Hawaii's Garden Island
Kauai is heart shaped. As you move clockwise around the Pacific Island, the geography changes rapidly. The North is cool and rainy. The Southwest is characterised by dramatic canyons, mountains and flatter plains. The Southeast is warm and beachy, that’s where the resorts are. And West? That was my destination; The Nāpali Coast. And like all great Hawaiian Islands a volcano lies at the centre.
Kauai has nine golf courses, four of which are oceanfront. This is unique and makes it a great place for golfers but I was here to explore the island's natural beauty and culture beyond the fairways. I was with my wife and not technically on a golf trip, so I was going to choose one course to play.
Good Good and Matt Ginella led the way. I knew from their trips to Kauaʻi that Hokuala was my spot. The Nāpali Coast and holes 14, 15, and 16 were calling to me from across the Ocean.
The Ocean Course at Hokuala is rated 76 from the tips, which is tough for a resort course. The front nine winds through a tropical forest with mountains in the background whilst the back nine is all Ocean Front. I shot two under on the front taking advantage of three very gettable par fives. My goal this year is to break 70, I've never done it, and I thought this was my day... Hawaii would be the ideal place to do it.
The back nine was tougher. I shot nine over.
The dramatic change of difficulty makes for the perfect Hawaiian golf experience. You start with great vibes, scoring well and enjoying drinks with your partners. As it gets more challenging and you hit the coastal holes you appreciate the beauty and experience as your score washes away with the afternoon tide.
The oceanfront stretch is the largest in Hawaii and includes a dramatic par 3 with a green guarded by the ocean, a par 4 with an approach over a valley and overlooking the bay, and a drivable par 4 to a peninsula green that takes you right to the furthest edge of the island. One of the coolest stretches of golf I've ever seen.
After the round, our playing partner Corey, an ex-basketball player and Venture Capital guy with a big heart, the GM, assistant pro, my wife Lexie and I hung out and talked golf.
The wind and weather in Kauaʻi breeds good golfers. The guys proudly listed off a history of strong amateurs and juniors that went on to play high level golf. Wailua Golf Course, a storied nearly 100 year old muni down the road, hosted several USGA amateur tournaments too.
They're working hard to build golf up in Kauai, focusing on junior tournaments and getting more people, including women and beginners, to play. There's a coalition called Go Golf Kauai that unites all the pros and courses, showing their commitment to the island and its culture while promoting the game.
The course was spectacular and playing in Hawaii will always be one of my greatest golf experiences. But it wasn’t until I saw the Nāpali Coast from the Ocean that I really understood how special the Island was. Of course I want to come back and play the other 8 courses here, but the real beauty of Kauaʻi goes way beyond the fairways.
