This #TipTuesday brings you an insider’s tip on how to play the 14th hole at Princeville Makai Golf Clubfrom golf writer Mike Dauplaise of Prime Golf Destinations. How would you play it? (Image courtesy of Mike Dauplaise)
Princeville Makai Golf
ClubNo. 14–Par 4
(338/292/288/269)
Finally, an easy hole–and one that comes with an incredible view as a bonus. OK, maybe “easy” is a little generous, since opportunities for death and destruction abound, but there’s a reason this gorgeous hole ranks as the easiest on the card. With a favorable wind, driving the green is a possibility for the bigger hitters. The question is, is it worth the risk? Take it from someone who kissed a perfectly good round goodbye here, being greedy is fun when it works, but stinks when it doesn’t.
Course architect Robert Trent Jones Jr. placed a bunker directly in front of the green for players intent ongoing for the glory from the tee. There are narrow run-up chutes on either side of the bunker, but they are skinny targets indeed from back on the tee. The tee shot crosses a gorge in the coastline and a series of cross bunkers on the opposite side before opening to a sufficiently generous landing area 100 yards short of the green. There is more room between the cross bunkers and the sand trap on the far side of the fairway than appears from the tee. Notice how Jones designed the cross bunkers to resemble the waves breaking below.
A tee shot aimed safely left of the ocean sets up a short iron to the green and a good birdie chance. Even a safe 3-wood for many players will result in nothing more than a pitch or flip wedge for the approach. Anything right is gone, with the cliffs following the hole all the way to the green. Be careful with your approach, too, as a shot struck too firmly can find its way over the green and off the cliff to a watery