Golf Guide: Lanai - HI

The metropolitan hustle of Honolulu and the tourist bustle of Maui are simply not present on Lanai, touted as Hawaii's most enticing island. If nearly pristine landscapes, secluded beaches and unique geologic features appeal to travelers who appreciate the world-class service and amenities that both of Lanai's Four Seasons resorts deliver, then this island is a perfect slice of travel tranquility.

Before or after tackling the two outstanding golf courses on Lanai, visitors may want to visit the unusual rock formations called Garden of the Gods (best viewed at dusk and accessible only by 4x4s) or cruise Hulopoe Bay on a kayak.

Travelers who hauled their sticks with them, however, may have it best of all, since the island's two courses may make golfers giddy. The Experience at Koele, a clever Greg Norman and Ted Robinson design that appears to be short on the card but demands accuracy and a strong uneven-stance game, plays alongside mountains and across ravines-and does so beautifully, granting numerous Pacific vistas, as well as views of Molokai and Maui.

Along the southern coast, the Challenge at Manale once again showcases Jack Nicklaus' incredible ability to integrate spectacular scenery with stellar, demanding tropical golf holes. With accuracy at a premium on this fantastic piece of property, golfers must concentrate hard, since the views can be distracting, especially on the three holes built along Hulopoe Bay's seaside cliffs. And since the course maneuvers through several hundred acres of natural lava outcroppings, golfers will never mistake the Challenge at Manale for a course in Ohio.