The Kings’ Course – Majestic Fairways Interspersed Throughout Ancient Lava Fields – It’s Been Likened to
Playing Golf On The Moon!
So you’ve played on the rugged links of Scotland, in the pristine deserts of Arizona and on the spectacular cliffs of the California coast, but have you ever played golf on the moon?
On Hawaii's Big Island, there are miles and miles of lava fields that stretch from the Kona-Keahole Airport for almost 30 miles up the Kona-Kohala Coast. Many Hawaiians consider this land sacred and powerful. Accordingly, the Kings’ Trail, which runs through the heart of the lava from Kona, up the coast to Pu'ukohola Heiau, contains several areas which were most powerful and sacred of all.
One of the most significant sites of all are the petroglyph fields which lay in the heart of Waikoloa Beach Resort. You’ll sense the power of the nature surrounding you, how special this place is, when you stand on one the tees looking at the vastness of these ancient lava fields. It is a very surreal experience, one that can not be found anywhere else in the world. It is your only chance to experience it here at Waikoloa along the Kohala Coast of Hawaii.
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Designed by the world famous team of Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish the 7,074 yard Kings’ course meanders over and around the ancient black lava flow, and its wide, undulating fairways are framed by palm trees and vibrant flowers of Hawaii. The Kings' Course plays inland towards the ancient mountain of Mauna Kea, ever present in the distance. The course is a strategic layout that requires a player to think his way around the course. Multiple tee placements, strategic lakes and challenging pot bunkers add complexity to the experience.
While you’ll find it tough to choose a favorite hole here’s a few of the highlights:
The Par 5, 2nd hole ups the ante pretty quickly in your round. A straight away par five, with a lake up the entire length of the hole, framed by the majestic lava field. behind it. Try to keep it too far right and your struggle with trees all the way to the green.
5th is a very short par four risk/reward par 4, but don’t let the length fool you. Be sure to check with wind conditions as you’ll just feel like having a rip at the green for that elusive chance at an eagle. The penalty if you miss short and left is a vast bunker, with a giant lava outcropping smack in the middle of it. So, what started off as a potential birdie just became a black mark on your scorecard. Of course, you can always play away from the trouble to the fairway on the right and have a short wedge in but where’s the fun in that?
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From the green, perched up a few feet above the fairway you get a magnificent view of the surrounding lava fields, which stretch as far as the eye can see. This is a Kodak moment no matter what your score.
The 7th is a picturesque par three that plays from a raised tee over water to a beautifully tree framed green. It’s a mid to long iron and often into the wind so pars are not easy to come by.
The 10th is a great driving hole. A dogleg left, with trees and a trap right. The play is to hug or carry the huge fairway bunker at the apex of the fairway on the left. Successfully done it still leaves a mid to long iron in to a green with the imposing sight of Manua Kea in the distance.
The short 13th is tight and tricky par 4 with water all down the left and a host of bunkers right. The smart play is a utility club short at the right bunkers, leaving a wedge in to a small undulating green well protected by bunkers. It’s the type of hole that screams birdie on first glance at the card but is often replaced with a bogey by the time you leave the green.
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The final holes offer a very strong and memorable finish, 15 is a beautiful par three. A short to mid iron is all you will need across a lake to the sloping green, protected by bunkers. 16 is easily the toughest hole on the course where even a good drive leaves a fairway metal into to a green guarded by water front and left with traps and mounds awaiting those who bail right!
18 offers you the final chance for a final birdie or bogey! Tee off one last time among the lava which follows with you all the way up the left side, almost to the green. Threading your tee shot between the lava left and a fairway bunker right gives you a chance to get home in two but the green is small, undulating and guarded by pot bunkers. Meaning, the prudent choice might be a strategic layup leaving a short pitch and one putt to cap off your day!
The Kings’ course is truly a player’s course. It’s got the length, the strategic punishment or rewards and the ever-present trade winds to protect par. Yet, surprisingly enough, it’s that rare breed of design that can both challenge the good player to the max while still being eminently enjoyable for the occasional player from several different sets of tees. While the golf will be enjoyed for the day, the pictures and memories will last a lifetime!
- Par 72, 7074 yards
- Slope: 135
- Rating: 73.4
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