Pukalani is wide open but surrounded by OB everywhere. If you spray the ball or don’t think about where the trouble is before you let go scoring can get out of control quickly. Most locals know their way around but for the uninitiated, it pays to think through the shots and know where you want to miss it. Some holes are blind, or play to deceptive yardages. You might think of hitting a wedge into a par 5 or par 4, given your yardage is 100, but the elevation change can mean you need another club, especially given the depth of some of this course’s green.

The grass-teed driving range is lit and plays downhill. There’s three small putting and chipping greens/areas to putter around with while you want to play. The course had a fire years ago that rendered its clubhouse useless. They have never rebuilt it, instead operating from two trailers and some tents, which combine to work well. You’d never know the difference as the bathroom is usually clean, the pro shop has what is needed, and the kitchen works. Speaking of the kitchen: Leslie Frankel-Avila, Café Pukalani’s chef/owner, rustles up a storm in there with breakfast, lunch, and dinner featuring local plate lunches to old fashion burgers, sandwiches, and chef’s specials.