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4.9
581 Reviews (581)
5 Stars
415
4 Stars
114
3 Stars
30
2 Stars
15
1 Stars
7
Conditions
4.1
Value
4.7
Layout
4.9
Friendliness
4.2
Pace
4.8
Amenities
4.8
97.6%
Recommend this course
533 out of 581 reviews
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5 Stars
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4 Stars
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3 Stars
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2 Stars
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1 Stars
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Conditions
0
Value
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Layout
0
Friendliness
0
Pace
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Amenities
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0%
Recommend this course
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0
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Recommend this course
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About

Holes 18
Type Resort
Par 72
Length 7370 yards
Slope 155
Rating 84.5

With Mauna Kea Golf Course, Robert Trent Jones Sr. transformed what was seemingly a barren lava field into what is now one of Hawaii's most popular courses. The challenging layout has holes that play right along the sea as well as over 300 feet above. The course tumbles across seaside cliffs, offering views of the beautiful Kohala Coast. The elevated, undulating greens and prevailing coastal winds demand accuracy. On blustery days 200 yards could feel like 1,000 yards. There are also more than 100 bunkers strategically placed throughout. Mauna Kea Golf Course's signature third hole is the course's most well known by far. This legendary par 3 requires a dramatic carry across a rocky shoreline, sprinkled with nooks and crannies that are filled with hundreds of lost golf balls. To prepare for this demanding course, golfers can warm-up on the driving range and putting green.

Course Details

Year Built 1964
Fairways Tifway 419 Hybrid Bermuda Grass
Greens Ultra-Dwarf Tifeagle Bermuda Grass
Golf Season Year round

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes - included in green fees
GPS Yes
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Bunker Yes
Golf School/Academy Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard, Amex Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Fivesomes Allowed Yes
Dress code Proper golf attire must be worn at all times

Food & Beverage

Bar, Restaurant

Available Facilities

Clubhouse, Conference Facilities, Banquet Facilities, Showers, Locker Rooms

Accolades

The Best Way To Book Is With GolfPass+
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10 rounds of waived fees
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$120 in tee time credits
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Tee Time Protection
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Reviews

4.9
581 Reviews (581)

Reviewer Photos

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 8
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Bad value

A lot of money for no services. No food no drink no cart girl no changing room. Just over priced and unfriendly personnel.

Conditions Fair
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Fair
Pace Good
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Beautiful Course

Course was in great shape and there were fabulous views on multiple holes.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 85
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Wet weather
Used cart

Not in great shape

For a high end resort course in Hawaii, the course conditon was only fair, and the condition of the bunkers was mediocre. Many definitely need refreshing (some sand would be nice) and rebuilding.

Conditions Fair
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 85
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Greens

Sanded greens bad. Paid lots of money for crappy greens. Should have been told ahead of time

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 106
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 500 Contributor
Previously Played
Used cart

Nice course

Quite challenging, lots of sand, raised greens on most holes. Great views and wide fairways. Pick the right tee box for your game, shorter is still tough

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Weekday Morning Round

I picked up a deal the day before and teed off at 9:36 with 3 other men. "List price" is $295, but there are several ways to play for significantly less. By consensus our group played the tournament tees (approx 6800 yards), though the resort tees (6350) would have been more appropriate for me - and probably the rest of us, too. Nevertheless we got around in about 3.5 hours, despite going up to the black tees on #3 for photos and futile swings with old balls, and one or two other little diversions. The course was in excellent condition. It features many elevated tees and expansive ocean views. Surrounding homes frequently come into view, but rarely come into play. Visually this is one of the more attractive courses I've played. Fairways are generally wide. There is not a lot of rollout off the tee shots, but some fairways feature side slopes that will kick your ball off the ideal line and towards trouble if you don't play them strategically. In contrast to it's sister course, Hapuna, Mauna Kea will not repeatedly exact a lost ball penalty for off target shots. Covid regulations meant no rakes lying around the bunkers, but unlike most places I've played recently, we each had our own rake attached to our golf cart. Therefore the sand was in fine shape. No one can accuse this course of being inadequately bunkered. The course is very hilly. I didn't count, but it seems like many more than half of the greens were elevated to some degree. The greens are defended with large steep-lipped bunkers, some rough, and some closely-mown collection areas,. My sense is that weaker golfers and those who struggle to get the ball airborne may be in for a frustrating round, as there are several holes where "rolling it on" doesn't seem like a viable option. Putting surfaces are mostly moderately contoured. There are several tiered greens with more severe internal breaks. Overall I thought the greens were entertaining. Service and pro shop merchandise are as expected in a high-end resort.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 85
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Great place

very challenging and not a course for higher handicappers, but the course has it all

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Fair
Pace Average
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Not quite up to par

Traps were not in very good condition and very often hard pan. Drink cart didn’t have any mixers for adult beverages on a Wednesday in February (high season). Overall demeanor of employees is poor. Teach them to wave, smile & maybe say hello to their customers!

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Fair
Pace Excellent
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 85
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Very special place

A very challenging course, but location and course layout are great, but you really better be able to hit the ball well

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
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Golf Packages

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