Hole by Hole Description of The Challenge at Manele:

 

Hole #1:         

This relatively short par 4 is a great starting hole. Players should have no problem keeping their tee shot left, to avoid well-placed fairway bunkers. A small green is guarded on the right by lots of sand. Beware of overshooting the green where natural rock formations and a large bunker provide dramatic backdrops.

 

Hole #2:         

The true character of the course challenges every shot on this long par 4. This uphill, dogleg left requires two forced carries over shallow ravines to an elevated two-tiered green secured by inviting bunkers.

 

Hole #3:         

More carry—this time over native kiawe (mesquite) trees rooted in lava rocks—to the largest green on the Manele coast. Large, yes. Generous, no. This horseshoe-shaped green is split by an imposing bunker. 

 

Hole #4:         

The shortest par 5 on the golf course will have you thinking of reaching the green in two. A piece of advice: you may reconsider hitting the driver to avoid the central fairway bunker, you’ll not have a play to the green from there. The approach to the green is narrow and guarded left and right by bunkers.

 

Hole #5:         

The apex of the course affords simply spectacular vistas. Maui and Kahoolawe appear touchable and, on a clear day, even the Big Island of Hawai'i is visible. Drive to the left of a collecting fairway that slopes toward the sea. Careful club selection is a must as big hitters may drive it through the fairway. The long second shot drops 60 feet to the green below.

 

Hole #6:         

This is your chance to let out the shaft and swing freely. The tee shot on this downhill par 5 is to a receptive fairway—let it rip! The green is reachable for long hitters but you’ll pay the price if your ball is short and finds the cluster of bunkers on the right.

 

Hole #7:         

This short par 3 is all carry over a natural gully and plays into the prevailing trade winds. The shallow green is guarded by bunkers front and back. Careful club selection and nice high ball flight are the keys to successfully holding the ball on this green.

 

Hole #8:         

One of the many unique challenges you’ll find at Manele—back to back par 3’s. Don’t be fooled by the lack of bunkers, it’s a long, tough shot to an undulating green. Not an easy par to make.

 

Hole #9:         

From the tee you can see it all: a straight away par 5 (the longest hole on the front nine). Your drive should favor the right side of the fairway to void the largest bunker on the course. Hit your second shot over a kiawe-lined gully then a wedge to the well-protected green.

 

Hole #10:      

The tee shot on this dogleg heft hole can be intimidating. Just aim at the two indian coral trees at the end of the fairway, there’s plenty of room out there. A high accurate shot is required as this putting surface slopes away from you.

 

Hole #11:      

This par 5 dogleg left is the longest hole on the golf course, an ideal situation for a right to left shot. Think lay-up on your second swing as the closer you get to the green, the more trouble awaits you. Laying up will leave you a short wedge to a receptive catcher’s mitt green.

 

Hole #12:      

Par is coveted on this signature hole of The Challenge at Manele™. The "fairway" is a surging ocean 150 feet below the tee. Bring along an extra ball as it’s all carry to reach the green (the trade winds should help you). You may want to take a little extra club, long is definitely better than short.

 

Hole #13:      

This hole is a great vantage point to see humpback whales during the winter and spring months and spinner dolphins all year long. Accuracy rather than length from the tee would have you hit at the directional bunker through the fairway. A long tee shot hit slightly left of this target could find the front of the green. Beware: there’s a hungry greenside trap which feeds on balls hit too far left.

 

Hole #14:      

This medium length par 3 requires a carry over a sandy waste, into tradewinds which tend to push the ball right, into the lava rocks. Grounding the club in the waste area is permitted.

 

Hole #15:      

A strategist’s hole, this par 5 plays into the teeth of the trades. Drive the tee shot at the target bunker on the left, clubbing down, if necessary, to stop short of the ravine. Safe play is short of the three cross bunkers or, keep it left and swing for the green. This green is, of course, well guarded—aim carefully.

 

Hole #16:      

This long dogleg left drops 100 feet from tee to green. The safe tee shot favors the right side. For the best angle in, a long tee shot over the middle bunker will leave you a shorter second, but that middle bunker is deep.

 

Hole #17:      

One of the most challenging ocean holes and dramatic tee shots in golf. There are no bunkers on the drive, however the fairway is narrow and you must carry the cliffs. Your second shot is downhill to a cliffside, kidney-shaped green which is defended by a large mound and a bunker in front.

 

Hole #18:      

A strong finishing hole, just the way Jack likes them. Bring it home to the clubhouse—long and straight off the tee is all you need to hit this narrow fairway. Your approach to the green favors a left to right shot.