Although I grew up playing lots of different sports, none have kept my loyalty as long as golf has. Sure, I’ve had my share of moments wondering why I play this infuriating game, but when I think about life without it, I’m reminded why I love it so much even if it doesn’t always love me back.
One of the top reasons on my list is the social nature of the game. I’ve played with people from around the world and 99% of them are golfers I’d love to meet again at the 1st tee.
One such gentleman joined us on the Ka’anapali Royal course this past November. He must have been close to 80 and introduced himself as Billy Roy – someone with “a whole lot of South in him,” he said (we learned later that his name was just Roy – I guess he was having a little fun with us).
From the 1st tee to the 18th green, he regaled us with some of the funniest stories and quotable quotes about golf I’d ever heard. We enjoyed the round so much we asked him to play the next day, but alas he had to fly home. I was sad to see him go.
Later that afternoon I was laying by the ocean
thinking about Roy and all the great people we’ve met on the course and suddenly David Havens, PGA Director of Instruction at Ka’anapali Resort from 2009 to 2016 popped into my mind.
A few years ago, David invited us to join him and one of his students who was receiving a playing lesson on the Royal Course. Having just arrived on Maui, not having played for a couple of months, we were a little nervous about making fools of ourselves, but we couldn’t turn down the opportunity to watch David at work.
The first thing that blew us away was the rock and roll music blasting out of his cart. I’ve heard music on ranges before, but never during a round. I knew then that David was a pretty special and unique golf pro – someone I wanted to get to know better.
This year, we arrived on Maui to learn that David had moved to the Maui Nui Golf Club as the Director of Instruction of The Havens Experience — a move fuelled by his desire to be closer to home (Kihei – a 45 minute drive from Ka’anapali) where he lived with his beautiful wife and two young children.
As I listening to the waves crash against the seawall remembering the rocking good times with David, it struck me that golf isn’t just a social game, it was also a very musical one, starting with the need for a good and repeatable tempo on every swing.
So I decided to put together my “swinglist” for Ka’anapali Royal based on the songs that popped into my head on each hole. I hope you enjoy them!
#1: The Aloha Hole (par 4, handicap 5)
The 1st hole at the Royal @kaanapaliresort should be named after John Lennon's IMAGINE. Imagine there's no water…if you can 😉 pic.twitter.com/PNMCrogFt7
— Golfgal (@Golfgal) December 4, 2016
#2: The Maui Hole (par 3, handicap 15)
Hole #2 at the Royal @kaanapaliresort reminds me of The Eagles. Take more club and "Take it easy" or your next shot may drive you crazy. pic.twitter.com/fKMqSBUJzS
— Golfgal (@Golfgal) December 5, 2016
#3: The Pu’u Keka’a Hole (par 4, handicap 3)
On Hole 3 at The Royal @kaanapaliresort , think about Fleetwood Mac because, here, "You can go your own way." and score pic.twitter.com/zISfd5PMPy
— Golfgal (@Golfgal) December 5, 2016
#4: The Maka’iwa Hole (par 4, handicap 11)
#4 Royal @kaanapaliresort needs extra club or 2 on the approach, so "Reach for the sky" by Firehouse https://t.co/gJ8ZRCz49x #golf #playlist pic.twitter.com/YjIXf4TTQc
— Golfgal (@Golfgal) December 8, 2016
#5: The Wa’a Hole (par 4, handicap 1)
Hole #5 Royal is also #1 Handicap @kaanapaliresort Par can be found "Somewhere over the rainbow" https://t.co/fHbheeOlhI #golf #playlist pic.twitter.com/D1UJ9Y4cWh
— Golfgal (@Golfgal) December 8, 2016
#6: The Na Pohaku Hole (par 5, handicap 9)
#6 @kaanapaliresort Royal is a nice reprieve after 5, so listen to Bob Seger, "Turn the page" & go for birdie https://t.co/BlZeeD2RiV pic.twitter.com/R8CHBp9hge
— Golfgal (@Golfgal) December 8, 2016
#7: The Pu’u Kukui Hole (par 4, handicap 13)
#7 @kaanapaliresort is my "Stairway to Heaven" by Led Zeppelin – a song of hope — hope you stay left as you go up https://t.co/JFFv1qWhGB pic.twitter.com/qxSqreZius
— Golfgal (@Golfgal) December 8, 2016
#8: The Wauke Hole (par 3, handicap 17)
At #8 @kaanapaliresort Royal take more club to get "Up Up and Away" with 5th Dimension https://t.co/LQYuuDB17v #golf #playlist pic.twitter.com/hhJAqpHQeq
— Golfgal (@Golfgal) December 8, 2016
#9: The Koa Hole (par 5, handicap 7)
"Take the Long Way Home" on the front with Supertramp on this uphill #9 @kaanapaliresort https://t.co/dm2X3HeMb5 #golf #playlist pic.twitter.com/wQbHmR6kqh
— Golfgal (@Golfgal) December 8, 2016
#10: The Lanai Hole (par 4, handicap 5)
Can't help by think of Tina Turner's "Simply the Best" on this cathedral #10 @kaanapaliresort Royal https://t.co/tL7IDTEST7 pic.twitter.com/iHvSq8RNrh
— Golfgal (@Golfgal) December 9, 2016
#11: The Ka’ulula’au Hole (par 4, handicap 8)
Aim right on #11 @kaanapaliresort Royal or you'll start "Slip Slidin' Away" with Simon $ Garfunkel https://t.co/JZSRoEX3Pv #golf #playlist pic.twitter.com/RxZUerFdG3
— Golfgal (@Golfgal) December 9, 2016
#12: The ‘Uala Hole (par 4, handicap 14)
#12 @kaanapaliresort Royal lets you "Go where you wanna go" with Mamas & Papas. Just don't go long over the green. https://t.co/JbRPZ3Go6A pic.twitter.com/XoGF9GKpDU
— Golfgal (@Golfgal) December 9, 2016
#13: The Kapa Hole (par 4, handicap 4)
Morris Day & The Time knows how to par this hard uphill #13 @kaanapaliresort Royal – You gotta… "Get It Up!" https://t.co/2JfXYh961g pic.twitter.com/l1dsYfwelD
— Golfgal (@Golfgal) December 9, 2016
#14: The Makani Hole (par 4, handicap 12)
#14 feels gr8 after 13 @kaanapaliresort Royal So "Let your love flow" like The Bellamy Brothers https://t.co/YNgD5KjqhW #golf #playlist pic.twitter.com/5UAOJ2z1us
— Golfgal (@Golfgal) December 9, 2016
#15: The Anuenue Hole (par 3, handicap 16)
Whitesnake knows #15 @kaanapaliresort Royal. It's like #8 but harder. So, sing while you swing, "Here I go again" https://t.co/hrHMhmCS5l
— Golfgal (@Golfgal) December 9, 2016
#16: The ‘Aina Hole (par 4, handicap 10)
#16 is full of #BigBreak Kaanapali memories @kaanapaliresort Royal. Always reminds of Bob Seger's "Like a Rock" https://t.co/DKdqWxHRr6 pic.twitter.com/7jd4JQ1wIT
— Golfgal (@Golfgal) December 25, 2016
#17: The ‘Ohana Hole (par 3, handicap 18)
The easiest hole @kaanapaliresort Royal, #17 can be a beast in the wind. As Daft Punk croons, you gotta "Get lucky" https://t.co/O2LzvAF1T7 pic.twitter.com/yhU64M1kJB
— Golfgal (@Golfgal) December 9, 2016
#18: The ‘Aina Hole (par 4, handicap 2)
#18..2nd hardest hole @kaanapaliresort Royal. The past is gone, so just "Dream On!" with Aerosmith https://t.co/6v53cT5nKD #golf #playlist pic.twitter.com/aCDtED9GuO
— Golfgal (@Golfgal) December 10, 2016
So the next time you play a course you love, sing the song that speaks to you when you walk up to each tee box. It’s amazing how it can relax you and put a smile on your face before you have to yell “FORE!”
Mele Kalikimaka to all my golfing friends!
Golfgal
This course looks lovely. I have a bucket list of courses I’d like to play and thin may just make it on to the list. Lovey website and great content.
Thanks for sharing.
A great song makes every experience a little more memorable. This is great. Thanks for the post. We think a golf cart makes a vacation more memorable too. rent golf cart