Mauna Kea Beach Hotel (Hawaii Island)

My wife and I played with 2 single digit handicap golfers. I'm a 16.3. Everyone three putted regularly. The speed of the greens changes every hole and it's difficult to read the breaks.
Other than that, the course is beautiful and fair. I was able to reach most greens in regulation.
The sister course, Hapuna, is harder even though it's not rated as such. A lot more uphill with greens every bit as difficult. But again a very nice course. For the money and enjoyment factor play Big Island Country Club. Fabulous course.

This is one of the better courses I've played. Especially the weather with slight breeze from the ocean to temper the sun Wide open feel Beautiful undulating terraine hitting across ocean front and over lush valleys. Many bunkers hard to avoid. Great in late afternoon

We really enjoyed this course. It was a very long and challenging course. Several tee boxes that fit each of our players Lots of beautiful holes overlooking the ocean. The only downfall is that there is no 19th hole to stop for a drink or a bite to eat after the round. Their club is private. However the hotel across the street was available. It was beautiful overlooking the ocean, but would rather have had a drink at the course.

Great Views, great condition. The hotel is located on one of the best beaches in Hawaii. Plan on bringing beach towells and chairs. A great way to cool off after your round!

Staff were friendly and very helpful. Course was in great condition and quite challenging. The vistas from tee boxes are phenomenal. You almost forget about the golf at times.

Definitely a must play course on the Big Island.

This is my 2nd most favorite course in all of Hawaii! Island-born California transplant.

It had been a few years since I played Mauna Kea. I was not disappointed. It is the best course on the Kohala coast and a thrill to play. There are spectacular views of Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa and the ocean. Lots of elevation change and undulating greens. The staff could not have been friendlier, including Duane, the head pro, who kept an eye on us all day. I will be returning before I leave the Big Island. I hope the bar is open after we play.

It was great to play where we began playing golf in the 70s. The course design has changed and brings a challenge but we had a great time with scores in line with our handicaps.

Unfortunately I was paired up with a couple that was less than pleasant and this environment didn't help enjoy my golf round as much as I had anticipated.

This was a great course in fine condition. The views are spectacular.

Mauna Kea, the first course built on the Big Island, remains its best.
Mauna Kea - ranked no. 31 on Golf Digest's list of the top 100 public courses in the country - will celebrate its 50th anniversary in December, 2014, looking better than ever. Rees Jones' renovation in 2008 reinvigorated the masterpiece created by his father, Robert Trent Jones Sr., in 1965.
Elevated greens, 99 deep bunkers and sloping fairways can give you headaches. It's a stern test with or without the wind.
Two of the best par-3s in the world hug the rocky coast. The cliffs of the stunning par-3 third hole are visible during the drive into the resort. Clearing the coastal chasm to reach the third green should be celebrated, even after a three-putt for bogey. The 11th hole falls off an elevated tee to a green set against the Pacific as a backdrop.
Ocean views accompany the rest of the round, too, proving Mauna Kea is part-beauty, part-beast.

A great layout, each hole is different and interesting.
I liked the difference in the tee to hole elevations

This is a wonderful golf course primarily because of it's beauty. Also, that is was built in the 1950s by RTJ Sr. Very challenging for someone who does not play mountain style courses very often. Virtually every hole is worthy of a picture. The whole place is very laid back and easy going, with a reminder of times past. Of course, the price of the golf is steep, but it's worth it for at least once!

Very scenic and fantastic location with spectacular views. Challenging course with many bunkers and tricky undulating greens. In good condition and though a little on the expensive side, was worth it for the experience. Staff were friendly and helpful but no open clubhouse bar for refreshment s after round.

This was a fine experience, sharply reduced rate made it possible for me.

The course was in amazing shape! The greens were quick and some hard to read. Not many flat lies on the fairways. There in lies the challenges. We loved it! This course provided some beautiful views, and some tricky elevated greens. My husband and I would play it again in a pinch. The head pro went above and beyond to accommodate my husband and he won't forget it. Thanks Duane! Loved the cold towel presented to you at the end of a hot and sweaty round. A perfect end to a perfect course!

Mauna Kea is without a doubt the best course on the Big Island. The green fees are pricey but once you get past that the course is fantastic. Beautiful vistas from almost every hole and the layout is good with some demanding and some easy holes mixed together. Will definitely play again if given the opportunity.

Staff at club drop very friendly as was the cart greeters after round with cold towels. Check in person seemed confused and cold at counter, but finally found reservation. Range is good, balls need some replacement. Course was in great shape, sand is real soft and greens were running fast. Winds make course double challenging. Multiple tee boxes and make sure not to bite off more than you can handle, so you can enjoy the round and scenary. Two par 3's have exceptional views.

The course has many sand traps, so shot placement is very important. Unless your handicap is 10 or less, I would not recommend playing from any tees boxes longer than the Resort which are rated at 72.2/130. Many of the greens are well guarded by deep sand traps, so a layup shot should be considered depending on wind velocity and direction.

The greens were not fully recovered from aerating and were still a little bumpy and likely slower than normal. The rest of the course was in excellent condition.

As I discovered, the signature par 3 (over the inlet) was the easiest of the par 3's in my opinion.

Many sharply elevated greens well protected by sand traps and rough. In a green side trap and you might be 10 feet below the green with a blind shot. Not a long course but have to be accurate and hit a lot of lies from slopes.

Be prepared to go up and down steep hills. Scenic views abound...but don't forget to concentrate on the course. I'd definitely play again. If you're a high handicapper, you might want to skip this course