. Today travelers can ride a mule down
to the white-sand beach, visit a working cattle ranch, and explore Halawa Valley, dotted with magical
waterfalls.
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Kapuaiwa Grove sunset, Molokai |
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