Lana’i’s “Po'okela” Par 3s.

By Kim McHugh, Associate Editor

Lodge at Koele, Four Seasons

Appreciating that March is Colorado’s snowiest month—averaging 11.7 inches—and April on average piles on another nine inches or more, it may be a good time to book a golf trip to Hawaii. If you’re seeking a smaller island with fewer tourists, head to Lana’i, who’s two Four Seasons Resorts, are poised to wow guests.

Two fantastic courses—The Experience at Koele and The Challenge at Manele, designed by Greg Norman and Jack Nicklaus respectively—feature four of the po'okela (best) par 3s in the Hawaiian Island chain. Doug Stephenson, PGA, Director of Golf, weighs in on how to play these par 3s like a local.

1) The Experience at Koele—“The 220-yard Number 4 is a golfer's delight. Favor your tee shot to the left, as prevailing winds move from left to right. Watch out for those two tricky front bunkers (plus one in the back center). From the tee, you look down over Lana'i City, the Palawai Basin and out to the Pacific Ocean seven miles in the distance."

2) The Challenge at Manele —“Playing 171 yards from the back tees and 137 yards from the more forward tees, Hole 3 calls for a carry over native Kiawe (mesquite) trees rooted in lava rocks to the largest green on the Manele coast. Large, yes. Generous, no. An imposing bunker splits the horseshoe-shaped green so bring your ‘A’ game.”

3) The Experience at Koele—“A careful club selection is needed off the tee of the 203-yard Number 13, an over-the-lake hole. Beware the nerve-rattling carry over the waterfalls and the back center and pot bunker left to the green. Treacherous trade winds dictate how the hole is played. A par deserves a round of applause.”

4) The Challenge at Manele —“Par is coveted on the signature 12th hole, a 202-yarder from the tips. The ‘fairway’ is a surging ocean 150 feet below the tee. Bring along an extra ball as it takes all carry to reach the green, though the trade winds should help you. You may want to use a little extra club as long is definitely better than short on this one.”

Let me know if your favorites are missing from the list and what holes you believe deserve credit.