Hawaii Prince Hotel Waikiki, Oahu » Golf » Course Tips

On the Ewa Plain of Oahu, Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay were given land that was once just waving fields of sugar cane and created a memorable course with character and variety. Character and variety, in this case, are euphemisms for sidehill lies, downhill lies and uphill lies – the unique challenges of the 27-hole Hawaii Prince Golf Course.

  • Each of the three nine holes – A, B and C – is related but has its own identity. The most challenging combination is A-C, slope rating 134 from the back tees. The least difficult is A-B.
  • Ten lakes dot the course. Water comes into play on six holes of the A course, three on the B and seven of the C.
  • On the C course, the toughest test is on the second hole, a par-4 dogleg with a lake on the left, several fairway bunkers on the right and the out-of-bounds beyond that.
  • The toughest on the A course is the eighth hole, a long par-5 with lots of bunkers and mounding.
  • The B course saves the toughest for last, a par-4 that usually plays into the trade winds, with water to the left, front and right of the tee. This is probably the most difficult hole of all three courses.
  • The putting greens on A, B and C are among the fastest in Hawaii.

Contracted as the overall Prince Resorts Hawaii golf professional, Mark Rolfing, NBC Golf Analyst, also offers these helpful tips for Hawaii Prince:

A must-do experience for any golfer coming to Hawaii. The three interchangeable nines offer a variety of challenges with multiple sets of tees and well-placed bunkers awaiting any errant shot. Depending on which combination of nines you play, you are sure to get a diverse experience.

Tips of Holes #B8, #B9, #C1, and #C2

My personal favorite combination is "B" followed by "C." It sports the toughest stretch of par 4 holes in the island… maybe in Hawaii. I like to call B8, B9, C1 and C2 'the longest mile.' This is 1,716 yards of golf without a par 5! These holes are not only long, but demand great accuracy and what's more, they normally play into the prevailing trade winds. Play these holes smart. Remember, for most golfers, a 5 is a good score on any of these four par 4's."