Monday Morning Golf on Oahu

[05LMBVette]

I'm coming to Hawaii next week to play. I've got an all-you-can-play package for Turtle Bay for Wednesday through Friday, but want to play a round on Monday morning..... i'm just looking for you folks' suggestions, and if there's any courses that may be in particularly good or bad shape right now....

 

I've read a lot on here about the Kaneohe Klipper course, and that civilians can get on it.... so i'm consdiering it...

but i'm also considering courses like Royal Kunia, Pearl CC, etc..... I've played Ko'Olau in the past, and loved it, but would prefer to play somewhere different this time..... Would rather not spend HUGE money, since its costing me quite a bit for TB, but if i can stay under $100 i'd be happy (Hawaii Tee Times.com seems to be able to do this for the courses i mentioned)

 

What do you folks think is my best bet?

 

Thanks in advance!

[05LMBVette]

ALso have read that Mamala is a military course that civilians can play, and is very nice...

[bmaas03]

If you loved Ko'Olau, you might like Royal Hawaiian (aka Luana Hills). It's also in Kailua and has plenty of elevation change in the jungle. I haven't played there in a few months, but I heard it is in good shape.
Royal Kunia is so-so. I'd rather play Ewa Country Club or Coral Creek. Kapolei Country Club and Ko'Olina are LPGA/Champions Tour stops now, and public. I'm not sure they're in your budget but they're in good shape.
I wish I could help you with the military courses, but I've only played Barber's Point. Aloha and have fun.

[thesamwise]

[quote name='05LMBVette' timestamp='1398433005' post='9167965']
I'm coming to Hawaii next week to play. I've got an all-you-can-play package for Turtle Bay for Wednesday through Friday, but want to play a round on Monday morning..... i'm just looking for you folks' suggestions, and if there's any courses that may be in particularly good or bad shape right now....

I've read a lot on here about the Kaneohe Klipper course, and that civilians can get on it.... so i'm consdiering it...
but i'm also considering courses like Royal Kunia, Pearl CC, etc..... I've played Ko'Olau in the past, and loved it, but would prefer to play somewhere different this time..... Would rather not spend HUGE money, since its costing me quite a bit for TB, but if i can stay under $100 i'd be happy (Hawaii Tee Times.com seems to be able to do this for the courses i mentioned)

What do you folks think is my best bet?

Thanks in advance!
[/quote]

I've played the Klipper a few times. It's a fun and not too challenging course. The views on a few of the holes on the back 9 will knock your socks off. It's news to me that civilians can get on (by themselves), so make sure you double check.

I would second the vote for Royal Hawaiian. That is my favorite course on the east side. They do a good job taking care of it and it's beautiful. Really nice guys over there.

I can't speak to the pricing b/c I'm a resident, and I don't know what they charge out of state folks.

For me, if it's between the Klipper and Royal Hawaiian, I'd def. go with the latter.

Send me a PM if I can answer any questions about Oahu. Have a great trip.

[NYCMike]

Will be in Oahu with the wife in May and have already booked Ko'olina, Hawaii Prince and Turtle Bay (have played Ewa Beach, Olomana, Mililani during prior visits). Was thinking about adding Waikele -- anybody played it recently? Also, anyone have any experience with Makaha? Thanks.

[bmaas03]

[quote name='NYCMike' timestamp='1398717453' post='9189365']
Will be in Oahu with the wife in May and have already booked Ko'olina, Hawaii Prince and Turtle Bay (have played Ewa Beach, Olomana, Mililani during prior visits). Was thinking about adding Waikele -- anybody played it recently? Also, anyone have any experience with Makaha? Thanks.
[/quote]

I haven't played Waikele. I've played Makaha several times, although not recently - 1) It's a long drive to get there. (unless you're in Makaha or maybe Ko'Olina) 2) Course is comparable to Mililani or Hawaii Prince, IMO in terms of playing conditions/shape. 3) The greens break toward the ocean no matter where you are. It's almost unbelievable, really. This can be fun but frustrating at the same time.
I'd rather play Kapolei. It isn't as far away and in better shape.
I played Ko'Olina this weekend and it is in great shape. Prepare for the wind, but you'll enjoy it.

[05LMBVette]

Well, i lost track of time and ended up trying to book a tee time on sunday night for monday morning. So my options were limited. I ended up playing Royal Kunia.... clubhouse was a bit of a crappy shack if you ask me, but the course was nice... #9 had a very pretty approach.... Overall, though, i thought the course was really easy - at 7000 yards, it was probably long enough for most people, but it really didnt feel long to me... the wind was dead, so it played super easy to me - i shot a 69 ... way too many par 4's where i hit Driver and then less than a PW.

Played for 3 days at TurtleBay... the Palmer course is quite a bit nicer than the Fazio course, but neither is worth how expensive they are..... i understand that golf is quite pricey in Hawaii, but i certainly expected more. My biggest gripe with Turtle Bay was the bunkers... my word they were terrible... last thing i expected on the island of hawaii was for the bunkers to be rock hard, crappy sand...

I also felt the greens were very slow on both courses and i struggled mightily getting used to them. However, it wasn't a major surprise, as every place i ever go that has something other than bent-grass, i find to be super slow, since bent grass is what i'm used to playing on.

Overall, i shot 74,75,78,80,82 at Turtle Bay (not necessarily in that order). I struggled BIGTIME with the wind (thus my comment earlier about the calm wind). In PA, i don't typically play in more than what one would consider a slight breeze. If its blowing at all, you might have 1/2 to 1 club. At Turtle Bay, it was a constant 2-3 club wind, and I just struggled mentally. I'd tell myself to take atleast 2 extra clubs, and then only grab one and end up short in a bunker - the crappy bunkers that i was speaking of..... Overall though, it was fun! not worth a 12 hour plan ride though - i'll stick to the east coast!

[_R5_]

Some folks don't enjoy Ko Olina bc its too "resort", but I played it last July and loved it. Beautiful scenery & fantastic shape. Actually, for my money it was in better shape than Turtle Bay Palmer. I'll definitely be playing it again when we go back to Hawaii. Being from the Northeast, TB Palmer almost felt like I was playing at home too much on a lot of holes. At Ko Olina, I felt like I was truly in Hawaii the entire time. For me, that was huge.