PUKALANI COUNTRY CLUB
Designed by Bob Baldock in 1980

HIGHLIGHTS BY DA GAME SHOW HOST DAVE WARD

When you want to get away from the tourists, go upcountry and play the public course at Pukalani. I like this course because it is so old school: nothing fancy, nothing tricky or contrived. Something that you immediately notice that is different upcountry are the fairways
and rough—all kikuyu—which is a lot spongier than Bermuda grasses; so the ball sits up nicely for you when you miss the fairways. This course can be a load from the back tees with many of the par 4s (particularly on the back 9) well in excess of 400 yards.

OVERVIEW

Scratch players will find is it right about dead-center of the pack, in terms of their scoring. The course has some unique features such as two greens on the par 3 third. Golfers can opt for the more challenging forced carry into the wind, or chip down a hill to a well-bunkered green below. Pukalani has the only other 500-yard (or more) par 4 on Maui. The only other is No. 17 at Kapalua’s Plantation Course. It also has the second longest par 3, at 254-yards, just three shy of King Kamehameha’s third hole. Pukalani is a well-run operation and offers amazing bi-coastal views.
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TEE-TO-GREEN

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.
DIFFICULTY
HAZARDS AND ROUGHS
GREEN SIZES

EDITOR’S NOTES

Pukalani means ‘Entrance to Heaven’ in Hawaiian, and at 1,100-feet above sea level, it is certainly closer to Heaven than any other golf course on Maui! That high elevation makes it approximately three degrees cooler than the rest of Maui’s courses and that bodes well for those playing midday rounds who don’t like hot weather. Pukalani is easier on the bogey golfer playing from the blue tees than all but Waiehu, but the OB here can kill a good round quickly. The elevation changes here can wear you out, so take it easy and be sure to wear UV protection, as you’ll get burned even in the cool air.
FOR THE MEEK
ROOM FOR ERROR
WOW FACTOR

FACILITIES AND AMENITIES

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.
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CONCLUSIONS

Cheap, with cooler weather and an occasional squall now and then, Pukalani is worth the trip up the hill if only to play nine before or after a visit to the Haleakala Crater. It is well-maintained and offers no-frills golf at its finest, with a hilly layout featuring holes framed by tall cook pine trees.
Locals play here a lot and it can get busy, so plan your day carefully to get the maximum benefit out of your trip up the hill. Beginners, youngsters, short-hitting seniors, couples, families, duffers and even the golf connoisseur will have a fun day at Pukalani.
Photos
Video Clip
PUKALANI COUNTRY CLUB INTRODUCTION
Course Details
Tee Rating (M) Slope (M) OUT IN TOT
Blue 72.9 127 3355 3527 6882
White 70.9 121 3141 3302 6443
Red 71.4 123 2782 2797 5579
Year built 1981
Greens Bermuda
Fairways Kikuyu
Practice Range Yes
Lessons Yes
GPS tracking No
Metal Spikes No
Walking Yes
Fivesomes Yes
Pro Shop Yes
Lockers/Showers No
Rental Shoes/Clubs Yes
Cart fees Included
Rider fee Yes
Twilight rates Yes
Online Booking Yes
Restaurant Yes
Bar Yes
Architect: Bob Baldock
Contact

Pukalani Country Club

360 Pukalani Street
Pukalani, HI 96768
Phone: (808) 572-1314
www.pukalanigolf.com
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