Feel like royalty -- not a pauper -- at Hawaii Prince Golf Club on Oahu
EWA BEACH, Oahu, Hawaii -- Playing the 27-hole Hawaii Prince Golf Club feels like a walk in a windy tropical park.
It isn't the bunkers or trees or 10 ponds that defend par. It's the tradewinds. These steady ocean breezes make selecting clubs difficult and certain holes play long and demanding.
Arnold Palmer and longtime associate architect Ed Seay designed the club in 1992 as an amenity of the Hawaiian Prince Hotel Waikiki. A complimentary shuttle transports guests for the 40-minute ride between the club and hotel. The course's three nines -- simply called A, B and C -- are all different.
The "A" loop is the easiest, where palm trees line wide landing areas. The fairway corridors significantly shrink on the "B" nine, choked by a thick layer of more traditional trees. Water adds drama to six holes on the "C" nine.
Ted McAneeley, the corporate director of golf for Prince Resorts Hawaii, said most players like the B-C combination best.
"Any skill level can play here because of the design," he said. "It is resort friendly."
Hawaii Prince Golf Club - A nine - hole 7
Water makes the seventh hole on the A nine at Hawaii Prince Golf Club a challenge.
Jason Scott Deegan/TravelGolf
Hawaii Prince Golf Club - A nine - hole 1
The morning light shines on the first green of the A nine at Hawaii Prince Golf Club on Oahu.
Jason Scott Deegan/TravelGolf
Hawaii Prince Golf Club - A nine - hole 5
The fifth hole on the A nine of Hawaii Prince Golf Club is a straightforward par 3.
Jason Scott Deegan/TravelGolf
Hawaii Prince Golf Club - A nine - hole 8
The par-5 eighth hole is the No. 1 handicap on the A nine at Hawaii Prince Golf Club on Oahu.
Jason Scott Deegan/TravelGolf
Hawaii Prince Golf Club - B nine - hole 4
When the trade winds kick up, the fourth hole on the B nine at Hawaii Prince Golf Club can play long.
Jason Scott Deegan/TravelGolf
Hawaii Prince Golf Club - trees
Palm trees, water and trade winds are what defend Hawaii Prince Golf Club.
Jason Scott Deegan/TravelGolf
Hawaii Prince Golf Club on Oahu
Hawaii Prince Golf Club is 40 minutes from Waikiki.
Courtesy of Hawaii Prince G.C.
Hawaii Prince Hotel Waikiki
Hawaii Prince Golf Club was created as an amenity for guests of the Hawaii Prince Hotel Waikiki, the last hotel built on the famous strip of beach back in 1992.
Courtesy of Hawaii Prince Hotel Waikiki