I've read the other reviews and most of the comments are correct. Before this recent renovation, the course needed some TLC. No water in the ponds, some of the fairways not in great shape, Tee boxes not up to par, etc. But, you cannot get this kind of experience any where else in Hawaii. The views are spectacular. There is virtually no one on the golf course. Wild Turkeys running the fairways. This is truly a piece of land that is a gift for a golf course. My 5 year old son and I played 6 days straight in the afternoons with no hassles. No golf traffic. No worries or cart girls running around. It is exactly what we were looking for. Peace and quiet. Try and get this type of atmosphere on any other Hawaii golf course - it does not exist. If you play golf, this is as close to heaven you can get to without being dead!
Very nice course. Gorgeous scenery. The greens were a bit slow and the breaks were incredibly subtle. Seemed to have some sort of fungus problem on a few of the greens. All in all a great experience.I guess they are closing the course down in a few weeks for a full renovation. Right now it is a Greg Norman design... Jack Nicklas is doing the redesign. Can't wait to come back in a few years when it is done.
I enjoy playing here during the off seasons. My tip is to bring your own picnic sandwich and drinks from the local sandwich shop. You might not see a cart girl while you are out there. At the lodge check out the 18 hole putting course...make sure to use floating balls and not your own balls.
We played the Manele Course first, and this was like coming back home to Colorado and playing a Mountain Course....awesome experience! The staff is excellent, and the course is well-maintained. I love the spot on the back nine when you are standing on Lanai, and can see breath-taking views of Molokai and Maui as well! The view from the 17th tee box will truly take your breath away, and you will feel like you are teeing off the edge of the world! Also, when we played we had the course to ourselves....don't know if it will stay that way, but it was a experience we won't soon forget!
Played this course twice, would have played it more if it was open. The mountain experience is a nice change from the sunny & hot Challenge at Manele. Holes #8 and #17 were my favorite. Pro Shop was very informative regarding places we wanted to eat at and visit in Lanai City. Definitely will be back to golf this course again even though the greens and fairways were not as nice as the Challenge.
First, the course design and mountain location make this quite an experience. The picture shown is their 17th signature hole. The vertical drop is much more than the picture shows.The staff at the clubhouse and starter position were very friendly. The course itself was well maintained although the fairways were just OK.Less people seem to play here than at the Ocean course. We played 3 rounds. Only during one round did we see the food cart driving around. It is a very cart, just like the one at Manele Bay. No alcohol other than beer.For two of the 3 rounds, the club washers mounted on the carts had no water in them. Twice we found toilets at the comfort stations with no toilet paper. And once, the cart I was driving had pretty worn out brakes - scary on a mountain course.Overall, playing there is only part of a whole wonderful Lanai vacation. Therefore, as long as you know about those small problems ahead of time, you can plan for them: bring your own drinks, food, toilet paper, fill up your with water, test the brakes, and then enjoy the gorgeous course!
Experience of a lifetime! Beautiful course, every golfer should have chance to play here, incredible!
Played The Experience at Koele on 1st March 2013.Flew from Oahu that morning to play there and The Challenge at Manele.I was treated like I owned the place. The staff were fantastic in accommodating me from the minute I arrived. Complimentary coffee & pastries. Excellent practice facilities. The course, what a layout!I understand in recent years, not as much effort in maintaining the course has allowed it to suffer a little. However, i think with the new owner of the island now putting the effort into getting the course as good as it can be, it won't be long before it is again in pristine condition. They are in the process of rehabilitating the cascading waterfalls and small water hazards around the course. Yes, it could be greener but it is a course carved out of valleys and mountains on a windswept island. This style of golf is not for everyone, but is none-the-less a great test of your skills.With 25-30mph winds, playing off a handicap of 4 from the Tournament tees I shot 70 off the stick. So a score can be made if you think your way around the course. The front-nine cascades through the valley with the Par 3 7th a great hole at 209 yards with a lake bordering the back & right of the green. The Par 4 8th requires a precise tee shot to a comfortable lay-up position, for a short, precise approach to an island green. A hole that can be easily birdied/bogied. The par 5 9th is reachable with a good drive, but requires full commitment on the approach to carry the hazard that edges the left of the fairway & green. A climb up the hill to the back nine exposes you to the tradewinds for a test of ball control and accuracy with a couple of great holes to negotiate. The pick in my opinion, the Par 5 12th with a long carry over a ravine. Needing to play down the left side is difficult with the wind pushing hard from the right. If you can stay left the green is reachable with the wind then behind you on the approach. The par 3 13th is straight into the wind and can play 2-3 clubs longer than the yardage suggests. The 17th is the signature hole and for good reason. A huge drop to the fairway makes the landing area seem quite narrow. But it's an illusion, a typical Greg Norman design trait. Tee it up, smash it at the left hand side jungle, and as the ball climbs out of the chute of trees the wind will start to push it right. It will settle in the middle of the fairway and leave a short iron in. Hitting this fairway will make your day. A downhill Par 3 finishes the round, but be warned, it's all carry to the green with a large dam in front of the green. This is a course with it's own unique style. Beautiful but strategically placed waterfalls and creeks speckle the front, with wind & elevation changes a feature of the back. I loved it.
This course is more of a Colorado mountain course. Exact opposite of Manele. Stunning course none the less. Don't pass on an opportunity to play here!Loved holes #9 and #17!
You might wonder why someone thought of putting a golf course high in the mountains with hardly any ocean views--until you play here! It couldn't be any more different from the seaside Challenge at Manele Bay course a few miles away, but good golfers will love both! Huge elevation changes put you in a different climate zone, with forest, deer, wild turkeys, and more....including one elevated tee with a purely amazing view (17th hole). Coffee and free pastries for early tee times. If you are staying at either 4 Seasons hotels, paying for play provides unlimited golf in the same day. This course has never been crowded when we have been there. It really is an "Experience!" The golf shop is a 2-minute walk from The Lodge at Koele (check for hotel specials!) or a shuttle will take you there.