Royal Hawaiian GC
A view from Royal Hawaiian Golf Club.
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Rating Index Rating
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3.9
695 Reviews (695)
5 Stars
326
4 Stars
189
3 Stars
91
2 Stars
53
1 Stars
36
Conditions
3.3
Value
3.5
Layout
4.4
Friendliness
4.4
Pace
4.0
Amenities
3.3
72.7%
Recommend this course
561 out of 695 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.6
25 Reviews (25)
5 Stars
7
4 Stars
9
3 Stars
4
2 Stars
2
1 Stars
3
Conditions
2.9
Value
3.0
Layout
4.1
Pace
3.8
Amenities
3.4
StaffFriendliness
4.6
64.0%
Recommend this course
16 out of 25 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.0
47 Reviews (47)
5 Stars
23
4 Stars
12
3 Stars
6
2 Stars
2
1 Stars
4
Conditions
3.5
Value
3.6
Layout
4.4
Pace
4.3
Amenities
3.4
StaffFriendliness
4.7
76.6%
Recommend this course
36 out of 47 reviews
Read Reviews
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AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
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Course Highlights
Royal Hawaiian delivers jaw-dropping jungle and mountain views on every hole, with a wildly creative layout that belongs on any golfer's bucket list. The exceptionally friendly staff and solid value make this challenging, scenic round well worth the trip.

About

Holes 18
Type Semi-Private
Style Links
Par 72
Length 6609 yards
Slope 138
Rating 73.1

Nestled at the base of the Ko'olau Mountains in Oahu, Royal Hawaiian Golf Club enjoys a stunning tropical setting framed by ancient jungle trees that climb to more than 100 feet tall. The father-and-son team of Pete and Perry Dye designed the course. There are many telltale signs that this is a Dye course, from the many elevation changes to the varied bunker styles that are utilized throughout. The round begins with stunning views as you plunge downhill into the Maunawili Valley. There are more trees and narrower fairways on the front nine, contrasting nicely with the wide-open back nine. Royal Hawaiian Golf Club's back plays towards the mouth of the valley, offering a view of the mountains and sparkling blue Pacific waters in the distance. It's not an overly punishing golf course but locals and visitors alike have called it the toughest and most scenic course you'll find on Oahu.

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Royal Hawaiian Golf Club
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Course Details

Year Built 1993
Fairways Bermuda Grass
Greens Platinum Paspalum Grass
Golf Season Year round
Architect Pete Dye (1993) Perry Dye (1993)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard, Amex, Discover Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No

Food & Beverage

Bar, Restaurant

Available Facilities

Clubhouse

Accolades

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Reviews

3.9
695 Reviews (695)

What Golfers Are Saying

Course Challenges Include:
Elevation Changes 28
Forced Carries 24
Narrow Fairways 17
This course/club is great for:
Wildlife/ Scenic Views 25
Advanced Golfers 19
A Bucket list/Top 100 Pick 14
This Course's Location is:
Worth the Drive 23
Convenient to the City 10

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Reviewer Photos

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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 1
3.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once every three months
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Incredible Experience

The course is incredible! I’m a first time player here but found the course majestic and challenging. I basically had the course to myself all afternoon on May 11, 2026. I’m not sure if that is nilormal during the week or this time of year, but that was nice as I completely took my time! I rated it a 4 on the value because they had the 7th hole closed due to repairs (they added in a 3B) and the maintenance guy passed me teeing off on the 8th hole and went to the hole and turned on the sprinklers, WTH dude, no maholo given! Other than that, if you are looking for course to play, make no mistake, I would return to play this course 10 out 10 times if given the opportunity!

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Difficult Course

Probably the most difficult course unless you are straight as a laser on ball placement!

Was fun and jungle-esque in the beginning and then more open up and traditional in the back 9. I'd say we may have gone during aeration since the greens were a little iffy, but probably hard to maintain with a jungle area.

Would go back again once I'm better :).

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Response from on 05/13/2026:
We truly appreciate the five-star rating! It’s great to hear you enjoyed your visit — we’ll keep working hard to make every experience just as memorable.
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Amazing view

I’ve been playing golf for 13 years now, and of all the courses I’ve visited, I think this one had the most beautiful views. However, the greens were extremely slow and quite rough. It was also incredibly easy to lose a ball. The fairways were too undulating, which made them difficult to play. The staff members were very friendly.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Super Fun Golf in a Magical Environment!

Everything was Great! Beautiful course with a Super friendly staff. It was like golfing at Jurassic Park minus the dinosaurs. Fun Course!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Response from on 05/04/2026:
Thanks for the wonderful feedback! Hearing this makes our day, and we can’t wait to have you back again soon.
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Course conditions aren’t great

I played this course a few years ago in August and I loved it. Took my friend this past weekend and course conditions were not good at all. The rough felt like Ike walking through semi weeds. Greens were severely punched but not mentioned on the website when booking.

To be fair, Hawaii just d person ed serious flooding and so the grounds weren’t able to be maintained but I wish there was some kind of dis one of notice to let you know before you go.

Views here are still unbeaten. But the conditions were definitely to be desired

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Amazing Course

Staff was extremely friendly had a blast playing the course! The starter gave us good instructions and heads up of the layout. It’s a tough course I lost more balls than I’d like to admit but well worth it. I did get lucky to play both front and back holes. The course got hit pretty bad with the recent weather and they just opened the front nine. I called a week before and the pro shop let me know the back nine were the only holes currently open. They opened the front this week and I got to experience the entire course.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 7
Handicap 25+
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Great Course - Staff was amazing

I had a last minute layover and called up Royal Hawaiian to try and get a tee time. They recently had some weather so the front nine was under construction and the last tee time was therefore noon. I arrived right around then and the staff already had my own cart, rental clubs, paperwork, and a box of balls all ready to go in a cart for me. I was never rushed or made to feel like I was inconveniencing anyone.

Everyone was out to have a good time. Pace of play was leisurely, but at a 4.5hr pace I wasn’t complaining. There are no Marshall’s on the course to speed things up.

Conditions were mostly good. The greens were just punched which I get is part of the yearly maintenance of the course. Also the St Augustine rough was like Oakmont over 6” tall! I lost a couple balls in the straightforward rough just off the fairway because it was just simply impossible to find anything in there.

Overall, outstanding uniquely Hawaiian views. No ocean views, but the mountains and valleys were breathtaking all the same. I’d come out again, but it will take me some time to feel up to paying $200 + $93 in fees again.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
2.0
First Time Playing

Not enjoyable

Only back 9 was open and they gave no heads up before hand and didn't offer an discount. Rough was so long you lost your ball everytime

Conditions Fair
Value Poor
Layout Poor
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Response from on 04/03/2026:
We appreciate your feedback and are sorry your experience wasn’t as enjoyable as it should have been. We’re making improvements and hope to deliver a better visit in the future.
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Wet weather
Used cart

Weather Issues

I have been golfing at Royal Hawaiian for quite some time. Beautiful view, challenging layout and friendly staff.

I brought first time in Hawaii friends to play but this year at this time, there was lot of rain and flood and issues. When we got to the course, they told us that due to rain, only back nine is open and we have to play it twice. On top of that, cart path only which really sucked because it was muddy all over and made everything slow. I asked for discount but they said they couldn't give the discount due to the round being booked on Golf Now. So if I don't get discount from Golf Now, I will think twice in the future of booking rounds.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Fair
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Poor
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 26
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
1.0
Previously Played

$80 rider fee!! RIDICULOUS!!!!

$200 to play, 5 hours pace of play, $80 rider fee, and all cart path only ????

Stay away from this course, there are so many more to play in Honolulu

Conditions Average
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Poor
Amenities Fair
Response from on 03/09/2026:
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. We’re sorry to hear your experience didn’t meet expectations. Your feedback matters, and we’re actively working to improve.
Played On
Reviews 9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

incredible views

amazing views, challenging course, but for the money—conditions weren’t great. cart path only slowed pace a little, but the views… they will keep you coming back.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Wet weather
Used cart

Tough course, would not play again

If your handicap is in to 20s, this will be a challenging and frustrating course. Fairways are narrow, terrain is hilly. I lost a lot of golf balls in the jungle or deep rough. The course is cart path only and some holes and greens under repair. This course is beyond my skill level so I will not be playing it again anytime soon

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Fair
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 26
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

This course has changed a lot ( in bad)

I played this course for more than 15 years as i am visiting Honolulu few times a year.

I always enjoyed it as it is beautiful, not crowed and priced reasonably.

I played again on 3/7/2026, rate was crazy high as $200 , rider fee was $80 !!!!! And pace of play was 5 hours … Definitely not the golf course i used to play !

Probably my last time here, time to play courses where they respect customers…

Bye bye

Conditions Average
Value Poor
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Amenities Fair
Response from on 03/09/2026:
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. We’re sorry to hear your experience didn’t meet expectations. Your feedback matters, and we’re actively working to improve.
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

It beat us up, loved it!

My babe and I enjoyed the heck out of the course. Lost 5 balls and found 10. The scenery was so awesome and serene. Weather was perfect. People were the friendliest in the island. The drive from Waikiki was so much easier than going west.

Only negative was cart path only on most of the course, it rained 20"+ recently.

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

You won’t Regret it

The conditions of the course were not good but the scenery was 10/10.

You have to play this course at least 1 time

Conditions Poor
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 15
3.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 13
Handicap Don't know
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Unique Jungle Course

Love this course. There is nothing like it. It is like golfing in Jurassic Park with its gorgeous scenery. The course is tough and many balls will be lost if you don't keep it on the fairway. But I enjoyed the challenge.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Green condition is very bad

The green condition is vey bad but the price is expensive.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Poor
Response from on 02/06/2026:
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. We’re sorry to hear your experience didn’t meet expectations. Your feedback matters, and we’re actively working to improve.
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