by John Kuhula
I'm sure Chris's opinion was based on what he experienced. I am a native hawaiian from the Big Island and know for a fact that the trades can vary week to week. for that matter day to day. If Chris had the chance to stay for one month he would understand this. I currently live in Vegas (Lake Las Vegas) and can honestly say that it can get windy in Vegas, however, nothing close to Hawaii. It is very common to have a 3 club difference based on what hole your playing. Just an opinion from a local.
Mahalo.

by Jim Garvin
I agree with John Byrne. The article was absolutely asurd. I lived in Hawaii and virtually gave up tennis and almost golf because of the winds. It is an asolutely irresponsible article written after spending a whole 2 weeks.

by John Byrne
I normally ignore the slop that I get spammed at me by travelcolf.com, but Chris Baldwin's ignorance about our islands so poorly depicts what is real out here that some poor unsuspecting readeer of this blob site might actually buy into this ingoramus' pontifications.
For starters, Vegas golf is great. But don't expect to see any whales breaching from its fairways. nd when the wfe and kids want to go surfing while dad plays, in Vegas mom can hit the tables and the kids can watch TV.
Regarding his comments about Hawaii's tradewinds, Baldwin's two week stint is about as informative about our golf scene as a layover in Dallas.
I suggest that the millions of golfers who return year after year are the best and most qualified to talk about Hawaii golf--not some PR spin doctor bent on getting comps in Vegas at the expense of editorial integrity.
Having lived on Maui and played here for the past 20 years, and having also been a member of Brora Golf Club in the highlands of Scotland, I have a little knowledge about wind and am happy to inform you that every claim about the wind in Hawaii is more than true.
Don't ask me. Ask Hale Irwin, who used five drivers at Mauna Lani one year during his practice round on a single hole.
Chris, if you read this, I want you to know that you're bog is so off the mark that the next time you come out here I'm going to strap you and your golf bag to a kite and we'll see if the folks down in Tahiti can find you.
The next time you write about or visit Hawaii, why don't you consult people who know the place first, before slamming a place you really now nothing about. Two weeks is nothing. Only an idiot, not a true golf writer, would so irresponsibly report such garbage to the golfing public.

by Chris Baldwin
Sorry John. Those hot Hawaii winds blowing a breeze in your face are nothing to fear. When a wind's soothing, it's not a beast.
As for the comps issue you raise, the only time I ever take a comp is if it's for a work assignment. Also, do you have any idea how easy it is to get a comp in Las Vegas - and how relatively hard it is in comparison to get one in Hawaii? Under your absurd premise, I should be sucking up to Hawaii.
This wasn't a knock on Hawaii.
It's an accurate relfection of how Hawaii's winds are overhyped (what is it about the island and hyping things way beyond their real feats?) and how Las Vegas' tough winds are almost completely unknown.

by Mike Bankston
Chris,
Perhaps the time of year makes a difference? I was there in May of 05' and played Kapalua. With the wind, I averaged 330+ on every hole and on 18 I hit a drive 397 downhill, downgrain, downwind. The blue tees were 598 and I had 201 left to the center of the green for my second shot. I'm a 12 handicap who generally drives the ball in the 250-270 range.
Conversely, against the wind my same driver averaged under 215.
Ps, the best course that no one knows about on the islands might be Pukalani on Maui. $50 for tourists who can find it on the slopes of Haliakola (?). Awesome views, awesome course.
Thanks,
Mike Bankston
Atlanta, Georgia

by Kevin Fuller
This story brings me back to Feb.'06 when we ventured out to Las Vegas to play the Wolf at Paiute. Can you say wind burn? It was nearly impossible, the wind was blowing a solid 25-30 mph all day long! Scores?, who cares, we were just looking to survive.