Where's the Beach?
Written: Mar 23 '01
|
Product Rating:
|
|
| Course Value: |
 |
|
| Course Difficulty: |
 |
|
|
Pros: I really enjoyed playing golf on this beautiful course! What a treat!
Cons: If it's a really windy day it can cause you problems.
The Bottom Line: This is the most fun I've ever had on a golf course. It's beautiful, fun to play, and provides the most interesting scenery you might ever encounter!
|
|
|
| diverpam's Full Review: Waikoloa Beach Resort - Beach Course |
The Waikoloa Beach Course, designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr., is a beautiful and fun course for the resort golfer. Located on the sunny Kona Coast area of the Big Island of Hawaii, this course is a beautiful way to spend an afternoon.
The number 1 hole, Naupaka O Wailoloa (Waikoloa Legend) is a par 4. This long, almost straight hole has bunkers midway on the fairway and on either side of the green. The green is outlined with palm trees in the background. It plays 386 yards from the Resort tee.
Hole #2, Lokawai (Pond), certainly earns its name. This par 4 hole is 277 yards from the Resort tee. Only 224 yards from the ladies' tee, I found myself over the large pond and on the green in 3 strokes. (Nothing short of a miracle for me.) There's a bunker to the left, just on the crest of the hill approaching the pond. There's also a very large bunker to the right of the green.
Hole #3, Punawai (Nature's Spring), is a par 4, 330 yard hole. There is a large bunker in the middle of the fairway, so the fairway curves to the right around it. There are several bunkers on either side of the green, as well.
Hole #4, Ka loko O Moke (Moke's Pond) has you playing over another pond. At 120 yards the Resort tees force you to traverse quite a length of water to reach the green. The Forward tee (at 84 yards) has only a tiny corner of the pond lying between it and the green (thank goodness). This is a pretty hole with three large bunkers behind the green and several palms ringing the area.
Moving onto Hole #5, Ulu Loulu (Grove of Palms), you'll have an opportunity to drive across a lava-filled gulley from the Resort tee to reach the fairway. (The Forward tee is spared the lava.) The fairway narrows in the middle and has several bunkers along the left. It opens back up some as you approach the green. You'll see a ring of palm trees almost completely surrounding this hole. You'll also find plenty of sand as you approach the green.
Remember the pond from Hole #2? You get to play across it once on again at #6, Na ki i Pohaku (Petroglhyphs). This par 4 is 346 yards at the Resort tee and 297 from the Forward. Everyone gets the chance to lose a ball in the water before hitting the large fairway. With bunkers on either side you want to keep the ball straight.
You'll find that hole #7 is aptly name Koa (Courage)with an even larger body of water standing between you and the green. A par 3 hole 182 yards from the Resort tee, you have to hit the ball well into the air as you aim for the green with large bunkers on each side. The Forward tee has less water to deal with, but still a lot of it.
After surviving the water you'll approach E Maka'ala (Risk Reward) #8. This par 4 hole has an over abundance of large and small bunkers to test your skill and courage. It's a sharp dogleg right and plays 363 yards from the Resort tee.
You'll reach the turn at Ke ana (Lava Chimney), hole #9, a par 5 with water to the right and lava to the left. Choose your poison and count on losing a ball or two. I was lucky, I only went into the lava field about a foot so I was able to retrieve and drop my ball. This hole has everything, bunkers, water, lava, and palm trees.
It also has a great shopping center just across the pond. Shoppers having lunch can watch you play your way up this 558 yard hole. I got a real break on this hole -- "only" 459 yards for me! You'll also realize you have a gallery in the condos to the left. There were lots of people sitting out on their balconies watching us hack our way to the green. (After priding myself on maintaining single-digit scores until this point, it took me 10 strokes to finally reach the hole.)
This course is so beautiful and inviting we forged on to #10 without even stopping at the clubhouse (probably a first for me).
Ke nani o Pele (Pele's Beauty)is surrounded by lava and has a row of palms all around the left side. This crescent-shaped hole curves to the right, where you'll find a narrow green almost surrounded by sand. It's a par 4 and plays 364 yards from the Resort tee.
Finally, a par 3 awaits you at Hole #11, Ka paku o Maui (Maui's Curtain). From the Resort tee box, it's 177 yards to the green. Only two bunkers and no water on this hole allow you to catch your breath before reaching the spectacular hole #12.
The Beach course's signature hole, Hemolele (Perfection) is often photographed -- and for good reason. It is absolutely beautiful. This hole provides not one, but two, doglegs for your playing pleasure. This is one of the few par 5 ocean holes in Hawaii. As we waited for the group ahead of us to clear the green, I was amazed at the absolute beauty of this hole. The ocean crashes against the rocks ringing this hole, spraying water high into the air. Palm trees sway in the ocean wind and humpback whales can be seen spouting in the distance. I commented to my husband that it was almost a sacrilege to play this hole. It was just too beautiful to ruin with my playing. Regardless of how you're playing you'll love this 479 yard hole.
Hole 13, Mauka (Mountain Bound) takes you back toward the mountain and away from the spectacular ocean view. You'll find the condos again -- this time on your right -- as you play this 163 yard par 3. It's pretty straight with bunkers on either side of the green.
Aptly named Puni ka ku'onon (Around the Corner) Hole #14 is a par 4 with a dogleg to the left. You have lava to the left and lava to the right, with lots of bunkers and palms to boot. The green is fairly narrow with a bunker directly behind the green just waiting for you to overshoot. This hole plays 407 yards from the Resort tee.
We were lucky that it was a relatively calm day. However, you'll find plenty of wind when you reach Hale o ka makani (House of the Wind) #15. This par 5 is 541 yards from the Resort tee and you can only hope the wind is blowing your ball in the right direction.
Number 16, Mau'u ala (Fountain Grass Way) is a 327 yard par 4 hole. It plays pretty straight, with a minimal amount of sand around the wide fairway.
This will bring you to #17 E Kulia (To Strive). This is a short par 3 (152 yards from Resort tee). It has a small green with plenty of sand to distract you.
You get one last chance to drive over a lava pit as you head home on hole #18 E'A'a (Challenging). With lava, bunkers, trees and a dogleg left, this hole has a bit of something for everyone. If you survive the lava (you luck out again on the Forward tee) you'll have a chance to play the narrowing fairway onto this long, narrow green. With clover shaped bunkers on either side, you'll need all the luck you can get to hit this green.
I think the average player will truly enjoy this course. Every hole is more beautiful than challenging (that means some are really, really pretty!) Waikoloa Beach is a feast for all your senses.
Everyone at the course was very friendly and helpful. The carts were stocked with fresh, white towels and a cooler full of ice. The beverage cart made its way around frequently and the driving range was very good and well-stocked with tees and balls.
Be sure to take one of the yardage books they offer you as you tee off. The score cards don't have a diagram of the course. The yardage book is filled with diagrams and helpful information.
Regular fees for this course are $145. If you're staying at one of the nearby resorts the cost is $115. If you play after 2pm, the cost is $80.
Rating/Slope
Championship 71.5/133
Resort 68.6/126
Forward 69.4/119
Recommended:
Yes
Green Fees Paid (US$): 80 (after 2)
Speed of Play (typical weekend): 3 to 4 Hours
Look Out For: Other
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
diverpam
|
 - Top 200 |
|
Member: Pam
Location: Collierville, TN
Reviews written: 263
Trusted by: 347 members
About Me:
~~~~So many oceans...so little time!~~~~
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2008 Shopping.com, Inc.