Destination: Hawaii
They don't call Hawaii paradise for nothing, but better than that, there are several versions of it depending on which islands you visit. Each has its own climate and personality.
If you start with Honolulu and Oahu, you can find a bustling, fast-paced, exciting or tranquil experience within a few miles of each other. You could stay in the city at a high-rise resort, visit one of the world's best and interesting beaches in Waikiki, sample Hawaiian barbecue or other types of fine Asian cuisine at scores of restaurants and dance the night away at some of the state's hottest nightclubs. Or you can venture out to one of the island's resorts such as 36-hole Turtle Bay on the North Shore or the J.W. Marriott Ihilani Resort, which is in short range of several fine daily fee golf courses.
For a totally opposite experience, you can take on the Big Island of Hawaii with its 11 different climate zones, black lava fields and breathtaking resorts and golf courses in the shadow of Mauna Kea on the Kohala Coast. There, you can play a pair of the world's most scenic par 3s, the 15th at Mauna Lani South and the third at Mauna Kea Golf Course, both of which take you over waves crashing over black rocks. Or take in another dozen or so golf courses, each with their own unique topography and vistas.
Maui and the Kapalua Resort's Plantation Course is where the season-opening SBS Championship on the PGA Tour is played. The Bay Course at Kapalua is arguably even more scenic that the Plantation, and Royal Kaanapali, one of two golf courses at the Ka'anapali Resort, has hosted more than 20 professional tour events. Maui is also a hotspot for humpback whale watching. Or you can catch a sunrise atop the 10,000 Haleakala Crater.
Just across from Maui is the small island of Lanai, which has two Four Seasons Resorts. What Lanai lacks in number of golf courses it makes up in quality with The Experience at Koele with its stunning mountain and ocean views and the Jack Nicklaus-designed The Challenge at Manele, set on the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
On Kauai, known as the Garden Isle, you'll find plunging ravines, waterfalls, cliffs, canyons and bays. You can hike up the Waimea Canyon or kayak down the Wailua River. You can also get in some spectacular golf at resorts like the renovated Princeville Resort on the north shore or Poipu Bay or the south side's Wailua Golf Course, a municipal extraordinaire.
In any event, you could spend a year exploring the islands and never run out of experiences or great golf. There are plenty of short flights between the islands, so island hopping is never a problem.
Dates: March 15, 2012 - December 16, 2012
Play three rounds at two of the best courses in Hawaii for one great price. The package includes one 18-hole round at Mauna Kea Golf Course and two 18-hole rounds at Hapuna Golf Course, starting from $375 per person.
Price range: $375
For more information, please call
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Area Tee Times
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For the past two decades, golf has been a driving force in an effort to re-brand Lanai, which was once known as 'Pineapple Island,' as a private paradise for sun-seeking tourists. The smallest and least-populated of Hawaii's half dozen tourist-friendly islands, Lanai boasts 36 holes of championship golf -- the Challenge at Manele and the Experience at Koele -- and only 30 miles of paved road.
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Golfers love to eat, and there are few places that combine the two experiences better than the Big Island of Hawaii. Throw in some Kona coffee, something you don't want to miss on any trip to the Big Island, and you have struck it rich -- literally. Mike Bailey offers up some of the best places to eat and get a good cup of coffee on the Big Island.
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The 15th on the South Course at Mauna Lani Resort is one of the most photographed holes in the world, but it isn't the only reason to visit this golf course on the Big Island. There are other ocean holes on this Hawaii favorite, and the inland holes here are fairly memorable as well, Mike Bailey writes.
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Royal Course at Ka'anapali Golf Resort on Maui gets the majority of the rave reviews. But players need to remember its sister Kai Course is also a tremendous challenge. From breathtaking views and scenery to enough rolling fairways and undulating greens, it's a course that will leave you wanting more, especially in the wake of recent renovations by Robin Nelson.
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If you've traveled to Maui, you can't miss King Kamehameha Golf Club's rose-colored clubhouse perched high atop the West Maui Mountains. A winding road rising up the mountain leads players to a golf course that is filled with challenges -- and dramatic views. It's a private club, but players can enjoy all the amenities the club has to offer with its member-for-a-day program.
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When it comes to great resort golf courses, Hawaii certainly doesn't have a shortage of them. The Aloha State landed eight courses -- half designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr. -- on Golfweek Magazine's 2012 list of best resort courses, second only to California. Which Hawaii courses made the list? Mike Bailey has the answer.
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Located in the heart of Lihue, Hawaii, is Puakea Golf Course. Puakea dates back to 1991 and represents Kauai's golf course middle-ground. It's a shade less expensive than the island's premium resort courses while offering better conditions and experience than the island's municipal course and other daily fees.
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Makai Golf Club at St. Regis Princeville features an 18-hole championship course and a nine-hole course. Operated by Troon Golf, the club received a major renovation a few years back, including 18 holes redesigned by Robert Trent Jones Jr. The result is one of Hawaii's most spectacular ocean courses.
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The island of Kauai has a handful of the best resort golf courses in Hawaii, but for the more frugal traveler, that doesn't mean you're priced out of a round while on the Garden Isle. Kauai may have one of the highest concentrations of top-ranked courses in Hawaii, but it also offers some great bargains on top plays.
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Royal Ka'anapali dates back long before many of Maui's championship golf courses opened, and it continues to pass the test of time. The Robert Trent Jones Sr. design is the most consistent blend of championship-caliber, resort friendly golf that can be found in Maui, Brandon Tucker writes from Hawaii.
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Photo gallery: Take on Robin Nelson at The Dunes at Maui Lani in Kahului, Hawaii
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Hawaii for couples: Maui golf courses that fit the bill for your gal
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Puakea Golf Course on Kauai: Hawaii gem gets prettier every time you blink
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Hawaii's best golf in pictures: A look at Kauai
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Kauai, Hawaii golf trip and travel Frequently Asked Questions
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Kauai: Hawaii's "Garden Isle" an Eden of island golf & resorts
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Reader responds: Tucker's right, Poipu Bay in Hawaii is pretty awesome
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Kauai's best? Hard to argue against Poipu Bay Golf Course as Hawaiian island's top resort course
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Wailea Golf Club's Gold Course: Historic rocks with ocean views on South Maui
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Hawaii's Dunes at Maui Lani Golf Course: The rare airport course you should stop at
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Take two ocean-snuggle holes & hope: Kapalua's Bay Course needs LPGA rebirth
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The Lodge at Koele: A vacation from the typical Hawaii that's not just hype
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Fairmont Kea Lani resort puts South Maui's Hawaii glitz into a super-sized package
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The Challenge at Manele golf course in Hawaii: The ocean holes never stop
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Kauai golf gaining notice in Hawaii
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Turtle Bay Resort
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Kapalua Bay Resort: Casual Elegance in Hawaii
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Waikoloa Golf Club: Beauty Amongst the Lava Rocks
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Westin Maui Prince at Makena: Golf Like Royalty in Hawaii
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Kauai's Princeville Resort: Rejuvenate the heart in Hawaii