Most putting greens in Hawaii are Bermuda Grass, which has more grain than the average golfer is used to. All else being equal, a putt will break in the direction of the grain. The grain direction will be towards the setting sun, or away from the nearest mountain. Look at the cup for the worn grass side. The ball will usually break that way.

The trade winds in Hawaii are a daily fact of life. They blow from the north-east anywhere between 10 and 25 plus miles per hour. The winds are strongest in the mid to late afternoon. The trick to playing in the strong winds is to swing easy and make solid contact with the ball. The effect of slices and hooks are hightened by the wind. Another trick is to place the ball slightly farther back in your stance. This will tend to keep the ball on a lower trajectory.

The tropical sun in Hawaii can be quite strong, especially around mid-day. Protect yourself! Wear a hat, sunglasses and plenty of sunscreen. The wind and sun are more moderate in the early morning. Plan your round accordingly.

The combination of strong sun and wind can lead to dehydration and players should "tank up" (preferrably with water) before they tee off and during their round.