NAWILIWILI — Hokuala Social Club has been open for the past several weeks, adjacent to the golf pro shop at the Hokuala Ocean Course, said Danial Garven of Indoor Birdie Hawai‘i.
“It’s really been a soft opening so we can get the feel of how things operate,” Garven said. “We just received our liquor license and had a corporate event last Friday. Now, we’re ready to book tee times.”
Anchoring the Hokuala Social Club are two Golfzon simulators — the top of the line Golfzon Twovision Plus, and a “home version” Wave Play. Each of the simulators are capable of handling up to six golfers each.
“We’re real excited to have this first-in-Hawai‘i right here on Kaua‘i,” Garven said. “This is as close to golf as can be. Starting at 8:30 this morning, I already put in 27 holes. And with the weather outside with flood warnings and advisories, I’m not even wet.”
The Golfzon simulators reflect more than 23 years of experience since starting in South Korea in 2000. The marrying of electronic technology and the game of golf have resulted in Golfzon earning the Golf Digest Reader’s Choice Award for the best simulator from 2017 through 2021. Additionally, Golfzon earned the Golf, Inc. most innovative products recognition in 2022 and 2023.
“Hokuala Social Club has the first ones in Hawai‘i,” Garven said. “We’re currently building the Waikiki Branch on Keaumoku Street on O‘ahu that’s scheduled to open in early March. With the fact that each Golfzon is internet capable, that means that golfers — up to six on each station — can compete with O‘ahu and other golfers from here.”
The Golfzon Twovision Plus utilizes two cameras that track the golf ball from when it’s hit to when it lands, minimizing lapses while the computer reads the hit.
Additional sophistication allows different settings on the course, including player ability, wind speed, how fast the greens are and more. Golfzon terminals are also computer-friendly, which allows golfers to record their personal data from the experience.
The Golfzon scenery includes major golf courses from 68 different countries.
“This means we can golf anywhere in those 68 countries without a passport, or the hassle of traveling,” said Kellie Hines of the Hokuala Golf Club, who recently earned an LPGA award as well as instructing young golfers in the Hawai‘i State Junior Golf Association/First Tee Hawai‘i.
Garven said the Ocean Course is currently being mapped for inclusion in the Golfzon library of golf courses available. That inclusion should be available in the very near future.
“This means that people anywhere in the world can golf the Ocean Course without physically coming here,” Garven said.
In addition to the golf sophistication, the Hokuala Social Club Twovision machine has an arcade package option that allows young people an opportunity to learn golf utilizing a variety of arcade-style games.
Price ranges from $50 an hour for the Wave Play and $100 an hour for the Twovision Plus.
Booking times are available from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
