Mauna Kea Beach Hotel (Hawaii Island)

The coarse is much too difficult for the average golfer. The bunkers were deep and the sand was wet.

Breathe taking holes. Can be challenging with the wind. Overall, great experience & I can’t wait to come back.

The course? Difficult and challenging - and in good condition. The third and eleventh hole are truly beautiful.

The staff - amazingly indifferent to golfers. The course is resort/semi private - and perhaps the staff caters to members. That said, I cannot imagine a less welcoming staff.

The front gate, the pro shop, the bag drop, the starter - not one greeted us with a simple ‘good morning.’ Front gate and bag drop gave incomplete directions as to where to park. Turned out based on the third person we asked that we were to park in an area marked ‘valet parking only’. It would have been very simple for either the front gate or the bag drop to mention that. Instead, we were essentially told ‘go there’.

The pro shop was staffed by a single person - who was most unwelcoming.

The driving range had a crew working on re-sodding the right portion of the range. No signs, no word from any of the staff, etc. the crew was about at the 190 yard mark. Again, no explanation.

We played as a foursome with three twosomes behind us. We play very quickly - and regrettably chose to let the first twosome pass. Regrettably because our foursome (we play quickly) stayed with the twosome (who were not slow), and then we were pushed by a couple behind us (members). I believe we played the front nine in something like 1:45. The back was slower due to a (not very slow) foursome in front of us. The members behind us hit into us twice. We played in less than four hours, commendable for a resort course, but uncomfortable given the lack of perspective of the twosome behind us.

All in all, an unfortunate day. Had we been greeted, had the staff shown any interest in the fact that we were guests PAYING $295 per head, had the members been at least gracious, it might have been better.

It is a nice course, but my sense is that staff is older, more comfortable with members than guests, and quite comfortable that folks will pay to play gives the beauty of a couple of holes.

The lone bright spot (aside from the beauty of the third hole) was a very professional and polished beverage cart attendant, who could not have been more personable and professional.

The four of us have no intention of ever setting foot on the property again.

I would advise any other course on the Big Island.

Nice views but conditions terrible. Greens worst than muni in NY. Mauni Lani much nicer. Not worth $250

Only complaint: bunkers need work. Recommendation: stay out of binders. Hard pan in most.

For the money, wouldn’t play here again. Decent layout, kind of redundant, only one true oceanside hole and it’s #3. Not one of RTJ jrs best, imo. Greens need replacing, very poor healing after punch several weeks ago. Putting surface looked like a basketball hide. I’d rather go to Makani, loved it! And much less $.

Wind was brutal on the front nine. Made holes played into the wind extremely difficult. I asked when the best time of day was to avoid the winds. Staff just smiled and said it was up to the gods. Fun course regardless.

The bunkers were not in great shape for a high end course.

The course has 90 bunkers. As a senior golfer some bunkers you couldn’t physically get out.

If half of bunkers were removed the course would be outstanding.

The staff, starter, driving range. and beverage cart were excellent.