Mauna Kea Beach Hotel (Hawaii Island)

It's a second shot golf course. Elevated greens and bunkering makes this a challenging golf course.

If you haven’t played this, you must. Wow is the best word. Old school design. There are rumors of a needed renovation (greens and bunkers) but don’t let that stop you. Yesterday was best condition I have ever seen it.

Greens were in pretty bad shape, played there last year and they were much better.

Played the resort tees (72.2/135) on a Saturday afternoon with a great deal on GolfNow. Service in the pro shop was tremendous, and the practice area was well kept. The fairways and greens are like carpet - truly pristine, and I didn't find a bad lie anywhere I didn't deserve to find one. I'd echo what some have said about the bunkers; they're definitely a bit rocky. The course has a lot of doglegs, especially as you get to the back nine, but they're entirely manageable as long as you map it out on the cart or a phone GPS. Even though the course has top-tier conditions and it'd be fun to play in any setting, the true value lies in the fact that you can see the ocean from literally every hole. Pictures don't due the incredibly par 3 3rd hole justice, and both the 9th and 18th tees have surreal views of the resort and coastline. It just doesn't get much better than this.

Loved playing this course. Outstanding conditions, epic views and lots of sand traps to avoid. Great accommodating staff, nice food options from cart person. Can’t wait to play it again!

...this is a beautiful course and a must-play if you go to the Big Island for golf.

Great ocean views from many of the holes. Sand traps are insanely hard though, and they are everywhere you want to be

Layout and views are among the best you will ever have. In general course is in great condition. The greens putt great but have been taken over by another by another grass and color is patchy. They are redoing the greens in 2024 and taking out some bunkers to make the course more playable. It’s fairly difficult.

The only negative was the Bunkers Good sand however they were filled with small and medium size lava rocks

So I did use my own local rule of placing my ball in an a sandy area Wonderful views and the whole experience was fantastic

Surprisingly uncrowded. I played the mid tees. Seemed pretty forgiving.

This is a resort course and has a bit of an uppity feel to it (when you arrive). Staff is very friendly but there was no restaurant/ bar for "the regular folk", just members. The course is beautiful and challenging and designed very well. The beauty of Hawaii is all around.

This Robert Trent Jones, Sr. course is a Hawaiian classic and it’s fun to play! It has wide fairways and low-cut rough, and never felt tight to me. But it’s no push over. There are bunkers upon bunkers, and the greens are contoured and fast as lightning.

The hillside setting and ocean scenery are exceptional and the conditions were 5-star.

As for value, I gave 4 stars because I am sticker shocked by any green fee over $200. I guess I’m a little chintzy!

Don’t hesitate to play this one!

When you are on a vacation and want to treat yourself to a great golf experience, I highly recommend playing here a couple times, when you stay on the big island, very challenging from the tips, and amazing views, then hit the beach after, great value through Golf Now, I recommend booking the evening before to get the best price

The only reason I gave it a 4 on course conditions was because the sand traps were concrete. Beautiful layout, open but challenging. Loved it.