Koele golf course

H awaii became the 50th state of America in 1959. It is made up of 122 islands in the North Pacific. Originally settled by Polynesian people 1000-1500 years ago, the English navigator captain James Cook discovered them in 1778 and named them the Sandwich Islands. They remained independent throughout the 19th Century but at the request of the Hawaiian people were annexed to the USA in 1898.

Koolau course on Oahu

Agriculture is sub-tropical with sugar cane, pineapples and coffee as the main products. Tourism is the main industry. America has several defence bases on the islands, the best known being Pearl Harbour. Honolulu on the island of Oahu is the state capital.

Turtle Bay course at the North Shore, Oahu Hawaii

Each of the four main islands boast championship level courses, ideal and suited for players of all handicaps.

Hawaii boasts two of the most well known championships in the world – the Sony Open and the PGA Mercedes Benz Championships.

The Plantation Course, Kapalua

Oahu is possibly the most well known island with the bright lights of Waikiki and the home of surfing up at the North Shore, but it also boasts more golf courses than the rest of the state of Hawaii combined – 37 in total.

The Koolau Golf Club at the foot of the Pali mountain range is classed as the world’s most challenging course while Hawaii’s Prince Golf Club at Ewa Beach has sculptured lakes, waterfalls and palm trees. Turtle Bay on the North Shore features stunning coastal holes.

Just a short 20 minutes flight away, the island of Maui offers an equally impressive range of courses. From the home of the PGA championship at the Plantation Course in Kapalua to negotiating the volcanic slopes of Mount Haleakala at Makena South Course, Maui is the diamond of Hawaii’s golfing crown. The Dunes at Maui Lani claim one of the best layouts in the Pacific region.

Makena, the South Course

In rugged volcanic slopes interspersed with lush green fairways nestles Hawaii’s Big Island offering a diverse range of courses.

Tee off under the slopes of the snow covered Mauna Kea at the Hapuna Beach Hotel or dodge the lava at the Waikoloa Beach course where the say – “If your ball hits the lava and doesn’t bounce, leave it and drop a new one”!

Mauna Kea course by Robert Trent Jones Sr.

With the number one course in the state, the Island of Kaua’i is a must for any keen golfer. The Princeville Resort on the North of the Island earns this honoured accolade due to its intriguing lava tubes and waterfalls.

The Poipu Bay Golf Course is home to the PGA Grand Slam with past winners including Tiger Woods and Ernie Els. Puakea Golf Course is one of Hawaii’s newest and is set not far from the location where Jurassic Park was filmed.

Boipu Bay golf course