Conference 7.286::golf

    I had the pleasure of playing several "public" courses on both Oahu
    and Maui.  Let me offer some suggestions:
    1. Oahu:  Take the highway from Honolulu to Kailua, just after crossing
    over the Pali near the bottom of the hill is an excellent Parks
    and Rec course (forget the name).  Very demanding and very reasonable
    in cost.
    2. Oahu: On the backside of Diamond Head is the Hawaii Kai development
    started by Henry J. Kaiser many years ago.  The course there is
    excelllent and also reasonably priced.
    3. Oahu: South of Kailua (forget the town) there is another public
    course called Olomana. Doesn't seem to be very well known as it
    wasn't crowded at all.  Quite challenging and also reasonably priced.
    4. Maui: (My favorite island) In what is called the "up country"
    on the side of Haleakala, is one of my favorites called Pukalani.
    Very tough (and VERY windy).
    5. Maui: If you are REALLY flush, there is Kapalua in the upper
    end of the Island and a relative new PRICEY course on the Southwestern
    edge of the Island (again forget the name).
    
    Hope this helps.  Send Vaxmail if you want to discuss further.
    
    
    Chuck

    
    
    I also golfed many courses on Oahu and Kuai back in FEB.
    
    I will second the motion of Hawaii-Kai a fine course that is
    usaully easy to get on. They also have an executive par3 which I
    played the first day of my stay to get the rythm going. (Of course
    I hadn't played in a month being FEB). Please call as soon as you
    can for a tee time a the Arnold Palmer/ Turtle Bay Hilton. I called
    2 months ahead, being a single, and they were able to pair me up
    without a prob GREAT COUSRE!!!!!. They also give horseback rides
    on the beach. I sent my wife on one. It takes as long as 9 holes.
    When I made the flip I picked her up and sh drove the back 9. Very
    accomadating people there.
    If your staying on wikiki, there's a public course just round the
    courer called Ali-Wai. Very cheap, however, as I found out the early
    bird gets to play. If you get in line at 5:00am you probably tee
    off round 7 - 7:30 which is great because they have a good breakfast
    and a putting green to warm you up.
    
    - Dave
    

    Although this note is fairly old by now for anyone else that looks
    in here for info on Hawaii golf here are some more courses.
    
    Maui:   Kapalua - 2 Courses, Bay and Village I believe it is $90
    to play.  Fortunatly I get on for free, my cousin is one of the
    pro's there.  I liked the Bay course but both are awesome!
    
    Wailea  - There are 2 courses here, Orange and Blue.  Both are very
    nice and everytime I've played them it hasn't been crowded.  Price
    I believe is around $60, Again my Cousin arranges this so I'm not
    sure of the full price.
    
    Makena - $55 , Guests at the Maui Prince $40  this course is very
    nice also, on the ocean.
    
    Silversword - Price ? Fairly new course, haven't played it but looks
    nice although needs to mature.
    
    Kaanipali - haven't played this one but it is big bucks like Kapalua.
    
    
    Kaanipali and Kapalua are past Lahina on the west side, Makena,
    Wailea and silver sword are all past Kihei on the south east side.
    
    
    Oahu:
    
    Public courses, Pali CC., Olomano, Pearl CC, Hawaii Kai, Ala wei
    It's more crowded at the courses on Oahu.
    
    If you were in the service you can get on to Hickham airforce base
    course.
    
    Turtle Bay is nice, Sheraton Makaha course is very nice and of course
    Wailei Country Club, home of the Hawaiian Open is awesome, well
    groomed, fast greens etc. but you need to know a member to play
    it.
    
    Haven't been to Oahu for a few years so I don't know the prices.
     

    
    It's been a while since anyone replied t othis note. I am planning
    to go to Hawaii in April and would appreciate any more info. than
    is included here. Thanks.
    
    Joe

    Hello!  I am going to the big island (otherwise known as Hawaii) next 
    Tuesday.  I would really appreciate if any one out there has any advise 
    on where to play and any interesting anecdotes. So far, in note 121.40, 
    I've heard mention of Waikoloa Vg, Maunu Kea, Mauna Lani and Volcano 
    Golf CC.  I'll be staying at the Hyatt Regency Waikoloa.
    
    Much thanks,
    John

    re: .5
    
    	My wife and I played Waikoloa Village back in May. Nice course,
    somewhat hilly. The fairways are wide enough so that if you're a 
    slicer like me you don't get into too much trouble. The thing that
    really struck us about the place (as well as the course we played
    on Maui) was that the place was EMPTY. We played 18 holes in about
    3 hours. Coming from New England, that was a real treat. The course
    is located up in the hills about 7 miles from your hotel. Greens fees
    were about $45.00.
    
    	Also, right next to your hotel is the Waikoloa Beach course. Looked
    awesome. Greens fees about $100.00 (but maybe less for hotel guests).
    
    	Mauna Kea, which is north of where you're staying, was recommended
    to us by a bellhop at our hotel on Maui (he was loading our bags and
    said "where ya goin'?"). We didn't get a chance to play there, however.
    Anyway, he said the place was incredible, and from the pictures I've
    seen, I'd have to agree.
    
    	We drove by Volcano when we were at the National Park, the place
    looked real crowded.
    
    	As for your hotel, everyone says it's fabulous. We didn't stay
    there, but we did stay at the Hyatt Regency on Maui, which was a 
    georgous place. I've heard the Hyatt Regency Waokoloa is even better.
    
    	Enjoy, and bring sacks of money!!!
    
    
    Steve
    

    Just replying here to create gops of envy. I am flying out tomorrow
    morning to Oahu on Digital !! They need some engineers to fill in while
    the local guys go off on a DEC excellence weekend on the big island.
    I have four courses already scoped that say getting a single on is
    no problem, my clubs are packed, and my girlfriend says "play all
    you want, I'll be on the beach " !!!! I plan to play Ko Olina , Pali
    cc, Pearl Country Club, and the Sheraton Makaha course. Have checked
    prices and I'm glad DEC is picking up everything else !!! Two courses
    charge $130, one is $70, and the one muni is $35 for tourists.
    
    Aloha !!!!!!!!!!
    
    Mad Hacker

    Well, I just got back from having a marvelous time in the south Pacific
    and was fortunate enough to play some golf whilest in the islands. 
    Since this note is starting to build into somewhat of a reference note,
    I guess I will add my 2� ...
    
    First off, a big hint.  PAY ATTENTION TO THE GRAIN WHEN PUTTING!  It
    took a bit for me to get used to bermuda grass (which was the make up
    of all the greens I putted on).  You can't believe how much the grain
    effects the roll of the ball.  I had 5 footers that were perfectly
    straight but when hit, they would break 6 inches in the direction of
    the grain.  Takes a little getting used to ...
    
    Every course I checked out had a twi-light special.  That is, it was
    usually cheaper (by $10 to $20) to play after 2pm.  However, the trade
    winds usually pick up and it makes for trickier golf.
    
    Our first stop was Maui.  Since we stayed in Kaanapali, I decided to
    play the course right there.  Kaanapali has 2 courses - North and
    South.  Unlike Stow Acres which also has a North & South, these 2
    courses were very picturesque with great views of the ocean :-).
    I played the South course here.  The North is very crowded because it
    is the site of a Senior's Tournament and everyone wants to play there.
    The South did not dissappoint me - only my game did :-).  I think I
    paid $60 for 18 holes.
    
    While on Maui, there were 3 days of Kona swells and 3 days of 40+ MPH
    north winds.  For those who don't speak Hawaiian (not that I do) Kona
    swells are unusually rough seas coming from the south and they make
    scuba diving next to impossible.  So, with heavy seas and 40MPH winds,
    I couldn't golf or scuba for 3 days.  Bummer...  The South was
    practically empty and I played 18 holes in about 2 hours and 15
    minutes.  I was by myself with a cart and I probably should have slowed
    down and enjoyed the views.  Both courses were designed by Robert Trent
    Jones JR.
    
    I did swing by Silversword and as a few notes back mentioned, it is a
    relatively new course.  I couldn't tell if the lack of crowd was due to
    a bad course or the 40 MPH winds.  Probably the wind because the layout
    looks pretty nice.  Wish I could played here...
    
    Next, we went on to Kauai.  I played 2 courses on Kauai.
    
    Since we stayed in Poipu, I looked for a course close by.  I found
    Kiahuna.  Since they were aerifying the back 9 the day I chose to play,
    I only played the front 9.  This course is a Robert Trent Jones JR
    layout and it was a joke!  Either I had an exceptionally good day or
    the layout was easy.  I paid $38 for 9 holes (including cart that isn't
    bad) and shot a 1-over par 36.  The course didn't impress me - first
    hole I hit 4-wood/sand wedge.  Second hole I hit 2 iron/sand wedge.
    Too many driver/wedge type holes.  The wind wasn't blowing too hard so
    it wasn't really a factor.
    
    The other place I played on Kauai was Princeville.  There are 5 nines
    at Princeville.  One is the #1 ranked course in the state (by Golf
    Digest).  I decided to play the #5 rated course in the state instead (a
    different 9).  The most amazing thing about Princeville the day I
    played was its complete absence of wind.  I didn't play too badly but
    had a couple of bad holes that wrecked my score.  I liked the course -
    it was pretty and a few holes ran along some ocean cliffs.  The 7th
    hole was a par 3 over the ocean with the green on a peninsula.  Only
    problem is that the shot is 205 yards (from the blue tees) and all
    carry.  I was shocked to find myself on the green looking at a 20
    footer for birdie (no, I missed it).  I believe Princeville ran me $55
    for the 9 holes.  I even got a bucket of balls to warm up with at no
    extra charge.
    
    There were several things I noticed about almost all of the courses
    in Hawaii :-
    
    1) The greens fees include a cart (at the nice courses anyway).
    2) Most courses supply a yardage book and golf tees with the cart.
    3) Each course had a cart attendant that would clean your clubs
       after the round.
    4) Each course had a driving range with grassy surfaces (no mats)!
    5) Golf in Hawaii is pretty expensive (compared to here).
    
    Number 4 made an impression on me.  If I didn't want to play a round, I
    could grab a bucket of balls (most places charged $3) and go smack some
    practice shots.  It is so nice to hit off grass when practicing.  Even
    the practice area at each place I went to was nicer then most tees at
    courses around New England!  Kaanapali was pretty beat up though.
    
    I think the prices I got while playing this time are a little on the
    low side.  It seemed to be the off season so places were charging less
    bucks for golf.  It showed too.  I played alone each time (well, my
    wife rode around with me at Princeville because she felt sorry for me
    :-)).
    
    Now only if DEC would move LAT engineering to Maui Technical Research
    Park .... :-)
    
    Mike

	My fiancee and I are going to Oahu and Maui 
	for our Honeymoon and we were wondering if 
	anyone had any suggestions for new golfers. We
	are both a little below average for skill, but
	we love to play and I have read so much about how
	beautiful it is. Any suggestion would be 
	appreciated.

	Thanks,
	Andrew Kiser

  I just spent my honeymoon on Maui last fall.  My wife is a new golfer and we
  played all of their courses several times.  The new course at Kapalua is 
  something that no one in Maui should miss.  It is not only one of the prettiest 
  golf courses I have ever seen, but is one of the prettiest places period.  It
  also happens to be a spectacular golf course. It is where the pro's play the
  Kapalua International (they were there a week after I was).  The course was
  extremely enjoyable for both myself (a longtime player) and my wife.  
  The only drawback is that it is rather expensive (I don't remember exactly how 
  much because I was on a golf package, but I think it runs around $100).  If you
  can make it over there, I guarantee you won't be disappointed. 

  They also have a restaurant in the clubhouse that has an incredible view of 
  Kapalua Bay and the sunset over the ocean.

  
  Good Luck,

     Evan

    I was never really motivated to play in Hawaii, but when I saw Kapalua
    on TV, I was overcome! What a breathtaking course!
    
    __Jack

    I think I would go beserk trying to decide to play or stay!!!
    Rich

    I was in Maui/Kauai three years ago for my honeymoon and Hawaii/Maui
    last November.  I would strongly recommend the new Kapalua course,
    Wailea (orange course) and Makena.  Wailea and Makena is about 5
    minutes apart near Hyatt Grand Wailea hotel.  
    
    Personally, I liked the Makena best for its scenery.  There are few
    holes that are breathtaking.  One par 3 is elevated tee looking down
    the green with ocean and molokini island in the background.  Also if
    you like to hit the beach, the one next to Makena course is the best in
    Maui.  (We found it through local folks on our honeymoon and this is
    where the locals go)  Even last november, with several giant hotels now
    open in the area, this beach was not crowded at all.  The water was
    clear, high waves with molokini in background. (BTW take a day to
    snorkol at molokini, you'll love it)
    
    The Wailea orange course is rated top 75 resort course by Golf Digest.
    Be sure to reserve tee times in advance.  It's always busy.  I remember
    the Orange went for about $140 and Blue for $120 (I think)
    
    In addition, the Kaanapali courses aren't bad either.
    
    All in all, you'll enjoy wherever you play.
    
    Have great one.