Golfing in paradise: Hawaii's Big Island is an enchanting location for a golf vacation

Soggy, muddy golf courses are the norm right now, and so is playing in cold, damp weather that makes one's stiff body feel like it needs a major dose of lubrication. One more annoyance – golf carts must remain on the path. Let's face it, for all the above reasons, golf in the Placer County region has been miserable over the past month or more. It's made even the most passionate golfer think – what the heck am I doing here? Bone-chilling winter weather and harsh conditions can keep those cherished golf clubs mired in the garage this time of year. But one alluring alternative is a golf vacation in Hawaii, where sun-drenched days await on scenic courses with emerald-green fairways, lush vegetation and stunning blue-ocean backdrops. Below are four diverse courses located on Hawaii's Big Island that will invigorate any level golfer seeking beautiful surroundings and a challenging layout. Makani Golf Club Website: https://www.makanigolfclub.com Green fees: $115 to $150 Pro shop number: 808-325-5044 Situated at 2,000 feet on the lower slopes of the Mauna Kea volcano, the scenic mountainous course is a favorite of locals because it's somewhat inexpensive and isn't as popular as some island resort courses. A relaxing, early-morning tee time can often be played quickly. The lush vegetation and vast number of tropical trees on the Perry Dye-designed course makes for a beautiful, unique setting that's peaceful and super quiet. Yet don't get too subdued because the heavy vegetation can be penalizing – i.e. a lost ball. Among the things we loved about Makani was the variety. No two holes were alike and each one required some thinking and artful planning, followed by a precise shot. The greens were a little erratic in terms of speed and some spotty coverage, but overall, the putts rolled relatively fast and true. The course can play long – 7,116 yards from the tips. We found the member tees a good fit at 6,012 yards. The slightly rolling fairways were often framed by opulent landscapes and sweeping vistas that remind one why golf in Hawaii is so special. Most holes were predictable for even first-time players. What we did find surprising had nothing to do with golf. We've seen wild geese or turkeys on numerous Placer County courses. But a peacock – never! On the back nine, there several beautifully-colored peacocks eyeing the sandwich in my cart. Driving into the palm-tree lined entrance road that leads to a modest pro shop, one can easily identify the signature hole. No. 17 is a beauty, no doubt inspired by Pete Dye's (Perry's father) famous TPC Sawgrass island-green par-3. The Makani hole measures 206 yards from the back tees, but we played it from a not-as-intimidating 144 yards. "Our golfers really enjoy playing No. 17; that's what we're known for," Makani head professional Jim Jacobs said. There's no time to relax after departing No. 17. The finishing par-4 hole is the toughest on the card, thanks to the uphill terrain and water running the entire length of the hole. A well-placed tee shot must be followed by an extremely accurate iron to reach the green in regulation. By the way, don't feel bad if your ball finds the water on the final two holes. A Makani employee said an astounding 14,000 balls were recovered from the two holes over a recent six-month period. Kona Country Club Website: https://www.konagolf.com Green fees: $148 to $193 Pro shop number: 808-322-2595 Speaking with multiple local golfers, many called Kona Country Club their "home course." Let's get this fact out right away – Kona has no members and is not a country club. It's a public course with green fees that are considered mid-range in price. Kona Country Club was designed by William Bell and originally had two 18-hole championship courses when it opened in 1966. The "mountain course" was discontinued around four decades later. The current course, which measures 6,657 from the back tees, hosted the LPGA Takefuji Classic from 2000 to 2002. Many golfers will be happy to know there aren't many bunkers on Kona and the only water hazard is enormous – the Pacific Ocean, the world's largest body of water. There are close-up ocean views and black lava rock cliffs on Kona's most picturesque holes (3, 12, 13). While Nos. 3 and 12 are considered signature holes, don't overlook the beautiful No. 13, especially this time of year when a check of the ocean is mandatory. If playing between late November and early April, the ocean view just might include a humpback whale that's visible on the coastline. The course has many large Bermuda grass greens that generally have breaks that can be difficult to properly access. There are no forced carries and the wind is rarely a major factor on the generous fairways that offer little mystery in regard to the ideal tee shot landing area. Beware, there are many uphill holes that play longer than listed on the card, requiring an extra club to reach the green. Kona has multiple ocean views and the fairways are mainly lined with palm trees, though other tropical foliage is found throughout the course. And that's not all. We didn't spot any roosters, but we were surprised to encounter a group of young goats that were closely being watched by two nearby adult goats that we assumed were their doting parents. We enjoyed the friendly nature of the course. A good day will be reflective on a scorecard that you just might want to take home and brag about to one's golf buddies. For folks in no hurry to leave the facility, there's an appealing happy hour (2-4 p.m. weekdays) at The View Bar & Grill, where the ocean views on the outside deck are magnificent. Mauna Kea Golf Course Website: https://www.maunakearesort.com/mauna-kea-beach-hotel/golf-and-tennis/golf/ Green fees: $270 to $345 Pro shop number: 808-882-5405 Mauna Kea is a Robert Trent Jones Sr. course that was built atop a sprawling lava field. Back in December 1964, it was quite the celebrated grand opening – a televised match featured golf legends Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player. It's been praised for its sheer beauty – the Pebble Beach of Hawaii – a tag that places Mauna Kea on an extremely high pedestal. Since we've played both courses, the opinion here is Maua Kea is tougher than Pebble. It's a challenging track with sloping fairways that adds to the degree of difficulty, especially for golfers not accustomed to hilly lies. And once on its greens, the challenge can grow exponentially. Mauna Kea is famous for its frequently large, elevated, multi-tiered green complexes that are typically surrounded by deep bunkers located on hilltops. Does the prior description provide a hint one might be looking at a few dreaded 3-putts? Indeed, it does. For the big hitters seeking the ultimate challenge, a whopping 7,370 yards of gorgeously manicured paspalum grass awaits from the tips. For the rest of us, try the far-more friendlier "composite tees" that measure 5,838 yards. To the pleasant surprise of first-time Mauna Kea golfer Ed Kaiser, the fairways were not intimating. Playing the resort tees (6,358 yards), Kaiser's drives often left him capable of reaching the green on his second shots. "I had heard the fairways were narrow, but actually they were very playable," said Kaiser, who was visiting from Columbus, Ohio. "It's a great golf course that's very challenging. I would play here again." A hole one will remember for a long time arrives early. The breathtaking third hole is a sizable par-3 that's both beautiful and dangerous. It requires a daunting shot over an ocean cove that plays 272 yards from the back tees. Of course, mere mortals should move closer, where the next tee box is 205 yards, yet still requires a well-struck shot, especially if the wind comes up. If the first attempt lands in the ocean, no one will mind if you use a mulligan – it's expected. Village Course at Waikoloa Website: https://www.thevillagecourse.com Green fees: $110 to $135 Pro shop number: 808-883-9621 While no knock on Waikoloa, if there was a designated municipal course on the island, this would probably be it. By Hawaii standards, there's no frills here – free water, GPS screens or a complimentary sleeve of balls. Locals can play Waikoloa for $40 and it's a decent bargain for tourists as well. "We're a hidden gem," Waikoloa head professional Kevin Hayashi said. "Waikoloa is a friendly golf course – it's primarily flat with generous fairways. We are more affordable for tourists who still want to play a challenging golf course." Established in 1962, the course designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. reportedly tried to maintain the natural assets of the landscape while adding a few challenges such as fairway bunkers and doglegs. Apparently, Jones is a big proponent of bunkers – they are strategically located throughout the Waikoloa course and play goalie to the entrance of many greens. Measuring 6,602 yards from the tips, the gold tees are still no pushover at 5,691 yards. The course is challenging enough for the serious golfer and accommodating for couples looking for a relaxing round. The subtle breaks on many holes help make this a challenging course for any level golfer. Like all Hawaii courses, Waikoloa has beautiful scenery that includes sweeping ocean views and five nonactive volcanoes, including Mauna Kea. It's situated 1,000 feet above sea level and features rolling hills, elevation changes, palm tree-lined fairways and several water holes. While there's no true signature hole at Waikoloa, some would consider the par-3 12th the most likely candidate. The tee shot – a mere 140 yards from the back tees – has a generous landing area that encourages aggressive shots. Note the shot is played over water, there are several bunkers, and the green is undulating. The favorite hole here was the finishing one, a risk-reward, slightly dogleg par-5 that at 478 yards from the back tees is reachable for long hitters willing to take the gamble. The fairway is wide and a sizable pond guards the front of the green, so laying up is the safe play. Jeffrey Weidel is a former editor and sports editor at multiple Gold Mountain California News Media newspapers.