Golf Course Photo, The Experience at Koele, Lanai City, 96763
The Experience at Koele
Played on July 2010
, Lanai City, Hawaii, 96763
3 Rankings
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James Paukert
Lanai City
2010-08-02

$201 (cart included), played on Tuesday, July 2010 at noon

Gorgeous, mountainside layout with indescribable vistas of forest, sea, and islands. Challenging (out of league for a duffer like me) but a fantastic experience. The only other courses on the island are a goat-track muni and another beautiful resort course, the Challenge at Manele, equally striking, equally expensive.

Would travel: 0-10 Miles, Vacation Worthy
Bottom line: I would play again, Better than average course for the area, Ranks with the best in this price level, Fair priced based on quality and competitive area pricing
 
Condition of Course, Difficulty, Layout, Ambiance, Pace of Play
None worth mentioning
Layout/ Challenge
Fairway conditions
Greens conditions
Course ambiance
Pace to play
Overall rating
Value
Rank ID # : 010902
James Paukert
Lanai City
2012-08-03

$176 (cart included), played on Thursday, July 2012 at 8am

So I did return and play again (I reviewed two years ago). This course is a wonderful experience, partially because of its stunning, mountaintop location. Lana'i is in its third year of (relative) drought, and it shows a bit. Fairways are showing stress, water hazards are low, and a couple are drained for major maintenance. I was pleasantly surprised to see charges on the hotel bill almost 30% below what I expected.

Would travel: 120-300 Miles, Vacation Worthy
Bottom line: I would play again, Better than average course for the area, Ranks with the best in this price level, Fair priced based on quality and competitive area pricing
 
Difficulty, Layout, Ambiance, Pace of Play, Staff, Pro Shop
None worth mentioning
Layout/ Challenge
Fairway conditions
Greens conditions
Course ambiance
Pace to play
Overall rating
Value
Rank ID # : 018270
James Paukert
Lanai City
2013-08-09

$101 (cart included), played on Wednesday, July 2013 at 8am

We've been returning to Four Seasons resorts on Lana'i for several years (see my earlier reviews). Because of drought in 2011-12, they slashed green fees on The Experience (the uplands couse)for this season (not for The Challenge, the sea-cliffs course). Then the rains came, and the course is in beautiful condition. Some of the water hazards are still low or empty, however, lowering the ambiance somewhat. But the upland setting (if not in the clouds) is unimpaired.

Would travel: 120-300 Miles, Vacation Worthy
Bottom line: I would play again, Better than average course for the area, Ranks with the best in this price level
 
Condition of Course, Difficulty, Layout, Price, Ambiance, No Houses on Course, Pace of Play, Staff
Food/Bar Facilities
Layout/ Challenge
Fairway conditions
Greens conditions
Course ambiance
Pace to play
Overall rating
Value
Rank ID # : 020383