Puakea Golf Course

Description:

• This former Grove Farm sugar plantation opened up 18 holes in 2003 to rave reviews. The course was in the middle of construction when Hurricane Iniki slammed into it in 1992, rearranging the greens from what golf designer Robin Nelson had originally planned. The first 9 (actually the first 10) holes finally opened in 1997 to many kudos; Sports Illustrated named it 1 of the 10 best 9-hole golf courses in the U.S. The final 8 holes are now open, giving golfers something to think about. The course opens with a fairly standard first couple of holes, and just when you think you have nothing to worry about, you get to the third tee. Now you see the evidence of Nelson's work and the time he spent playing the first 10 holes numerous times. He offers golfers this advice on number three: "The fairway is really wide, and the difficulty of your second shot is really affected by which side of it you're on, because you've got to angle your shot over a lake. Hit your tee shot to the right and you've got a good shot, hit it to the left and it's almost impossible."

  Facilities include lockers, showers, a pro shop, practice greens, a clubhouse, and club and shoe rental.

• © Frommer's 2012