Top Hawaiian Teaching Pro Leads Way At New Academy

Hualālai Golf Hale

By GORD MONTGOMERY, Inside Golf

There is little better in the winter than golfing in Hawaii, unless of course it’s improving your golf game in Hawaii. To that end, the Hualālai Resort on the Big Island, has opened what they consider to be one of the top practice facilities anywhere, led by one of the top golf instructors on the islands, Eddie Lee.

The Hualālai Golf Hale is a 3,000-square-foot offering for Hualālai Club members, homeowners and guests of the Four Seasons Resort Hualālai. There they can enjoy programming and improve their golf game with state-of-the-art technology and instruction.

Lee, formerly with the David Ledbetter Golf Academy on Maui that was based out of the Wailea Golf Club, will work with golfers to help them improve all aspects of their game and also continue to develop the top-end teaching programming at the Golf Hale.

PR person Kelsey Harrington had this to say about the brand new facility in this beautiful part of the world: “What sets the Hualālai Golf Hale apart? There is truly nothing like it in Hawaii currently, making this an ideal experience for those who love the game of golf. The Golf Hale will feature three hitting bays – the two outside bays will open for individuals to hit onto the range, or with their doors down function as private classrooms, featuring TrackMan launch monitors, and the middle bay will host a Topgolf Swing Suite.”

Asked via email how lessons can help one improve their game, Lee said, “The importance of lessons regardless of how long one is playing is imperative. In the beginning stages - to establish a good preparation or fundamentals in the game, and after that - to make sure bad habits do not creep in. To develop good patterns one must work on them diligently to ensure confidence which will help to think less while playing.”


Originating From San Bruno, California, Eddie Lee Moved To Hawai’i In 1991 To Become Assistant Golf Pro At Kapalua Resort, Before Moving To Wailea Resort In 1996 As Director Of Instruction. His Move To Four Seasons Resort Hualālai Was Born From A Life-Long Desire To Build An Exciting New Program From The Ground Up. He Specializes In Understanding A Player’s Preparation And Fixing Their Big Swing Flaws, While Sharing The Mantra: “Never Stop Learning, If You’re Not Learning You’re Not Growing!”

Added Lee about this facility, and what makes it so special, “We like to call them the four 4s. Fun, family, fitness and fundamentals. Many training facilities have some of those qualities but none have them all.”

As for the new technology incorporated into this training area, Lee said, “Most of our technology is TrackMan driven. That means that the flight simulation seen is produced by radar which then outputs hard data. The average player benefits from this because there is no guesswork on what is going on when a swing lesson is performed. It streamlines the learning curve easier and in the process makes it fun for the instructor and the student.”

As to how students should put what they’ve learned into action, and how much practice time they should put in versus playing, Lee said, “Keep in mind that during the practice routine of one’s development, the student should start with a 2-to-1 ratio in relation to practice and play. Students play far too much during this stage and do not ingrain correct swing patterns and in return lose confidence in their ability to hit shots.”

As for how much practice a person should do, per week, this was the response: “Great question. It depends on many factors but I would say that time required to do the pattern is important and also quality of the time spent. So the one, two or three formula all depends on the individual.”

Programming at The Hale will include a variety of offerings that combine fun, fitness, technology and luxury. This comprises instruction services with video analysis, on-course lessons, mini golf schools, full-day retreats, multi-student lessons, indoor “learn and play” sessions using TrackMan flight simulation, fittings and other, custom programs. The facility will be located at the driving range serving the Hualālai Golf Course, the first Jack Nicklaus Signature Course on Hawai`i Island, known for its famed 17th hole which offers a green that “touches the ocean.”

Since January 1997, Hualālai has played host to the annual Mitsubishi Electric Championship. In addition to the Hualālai Golf Course, the resort features the Ke’olu Course, a private 18-hole Tom Weiskopf-designed course, exclusive for Members of the Hualālai Club. There are also two practice facilities, including a short game practice area at both courses, three putting greens with two at the Ke`olu golf course and two teaching pros on staff at each course.

 Hualālai is an oceanfront luxury resort situated on the exclusive Kona-Kohala Coast which captures the essence of authentic Hawaiian design, culture and tradition. The Four Seasons Resort Hualālai holds 243 guest rooms and suites housed in intimate two-story bungalows while boasting a dramatic mix of white sand beaches, dazzling oceanfront and black-lava landscapes. Guests and residents can experience the aloha spirit with an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus golf course, island-fresh dining, a 28,000-square-foot spa with whirlpools, saunas and plunge pools among lush greenery and countless land to sea adventures.

For more information on Hualālai Realty, please visit www.hualalairealty.com or call 1-800- 983-3880.