Turtle Bay Resort - Arnold Palmer Course

I live on Maui and took advantage of the opportunity to play this course as I was on Oahu for a visit. A friend had told me this was the best course on Oahu. For that, it was a massive disappointment, especially considering the price.

I must add that we played on a day with a lot of wind. And I’m talking about hitting a wedge 175+ yards downwind and hitting a driver less than 175 upwind, kind of day. I am used to playing in wind from Maui, but this was something else. And the course layout only partially seems to support that. Many holes are nestled into the trees making it impossible to judge the impact of the wind once the ball gets above the tree line. I don’t remember having hit this many good shots that were severely punished, ever! I suppose it might be easier once you know the course, but that is a bad characteristic for a resort course, IMO.

And the sand! Oh my god, the “sand”. This course is practically on the beach yet you can’t find any sand to fill the bunkers?!? Almost comically horrible.

Greens are very slow. Maybe that is personal preference, but I would like then to be faster. I was also constantly fooled into thinking they’d break more. Maybe that’s just me.

The scenery was also disappointing. Doesn’t feel like Hawai’i at all, especially when compared to courses like the Wailea courses, that go through palm trees and lava, and offer awesome views everywhere. Here, you see the ocean once. And you play through a bunch of shrubs and can’t see out. And some of the stuff neighboring the course is downright depressing.

Overall, everything at Turtle Bay seems slightly old and off. Some things remind me of municipal courses. The hotel reminds me of an old summer camp. I guess it was nice once, but it is now badly in need of renovation.

It was also odd that it looked like they had very few openings (1 player here and 2 players there, sort of thing), but when we got there, there were very few people. Makes you wonder if they try to make the course appear busier.

I would play the course again, but only on a less windy day and for less money. The way this went, it just isn’t worth it. But I can see that the layout is interesting. Maybe I’ll come back for a tournament one day. But I wouldn’t take anyone there, especially not at full price.

Get new sand in the bunkers now!!!!!!!!! The course layout is absolutely amazing and beautiful the greens are slow but well manicured, and the fairways are in good shape. Probably my favorite on the island as far as layout top 5 as far as being well manicured (Ewa beach golf course is the best), but my god fix the bunkers. There is a ton of sand all over the course and is beautiful but if you find yourself in then you may as well be hitting off the cart path please fix the bunkers and it would be the best course on island.

Challenging layout, played the Blue Tees and was very happy with the design. Keeps you interested. Management has missed the boat on the little things. Range wash buckets have no brushes, no chairs, no towels. Can’t use a driver on the Fazio practice facility and the range balls are low quality. $200 is roughly $75 too much. However, the staff was great and the overall experience made the $200 less painful. It’s OK “once”. Feel no need to play either course for a second time.

After playing in Maui’s golf course, i expected the same here in Turtle bay. I must admit, the course is in a great condition. Greens are in good shape. I found this course more like the courses we can play on the main land, nothing else, no “Wow”s, but the 17th hole. Also, i wonder why the is no ball cleaners at all on the course. Pricing is overated, you can get as much for lot less.

The course is good, not great only one view very over priced

Great layout but on the pricey side. Greens rolled true but were not in as good of shape as previous rounds.

Travelled up from KoOlina where we are staying. Decided to head to North Shore and Turtle Bay. Had heard some pretty good recommendations for the Palmer course.

Several fairways burnt... staff said they had some issues and were aerating a few.??!

Didn’t play anywhere near the ocean... in fact saw the water just once during round. Lots of traps and dog legs and water everywhere, just not ocean. Disappointed with layout and conditions for $195. Better value elsewhere currently.

Despite the greens being recently cored, it’s a lovely course to play catering for all levels of player.

Good fairway widths and strategically placed pots.

Excellent opportunity to unleash the driver on many holes.

Will play again

The Turtle Bay - Palmer Course is a top-notch golf course. The layout is very good and makes for an enjoyable round. The greens were close to immaculate, running true and fast without going over the top on the speed. There was some damage to a few of the fairways, which I surmise may have occurred as a result of the recent hurricane or other heavy rain (and which I imagine will be repaired with an upcoming aeration). The separate practice tee for the Palmer course is excellent, with very nice and well-maintained grass tees that are directly adjacent to the first tee box. The beverage cart (which may have been the coolest beverage cart I've ever seen, a 4x4 vehicle complete with doors) made frequent rounds without being intrusive. The lemon-scented cold towel at the end of the round was a nice touch. The greens fees are just a tad on the high side for Oahu, but the quality of the facility I believe merits the premium. I would not hesitate to recommend this course to visitors to Oahu.

I played the Fazio course 1st then the Palmer Course in the late afternoon. It was a hike to get there from Koolina but well worth it. Since I played Fabio 1st $125 the replay to play Palner was only $75. Course is awesome. Plenty of water to bring enough balls to get by. Can’t wait to come back and do it again. Aloha.

If your into Palmer courses you will probably enjoy this course if your not you won’t like it. I was disappointed that there was only one real Ocean hole on a course everyone was saying was an Ocean side Course. Turf conditions were as close to perfection as you will ever find.

We enjoyed the course and the ocean views. Difficult course and well designed. Played a bonus 18 at the Fazio course for $50 which was a bonus.

Great natural layout

Challenging but fair holes

Wonderful friendly staff

Played 18 on the Palmer course in just over 3 hours

Already looking forward to the next time

This golf course is in great shape and while the fairways are generous, it can be pretty challenging. The key is to actually hit the fairway. The greens roll very nicely, though I found them a little slower than I expected.

I played with one other player and we got around in about 3:20, with the twosome behind us pushing us a bit. So the pace of play is excellent.

The bag drop staff and course Marshall were excellent and very friendly.

The only complaint I have, which has more to do with the location than the golf course itself is that the scenery was rather plain. It reminded me of a typical Florida resort course as it didn’t have the mountains and valleys in the background as some of the other cheaper courses on Oahu do. There is also only one hole that touches on the ocean.

The green fee of about $200 including cart is maybe a little on the high side, but overall it was a good golf experience.

I played this course 6 years ago while staying at Turtle Bay and loved it. Back on vacation in Oahu this week staying at the Disney Resort, I decided to make a tee time and drive 1 1/2 hours back to North Shore to play again. Round was $195 + $30 for a rider fee because my wife likes to ride along and is not a golfer. Course was in pretty good condition. Typical bad spots here and there, but nothing major. Just felt the amenities for playing a resort course could have been better. No GPS in the cart, no courtesy bottles of water in the cooler, no bag tag, etc. Will play somewhere else next time.