H
Hawaii Golf Life
The Definitive Guide
Work on Your Game
Hawaii Golf Life

Work on
Your Game

Hawaii-specific tips, drills, and strategies from the island's top instructors. Play smarter, score lower, enjoy every round more.

Playing in Hawaii's Trade Winds
Hawaii Conditions5 min read

Playing in Hawaii's Trade Winds

Intermediate

Hawaii's northeast trade winds are consistent but tricky. Learn to use them as a tool, not fight them as an obstacle.

Maximizing Distance on Hawaii's Wide Fairways
Driving4 min read

Maximizing Distance on Hawaii's Wide Fairways

All Levels

Hawaii's resort courses reward aggressive driving. Here's how to take advantage of the generous landing zones.

Course Management on Lava-Lined Holes
Course Management6 min read

Course Management on Lava-Lined Holes

All Levels

Big Island courses border ancient lava fields. One errant shot can cost you a ball — and your round. Here's how to navigate them.

Reading Grain on Bermuda Greens
Putting5 min read

Reading Grain on Bermuda Greens

Intermediate

Hawaii's courses predominantly use Bermuda grass, which has strong grain. Ignoring it will cost you 2–3 putts per round.

The Aloha Mindset: Playing Present in Paradise
Mental Game7 min read

The Aloha Mindset: Playing Present in Paradise

All Levels

Hawaii's beauty is both a gift and a distraction. The best rounds happen when you're fully present — here's how to get there.

Chipping from Bermuda Rough
Short Game4 min read

Chipping from Bermuda Rough

Intermediate

Bermuda rough grabs the hosel and twists the clubface. Master this technique to get up and down consistently.

Structure Your Practice

Practice Plans

30-Minute Range Session

1

5 min — Warm up with half-swing wedges

2

10 min — Irons: alternate 7-iron and 5-iron, 5 shots each

3

10 min — Driver: focus on one swing thought only

4

5 min — Finish with 20 wedge shots from 50–80 yards

Putting Green Drill

1

Gate drill: 2 tees 1 inch wider than putter face, 3 feet from hole

2

Clock drill: 4 balls at 3, 6, 9, 12 o'clock positions, 6 feet out

3

Lag putting: 5 balls from 30 feet — goal is within 3 feet

4

Finish: make 10 consecutive 3-footers before leaving

Pre-Round Warm-Up

1

5 min — Stretch: torso rotations, hip flexors, shoulder circles

2

10 min — Putting: 20 putts from 6 feet, then 5 lag putts

3

10 min — Chipping: 10 chips from fringe, 10 from rough

4

15 min — Range: wedge → 7-iron → driver (3 balls each)

Where Are You?

Find Your Level

Beginner

HCP 25+

New to golf or still learning the fundamentals. Focus on consistent contact, basic rules, and enjoying the game.

Start with a half-set of clubs
Focus on 7-iron and putter
Play from the forward tees
Take at least 3 lessons before your first round

Intermediate

HCP 10–24

You can play a full round and know your way around a course. Now it's time to eliminate the big numbers.

Work on your 100-yard game
Learn to shape shots
Develop a pre-shot routine
Study course management

Advanced

HCP 0–9

A single-digit player looking to compete or reach scratch. The margins are small — mental game and precision matter most.

TrackMan data analysis
Short game mastery
Pressure putting drills
Tournament preparation

Ready to Level Up?

Self-study gets you far. A lesson from a Hawaii PGA professional gets you there faster. Book a session and put these tips into practice.

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