Hawaii Kai Golf Course

I have a 5.8 handicap, and was looking forward to playing there, and being that it was the first time in Hawaii I figured most courses would be I good shape, but I was wrong!! Pictures of the course on GolfNow didn’t do any justice at all!! For what I paid to play I would never go there again! Long story short, I was very disappointed. 👎🏻👎🏻

The Good: Pro shop staff was friendly, check in was very easy, and all staff members were helpful. I love the course layout. It has a lot of fun holes, but is plenty forgiving for mid to high handicappers, with wide fairways and a safe side on most holes in the event of a bad miss. Most greens have enough break to create some fun putts, but they read and roll true. Some felt much quicker than others, but most were on the slower side.

The Meh: Course wasn't overly crowded and pace of play was decent. Fairways rolled out well, but rough is a touch longer and can eat your distance. Greens were receptive and mostly in good shape... Maybe one or two 3x3 dead spots on an otherwise consistent green, on average. The views aren't really anything to write home about, and are better at other courses closer to the mountains or further up the coast.

The Bad: Sand traps were hard packed, but this has been the case for three courses I've played this trip. I think it's more a product of the season and recent downpours, which did a number on most the courses here. Some dead patches in the roughs, and a few fairways were a bit spotty but well mowed. A couple of tee boxes were chewed up, but I've seen worse this week.

Overall, I really enjoyed my afternoon. I found a good deal on my tee time through GN, and at under $100 I feel very happy with my experience (considering non-local rates in Hawaii). If I was paying the full greens fee, there may be better maintained options on the island, but overall this course is fun, forgiving, and long enough to keep you entertained for the afternoon.

I booked this course because it said there was waterview from every hole. The course layout was wonderful and there was a slight breeze from the ocean. However, they charge $75 for renting a golf bag and we paid less than that for the round. And the course was in terrible shape. The greens were slow and the fairways full of patches. The forward tees were right in front of the white tees so not very friendly to the ladies. .

The pace was very slow. I was the first tee time after a group of high school girls began 9 holes of team trials. Other than that, it is a ok course, not great. The fairways were a little burnt out in spots and the greens were average. But for the price it’s about average. There are nicer courses in better conditions but at much higher prices. So it’s a trade off.

I was playing from the most forward tees, and the tee boxes had overgrown grass to even set my tee up. Some part of the holes were nice , however, there were lots of areas where it was not attended to.

I enjoyed a nice round with a retired couple from Connecticut and the weather was perfect. But the course itself was not maintained very well. The greens were SLOW, the sand was hard packed and muddy, and the fairways were either too sparse, or totally uncut. The guy in the pro shop told me when I arrived that I couldn't play early because the course was booked up, a total fabrication, as it was empty and the group in front of us had 2 players. it's a $40 course at best.

I paid full through golfnow. Would refund it as soon as possible

Excellent course. Very helpful and polite staff. Comfortable pace of play and great course conditions.

Overall good experience. Good for all skill levels. Greens were in fair condition. Would play again.

What made this a low rating was that when I got to the course. They stated they don’t do the time I was given. So I had 90 mins to play and had to rush. This app should have better coordination with the courses times and rules.

First, it’s a blessing to be able to play golf in January. And Hawaii is beautiful. And the folks in pro shop were nice.

But the condition of the course was not good and the cost to rent 13 clubs was $75.

Still a golf day in January is still a wonderful thing.

I’ve heard the course is prettier in the summer.

Nearly a 5 hour round. Greens were so slow it was like putting on a rug. Not what I expected for the cost.