This charming, plantation-style nine-hole course sits on sloping land along central Molokai's north coast

mountains, not far from the island's only airport. Ironwood Hills offers a purely fun 'who's-keeping-score' round. Its well-kept, elevated greens give the golfer surprising approach-shot results, especially when the prevailing trade winds are blowing.

Not only is Ironwood Hills easy on the pocketbook, this Molokai golf course also provides a glimpse into Hawaii golf history. This course is the descendant of one of Hawaii's original plantation courses, the Hanekekua Golf Club, which opened in 1938.

Anyone who plays Ironwood Hills should also plan a side trip to nearby Palaau State Park. Just a short walk from the parking area, visitors are afforded dominating vistas of the beautiful Kalaupapa Peninsula, some 2,000-feet straight down.

Standing at this elevation, it's not uncommon to see small airplanes below, navigating their way along the incredible scenery of Molokai's northern cliffs, the tallest oceanfront cliffs in the world. Look closely, and it's likely you'll see any number of black mountain goats somehow holding their ground on the vertical cliff faces below.