HAWAII'S SIGNATURE HOLES

COURTESY HAWAII KAI GOLF COURSE The approach at the 414-yard, par-4 No. 13 calls for a mid-iron shot, maybe a 5-iron, over a lake to a slick green.

Take the Challenge

The Hawaii Kai Golf Course
has a lot to offer golfers

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By Randy Cadiente
rcadiente@starbulletin.com

If there is one word to describe the Hawaii Kai Golf Course, it's "challenging."

Opened in 1973, the ocean-side, par-72 championship layout with tight tree-lined fairways, well-bunkered greens and strategically placed lakes was designed by golf course architect William Bell. It measures 6,614 yards from the back tees, 6,222 from the whites and 5,067 for the women.

An off-shore wind, however, can make club selection a guessing game.

"It's a factor sometimes," said head pro John Inzer.

"The difference (for amateurs) is probably around three or four shots. Sometimes the wind can help.

"But it (the wind) gives the course its own characteristic."

The tropical breeze is not the only thing that separates the Hawaii Kai Golf Course from other courses on Oahu.

No. 13

Par-4, 414 yards

COURTESY 808GOLF.COM The par-4 dogleg left No. 13 plays 414 yards from the back tees. Trees at the turn of the dogleg and a lake will discourage golfers from attempting to drive the green off the tee. Only the bold, and long hitters, should try it. Source: Hawaii Kai Golf Course

From every tee, golfers can either get a view of the Makapuu Cliffs, Pacific Ocean or the rugged eastern Oahu coastline. On clear days, the islands of Maui and Molokai can be seen in the distance. During the winter, golfers can get distracted by the sights of whales spouting water on their way to waters off Maui.

"Our course is now in the best shape it's ever been in," said Inzer.

Giving Hawaii Kai another unique look is its 13th hole.

The par-4, 414-yard dogleg left has all the makings of a signature hole -- water, sand, a narrow fairway and a picturesque view of the Pacific Ocean.

An accurate tee shot with a mid-iron is a must here. Hit it too long and you can find yourself playing your second shot from the 14th tee, or worse yet, out of bounds.

It's also out of bounds to the right, and if you pull your drive, you will definitely find one of the many trees that line the fairway on the left.

Golfers who find the fairway are faced with another mid-iron shot over a lake to an undulated green flanked by bunkers on both sides.

"The (tee) shot is basically a layup," said Inzer.

"Hitting it closer to the lake will provide you with a shorter (second) shot.

"Hit it farther right and then the lake really comes into play. The thing is, the wind is out of the left and it makes the approach shot difficult. But the green is big and slopes back-to-front and left-to-right."

Any thoughts of trying for the green off the tee would be foolish.

"People used to (drive the green)," Inzer said. "But that was when the trees weren't as tall. I've driven it before, but the trees have grown now.

"Now, if you give me 10 balls, I might be able to hit it once."

Birdies are hard to come by at the 13th and golfers should be happy to walk to the next tee with a two-putt par.

Hawaii Kai The Hawaii Kai Golf Course is a 15-mile drive from Waikiki. Opened in 1973, the par-72 championship course measures 6,686 yards from the back tees and was designed by golf course architect William Bell. What: Hawaii Kai Golf Course Layout: Par-72, 6,686 yards Where: 8902 Kalanianaole Highway Phone: 395-2358 Green Fees: Weekdays, residents: $45, $40 after 11 a.m., $30 after 1:40 p.m.; weekends, residents: $53, $45 from 1-1:30 p.m. Call the clubhouse for non-resident fees. All rates include carts with the Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite technology. Source: Hawaii Kai Golf Course