It’s been hard for travelers to enjoy their summer with the outbreak of COVID-19, but for golf players, there’s a little respite. With the amount of natural distance between players and the outdoor nature of the game, it’s considered one of the safest sports and activities during this pandemic. But don’t think you’re restricted to your local course. As travel starts to pick up slowly and things begin to open there are more ways to safely enjoy your favorite courses. Even those in distant locales.
One of our favorite places to play is Hawaii, and while they opened their courses back in May, their 14-day mandatory quarantine has stopped us from heading over for a week of socially-distanced golfing. But starting September 1, the islands will open to travels who test negative no more than 72 hours in advance of travel. This means the islands are open to those who want to play their way across gorgeous courses with unobstructed ocean views. Here are some of our favorite courses we can’t wait to play.
Four Seasons Resort Lanai
This cliffside golf course brings all the beauty of Hawaii right to you. Set right atop the cliffside overlooking Hupoloe Bay, the Four Seasons course includes a number of sites along the way. Walk along the beach and see the archeological ruins, or enjoy the Jack Nicklaus-designed course with three holes perched cliffside.
Experienced golfers will love the five-tee concept challenge with shots that must be made over natural gorges and ravines, while beginners just practicing their swing can just relax and enjoy the view.
Princeville Makai Golf Course
Set atop bluffs overlooking the deep waters and big waves of the North Shore Princeville’s Makai Golf Course is Robert Trent Jones Jr.’s first-ever solo design.
Since undergoing an extensive $6 million renovation in 2010, this course has been topping the charts for the best of courses in America. It was ranked amongst the Top 100 Greatest Public Golf Courses in America, by Golf Digest, the Top 3 Best Courses You Can Play in Hawaii by GolfWeek and named America's Top 5 Great Golf Settings in the world by National Geographic Traveler.
Poipu Bay Golf Course
Perched on the sunny shores of Kauai, the Poipu Bay Golf Course is nestled in a valley against a backdrop of emerald-toned mountains. With the shores of the Poipu Bay on the other side, players will have a hard time drawing their eyes from the Hawaiian monk seals, green sea turtles, and humpback whales found here.
Designed by noted name Robert Trent Jones Jr., this course is home to casual vacationers and professionals alike and was home to the PGA Grand Slam of Golf from 1994 to 2006.
