Royal Hawaiian Golf Club

This is a challenging round of golf. The definition of target golf. You might only need your driver on a handful of holes.

The front is straight out of Jurassic Park. After the first hole you take a 4 minute card ride down through the rainforest to hole two. This unlike any course you will play in the US, cut I to the rainforest. You better hit fairways. Off the fairway and it is most likely a lost ball. I used driver on most holes. Hey, I brought it, I’m going to use it. Prob should have used 4 or 5 iron, lol. Having said that, I lost a bunch of balls.

The back opens up more but still stunning views.

The only negatives were that greens were not in great shape and the practice range is no longer available since Covid(20). Apparently the jungle took over the range during Covid and they never got it going again.

A very fun golf experience. Two thumbs up!

The course is amazing in terms of the views on every hole. Couse layout is challenging and requires precise shot making if you want to score well. Staff was great and pace of play was good as we played mid-day on a Wednesday in Feb. In terms of golf course condition, many greens were rough and the tee boxes also rough and pretty weedy. But those issues were minor when you consider the price and the fabulous scenery.

Very disappointed unfortunately…

Hard course to play, very windy and bring lots of balls!

The greens on the front nine were in poor condition and no grass on the side of the alleys. Lots of weed around the greens.

The highest amount paid for a tee time on our trip but the worst maintained golf course of all.

I’ve played this course multiple times over the years and have always had a great time. The staff has always been accommodating and pleasant. I’m not a complainer as a matter of fact this is probably the first time I’ve even bothered writing a review. When we finished our round the guy at the cart barn asked how was our round. I replied great except for the greens. They are really bad right now, full of potholes and extremely slow. Normally I wouldn’t even say anything but I spent $700 to play and expected a bit more. The guy at the cart barn suggested I let the management know how I felt. So I did and the manager was a complete jerk Arguing with me that I didn’t know what I was talking about and the course was in great shape. I would say if you’re going to play this course temper your expectations.

You almost expect Tarzan to swing through the trees in some areas. The location is beautiful.

The condition of the front 9 is poor. The back 9 is pretty good.

Staff are friendly.

I've played many of the top rated courses in the US. None of them have a thing on this track. It is the most visually stunning golf course I have ever seen and my playing partner said the same thing. It is not the .ost immaculate fairways or perfect greens but once you see it and how difficult it is to get equipment in there, you will appreciate how good it is maintained. We played a top 100 course yesterday and it was boring compared to this. We are going to go back to the Royal instead.

Nothing like I’ve ever played. Jurassic Park-esque with beautiful views, challenging holes, and an experience worth trying.

Weather was forecasted for clear, but ended up being a total downpour which made it cart path only.

Even then, conditions of the course are great, and it was part of the experience playing in that kind of weather where there were pockets of sunshine and it made those moments even more beautiful.

Lives up to it s reputation! Front nine (10) layout and natural beauty incredible. Greens were in average condition, not subpar as other comments. Very challenging from all tees. Losing balls is a given! If you have the right attitude and want to have fun this course is special! Try it, I guarantee you won t forget your experience.

The course layout is unfair. Even after good shots hard to find balls. The fairways are too hard so clubs easily bounce. You should prepare 3 times more balls than other courses

Really interesting course. Very few easy shots, but the natural beauty more than makes up for the difficulty. The starter was super nice. HIghly recommend, but do bring extra balls.

The course is beautiful regarding playing through the mountains and hillside. The course is also not in great shape. Perhaps the rain is too much to keep things where they should be for the cost, but fairways were beat up and greens were inconsistent. I'd opt for the hot deal time only for this course (thankfully we did).

Front nine beautiful and extremely challenging. Back nine scenic and a little less challenging. Overall a truly unique golfing experience.

I was told to bring a lot of balls, but I really did not think that applied to me, as I rarely lose a ball. well this course is impossible, if you don't play it very strategically. At times, I had to tee off with an iron to avoid the ball rolliing off the fairway down a cliff. Yes, if you go over the green, down a cliff. A bit too far to the right or left, down a cliff or woods. But, I loved it. I am playing it again tomorrow and I hope I will remember all that I learned the first time I played it. The staff were fanstastic, giving you a 10 minute run down on the course before letting you out. But disappoiinting is the range is not open; first hole, several mulligins are permitted.

Cathy

So I've been seeing a lot of reviews about greens being slow. I think a couple on the back 9 where thicker, still playable but thicker.

I had a 254 they accommodated me because of traffic which was cool, I thought at the time. Got there at 330 and everyone was saying, " you won't finish, you won't finish." As if I where to come at 254 that would gave me the full 18. 4 people told me that. That same 4 people said make sure carts are in by 530.

Like I get you guys gave lives and don't want to be there all day but four people on repeat was a bit rude imo

Did our research and read all the reviews so knew what we were getting into. Course is a about a 30 minute drive east from Honolulu on the Pali Highway. Absolutely stunning mountains, jungle, and scenery. Unfortunately, the positives kind of stop there.

Front nine was spectacular but does not reward even good shots. If you don't like balls severely above or below your feet, even after a decent shot, do not play this course. And, as all the other reviews mention, bring lots and lots of balls. Anything that even trickles off the fairways disappears. The front nine greens had been sanded maybe a month prior and had 3 to 5 inch craters and holes throughout. Pro shop and starter did not mention any local rules or greens issues. Almost impossible to putt on the front nine.

Back nine is more open, out of the jungle, with greens in better condition, but still a lot of blind shots where local knowledge would be essential. The whole track layout had a kind of disjointed, "trying way too hard to impress" feel. There's no way to get into a flow or rhythm.

By the time we got back to the clubhouse (3:30 pm), everything was closed, aside from a couple cart attendants. Complete tumbleweeds blowing through the place. Kind of eerie. No restaurant or bar or snack shop open or even a pro shop thank you. You're probably a 25 minute drive from the nearest post-round 19th hole in Kailua Beach. (the famous Buzz's Steakhouse is the place!)

Bottom line? Incredible Jurassic Park kind of setting but the whole operation feels a bit down-at-the-heels, 1980s without an apparent whole lot of fresh investment. Getting kind of dingy and worn. Oh, and good luck on the first few target-shooting holes without a driving range or even a net to warm up on prior.

For the price, cannot recommend. Was very disappointed in the overall experience for our one opportunity to play golf on this trip.