Royal Hawaiian GC
A view from Royal Hawaiian Golf Club.
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Rating Index Rating
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3.8
687 Reviews (687)
5 Stars
321
4 Stars
187
3 Stars
90
2 Stars
53
1 Stars
36
Conditions
3.2
Value
3.5
Layout
4.4
Friendliness
4.4
Pace
4.0
Amenities
3.1
71.5%
Recommend this course
554 out of 687 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.3
18 Reviews (18)
5 Stars
3
4 Stars
7
3 Stars
3
2 Stars
2
1 Stars
3
Conditions
2.5
Value
2.6
Layout
3.9
Pace
3.6
Amenities
2.7
StaffFriendliness
4.4
55.6%
Recommend this course
10 out of 18 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.8
54 Reviews (54)
5 Stars
25
4 Stars
11
3 Stars
7
2 Stars
5
1 Stars
6
Conditions
3.2
Value
3.4
Layout
4.4
Pace
4.1
Amenities
3.2
StaffFriendliness
4.5
70.4%
Recommend this course
38 out of 54 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

3.8
687 Reviews (687)

What Golfers Are Saying

Course Challenges Include:
Elevation Changes 27
Forced Carries 23
Narrow Fairways 16
This course/club is great for:
Wildlife/ Scenic Views 24
Advanced Golfers 18
A Bucket list/Top 100 Pick 14
This Course's Location is:
Worth the Drive 22
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 10
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Absolutely Must Play

This course offers amazing scenery. The front 9 are practically in a tropical jungle. You see that on a 2 minute cart drive from the 1st green to the 2nd tee. The greens and fairways are OK. I was not happy that the driving range was closed on the day I played.

Make this the last course you play, as the other courses will not be as appealing. And take extra balls :). Mahalo.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Super Tuff

This course , is worth the experience to play once as its very challenging, and unforgiving..

The condition of the greens are shocking

Great experience

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 10
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Royal Hawaiian Lost its Luster

The Royal Hawaiian was once a well kept difficult track to play. Today not so much. The rough is over grown. The fairways and greens are not maintained.

The course layout is great. Bring lots of balls.

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Horrible Condition

Played the course yesterday and save your money, although the course is scenic it is in very bad condition. We’ve played the course in years past and it was manicured much better. Many of the fairways are muddy with very little grass and the greens have many spots where there is no grass. I’ve never played a Dye course in this condition. They need a new owner who will put a lot of money in this course to restore it but this still will be a huge task as the course is very overgrown and the clubhouse is rundown.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 3
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a month
3.0
First Time Playing

Cool

At one time probably a gem of Hawaii. Now it’s a cool experience, but not a true golf course. Front nine puts you in the jungle with blind shots, elevation changes and narrow jungle lined fairways. The back nine slowed me right down which led to a 5 hour round. No complaints for vacation golf, but don’t expect Preston’s conditions. Great views and the vibes are what you make it. Happy swinging

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 39
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Dramatic Course, But Bad Greens

This course is cut out of a rain forest. Some very dramatic holes. Maybe the best course on Oahu. But the greens were in bad shape when we played there.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 10
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 10
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

At one time a masterpiece

Club House pro shop Pro was very nice.

Starter was a little crusty for being a starter certainly just a little age probably setting in been there too long not enjoying life.

Course at one time was probably a masterpiece most things are getting run down. Tee boxes were weeds . Fairways were ok for the elevation. Greens were poor in places and average at best. Course design was amazing. Really challenging would have loved to have played when it was not so run down. Left range finder on cart which was my responsibility. It disappeared never did get it back something that is more common in USA vs Canada. Canadian golf clubs /Players always seem to return stuff and tend not to keep them. Not a big issue easily replaceable.

Conditions Fair
Value Poor
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Poor
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Amazing views but course could be in better condition

The course had amazing views especially on the front nine. It was literally in the middle of the jungle. However, the condition of the greens and rough area was not ideal. It had dead spots and crab grass around the green/rough on the front nine. On the back, the conditions were a lot better and it was more open. Not to mention this is a Pete Dye course, so the difficulty level was not ideal. As a golfer you need to be fairly accurate off the tee to have a good round.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Poor
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Poor
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

The Jurassic Park golf course is really the only feature

The course looks cool on social media and it is a very unique experience but that’s pretty much where it ends. While I understand it’s challenging to maintain ideal conditions in a jungle, being told that they just redid the greens and then seeing some of the worst greens I’ve ever seen was very disappointing. Why even tell me that in the first place?

The starter was kinda obnoxious and as I’m pulling away to the first hole he yells my name and says cart path only. The grounds crew was just rolling greens while you’re trying to putt and getting close to you and don’t even acknowledge you’re there. What a weird experience.

I played some rounds elsewhere and when I mention this course to others they all shared the same sentiment. Cool pics though!

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Poor
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Just Go and Do it… Loved it

From the moment I arrived I felt taken care of of. Priceless experience, Staff, Views, Wow. Going back before I leave. Keith from Kansas

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Played On
Reviews 183
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 250 Contributor
Previously Played

Front nine greens very poor

Cart path only made for an exhausting round due to hilly fairways, no reason given since condition was very dry. This was my second visit since last year which was much more enjoyable. As it is I cannot recommend it.

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 35
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Jurrasic Golf!

This course is so much fun. it is very difficult, but so beautiful and fun - did not mind the difficulty.

Views are stunning. Fairways and tees were great. The greens were not in top shape - which added to the difficulty, but it was so beautiful - I was there to play golf, not get a PGA score!

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
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