The secret is out!
Laucula Island GC, Fiji is a stunning golf course that few people know about and even fewer have been lucky enough to play. The course is part of a high-end and very exclusive Eco Resort on Laucala Island, developed by the founder of Red Bull.
We were lucky to enjoy 4-days at the resort as ‘invited’ guests of Como Laucala Resort.
Our days were full.
The resort offers so much more than golf - with snorkelling, diving, fishing, sailing, horse riding jet skiing, hiking and more...
There are only 25 stunning luxury villas on the island and their class and beauty sets Laucala apart from any other island resort. Traditional Fijian building materials have been used by skilled builders and artisans to create an all but perfect world.
Dining is always a pleasure, with restaurants and bars nestled in impossible cliff top locations with sunset views.
The staff love their jobs. Their big smiles and welcomes are infectious!
A stay here certainly ‘ain’t cheap’ but it is something very special for the lucky few that can afford it.
Not surprisingly it is popular with celebrities from the US who are looking to escape to somewhere quiet and remote.
The island of Laucala is an hour away by plane from Nadi airport, Fiji- and Laucala has it's own planes.
George Clooney is a past guest and the 4th hole is his favourite. (the 3rd hole is Heather’s and the 16th is Peter’s. Lol).
There are so many activities for those with energy!
We hiked our way up a mountain on a steep rustic path starting by the second hole of the golf course..
Our hike leader was golf pro Bosey who led us to the pinnacle in bare feet with our breakfast on his back..
The picnic brekkie overlooking the coast was special, but more than equalled by Pina Colada's at dusk in a sailing ship.
Naturally the meals were first class!
And perhaps best of all was the quaint straw roofed cottages.
Talk about luxury!
Our one bedroom habitat was absolutely magnificent, with a huge bathroom, sunrooms, bar etc etc..
Como has recently become joint management company of Laucula, opening this previously private resort to new guests.
The Golf Course at Laucala Island
Laucala- hole 4
The Travelling Golfer had plenty of time to thoroughly check out the 18-hole world class golf which was designed by highly regarded architect David McLay Kidd (Bandon Dunes, The Castle Course at St Andrews, Gamble Sands, etc.)
The course uses the stunning terrain brilliantly - the holes wind their way through dense tropical jungles, the greens touch palm fringed beaches and fairways skip over lava streams.
Most days you will have the course all to yourself, so there’s ample time to immerse yourself in this entrancing course.
At the time of our visit we were the only golfers on the island ( other than club profession Bosey)
Laucala GC- hole 15
The course opens in rugged territory playing from raised tees over rough and rocks to winding fairways.
Water hazards cross the fairway with rocks and lava daring the golfer to take them on.
In similar terrain holes two to five maintain the challenge hole
The par 5 third hole has two rocky creeks to cross!
Hole 6 exits the rocks for a mid length par 3 over water, reeds and low rock wall before the course heads to the beach..
This next stage of the course introduces coastal views, and greens on the shoreline.
It has a different look and feel to the early holes and any sea winds take their toll.
Holes 8, 9, 10 & 12 are gorgeous holes, pictureque and challenging at the same time.
The closing holes tend to be more inland from the beach and place more of an emphasis on jungle like vegetation, coconut palms, Lychee & Raintree. The Giant Raintree on the dogleg of hole 16 is indeed majestic..
And the Giant Lychee tree on the back of the 17th green is equally impressive!
Laucala- hole 17 green
- hole 8, Kara (The Devils Pitch)- a lovely par 5 with a dramatic green site on the cliffs exposed to the sea breezes.
It's all about the right to left angled green and flighting the approach..
Laucala Island- hole 8 approach
- hole 9, Nei Rosa (Rosa's Hill), a delightful short uphill par 3 to a green nestling in a cove of trees.
The half way hut is nearby with sea views through the coconut trees..
Laucala Island- hole 9
- hole 10, Wai Vitala (Wai Vitala Bay), a fabulous short par 4 that requires a longish well flighted tee shot to carry a substantial water hazard.
It is a testing shot when the wind gets up (and it does).
Hitting the fairway leaves just a short iron to a beachside green that has the better golfers thinking birdie all the way! It is a Fantastic Golf hole!!
- hole 12, Baravi (Beach Side), a lovely par 5 with a stunning picturesque green right on the beach ( see pic top of page)
- hole 13, Sotakoro ( Sotakoro Bay), a nice little par 3 with a tricky green and several tiers.
Laucala Island- hole 13
- hole 16 Vai Vai (Rain Tree), a magic and somewhat longish golf hole where a huge raintree leftside dominates thoughts on the tee.
The long approach bends to the right so a tee shot close to the tree is the preferred line (off the tee).
The narrow approach is claustrophobic, and feels not much wider than single file.
With the sun filtering through the dense forest of Rain trees & Coconut palms the approach walk to the green can be an almost spiritual experience..
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Laucala Island- hole 12 approach 
Laucala GC- hole 2
Laucala Island- hole 2 approach
Laucala Island GC- hole 3- Yacoyani (Long Beach)
