Saturday, May 31, 2008
Hawaii's "Garden Isle" Is Pure Paradise
A glimpse at the best golf on the island of Kauai
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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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