Tropicana Magazine Jul-Aug 2017 #114: Bold & Beautiful

THE SWING
The Club at Hokuli’a
Kukui’ula Golf Course in Koloa
This course is situated in Hawaii’s most
luxurious club, and as such, it is designed to
be friendly and to appeal to players of all ages
and skill levels. The picturesque par-72 course
features paspalum-turf, sand-plated fairways
and a landscape filled with native flora.
Designed by British Open winner Tom
Weiskopf, this slice of golf paradise has 18
holes of ocean views and eye-popping beauty.
Bunkers with white sand add to the visual
experience at Kukui’ula. The greens can be
approached with aerial or bump-and-run shots.
Play on this course starts with a stout
opening hole, with the shot into the prevailing
winds. Grassy swale slithers down the
entire left side of the golf hole from tee to
green, which is the largest on the course at
2,773 metres.
A birdie is possible after a two-on
regulation, but golfers need to pay attention
to the subtleties in this green so as not to blow
the hole.
Hole 16 is the most scenic as a well as
challenging. It is a risk-reward par-4 hole since
golfers can opt for the tiger line by cutting the
corner on the left. If not executed well, the ball
will be out of bounds in the native area right of
the fairway.
The Club at Hokuli’a on The Big Island
If life is measured by moments that take your
breath away, be prepared to be blown away by
this majestic Jack Nicklaus Signature Course
on the west side of Hawaii’s Big Island. The fun
starts with its stunning setting that provides
ocean views throughout the course.
Sitting atop a terrain that slopes 120m to
sea level, Hokuli’a may appear to be windswept.
However, its unique sheltered location cuts out the
strong winds that punish golfers, allowing passage
only to gentle breezes.
Its golfing drama starts at the first tee where
a breathtaking downhill shot that enables
significant hang time. It is always a wonderful sight
to see the ball in flight as it descends to the fairway.
This course is generous off the tee, but the test is
the approach shots where accuracy with your irons
will make you a happy golfer. To throw in more
challenges, there are several water hazards and a
handful of bunkers on each hole. Good iron play is a
must on the 18 holes here.
The signature hole at Hokuli’a is its 445m par-4
Hole 15, which is as much a visual treat as it is a test
of golfing skill. This tee box treats golfers with a
view of colours, ranging from black lava and white
bunkers to green grass and sparkling blue waters.
Palm trees stand magnificently along the
fairway that doglegs left as well as behind the
green. A long drive will set you up with a short-iron
approach. It is no wonder that many golfers end up
talking about Hole 15 after a round at Hokuli’a.
61 July/AUGUST 2017 | TM