Ko'olau Golf Club

Outstanding design. Very challenging but way way too tough and unfair for the average recreational golfer. As is, it's a once in a lifetime experience for us.
Recommendations : 1) find ways to reduce the slope to no higher than 132 from the resort tee; 2) need to find ways to sustain a better grass for fairways.

I would love to play this course when/if it ever dries out.
The front nine was extremely difficult to keep feet from slipping to the point that somebody in the group actually slipped so bad they fell down. Cart path only did not help with this situation at all as every place you park is sloped to get to the fairway or the golf cart.
The back nine is worse. Putting the tee boxes near the uneven muddiness only makes matters worse.
The course is beautiful though, wow, fresh clean air from all of the surrounding botanical environment is just amazing.

Totally soaked...muddy everywhere. Both of us slipped and fell on the slopes around every green. Couldn't keep up with cleaning clubs, balls, shoes. 18 is a 200 yard carry...or more. No beverage carts on course. Snack bar doesn't open until 8:30 and is overcrowded with tour groups and course employees. Prices in pro shop sky high. Beautiful layout overall, but almost unplayable.

KO'OLAU review
Would play again if
1. Greens were maintained better
2. During a dryer month
3. Got another 1/2 price deal

The club house staff was nice and friendly. 1:30 tee got a good rate at 1/2 price, although buying a hat, ball markers, shirt, and bag tag, still paid full green fee price. The bag tag with my piece of tape name for $3.50 was rather ridiculous. He threw in a dozen new golf balls, which came in handy for this course. Starter and Ambassador courteous and friendly.

Front nine was 90 degree rule, that's ok, back nine was cart trails only.

If you play senior tees, get ready to pay attention to the scorecard, sometimes you'll be playing blue tees, other holes white tees. They are circled on the card which one to play. By the end, you'll be so tired you'll forget.

The day before and day after shot 80-79 at Olomana, by the way I like much better. This course was a 97, excluding the 6-7 lost ball penalty stokes on the back nine I stopped counting, from fatigue and frustration. The course layout difficulty is everything it is described to be, tough. If you can't keep the ball in play you're going to have a miserable day, or if you can't carry the obstacles, I would avoid this course. The scenery is awesome, majestic. Playing in December, Oahu wettest month not a good time to play this course. Back nine was cart trails only, not good for this course, I was a whopped puppy after 18. They offer a second round at the end for cart fee only, you won't want another round if you just finished one with cart trails only.

Overall I thought the front nine was in good condition, except the greens. In my opinion, what looked like very patchy Bermuda, sandy almost bare greens that did not put true at all. I had 42 putts. The day started a few holes with sunshine but that quickly changed to very overcast almost foggy.

We finished the front nine hardly ever seeing anyone. Stopped for a hot dog, it was so so, then the twilight singles, caught up. We let a few play through, but they just kept coming.

After the front nine, (only lost 3 balls) I was feeling I could really score on this course if played again. Then came the back. It's a mountain goat course, cart trails only will wear you out. The back was extremely muddy, balls stuck where they hit, if you could find them. Back nine fairways changed to what I would call crab or Johnson grass. thick blades. Because of the greens I would have been extremely upset if I had paid full price to play this course.

I played Olomana 4 rounds. MUCH better, more fun, awesome scenery there too, greens were excellent. Got a 30 day resident pass also.

Overall, I can say I've played KO'OLAU, once. If the beginning 3 conditions are met I'd play it again. Think I'd enjoy the challenge of this course under different conditions.

Played in early December which is during the rainy season when course conditions are impossible to be that great because the course is basically in a rain forest. So as was suggestes to me by a local I waited until it hadnt rained in a few days and went to play ko'olau. The fairways were mowed, but the grass is very thin and you can expect to get your clubs very muddy. But all this is what should expect when you have a course at the base of a rain forest in Hawaii.
I recommended this course because the layout and views are great. I would recommend buying a yardage book, they are only 3 bucks and don't feel the need to pull the driver out every hole and you will have a great time.
Don't go there expecting to shoot a career round, just relax and take in thand setting and be happy when you make a few pars.

Very difficult. Buy a yardage book. There are no indications of carry distances or distances to hazards. Spectacular views make it worth playing at least once.

I like challenging golf courses and this one definitely provides it. The staff was very friendly and the course was not that busy for a Sunday afternoon. However, the fairway was overgrown. It looked like they have not cut the grass in a month and the putting greens were not in good condition. I understand it rained the day before, but I was very disappointed with the overall condition of the course. I could not even find some balls that landed on the FAIRWAY, because of the grass (it was 4 to 6 inches tall).

As an overall experience, this is not to be missed. The scenery and course layout are unlike anything I have seen. Very breathtaking.
As far as golf goes, this course is only above a farm track mowed from pasture land I once played in Kansas. I lost more balls in the overgrown fairways than I did to bad shots. I'm not sure what you call it, but the fairways (especially on the back) were like baby tomato plants and the rough was a lettuce patch.
If you are there to play golf and expect to compare your score to normal play, then you will be disappointed in it. If you are looking for a golf experience that you won't find elsewhere, run, don t walk there.
Make a morning tee time as there is a perminent sign on the 18 tee that invites you to play again for only the cart fee. Perhaps you will find those fairway balls from the first round.
I was disappointed with the rental club experience. When I asked that the driver be adjusted back to neutral from its draw setting, the clubhouse staff couldn't find the tool. For my trouble, they took 50 cents off my Gatorade. WOW! I guess they knew more than I that straight drives hitting the fairway were just as likely to cost you the ball and a penalty.

This golf course is a beautiful place and the wholes are alternately. The best time is to play if the wweather conditions are dry. Unfortunately for us the golf course was very wet. The shoes, clubs and others was very dirty.
The sand bunkers are partially filled with water.

First of all everyone was very helpful and friendly.was advised that the course was wet and the greens had been hollow toned 3 weeks ago.Wet was an understatement wettest course I have ever played in 40 years.Lost 3 balls in the fairway .The course design is stunning I would love to play it again when it is dry and in good condition.all in all one to avoid until condition improve.

Overall the course was enjoyable but the course has some issues. It appears the glory days are over for this track. The jungle has overtaken and soome holes are unplayable. Not worth the money but the views are spectacular. Those issues already add to a very difficult track. I a plus four handicap and shot 96. It's fun but hard.

While there will always be the first time, Ko'olau must be played often to overcome the challenges of it's layout. Hence, not for the casual golfer or occasional visitor to Hawaii. From the 1st hole, one must stay focused, taking one shot at a time. In fact, I can't remember if there are any tee-to-green views except for the par 3s. So, while the scenery is stunning, there wasn't time to appreciate the views when the focus was navigating dog-legs, avoiding ravines, etc. Lost 3 balls, of which one was from an errant shot. The current course conditions was a slight let-down.

Hard to find course, with poor signage. wound up on H3highway accidentally and couldn't get off. The difficulty of the course is exaggerated by its design flaws and terrible fairway conditions with poor turf, muddy lies worsening the challenge of forced carries. Not knowing how far the fairways extended, made it difficult to hit driver for a first timer. Holes 5 and 18 need a redesign. General experience was Claustrophobia. Beautiful foliage when driving from green to tee.

There is no better view of the magnificent Koolau mountains than playing this unforgiving beast of a course! Conditions at the golf course has deteriorated with bunkers needing sand and greens rolling like molasses.
The course design creates a relentless strain and test of your golfing skills. There is no escape and you will know how good or bad you really are.
Play is light but the difficulty of the course will likely bring you upon some poor group that has stalled and is struggling to keep up.
Take a breath, look at the mountains, sigh because you are likely next!

This course is not for the average golfer - too many forced carries, some in excess of 180 yards.
The scenery is worth the trip, but the course is really too difficult to be fun to play.

Tough but scenic views of the Koolau mountains. Amid forests and valleys. No homes in sight.

Course was very wet, plenty of standing water. Fairways were in good shape otherwise. Rough was tough, wet and long! Greens varied from patchy to outstanding!

Although the course is in a beautiful setting, the condition of the course in my opinion was terrible. Bunkers did not have sand in them, tall weeds in the fairway and even taller weeds in the rough. The snack stand right off the tenth tee could use some updating. The façade above the snack stand looked like it hadn't been cleaned in years. Also, for the $99 I paid to play, range balls should be provided and I shouldn't have to hit off carpet. I was very disappointed and unfortunately would not go back there to play.

An extremely tight layout that rewards driving and approach accuracy. If you miss, you're likely to lose your ball; most fairways are bordered by thick jungle. Several tee shots will be less than driver unless you're a huge hitter. Tough greens -- many are elevated and most are tiered.

Beautiful mountain views throughout the course. The back nine was a little soggy in places after some light rain (which seems to be common). The course was in general in excellent shape, especially the greens.

Very challenging, but well worth the money if you can play at a reasonable rate.

I have played Ko'olau many times. Two or three times each visit to the islands. When you visit here, you must be prepared to play wet, sloppy golf. This time, however, was the wettest. It rained on and off for the first nine holes. The course was almost unplayable in spots. Bunkers had standing water. Cart path only. Yet I had a blast! I love the challenge of this course. Don't pass up a chance to challenge yourself with elements, forced carries, funny angles, elevated greens and huge traps. Do it!