Hokuli'a

The Jack Nicklaus Signature course at Hokuli’a is set within an upmarket residential development on wide, sloping land high above the Pacific Ocean. It’s one of the most scenic layouts in Hawaii but it’s also one of the longest, most difficult courses in the islands.

When given the opportunity to describe the course, its designer concentrated on the par four holes: “The first hole is a simple hole, that's how I like to start out. The second is a strong par four. You need to make a decision on the tee and a decision on the second shot. Two good shots are needed for a birdie.

On the fourth, you need to decide how much to bite off the tee, the green has water so you need two good shots there too. The sixth has a great green. The second shot is difficult. Most of my hole falls in to that category, like seven. Not too difficult off the tee, but requires a good second shot.

Ten is a nice hole, twelve is almost driveable; in fact it will be under the right conditions. It's a neat short par four. Fifteen is a long par four. It will be a driver and a wedge or a three-wood and a wedge because it's all downhill. You got to have the guts on the tee shot over the arroyo or barranca, then the green is well protected.

Seventeen is a strong tee shot and a very strong second shot. The green is partially blind but feeds to the back and right, so you can feed it in or carry it. Eighteen is a short par four with a demanding tee shot and a precise approach.”