Your muted agony may reach a psychological crescendo at Kiele's signature hole, the 330/330/279/255 yard, par four 16th. As at Nicklaus North in Whistler, for instance, he strokes a golfer's ego, and then cold cocks them into silly, punch drunk protoplasm. Nicklaus took me to school the few holes as I methodically blew a previously perfect round. I'd already declared intentions to hit from the drop area, and made a double-bogey. My second was almost perfect, but alas, it meant nothing. Perhaps it provided some of his inspiration, here.įrom the blue tees, I hooked my six iron into a water hazard also known as the Pacific Ocean. The 13th conjures memories of the 16th at Cypress, or the second shot on the 8th at Pebble Beach, which happens to be one of his favorite shots in golf. Golfers pose on a cliff, staring stare in awe at the daunting prospect before them-a shot through the void and across a frothing, gaping gulf to a green that, from the blues, looks about as big as a goldfish bowl in a carnival. It is famous, and regularly included on the list of Hawaii's best holes. We're told that after Kiele's completion in 1987, Nicklaus liked the design so much that he made only one change-adding a back tee to the 207/188/162/126 yard, par three, 13th You know this hole. As on other Nicklaus Signature courses, it finishes with several in-your-face challenges, testing a player's brain, brawn, nerve, and patience. It is Kiele's back nine, however, that creates lasting memories. With a good bounce, it is possible to hit this green in two shots without incurring substantial risk. Right-handed golfers should hit a cut from the tee if they can. For your second, the hole takes a hard right and becomes fairly simple. The 519/507/496/403 yard, par five, 6th, demands another daunting carry of 172 yards from the blue tees. With the trade wind blowing from behind, use at least one less club, and remember that the hole does not play as long as it looks. From all but the shortest tee, you'll hit across a forest of mango trees to a broad, two-tiered green that appears to rise, like an island, from the jungle. On the front nine, Kiele's 219/213/176/74 yard, par three, 5th, offers your first real test of nerve. He understands the concept of strategic bunkering. He like laying out a view of the hole from a tee box. If you've played his other works, you'll recognize recurring themes. I mean that in a nice way, and with all due respect. "You're hoofin' just to play the guitar," I quipped.īut, when the man stepped aside, I moved on, quietly cursing Jack Nicklaus for deigning to design golf courses. Clearly, he would be performing that evening. He juggled a tripod, an amplifier, a tripod, and a speaker. About half way down, a Hawaiian gentleman blocked my path. Score does not matter (of course), but after the round, I craved liquid consolation, hence my hurried descent along a narrow walkway to the massive pool and bar at the Kauai Marriott Resort and Beach Club, which is affiliated with the course. That's like picking up your prom date in a limo, and discovering she's a blow-up doll. We're talking 36-45, the numbers on my cart after my first time around the Kiele Course at Kauai Lagoons Golf Club. And, you also know the mystification of splendid golf on a front nine, followed by horrendous shots on the back.
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