The Best Golf Courses Of Hawaii
When you are planning a vacation to Hawaii there are many things to consider regarding entertainment and activities. The islands have so many fabulous things to offer on a vacation that it can be difficult to choose. However, if you are an avid golfer and simply want to enjoy your vacation relaxing with a few (or, say, 101) good rounds of golf, then Hawaii can deliver the goods in all aspects of the game. The weather on the islands is always nice, so a golfer will have no trouble indulging in all of the courses from Maui to the Big Island. If you are even slightly curious about how great the game of golf can be in Hawaii, all you need to do is look to the PGA tour. The first two tournaments of their season are in Hawaii every year.
No matter what the budget, you can enjoy a golfing vacation that will leave you completely fulfilled. In addition to the luxury courses, there are plenty of resorts and public courses that focus on families trying to maintain their Hawaiian vacation budget. Although Hawaii is a relatively small state, it is blessed with more than its fair share of courses that you should take the time to play a game of golf on.
The Challenge at Manele is the gold course on Lanai that offers you high-quality golf play designed by Jack Nicklaus. It is out of the ordinary as it is set among lava outcrops and also overlooks from tops of steep cliffs near the Pacific Ocean. The second part of the Lanai course is often called “The Experience at Koele” as it twists and turns through the island’s tropical uplands and is one paradise of a golf course.
Kapalua – This course is located on the northwest coast of Maui and offers two very fabulous sets of holes to choose from, “The Bay Course” and “The Plantation Course.” The PGA Tour Mercedes Benz Championship is held on the Plantation Course every year and the Bay Course offers spectacular views while you play your rounds.
The Kiele Course at Kauai Lagoons will have you in awe with its breathtaking views and lush green course. This course was also created by Jack Nicklaus and is over 40 acres of freshwater lagoons and even a wedding chapel for those that are feeling in the mood for taking their vows on the island..
Ko’olau Golf Course is in a gorgeous part of eastern Oahu and is known for being one of the toughest challenges in the entire country. The course is set beneath the Ko’olau Ridge mountain range, which gives it a unique setting, to say the least, as it offers a challenge beyond belief even for the most experienced golfer.
Kauai has its world-class course, too, on the sun-drenched south shore. Poipu Bay Golf Course is known for its rarity and excitement and the nearby waters are also home to many native species that include sea turtles, geese, seals and even humpback whales.
Princeville Course is another great Kauai golfing spot, a beauty overlooking Hanalei Bay. It is home to a fabulous hotel and spa for after the game, as well as two different courses, “The Prince Golf Course” and the “Makai Golf Course” that both were designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. The Prince Golf Course is the most challenging as it offers a rolling terrain, and Golf Digest named it the best course in the state.
If you are planning to stay at any of the resorts, villas or hotels that are located near golf courses there are many choices one each island, but Maui may have the lead. One of the best places might be the Hokulani Golf Villas, one of the newest luxury planned communities on Maui where you can stay and play. Also, there is Maui’s Wailea Golf Estates, a great spot that sits on 30 acres of sloped land. On any island, any of the clubs are ready to keep your game on point with all of the accessories and golfing equipment you could ask for, in pro shops that carry all the top name brands in gear and golf clubs. There are also lessons available at many of the clubs for beginners and those that simply need to brush up on their strokes, too.
Golf Chipping Drills
Why should anybody spend their time on golf chipping drills? I’ve got a $400 driver and 2 new hybrids. Let’s head to the range.
Does that sound familiar?
Have you ever noticed a great golf player who does not score well? He’s the guy who says “you know, I hit the ball pretty well today, but I just couldn’t score.” Have you ever seen a weaker player who’s always in the hole? He’s the guy who looks like he’s out of it, then scrambles around and makes a par or bogey and somehow avoids disaster.
My guess is that the great golfer has a terrible short game and the weaker player may chip and putt with the best of them. It does not make a whole lot of sense that a skillful player ought to be terrible around the green, or that a weak player should get better the closer he gets to the putting surface. But that’s the case many, many times over.
Why is that? I really think it occurs since the short game is completely different from the full swing game. With the full swing, we have basically the same swing style and mechanics from the driver down through the full wedge. The swing looks pretty much the same with all of those clubs. But the short game is a whole different animal. It needs various skills and methods than the full golf swing.
Take chipping, for instance. This is always a short shot, but there are lots of variables that can make the chip complicated. Like deep rough around the green, thin lies in shaved chipping areas, or steep slopes and drop-offs. To make things even more complex, we have a lot of chipping clubs at our disposal, everything from five iron to lob wedge. Maybe we can’t become a great all-around golfer, but possibly we can become a great chipper. If so, it’s conceivable that we might see a reduction of 10+ strokes per round.
