It's hard to believe hyperbole. That said, Ko'olua is the most beautiful course I have ever played. It is set against the rippling Ko'olau mountain range. It is literally a jungle. The eye-popping lush landscape also includes a view of the ocean in the distance. The relatively light cloud cover shields you from the sun. The course is generally wide open. Many times I have felt like the only person on the course. It is also the hardest course in the state of Hawaii (according to slope) from the Championship or Tournament tees. There are narrow fairways and ravines that cross them. Although the greens are on the slow side, the contours restore any difficulty lost for that. Put this package together, and you are talking about one of the sweetest courses in the world.

I play this course somewhat frequently. It is hilly. This is really enjoyable when you hit a smash off the tee, and you can really watch it go. However, it is less enjoyable when you are chipping up to a green you can't see - which is also common. It is a tad unique I would say. There is a par 6 hole (#18), and a strange par 3 where you hit off a ledge and can't see the green below (#9). I don't really care for these anomalies, but it is generally less expensive than other bay area courses, and at the end of the day it is quite worth it. There is also a pitch-and-putt in the complex if you still have some bets to settle when you're done with 18. :)