Royal Hawaiian GC
A view from Royal Hawaiian Golf Club.
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Rating Index Rating
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3.9
693 Reviews (693)
5 Stars
325
4 Stars
189
3 Stars
90
2 Stars
53
1 Stars
36
Conditions
3.3
Value
3.5
Layout
4.4
Friendliness
4.4
Pace
4.0
Amenities
3.2
73.3%
Recommend this course
560 out of 693 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.6
23 Reviews (23)
5 Stars
6
4 Stars
9
3 Stars
3
2 Stars
2
1 Stars
3
Conditions
2.8
Value
3.0
Layout
4.1
Pace
3.8
Amenities
3.2
StaffFriendliness
4.6
65.2%
Recommend this course
15 out of 23 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.1
47 Reviews (47)
5 Stars
24
4 Stars
12
3 Stars
5
2 Stars
2
1 Stars
4
Conditions
3.5
Value
3.7
Layout
4.5
Pace
4.3
Amenities
3.4
StaffFriendliness
4.8
78.7%
Recommend this course
37 out of 47 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
693 Reviews (693)

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
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Always enjoy playing this course

This course is a must play to enjoy the beautiful scenery. We always include one round here when we come to Oahu. Wish they had a restaurant or better option for snack bar

Conditions Good
Value Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Fair
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 18
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Poor weather
Used cart

A true paradise golf course!!

This place was touted as like playing in Jurassic Park.....and it WAS!! Very picturesque track and in very good shape (though the greens were spotty). Weather was tough (some rain, and very strong winds), but we got all 18 in and it was very enjoyable! The Starter (Danny) was very helpful!!

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Fabulous

This course is not your typical resort course in Hawaii. Each hole is different, the scenary is breathtaking. The greens could be in a little better shape, but I really loved playing here. It is situated in a beautiful area and the staff was just lovely!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

notice 9 holes only

we signed up for 18 & were not told had to play same 9 twice. We were not told this until we arrived.
course is beautiful & much more player friendly.
they look like it may be a day to day operation as they are not getting a lot of play.

Value Fair
Friendliness Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 9
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Previously Played
Good weather
Used cart

9 hole course

played here twice within 6 months - it hasn't changed-the front nine is closed and the back nine is VERY muddy- not an enjoyable round.

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Needs work

The course is only using the back 9 so it is getting abused a little. The only bad part is the greens are bumpy and getting a lot of invasive grass growing so it slows the ball and it doesn't go strait. If the greens were fixed it would be a flawless course.
Aloha,

Conditions Fair
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

9 hole play only

Course is under renovations. Front 9 holes are closed. No mention of this on web site.

Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Friendliness Excellent
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 20
Handicap 25+
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

Interesting day

Recently the front nine was undergoing some reconstruction, so our round was the back nine twice. At the turn we were quite surprised to see an ambulance and several black Suburbans parked by the clubhouse. Turned out President Obama was on the front nine with his entourage. Despite the condition of the front nine they'd decided to play it. We watched them finish #9 and make the turn. Royal Hawaiian is always a challenge, and this day was no different. Be prepared to lose some balls.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Good weather
Used cart

Good features, muddy fairways, course partially closed.

Good: interesting holes, challenging undulating greens, nice scenery, Driving range & practice area greatly improved from before.
Bad: Only allowed to play back 9; front 9 was closed due to green renovations. We were never forewarned before purchasing the green fees which was unfair. Fairways were very muddy although it was sunny; consequently no roll and very messy. Some greens were in very poor shape with weeds....at least management is addressing this with the green renovations. Hopefully better in a couple of months.

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a month
2.0
First Time Playing

Not worth the money

This course might be alright in a years time but right now it is in terrible condition for the price. Beautiful and challenging location but wet and muddy. Poor drainage. Weeds on the greens and had the play the back 9 twice because the front is closed. Spend your money elsewhere

Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

FRONT NINE CLOSED and a MUD PIT

The front nine is closed for "re-doing the greens". Back nine greens are over grown with weeds that are nicely mowed…

It has obviously been raining and the course was soaked. Not a dry lie all day. They should not allow play when it's that bad.

We appreciated that it was open on Christmas day so we could play but we were doubly bummed with the outturn.

Sorry to complain for a $25 green fee but something should have been posted about the conditions and only half open.

Conditions Poor
Value Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Fair
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Fair weather
Used cart

Difficult course for a beginner.

One of the 9's was closed but we played the back nine twice. Although it rained--not very hard- the course was well-maintained but still had muddy spots.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

Beautiful Course but...

Royal Hawaiian is my favorite Oahu course. I play there 3-4 times / mo. Great layout! The course is in very good condition EXCEPT for the greens. An invasive weed has taken over 75% of the greens. As a result, these greens have been heavily sanded as they try to convert over to a new grass variety. . The problem first appeared in JUN 2014 and has gotten much worse since then. It may take a few months before these greens are back to normal. If you can get a discount rate, the course is well worth playing.

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

poor conditions

Terrible greens. Muddy, sandy, weeds. Overpriced for conditions.

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

the green is the worst i have ever seen

the fairway is dood...the course is kind confusing, we have to drive back and forth to find tee box.

the green is the worst i have ever seen....

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

Bunkers, hills, and great views

Typical Dye course with plenty of elevation change and not many flat lies. The mountain and jungle views are excellent and the course presents you with a lot of interesting shots, including plenty of can-I-get-over-the-x sorts of positions. A lot of fun and not to be missed if you're visiting. Great facilities and service, too. This is probably the all-around best course I've played on Oahu.

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

Great course!

First off this course is gorgeous with amazing views and hole setups. The YouTube video on this course doesn't do it justice. Very challenging course, but not overwhelming. If you aim for the 150 stick every time you will be fine. First time playing this course and only shot a few strokes over par while doing that gameplan. Take lots of pictures and you MUST play this course if you visit Oahu.

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

This the most beautiful and interesting course I've ever played.

This golf course is so breath taking you could just drive around eighteen holes and not hit a golf ball and feel like you got your money's worth. Somewhat challenging but well maintained and worth every penny we spent to play here. Loved this golf course and the staff.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Horrible conditions for price

The practice facility had no balls and the greens were sandy. The food was very poor and the customer service was poor. All of the greens were in horrible condition and sandy . It was nearly impossible to putt accurately. The scenery was beautiful, but the conditions took away feom the experience. Anything this price should be in pristine conditions

Conditions Fair
Value Poor
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Good weather
Used cart

A must play in Oahu

Fabulous course with all the challenges golf has to offer. The people working there were absolutely professional & cordial - they were actually both from Seattle. Course forces the golfer to put premium on keeping the ball in play primarily.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
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