Ko'olau Golf Club

Well, the only thing this course has going for it is the scenery, which is stunning to be sure. But it is in horrible shape, with ALOT of standing water/red clay mud- even in the FAIRWAYS! Deep grass everywhere, even fairways-- they can't mow them because... Did I mention-- it's too wet! We had a decent deal from a site or I would have been really mad-- but even $40 would have been too much to charge- and they want $145! We paid in the $75 range and that was just wrong. At this time of year, they are still cart path only. They really shud shut down the back 9 until they can MOW it. Even the greens were fuzzy with weeds and clover about 3/4 inch tall. Oh it also eats a lot of balls because you can't find them in the fairways... Lost in water, mud, tall grass...you name it! Don't go- you can find better here with a lot of island golf aloha. This was not it! Pro shop guys and starter were fine- no complaints. Hot dog and beer at the turn were reasonable. That's all they have going for them.

My wife and I played in early Feb - and this course is every bit as tough and unforgiving as all the reviews say. You had better be long and accurate off the mens tees - there are several forced carries where you are driving through a hole in the jungle. Bring plenty of balls - even when you see the ball jump into the grass or jungle and you KNOW where it is, it's gone.
Overall, the course has the most spectacular views of the mountain range on almost every hole and it winds up and down through the jungle. Unfortunately, the course condition due to all the rain pretty much made the back nine unplayable. You hit a good drive, you're sitting in the fairway - but it's all mud underneath the dense "cow grass" and just walking to your ball is a challenge.
It would have been nice if the proshop had shared just how bad the back nine was but that's life. We recommend that you wait until April or May when this thing dries out a little. the way it was in Feb is just unplayable.

Some of the best vistas & views of any course I've ever played anywhere. Unfortunately the course is so muddy and the fairways littered with thick awful grass (more like rough) that it makes the course just too hard to be any fun at all. There is no where safe to hit your ball. And that's in addition to the jungle that swallows any ball that is even a bit off course. I would NOT play here again. Royal Hawaiian just down the road is the same price and 10x the golf course.

The condition of this course were horrendous.
The fairways were playing as if your hitting from the rough. I'm not exaggerating, Basically there were no fairways, it was all rough. The closest thing I saw on this whole course to a fairway were the greens, therefore if the condition of the greens were similar to the condition of normal fairway, that tells you how the greens were, horrible too.
The views were great cause it was all mountains around, but if you want a scenic view, go do a hiking trip, the staff was very friendly, but again , my main concern is the condition of the course so I can have a good time playing. The views and the staff is all secondary and if that's all a course has to offer, views and staff , to me that course sucks.
This course was not just in mediocre condition, it was just horrible. Again the fairways were non-existent, it was all playing like your hitting from the rough. Because of that, it's not even worth $20/ round, cause your waisting your vacation time. You would be better off playing a $50 course In the city or just sit by the pool and enjoy the weather
I feel bad being so harsh, but the conditions on this course were horrendous.

This would be a difficult course anytime! I, however, played after an overnight rain, upon which over 100 inches of rain had already fallen in the past 2 months.
Grounds crew was not able to get to the mowing, trimming, bunker maintenance, etc. due to the wet conditions.
A shotmakers ciurse for sure, with blind tees and seconds......you better know this course to play well!

Course should be closed as unplayable. Yes, the area did get a lot of rain that is why the course should be closed.

My timing to play this course was probably not the best due to the record rainfall they've had this year. The front nine was the only part of the course they could get any equipment on and the back, other than the two par threes, was unplayable. I played the front twice applying winter rules and had a great time for only $75 (Hot Deal). The staff was very friendly and helpful and the pace of play was perfect since I was the only one on the course! Somewhat difficult but an absolute must play due to the view and incredible unique course design. Carts are like new and facilities are great. 9 HI
FYI - UBER from Waikki worked well both ways

Staff was friendly and knowledgeable. I didn't see anyone else on the course and took my time. Fairways were tricky and narrow with a lot of places to lay up. It had been raining a whole bunch prior to my play so the course was really muddy. The rough was knee deep because of the rain and some fairways were a little tall. Greens had been aerated a couple weeks prior. They had held back the grooming of the course because there had been so much rain. I'm sure when it is kept properly it would be a great course but until then...

The pro shop and the starter were great, so very helpful. The front side was in good shape but not so for the back side, too much rain recently made the course so muddy after the first mowing and the rough was so deep. Great fun and views

I ignored the negative reviews and decided I wanted to play this course since I love the experience of playing challenging Hawaii golf courses with great views. I arrived to the expected church crowd since I was playing on a Sunday but found the small pro shop on the side of the complex. The practice area looked like it had not been kept up and the whole facility looked like it had been seriously neglected. The views were all they were cracked up to be but the course looked unkempt. The guy in the pro shop said he had been trying to contact me and that the back 9 was closed and the front 9 was really wet because of all the rain they had. He discouraged me from going out and said everyone that had gone out had come back for a refund. This was really disappointing but I called the online service and got my greens fee refunded. I did stop at the Pali Lookout on my way back to my hotel and saw about a dozen players playing the course. Not sure why I was pushed so hard not to play since I got a very good discount and willing to try the course. This is the only time I was really discouraged from playing by a course but it did look like it was not being maintained so maybe it was for the best. This course should either get it's act together or close.

Golfnow Deal made this possible as it is expensive for non-residents to golf on Oahu.

Course has incredible views and a great staff. Holes are interesting and definitely test your shot making.

However, your money is better spent on other courses with better upkeep. Forgo one nice dinner and play Turtle Bay or the well maintained Ko'Olina.

Clearly this course trains you for difficult rough shots, force you to be always on the fairway to at least get a boggy. The beauty of the place may calm your frustration. Be prepared for rain, even in a sunny day in Honolulu.

Totally different from Hawaii beach area courses. Well worth the experience. Target golf if that helps. Played in the rain but not bad. You have to expect it. Need every club in your bag. Have fun !!

When I arrived, there was wedding at the main hall and was told that we have only 1 hour and half left ,even if we arrived on time, or we can come back for another day. Because of the location, we had to book a car again so decided to go on playing. If they have such condition, they should announce us at the booking site . I had to rush for playing and couldn't enjoy the trilling tough course. I have never treated like this in my golf life.

This course is set on a nice mountainside area. However they really fleece the out of towners with a rate of $145 but slightly cheaper on this site. Then we also had to pay for range balls, which is pretty lame for a resort course and paying that much for greens fees. This day was cart paths only, so there was a lot of long walks to the ball, but what for? It didn't rain that day and the rough is literally all crab grass and weeds. Every single hole. Most of the bunkers were also flooded with water. How the course superintendent looks at himself in the mirror in the morning is beyond me, especially when people pay over $100 to play here. To top it off, the $6 turkey sandwiches were made with cheap packaged meat with tomatoes and lettuce. Really, for $6 you can get a great large and fresh quality deli meat sandwich at any local market. It's too bad this place is severely mismanaged, because the mountainside views were gorgeous. I emphatically cannot recommend this course, unless you have access to a local rate but even then would you want to pay your hard earned $60 for this cow pasture? There are so many other better condition golf courses you could play and you wouldn't have to worry so much about drawing an ugly and unfair lie.

You will definitely get your money's worth at this course. I found it to be difficult just like everyone else but it's not impossible to play. Swallow your pride and just move up a tee box or two. You won't regret it. The scenery is absolutely amazing. Beautiiful mountain views but it's not manicured very well. The greens were fine, it's just the rough and fairways that were quite ordinary. That's my only complaint. I'd still recommend this course to anyone because they'll definitely have a lasting experience.

This was my first time playing this course, and I was not disappointed. It is a challenging course but the scenery was so specatacular it didnt matter what my score was. The staff are very friendly and explained the course lay out very well. Get the small booklet they have, it will definitely assist and navigating and choosing the right clubs on the holes. Club choice was key to having a good round here. Bring extra balls, as you will lose a few on this course. A nice added bonus is if you play in the morning, you will be able to play a second round for free and just pay cart fees in the afternoon.

I reserved a 7am tee time for today (Sunday) late last night. I've never played here before so I got up early and drove across the island to see what all of the buzz was about. I arrived there early and I believe it was Nic (Texas A&M guy) who was the first to greet me, welcome me to the course, and just a friendly feeling from the get go.

The staff was incredible a friendly warm feeling all around. Nic, cart guys, starter ...all great. Then we got to the first tee ....oh boy this is going to be a long day. A true test of golf from tee to green and the conditions were superb, although the greens were a little slow they rolled well.

Pace of play was incredible, but we were the second group off around 7:05 and the tee sheet wasn't crowded.

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS TO EVERY GOLFER

THE COURSE IS A VERY DIFFICULT ONE BUT THE CONDITIONS OF THE FAIRWAYS, TEE BOXES AND BUNKERS ARE UNDER PAR.

Keep the ball in the fairway and out of the jungle or you will shoot a big number. Tricky par 4s with several lay up shots. And only one of the 5s is reachable in two. The staff are great. The scenery is amazing. Greens could use a little help and rough is tough. Great Hawaii golf.