Royal Hawaiian Golf Club

Royal Hawaiian Golf Club

Like the starter on this particular day (March 23 2023), some say “Jurassic Park” to describe RHGC, I’m in the camp for another movie: “The Good The Bad and The Ugly” and I’ll explain why.

As a first round on Oahu (and in Hawaii for that matter) I was excited to make a go of Royal Hawaiian Golf Club.

Curious omen #1: a nearly deserted course at approximately 11am

Curious omen #2: the warning from the starter in relation to the fact that they had aerated and…”do you want to get your money back and go somewhere else?”

I didn’t heed his sage advice and the fact that they also had hole #13 closed (maintenance I’m assuming), replaced by their (spare) hole 3B which merely gave me 18 holes rather than not.

I almost forgot (to mention) the complete lack of any means to warm up other than a poor excuse for a putting green, it did play like most of the greens as I describe later.

Once getting over the initial shock of the unbelievable scenery of the property (believe me it’s unreal), I couldn’t help but to notice the deplorable condition of the course itself. What they consider turf is different than what I’m obviously used to but in some areas, tee boxes and fairways in particular there isn’t much of anything that you could call “turf”. Noteworthy on this day (playing from the blues), there were 2 tee boxes where the markers were placed where there wasn’t any discernible/usable turf at all (6 and 9 if I’m not mistaken). On 6 my only reasonable solution was to play from the white tee box leaving a curious wedge-wedge play to a par 4 that deserved to be played properly (from the unplayable blue tee).

Oh, did I mention it was “cart-path only” on this day? Understandable given how wet the course was, the front 9 in particular. Never in my life have I experienced so many mud balls, probably due to the sparse nature of their fairway turf. As a vacation round I decided to improve my lies and negate the mud balls to stem the frustration, my sanity needed something.

Despite zero knowledge of the course and no help due to being out there alone, I soldiered on as best I could trying to stay focused and positive, the scenery provided some welcome distraction at times. The back 9 went somewhat better, having adjusted to all that I’d faced and a slightly less saturated part of the course. Having said that there were still some greens on the back (like the front) that had been sanded as is to be expected following the aeration, but the sanding was incredibly heavy and inconsistent throughout. There was no chance to get a feel for any putts on this day. Where some of that sand was needed is in the bunkers, most that I noticed were uncared for and overgrown with weeds.

I’m not sure of the excuse for #13 to be shut down, it almost appeared to be in better shape than most of the others (as I sped through on my way to #14).

Don’t get me wrong, in addition to the location/scenery of being in the middle of a jungle, the course design is fantastic from what I could tell and is a fair to strong challenge, I just wish they gave the course the care that it deserves.

Less curious omen #3: the kid working the cart return area wasn’t shy about his feelings, “I can play here for free and (I) don’t, haven’t in over a month”, that says enough.

Royal in name only I’m afraid, I’d so hoped for better.

Incredible views with an unbelievable layout. Like nothing I have ever seen or played.

Must do for bucket list. U will need balls, went thru 8 for net loss. Jurassic Parklike setting. Front 9 cartpath only causes lots of walking. 2 holes out of service played 17 and 18 twice as course not busy in afternnon. Dry conditions more pleasurable for sure could misery if playing muddy conditions. Worth the lost balls simply for the view and surroundings, Off the bucket list now. If busy it will be slow play all good and fast for my day.

Rather disappointed was expecting a beautiful conditioned course for $150+

I love Pete Dye courses and this won't let you down but.... the course conditions on the front nine was horrible. Little grass on the tee decks, fairways firm but little grass and the money maker... greens where horrible. Back nine totally different conditions much better as greens were puttable and grass on tee decks and fairways. Rough on both sides need mowing and rake traps!

Scenery is incredible. I would love to play this again in top shape but don't see it happening yes its the end of rainy season as pro shop says but as an assistant superintendent back home hard to see it such a shame.

Don't pay full rack rate at this time or you'll be disappointed.

Played here last when called Luana Hills. Definitely challenging and you have to be on your B or A game. Just don't over swing. Reasonably short course. I am a boogie golfer and had a few blowup holes but had a few pars and a birdie. So a good score is doable.

Course was a little muddy with all the rain but the views were breath taking. Do not miss out on a chance to golf here in any conditions.

it is the nice course for my holiday，not too expensive，good viewing，not too difficult

This course is breathtaking beautiful and a true challenge for your golf game! There’s not a single hole that has an adjacent fairway, with each hole surrounded by lush forest and sweeping views of the mountains. I’ll be back for sure!