Hawaii Prince Golf Club - B/C Nines

I was only in Hawaii for one night and was looking for a nice course close to the hotel so I could get in a round and then enjoy the beach in Waikiki before heading back home the next night. The Hawaii Prince golf course had a good rating and the "Hawaii Prince Hotel and Golf Club" was only a couple of blocks from where I was staying so it seemed perfect.

I booked a 1:20 tee time so I checked out of my hotel shortly before noon. I dropped my carryon bag with the bellman and asked him for walking directions to the Hawaii Prince. He laughed and said that he assumed I meant the golf course since I was carrying my clubs. He explained that the golf course was almost an hour away from the hotel.

There was a car rental location across the street from my hotel so I left my golf bag and ran over there to see about renting a car. Unfortunately they were sold out of the day so I had to choose either to forfeit $105 for the nonrefundable green fee or get a cab.

I chose to take a cab, which was with tip $100 even. I arrived at 1:15 and explained the confusion with the golf course not being located at the "Hawaii Prince Hotel and Golf Club". The staff was nice and told me it happens all the time, and also told me there was a shuttle returning to the hotel at 5:00. I was also told that the pace would be very slow that day because they were hosting a junior tournament.

I skipped the range and went straight to the first tee. As I was stretching another gentleman drove up and said he had just been paired with me, that his son was playing in the tournament so he wanted to play while he waited. He turned out to be a nice guy and was fun to play with.

The course was overall in good condition. Not great, because some of the greens were pretty rough. My partner left after the front nine so he could check in on his son and I was able to play through 13 before I had to leave and catch the shuttle.

Overall I was very disappointed with the experience. I could have paid $120 to play Turtle Bay, which was my first choice, but I ended up turning to GolfNow instead because I didn't want to spend the time driving out to Turtle Bay. As it turns out, with a little planning I could have rented a car and played Turtle Bay for less than I spent at Hawaii Prince. I also would have been able to play a full round instead of spending $205 for 13 holes at this course.

Despite its proximity to the water, there isn't any ocean scenery on the 27 holes at Hawaii Prince. It's still one of the top courses on Oahu, though. Golfers are attracted by its convenience to Waikiki, its penchant for dry weather and its no-nonsense design.
The bunkers, trees or 10 ponds don't defend par as well as the tradewinds do. These steady ocean breezes make selecting clubs difficult.
A complimentary shuttle transports golfers the 40-minute ride between the club and the Hawaiian Prince Hotel Waikiki in downtown Honolulu.
The course's three nines -- simply called A, B and C -- are all different. The "A" loop is the easiest, where palm trees line wide landing areas. The fairway corridors significantly shrink on the "B" nine, choked by a thick layer of more traditional trees. Water adds drama to six holes on the "C" nine. The B-C combination is best, although all are pretty solid.

Fairway and green were fairly maintained and bunker sand was also soft and well kept.
Great course to play and enjoy golf for Ohau visitor.
Price was also good by golfnow.com booking.

Fairways were best on island. Pace of play great. Staff friendly

Greens a bit slow, but rolled true. Good pace of play.

This is a great safety course when the weather is iffy. This side of the island typically stays dry even when the weather forecast is not a favorable one for golf for the rest of the island. Hawaii Prince is a great little resort course with 27 holes. The wind and length is a nice little challenge but nothing unreasonable. Book this course and you'll be sure to have fun round.

This was my first time to play at this course and I really did not have much expectation. I arrived a bit early and thus I was able to use the driving range. Unlike other country clubs in Oahu, this course actually allowed the players to hit off the grass, not off the mats. The practice area was better than average. When I was ready to tee off, the starter was nowhere to be found. I finally found out which two 9 holes I was supposed to play. The course was not very crowded but the staff inside the club house would not allow me to tee off earlier. The course itself was actually quite well maintained. The green was in excellent condition. The Par 3s were fun and fair. Although there was no view of the ocean, a few holes have excellent view. Overall, I was satisfied with this course except the staff.

nice people, good course condition, novice players on course slow down pace sometimes, no real surprises, no real views of ocean. Very average for Hawaii golf.

The guy sending everyone out did a good job of sorting one of the messes from the beginning. We rolled to the first tee and there were three deep waiting to tee off. He separated a few groups and sent them off the other courses but didn't double up any of the twosomes. There were three or four twosomes in front of us which really made for slow play. Make them 4s or 5s to help with the pace of play. Greens were a little bumpy due to recent aeration but rolled true, a few of the bunkers looked like they could use some more sand, especially on the 5th hole of the B course. Great course lay-out with lots of challenging shots, lots of risk vs reward if you want to take a few short cuts across water or over trees. Watch a few of the blind shots, trouble from the blues for long hitters. You will have to be able to draw and fade your driver because if you don't lay-up you will be in trouble on quite a few holes and forced to take a drop or re-tee.

Staff is very helpful and friendly. Cart is clean. Grounds are well maintained as are the cart paths. Greens are smooth. Enjoyed golfing here and will recommend to family and friends. Looking forward to golfing again.

excellent...fairways like playing on carpet........greens well maintained....excellent course from friendlystarter inside pro shop to end of 18holes.........definitely be back...

Love this course,always in great condition!!Greens where nice fairways where perfect!!

The three nine-hole course layouts are interesting and challenging without being "unplayable."

My wife and I enjoy playing at the Prince as it offers great facilities, features, and friendly staff.

i would go anytime I can one of the best in hi .love it and want to get a nie round for a little $

Very challenging course. Lots of water but really fun to play.

Staff was very friendly. Lunch was great. The range had a chipping green and bunker. Balls were included. Cart ice chests had bottled water. I wouldn't have minded seeing a refreshment cart driving around, though.

There was hardly anyone on the course (maybe because it was Monday). It wasn't plush, but it was in very good shape. The sand could have been deeper, though. I didn't have a bad lie all day. I didn't see any ground under repair. The course seemed a little short from the whites. Water comes into play on quite a few holes.

I enjoyed the experience. For $105, I would play there again.

But I want to limit three or four plays of the beginner who does not
Know the etiquette of golf.
For example, I think that the golf course should make the handicap standard of three or four group.

We played the B and C nines. Well groomed course with consistent putting greens. The only negative was the multiple slow playing groups in front that did not consider allowing a faster group to play through. No marshall on the course.

I like this course because of its proximity to my house. The course condition has improved over the last 2 years. Some holes are very long due to the head wind. There is heavy air traffic above the course, which could disturb one's concentration as the noise sometimes is very loud.