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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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Amenities
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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

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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Special Day at Mauna Kea Golf Club

Perfect weather and unreal conditions made this Saturday afternoon round a day to remember. Because of the Co-vid 19 emergency, the course was empty but not yet closed. I didn't see a soul for the first 6 holes. Course conditions were immaculate. Lots of uphill, elevated greens make this course tough. Club selection is crucial and you will need to down club for many of the greens to make the climb.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Amazing

Loved this course. Challenging for sure, but fair. It was in great shape. Definitely a course you play better the second time because there are some shots that you learn you can’t hit after you hit them. The staff was extremely friendly. My wife was playing only her second round of golf and they were very accommodating to let us tee off at a time where we wouldn’t feel rushed.

The pro shop was very impressive. Great selection of gear. One downside was that the bar closed at 3:30 so we didn’t get to have food afterwards. Thought that was odd.

Otherwise had a great time. And you can’t beat the views. You can see the ocean on most holes. And not just see it but have an incredible view.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great course to play on Big Island

Really enjoyed my round at Mauna Kea. Views were spectacular and course was in pristine shape. Would highly recommend!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great Experience

This course has some of the most memorable golf holes I’ve ever played, incorporating the water and rocky coastline beautifully. However, some of the holes that aren’t on the water are fairly pedestrian with blind approaches that take away from the design (in my opinion). That being said, great staff and great course conditions led to a wonderful experience at Mauna Kae. Will definitely return.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 85
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great Course

This course has it all, but price is to high. Maybe that is why it is never really busy. But the place desires top ratings.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Previously Played

Not worth the money

We played Mauna Kea while on a golf trip to the island of Hawaii. We have played here a number of times on previous trip but will not be back. The condition of the course is not up to the standard of the price they charge. Several greens are not in good shape. The bunkers are not consistent, some had almost no sand, some had way too much and it was difficult to judge how a sand shot should be played.

The pace of play on previous visits was ok. This round we had a group of 5 players ahead of us and they were slow. Normally when a Course makes an exception for a 5 some, they would have to commit to keep up with the pace of play, this group did not. We complained to the marshal and golf shop but nothing was done about it.

We do not recommend playing at Mauna Kea.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 85
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great course

One of my favorite courses in the world. Has everything from scenery to great ocean holes, massive bunkers and great changes in elevation

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 85
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Just a great golf course

Course is for better then average player, by the end of the round this course will get the best of you

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 10
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Top many bunkers

Every green is framed by bunkers.. Most greens are elevated so pitch shots are blind. It is not a creative design. Beautiful views. Mauna Lani has much better courses. This course has no alternate path to any green...It has to be through the air.

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 7
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Perfect

Excellent course, stunning views, great design, pristine conditions, true and fast greens, friendly staff. One just can not wish for more!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 162
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Top 100 Contributor
Missouri Advisor
First Time Playing

One of my favorite par 3's!

Awesome course with a fun but challenging layout. Neat clubhouse with fantastic food. Hotel and beach just a short walk away. A lot of elevated greens. The majestic par three over the ocean is one of my favorite all time holes (I double bogeyed). Played hapuna up the hill as well but highly recommend this one as it actually goes down to the ocean vs just ocean views. Would love to come back very soon!

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 23
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Not s review but a statement,

Unfortunately, the weather condition was so bad. The wind was howling and really blowing strong and for safety reasons, we decided to quit playing . We were the only ones playing the course. We never saw anybody in front nor behind us. They should not have allowed us to play under those dangerous conditions. Please make representation to Mauna Kea to allow us to replay the round while we are here vacationing in the island. Appreciate it very much.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Poor
Friendliness Poor
Pace Poor
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
Incentivized Review
5.0
First Time Playing
Used cart

Very nice course

The course condition was great, Pace of play was excellent. Friendly staff. I would have definitely played Mauna Kea again if we had the time.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

My Favorite in the World

I've played a lot of the best courses in the world, including Pine Valley, Pebble, Cape Kidnappers, etc. This is still my favorite course. Great conditions, great views and every hole is interesting. There is some local knowledge required on the greens, as is typical, especially for courses with a lot of elevation changes, but this is a don't miss experience.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
Incentivized Review
5.0
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Grab a board and go to Mauna Kea!

This was my 2nd time playing Mauna Kea and using a Golf Board to experience "surfing" the fairways. I can't think of a better way to spend 4 hours (and get a bit of a workout using the board); playing a great course, in great conditions and gazing at the beauty of the Kohala Coast the whole time! I would love it if it were just a bit more reasonably priced, so I would be encouraged to do this every time I am on the Big Island, but then again, the pace of play might be affected with more golfers enjoying this beauty! Gotta do it, even if you only do it once!

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 10
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Beautiful experience

Absolutely gorgeous views while navigating this fun and challenging track. Changes in elevations and sloping fairways allow you to use every club in the bag. The tee boxes, fairways and greens are also nicely manicured! I will definitely be returning next time!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

May 6

Greens are still very bumpy and sandy from plugging. course with a tee box for everyone.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Friendly with exceptional views

The course has 3 extremely scenic holes and staff to match the resort atmosphere. Friendly from the get go and although maybe not worth the entire green fee it is a must play on the island. Course was in great shape from tee to greens and pace of play was 3 hours and 45 minutes for two of us after being let go by a foursome in front of us. A challenge from the tournament tees in the wind but fair with tons of room.

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

Mauna Lani Auberge Stay & Play Package

FROM $687 (USD)
ISLAND OF HAWAII | Enjoy 4 nights' accommodations at Mauna Lani Auberge Collection and 3 rounds of golf at Mauna Lani North and South Courses & Wikiwiki 9-hole Short Course.

Ka'anapali Stay & Play Package

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MAUI | Enjoy lodging accommodations at The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Ka'anapali or the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa and golf at Ka'anapali Kai Golf Course & Royal Ka'anapali Golf Course.
Royal Ka'anapali Golf Course

Ka'anapali Stay & Play Package

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MAUI | Enjoy lodging accommodations at either The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Ka'anapali or the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa and golf at Ka'anapali Kai Golf Course & Royal Ka'anapali Golf Course.

Best of Maui Golf Package

FROM $797 (USD)
MAUI | Enjoy 4 nights' accommodations at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua and 3 rounds of golf at the newly refined Kapalua Resort Plantation Course, Kapalua Resort Bay Course, and King Kamehameha Golf Club.

Maui Golf Around Package

FROM $557 (USD)
MAUI | Enjoy 4 nights' accommodations at Napili Kai Beach Resort and 3 rounds of golf at Kapalua Resort Plantation Course, Kapalua Resort Bay Course & King Kamehameha Golf Club.
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