Oahu Golf - End of May - 2 rounds

[PooN]

Hey guys/gals,

 

We will be staying near Honolulu at the end of May. I'm looking for 2 rounds of golf for my BIL and me (both 10 handicaps). I've read all the old Oahu posts here (most were from 2012) and I think I've somewhat made up my mind about at least 1 of the 2 rounds...

 

We want to absolutely do 1 round in the mountains, so it will either be Ko'olau or Royal Hawaii. If you guys had to choose between the two, which would you prefer and why?

 

For the 2nd round, we were thinking maybe hitting a course with some ocean views (since we will be in Hawaii for God's sake). Perhaps Kaneohe Klipper? We don't necessarily need to play ocean views, however, so if you locals (or knowledgeable ex-locals) think another round somewhere else would be better, please advise.

[rrkman]

I loved Ko'olau. Rates as one of the favorite courses I've played. Didn't play royal Hawaii.

[PooN]

Will I need to worry about being rained out during the last week of May?

[bmaas03]

[quote name='PooN' timestamp='1393824088' post='8785278']
Will I need to worry about being rained out during the last week of May?
[/quote]

Rain on the East side is hit and miss any time of year. With any luck, the rains will be brief and you'll be in the sunshine again in 30 minutes. Bring a hat and a short sleeved rain pullover and you'll be fine.

I haven't played Royal Hawaiian in about 2 months and I have little desire to return. If I do, and the conditions have improved, I'll revise my response. The course has some spectacular views. But the fairways and greens have been in horrible shape for the last year. They've done quite a bit of work on the course and although they're finished the course condition seems to have gotten worse, not better.
That being said, Ko'Olau is a challenge. Although both have their fair share of forced carries and lay ups, you'll have to hit it better at KoOlau to shoot the same score.

Are you leaning more towards ocean views for your 2nd round or towards a nicer course? Is cost a factor? If you could jump on a plane for a day, you'd find spectacular ocean views on the majority of holes at Manele Bay on Lanai, for example.
Oahu doesn't offer as much as the other islands for ocean views, although I haven't played much on the east side of the island so others might chime in. If I were picking a course based on conditions, I'd play the Palmer at Turtle Bay or maybe Ko Olina or Kapolei. They won't get you much for ocean view, but they are well-kept. Makaha Valley is a farther drive on the west side and there are some ocean views, but I haven't played it in awhile so i can't comment on course conditions.

[Poser]

Buddy of mine lives about 5 minutes from Ko'olau. I play it a few times a year it's a fun course but, man does it get really really wet sometimes out there. It's in the rainforest so if the weather isn't the greatest you might want to skip on it. I've lost balls in the middle of the fairway there. As for ocean views you can't go wrong with turtle bay palmer course. I love that course and get the chicken sandwich at the turn it's fantastic.

[spiffdogxl]

One of the huge trees fell on the fringe of the 15th green at Koolau as a result of all this rain. The course isn't pretty right now. Hopefully by May the mud will subside and the mowers can get back to work. It was basically unplayable last week.

[PooN]

[quote name='spiffdogxl' timestamp='1393967664' post='8797737']
One of the huge trees fell on the fringe of the 15th green at Koolau as a result of all this rain. The course isn't pretty right now. Hopefully by May the mud will subside and the mowers can get back to work. It was basically unplayable last week.
[/quote]

Dangit... I'll have to check back in this thread closer to the end of May.