Today’s #TipTuesday features the par-3 seventh hole at Princeville Makai Golf Club from golf writer Mike Dauplaise of Prime Golf Destinations. How would you play it? (Image courtesy of Mike Dauplaise)
Princeville Makai Golf Club
Par 3
(213/173/155/120)
It’s not too often that the drop zone on a par-3 generates nearly as much anxiety as the shot you faced back on the tee, but that certainly is the case with one of the most photographed holes in the world. The combination of ocean, sunshine, and the pyramid-shaped formation in the background on the far right, commonly known as Bali Hai (Makana Mountain), makes No.7 at Princeville Makai simply breathtaking.
Even if you’re playing from one of the forward tees, take a moment after you putt out on No. 6 to check out the view from the back tees. The 213 yards of full carry over an ocean gorge is awesome. If you’re there during whale season (roughly November through early May), you may get lucky enough to catch the far-off splash of a breach.
This hole is incredible even from the forward tees and drop zone, where there is no forced carry.
However, the gorge comes into play on the right and the expanse of ocean behind the green still causes
your grip to squeeze a little tighter.
The trade winds generally blow from the left, and architect Robert Trent Jones Jr. provides plenty of room left of the green to play it safe. Bunkers frame much of the green’s perimeter except for an opening from the left for run-up shots.
The green is wide, but shallow from the men’s tees; long and narrow from the red tees and drop zone. The wind and ocean influence putts to roll out toward the right side of the green.