Ritz-Carlton Magazine - Fall 2012 - (Page 88)

Golf f rom t h e g ol f prof e s s iona l Tips fo r T he l in ks Pl antat ion Cour se Hole 8 (Par 3, 188 Yards) This scenic hole over a canyon can be tricky, with strong trades blowing from the right. The green is receptive and slopes from back to front. Be sure to take enough club to get over the canyon. If you are unlucky and need to drop, there is a drop area to the left of the green. Hole 18 (Par 5, 585 Yards) This long par 5 is one of the most famous in golf. Aim your tee shot at the chimney of the clubhouse, as you have more room to the right than you think. Swing away and take in the sweeping views of Molokai and the azure of the ocean. You can choose to either bounce or fly your approach shot into the green. Bay Cour se Hole 4 (Par 4, 321 Yards) Tee shot placement is key on this dogleg left. Playing right of the fairway bunker will leave you with a reasonable approach. To accomplish this, a driver is not always required; a fairway wood or long iron may be appropriate, depending on the wind direction. Hole 5 (Par 3, 154 Yards) Our signature hole! With Molokai in the distance and the Pacific Ocean at your feet, one can become easily distracted. Trade winds usually help on this hole, so take one less club and favor the left side of the green. Ben Hongo, Pga KaPalua KarMa Hole 5 at Kapalua Bay — the par 72, 6,600-yard Bay Course designed by Arnold Palmer and Francis Duane. Director of instruction Kapalua Golf acaDemy Sand Hills Golf Club in Nebraska, which debuted in 1995, is generally considered to be the opening bell of the minimalist movement, but last year marked the 20th anniversary of the Plantation Course. As the years roll by, it’s possible that golfers will begin to think of the Plantation not just as a great golf course, but also as a historical landmark. Of course, none of this really matters when you’re trying to line up a birdie putt while a pod of breaching whales competes for your attention. And even if the trade winds and devilish greens conspire to inflate your score, it’s a comfort to know that one of the world’s best snorkel beaches is minutes away. The play is to grab some fresh pineapple or an umbrella drink from The Pool Bar & Café at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua and let the rest of the day evaporate at Kapalua Bay Beach, a crescent of white sand that’s embraced and protected by a pair of armlike lava flows. The waters are calm and safe — ideal for exploration. Bonus points if you spot the state fish, the triggerfish, perhaps better known by its tongue-twisting Hawaiian name: humuhumunukunukuapua’a. For more golf, while the Plantation Course is clearly the star of the show, it’s worth pointing out that the resort is also home to a second layout, the Bay, a 1975 design by Arnold Palmer and Francis Duane. The Bay is no weak sister. It’s only slightly less challenging than the Plantation and has the advantage of even greater proximity to the Pacific. Indeed, the Bay’s cove-crossing par-3 fifth is the only hole at Kapalua that plays directly over the ocean. At 205 yards from the back tees, it’s a stout challenge. This is in large part due to the green set up for a right-hander’s fade — as most golfers know, fades don’t run as much on the ground as draws, so it can be difficult to play a left-to-right shot from such a long distance. It’s one of Kapalua’s most exciting holes. Finally, though many people don’t think of working on their game while on vacation, for those so inclined, the resort’s Golf Academy is a range rat’s dream: 85,000 square feet of crisp turf with views of the neighbor islands, all the latest digital swing analysis gizmos, and even an 18-hole putting course that’s perfect for a family challenge match. Kapalua, like nowhere else on Maui, is home to the kind of world-class golf that draws the game’s most passionate acolytes halfway across the Pacific in search of thrilling shots and scenery. But what’s even more important is that it delivers golfers to Maui itself. It’s a cliché, of course, but Maui really is a magical island. Whether it be watching the morning surfers at D.T. Fleming Beach, gawking at the vast, otherworldly crater from the 10,000-foot peak of Mount Haleakala, or discovering hidden waterfalls along the road to Hana, it’s almost too easy to fill one’s days with beautiful moments. 88 w w w. r i t z c a r lt o n . c o m AidAn BrAdley. illustrAtion By WArd schumAker http://WWW.RITZCARLTON.COM

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Ritz-Carlton Magazine - Fall 2012

Ritz-Carlton Magazine - Fall 2012
Contents
Contributors
Editor’s Letter
President’s Letter
Falling in Love With ... San Francisco
Design
Technology
On the Boulevards
Shopping
Jewelry
Watches
Art
Gourmet Travel
Wellness
Golf
Okinawa
Culinary
Let Us Stay With You
Heritage

Ritz-Carlton Magazine - Fall 2012