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4.6
581 Reviews (581)
5 Stars
415
4 Stars
114
3 Stars
30
2 Stars
15
1 Stars
7
Conditions
4.3
Value
4.1
Layout
4.7
Friendliness
4.7
Pace
4.6
Amenities
4.1
90.5%
Recommend this course
533 out of 581 reviews
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5 Stars
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1 Stars
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Conditions
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Value
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Layout
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Friendliness
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Pace
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Amenities
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About

Holes 18
Type Resort
Par 72
Length 7370 yards
Slope 144
Rating 76.6

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

4.6
581 Reviews (581)

Reviewer Photos

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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
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 Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Spectacular Mauna Kea

Played north and south course at Mauna Lani in the same week and loved them. For the avid golfers this is a true test of golf. The various tees and generally generous fairways made it very playable for my wife too. She is a more than decent golfer with 18 handicap. She much preferred this over the Mauna Lani courses. Greens well guarded and bunkers are definitely a hazard so best to avoid. It is indeed a must play. The scenery at Mauna Lani is awesome but the combination of scenery, great hole designs and true golfing test made Mauna Kea our favourite.

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 Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart

standing the test of time

I played Mauna Kea over 50 years ago and have played quite a few of high level golf courses. I believe this golf course stands the test of time and goes to show you what a wonderful track this is. Loved it.

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

weather

picked a really bad day to golf- 40 mph winds, rain starting on 8 th hole.

Was able to get a rain check for back rain.

incredible views on many of the holes that I was actually able to play.

not busy- presumably due to weather, maybe high price.

Probably won’t spend this kind of money again but did like the course.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Wet weather
Used cart

Try to get a discounted rate

Nice course overall but try and get a discounted rate as the normal rate is high for what you get.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 8
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Excellent except for bunker condition. They’re due to be redone.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Always a good round

Overall it is a great experience at Mauna Kea. The only challenge is the bunkers were not as good as they have been in the past

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 49
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

When the wind blows

Still a great course. 40 mph wind made it extra challenging but just about everyone else left the course to us. Clear sailing (yuk yuk).

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
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
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely 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
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
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
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

My favourite course

Played mid morning great pace of play. Interesting holes no matter how many times I play this course

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
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 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Time to invest in golf course

Mauna Kea golf course has a great challenging design by Reese Jones. Great bones.

Many greens are raised and there is plenty of topography and side hill lies. Scenic for sure.

Course has 100 sand traps. Deep sand traps.

Sadly the course is poorly maintained . The chief defender of par ,aside from the wind are the sand traps. THEY DONT HAVE VERY MUCH SAND! What a shame. Greens are very grainy with multiple grass types. What a shame.

Frankly this course is too difficult for most of the hotel guests witness two4;30 rounds we played.

One cannot make the course easier but it could be more playable if the traps and greens matched the quality of design. Cmon Mauna Kea spend some money on the golf course !1 Get your turf and sand traps to the proper quality . Until that’s done I’m going to play muni Lana courses . Not as challenging but pace of play and turf quality much better`

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Great course

This is definitely a great course. Very challenging and the course is in great shape. Played on an overcast say will almost no wind. It was a perfect golf day. Got a great deal from GolfNow as a single. Would definitely recommend.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Mauna Kea

Amazingly Beautiful, Hopefully next time I don’t have to battle 40mph winds!

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
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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.
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.

Ka'anapali Stay & Play Package

CLICK BELOW
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.

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.

Best of Hawaii Island Hopper Golf Package

FROM $657 (USD)
Enjoy 9 nights' accommodations at The Ritz-Carlton Kapalua, Mauna Lani Auberge Resorts Collection, and Timbers Kauai Ocean Club & Residences and 7 rounds of golf at Kapalua Golf Club (Plantation and Bay courses), Princeville Makai Golf Club, the Ocean Course at Hokuala and Mauna Lani Golf Club (North and South courses).
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