Hole-by-Hole Guide
A Photographer's Dream: Complete Visual Tour of Manele Golf Course
Written by a Local Golf Expert
Jade KawanuiA Photographer's Dream: My Hole-by-Hole Visual Tour
What follows is not merely a yardage guide, but my personal walkthrough of a course that redefines scenic golf. I'll share my playing strategy and a unique "Adventurer's Photo Tip" for each hole, helping you both conquer and capture this unforgettable landscape. All yardages are listed from the Nicklaus/Gold/Blue/White/Red tees.
Hole 1: Par 4, 373/362/312/298/228 yards
A gentle handshake to start, this hole offers a generous fairway and a stunning view of the ocean, setting the tone for the entire round.
Playing Strategy: A straightforward tee shot is all that's required. The approach is to a slightly elevated green protected by bunkers. Favor the center of the green to start your round with a solid par.
Photo Tip: Before you tee off, turn around and capture the clubhouse against the morning sky. The architecture is as beautiful as the course.
Hole 2: Par 4, 442/424/395/380/305 yards
The course reveals its teeth early with this challenging uphill dogleg right.
Playing Strategy: This is a tough par 4 that demands a well-placed drive to the left-center of the fairway to have a clear look at the green. The uphill approach plays a full club longer than the yardage suggests.
Photo Tip: From the fairway, look back down toward the tee box. The elevation change is dramatic and showcases the course's rolling terrain.
Hole 3: Par 3, 171/158/137/118/109 yards
A picturesque par 3 that serves as a beautiful "appetizer" for the more dramatic cliffside holes to come.
Playing Strategy: A large bunker guards the front-center of the green. The key is club selection. The hole is framed by native vegetation and trees, with the ocean visible to the left, which can be distracting.
Photo Tip: Use the framing of the trees on the right and the ocean on the left to create a perfectly balanced composition with the green at its heart.
Hole 4: Par 5, 506/499/489/474/426 yards
A reachable par 5 that tempts you to be aggressive, offering a great birdie opportunity.
Playing Strategy: A good drive down the right side will leave you with a decision to go for the green in two. The green is well-protected, so a layup to a comfortable wedge distance is the safer play.
Photo Tip: Capture the panoramic view from the fairway, which looks out over Manele Bay and gives you a glimpse of holes 6 and 7 below.
Hole 5: Par 4, 462/452/433/412/318 yards - The Blind Leap of Faith
One of the most unique and thrilling holes on the course. You tee off toward a blind, saddle-shaped fairway with no idea what lies beyond.
Playing Strategy: Trust your line off the tee. The real adventure begins after you crest the hill and see the fairway cascade down a staggering 50 feet to the green below. Even if you drive through the fairway, you'll have a downhill lie from the grass. The approach shot, from high above the green with the ocean crashing in the distance, is simply unforgettable.
Photo Tip: From the top of the ridge, use a telephoto lens to compress the scene, making the distant green and the blue ocean behind it feel dramatically close.
Hole 6: Par 5, 544/531/509/476/426 yards
A strategic par 5 that rewards thoughtful play over brute force.
Playing Strategy: This hole can be played with less than a driver off the tee to set up a long, downhill approach shot. Navigating the fairway bunkers is key to setting up a manageable third shot to the green.
Photo Tip: The view from behind the green, looking back up the long, winding fairway, emphasizes the scale of the hole.
Hole 7: Par 3, 172/152/143/133/121 yards
A seemingly simple par 3 where the stunning ocean backdrop can easily distract from the task at hand.
Playing Strategy: This is all about yardage control. The green is protected by danger in front and a bunker in the back, making precise club selection essential.
Photo Tip: Get low to the ground on the tee box to capture the texture of the grass, the green, and the expansive ocean in distinct layers.
Hole 8: Par 3, 210/194/185/166/153 yards
A long and demanding par 3 that requires a confident, well-struck long iron or hybrid.
Playing Strategy: There's more room to miss here than it appears, but a shot that finds the green is a major victory. Par is an excellent score.
Photo Tip: The contrast between the manicured green and the wild, black lava rock that surrounds it makes for a powerful, rugged image.
Hole 9: Par 5, 556/544/525/497/434 yards
A strong finishing hole for the front nine, featuring a rock ravine that bisects the fairway.
Playing Strategy: A good drive will easily carry the ravine, but a poor tee shot brings it directly into play, making the hole much more difficult. This is a true three-shot par 5 for most players.
Photo Tip: Stand on the edge of the ravine and shoot down its length to showcase this dramatic natural hazard.
Hole 10: Par 4, 400/374/358/332/254 yards
The back nine begins with a solid par 4 that doglegs to the left, with the ocean coming more prominently into view.
Playing Strategy: The ideal tee shot is down the right-center of the fairway, which opens up the angle to the green. Be mindful of the bunkers guarding the left side of the putting surface.
Photo Tip: The 10th tee offers a great panoramic shot of the back nine stretching out before you. Use your wide-angle lens.
Hole 11: Par 5, 589/559/531/510/431 yards - The Downhill Ego Boost
A magnificent, long par 5 that plays downhill toward the ocean, offering the tantalizing possibility of reaching the green in two shots.
Playing Strategy: The downhill slope can add significant yardage to your drive and second shot, flattering your ego. However, the green is well-protected by three bunkers, with an opening on the right side. A bold play can be rewarded, but a miss can be costly.
Photo Tip: Capture your playing partner's second shot from behind, showing the ball's trajectory against the vast backdrop of the Pacific. The natural slope toward the ocean creates a powerful leading line.
Hole 12: Par 3, 202/185/153/103/65 yards - The World's Most Breathtaking Tee Shot
This is it. The signature hole. The one Bill Gates chose for his wedding. A true "leap of faith" that is one of the most intimidating and beautiful shots in all of golf.
Playing Strategy: From the tips, this is a heart-pounding 200-yard carry over churning waves and 200-foot cliffs to a green that seems to hang in the sky. There is no bailout left. For less confident players, the forward tees offer a much shorter carry and a layup area to the right, from which a clever slope can funnel the ball onto the putting surface.
Photo Tip: This is the hero shot. Position yourself slightly behind the tee box to capture the golfer, the ball in mid-air (if you're fast!), the cliffs, and the ocean in one frame. A polarizing filter will make the blue of the water pop.
Hole 13: Par 4, 345/314/302/279/260 yards
A brilliant short par 4 that follows the drama of the 12th, continuing along the cliff edge.
Playing Strategy: A drivable par 4 for long hitters, but the ocean looms left. The smart play is an iron or hybrid off the tee, leaving a wedge into a green protected by a large bunker. This is a great birdie opportunity if played with discipline.
Photo Tip: Walk to the edge of the green and capture the infinity view where the putting surface seems to merge with the ocean beyond.
Hole 14: Par 3, 195/182/154/131/102 yards
A beautiful inland par 3 that provides a moment to catch your breath after the intensity of the cliffside holes.
Playing Strategy: The green is large but multi-tiered, so hitting the correct level is crucial for a two-putt. Check the wind, as it can swirl in this part of the course.
Photo Tip: The vibrant, colorful native flowers and plants surrounding this hole offer a great opportunity for a macro shot, contrasting with the grand landscapes elsewhere.
Hole 15: Par 5, 538/518/496/479/419 yards
A strategic par 5 that winds its way back toward the ocean, demanding three well-placed shots.
Playing Strategy: The landing area off the tee is generous, but the second shot requires careful placement to avoid fairway bunkers and set up the best angle for the approach to a well-guarded green.
Photo Tip: From the fairway, frame your shot with the iconic Cook Pines that are characteristic of Lanai's landscape.
Hole 16: Par 4, 458/431/420/371/343 yards
A strong, beautiful par 4 that offers a panoramic preview of the grand finale.
Playing Strategy: A long, straight drive is required here to set up a mid-to-long iron approach. The green is large and relatively flat, rewarding a well-struck second shot.
Photo Tip: From the 16th green, you get a spectacular view of the 11th and 12th greens stacked above the ocean. A unique perspective that shows off the genius of the course routing.
Hole 17: Par 4, 444/392/373/347/320 yards - The Cliffside Gauntlet
An all-world par 4 that rivals the 12th for sheer drama and beauty. A stunning dogleg right that follows the curve of a massive lava rock wall separating the fairway from the sea.
Playing Strategy: This is the ultimate risk-reward tee shot. The more you dare to challenge the ocean and the lava cliffs on the right, the shorter your approach shot will be. The approach is to a green protected by a high-lipped bunker, demanding an aerial shot. It is a hole that is on par with the 8th at Pebble Beach or the 17th at Cypress Point.
Photo Tip: Stand on the 12th green and look back towards the 17th tee for a unique perspective. The contrast between the black lava rock, green fairway, and blue ocean is staggering.
Hole 18: Par 4, 432/413/395/341/310 yards
A magnificent finishing hole that plays back toward the clubhouse, with Hulopoe Bay and Pu'upehe (Sweetheart Rock) providing a stunning backdrop.
Playing Strategy: A generous fairway allows you to hit driver with confidence. The approach shot is slightly uphill to a large green. Aim for the center and you'll have a great chance to finish your round with a par.
Photo Tip: As you walk up the 18th fairway, turn around. The view back down the fairway, framed by the clubhouse and the ocean, is the perfect closing shot for your adventure.
⛳ Course Stats
- Par: 72
- Nicklaus Tees: 7,039 yards
- Gold Tees: 6,684 yards
- Blue Tees: 6,310 yards
- White Tees: 5,849 yards
- Red Tees: 5,024 yards