Royal Hawaiian GC
A view from Royal Hawaiian Golf Club.
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Rating Index Rating
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3.9
698 Reviews (698)
5 Stars
327
4 Stars
191
3 Stars
91
2 Stars
53
1 Stars
36
Conditions
3.4
Value
3.5
Layout
4.4
Friendliness
4.5
Pace
4.0
Amenities
3.3
72.8%
Recommend this course
564 out of 698 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.6
26 Reviews (26)
5 Stars
7
4 Stars
10
3 Stars
4
2 Stars
2
1 Stars
3
Conditions
3.0
Value
3.0
Layout
4.1
Pace
3.8
Amenities
3.3
StaffFriendliness
4.5
65.4%
Recommend this course
17 out of 26 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.8
38 Reviews (38)
5 Stars
15
4 Stars
12
3 Stars
5
2 Stars
2
1 Stars
4
Conditions
3.3
Value
3.4
Layout
4.3
Pace
4.1
Amenities
3.3
StaffFriendliness
4.6
71.1%
Recommend this course
27 out of 38 reviews
Read Reviews
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AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
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Course Highlights
Royal Hawaiian delivers jaw-dropping jungle and mountain views on every hole, with a wildly creative layout that belongs on any golfer's bucket list. The exceptionally friendly staff and solid value make this challenging, scenic round well worth the trip.

About

Holes 18
Type Semi-Private
Style Links
Par 72
Length 6609 yards
Slope 138
Rating 73.1

Nestled at the base of the Ko'olau Mountains in Oahu, Royal Hawaiian Golf Club enjoys a stunning tropical setting framed by ancient jungle trees that climb to more than 100 feet tall. The father-and-son team of Pete and Perry Dye designed the course. There are many telltale signs that this is a Dye course, from the many elevation changes to the varied bunker styles that are utilized throughout. The round begins with stunning views as you plunge downhill into the Maunawili Valley. There are more trees and narrower fairways on the front nine, contrasting nicely with the wide-open back nine. Royal Hawaiian Golf Club's back plays towards the mouth of the valley, offering a view of the mountains and sparkling blue Pacific waters in the distance. It's not an overly punishing golf course but locals and visitors alike have called it the toughest and most scenic course you'll find on Oahu.

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Royal Hawaiian Golf Club
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Course Details

Year Built 1993
Fairways Bermuda Grass
Greens Platinum Paspalum Grass
Golf Season Year round
Architect Pete Dye (1993) Perry Dye (1993)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard, Amex, Discover Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No

Food & Beverage

Bar, Restaurant

Available Facilities

Clubhouse

Accolades

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Reviews

3.9
698 Reviews (698)

What Golfers Are Saying

Course Challenges Include:
Elevation Changes 28
Forced Carries 24
Narrow Fairways 17
This course/club is great for:
Wildlife/ Scenic Views 25
Advanced Golfers 19
A Bucket list/Top 100 Pick 14
This Course's Location is:
Worth the Drive 23
Convenient to the City 10

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Reviewer Photos

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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

The course was beautiful.

I would highly recommend this course. Friendly staff, course was beautiful. Very challenging course. Take lots of balls.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Course was great not for beginners bring lots of balls grass was high in rough and around greens lots of blind shots

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Such a unique experience

I love playing this golf course even though it is an extremely unforgiving one. The views are spectacular, the layout is fun and the elevation changes are awesome. You expect King Kong, or at least a couple of dinosaurs, to show up around the corner driving your cart on this epic tropical rainforest style course. Turn on your zen mode, bring plenty of golf balls, grab a couple of beers and enjoy the ride!

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

What an experience!!

First I will say the other reviews that mentioned bringing extra balls, were spot on! Not saying I’m a pro, but I’m a 7 handicap and still lost 8 golf balls. Most of the time I couldn’t believe I was on a golf course the views are incredible! This is a challenging layout so I don’t recommend if your looking for a relaxing easy round, but if your looking for an amazing golf experience despite how the round goes, you won’t be disappointed!! Did I mention it had breath taking views???

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Could have been Great

Pace of play from a 5some held up the entire course!

The views were unreal!

The course was in “ok” shape and if you had a few million laying around…..you could make this course the best looking and most difficult course in the world! But , unfortunately, whoever owns/ed the course ran out of money and not much advances have been made in years

Club house is shut down, parking garage looks like it hasn’t been cleaned in years! No driving range, no on course refreshments, the areas all around the greens as well as fairways are ……not taken care of.

But the VIEWS!!

I paid $126…..not a total scam for Honolulu….but $79-$99 would have been “fair”

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 26
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

Definitely the most unique course on Oahu and very challenging.

Royal Hawaiian is a very unique and challenging course carved in the jungle of the Koolau mountains. Really looks and feels like you are deep in the jungle. Definitely one of the most popular courses on the island for those vacationing on Oahu.

It is a target golf and shot makers course as there are penalties surrounding every hole. Some greens are extremely difficult approach shots. Really fun to hit shots on the tough holes though.

Course conditions were just average the day I played and greens were kind of slow, but in their defense, the course is very difficult to maintain.

Not a course I'd play regularly, but fun every once in a while.

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

This is the best course I’ve ever played

Even though hole 5 was closed for repairs, this course is the most beautiful course I’ve ever played in my life. I’d say it’s even better than the Arnold Palmer course on this island. Definitely challenging. Bring a lot of balls lol. I will think about this course for years to come and will definitely come back to play when I’m around here again. I still can’t get over how beautiful this course is….

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Amazing, just amazing

4 th time playing here and I absolutely love this course. Staff was very friendly and the course is in great shape

Just wish they had a driving range.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Nice course. It would be nicer if cart was allowed on fairway.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 1
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

My favorite

Great course, every hole is a challenge and adventure! Highly recommended

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

Scenic golf course

This a beautiful and challenging golf course. Definitely a course to put on your list of courses to play in Honolulu and play again when you come back to the island.

Golf course views are off the chain.

Oh, and ensure you bring SOME golf balls.😁

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 11
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Unique in all the right ways - Book a tee time

This is my first trip to Hawaii and this was the first course I played. All I can say is “wow!” It is unlike any course I have ever played. Breathtaking views of the mountains.

It almost feels like two different courses. The front feels straight out of jungle of Jurassic Park. Fairways are often tight and the rough is unforgiving. The back is more traditional and feels wide open by comparison.

I’m a mid handicap player and I was coming from winter in the northeast so it had been months since I played. Plus, I had rented clubs. I was averaging a double boogie on the front. It was gorgeous but grueling to be a warm up course. Alternatively, I birdied several holes on the back.

Would I come back? Without a doubt. It was amazing!

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

Best golf in Oahu

Spectacular views, tight and challenging course but well worth it. Feels like you are playing in Jurassic Park! Don’t miss this course in Oahu! I’m

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Difficult but Fun

This is an extremely difficult course but so fun to play. It is so beautiful cut out of the Ko’olau mountains. Course conditions make play even more difficult. Fairways are wet and muddy as well as the tee boxes. The course could really use some grass seed. The staff was fantastic, very helpful and accommodating. Even though conditions were not great, I highly recommend the course.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Intermediate
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Wet weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 22
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Absolutely fantastic

This was easily one of the most scenic courses I have played anywhere in the world. I literally thought I was in Jurassic Park with jungle views literally EVERYWHERE.

I’ll certainly be back.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Intermediate
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Stunning views

Blind shots, narrow fairways with heavy jungle so bring plenty of balls

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Average
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MAUI | Enjoy lodging accommodations at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua and golf at the newly refined Kapalua Resort Plantation Course, the Royal Ka'anapali Course, the Ka'anapali Kai Course, or the King Kamehameha Golf Club.
Kapalua Resort Plantation Course - Hole 18

Best of Maui Golf Package

REQUEST QUOTE BELOW*
MAUI | Enjoy lodging accommodations at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua and golf at the newly refined Kapalua Resort Plantation Course, the Royal Ka'anapali Course, the Ka'anapali Kai Course, or the King Kamehameha Golf Club.
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