Mauna Lani, from Auberge Resorts Collection (Hawaii Island)

A palm lined and lava outcropping tropical delight. Paspalum greens were perfect, rolling quick and smoothly. The rough requires a firmer stroke as this amazing grass strain sticks the blade unlike the common bermuda found at Mauna Lani's penny pinching neighbors. Playing the tips you'll find the use of visual intimidation off the tee is ever present yet the fairways are quite large to compensate for the blustery typical trade winds. Outstanding #7 and #15 par threes on the ocean are not only amazingly beautiful but fair compared to the monstrosity of near by Mauna Kea's two Pacific signatures. The par four #13 is as well quite beautiful down to the ocean side green overlooking the bay and #15. Off the back tee the excellent just inland par four #14 looks like the meeting of heaven with a slice of green fairway overwhelmed by Dante's Inferno of several black lava outcroppings. Nothing like this hole on earth! Aim for the jagged big black mound slightly right and you'll find the fairway is more than ample to capture good drives. Along with its uniquely different but also great North course Mauna Lani was clearly the best of the Big Island north west coast resort courses. With the magical year round turf you could play these two fine tracks every day and never have the same experience because of the ever changing winds off the brilliant warm blue Pacific. Paradise found.

A terrific rolling mesquite tree lined course whose only clue to Hawaii is the couple of holes out to the ocean palm trees. Paspalum grass greens and fairways were near perfect. Great use of well trimmed old large trees in the fairways on several of the inland holes. Position off the tee requires a bit of local knowledge that the hole layout cards don't readily show. Elevation changes were nicely designed unlike the quirky and penal Mauna Kea a few miles up the road. Worth the trip from the mainland and along with the more tropical lava and palm lined South course offers two distinct different challenges that you could play day after day. Just oddly felt like I was playing in Tucson as the lava outcroppings were almost non existent until the famous par three #17. Hit a few iron and wedge shots from the unique thick rough before you play, it really sticks the blade and requires more uumph to get thru vs. the common bermuda at Mauna Lani's lesser neighbors.

If you have the chance to play here do it you will not be disappointed. At arrival to leaving the property you will enjoy every moment of your experience. Course conditions were the best on our trip and we played 7 different courses on Oahu and kona. The best hands down. If you can play early morning or pick a day in the afternoon that the wind won't effect your experience, as the trade winds can push upwards of 40 mph afternoon. Enjoy!

What a gem. This is a 2 course complex (North and South) managed by Troon. The North course in actually mostly in a valley and carved through the lava flows and trees. Beautiful views of the ocean and the lava fields.

This was a windy day and it made some shots very difficult. Lot of sand and taller trees to contend with. All well placed.

Course conditions couldn't have been better. Well watered and maintained fairways, tees and greens. The greens were wonderful. Firm but could hold a long shot in.

Play both courses. We actually changed to play both twice.

This course is so enjoyable and provides spectacular scenery. There are several holes adjacent to the ocean and of course their signature 15th hole has an ocean carry. The course was in perfect condition. Most of the holes provide plenty of bail out opportunities and thus is not as tough as others and perfect for me. Next time I'm on the Big Island I will definitely play this course.

We played this as a second 18 holes after playing the South Course. This is easier, but not as pretty. All inland course. Very enjoyable, but would not have been the full price. Great value as a second 18 in a day.

Glad we played the South Course first. North Course was easier, but with no views. The staff was very good and helpful. Enjoyable day.

I really would like to play this course again without the 40 MPH winds. I liked the layout, conditions were great, and pace was great. It didn't stop blowing for the whole round and by 18 it was almost ridiculous.

I spent two weeks on the Big Island and have played eight different courses, so far. The South Course at Mauna Lani was in the best shape of them all by a wide margin. The tee boxes, fairways and greens were all in excellent condition. I played a couple other courses (Mauna Kea and Hapuna) that had greens that were also smooth and fast like this course, but the fairways on those courses were in poor condition. I played in the afternoon, so I paid $140 plus tax. It was the most expensive round I played, but it was worth it. The pace of play was also the best I've seen by a significant amount. My wife and I finished in two hours and twenty minutes. Great course! I would recommend it to anyone visiting the Big Island despite the high cost.

The course is immaculate. Greens roll very true and the fairways were real grass, unlike ever other course I have played on the island. Much better than waikoloa beach and village courses. The 15th hole is breathtaking and there is a stretch of 3 holes that borders the water that is beautiful. I will definitely play here again.

Course conditions were immaculate and the best of the six courses I've played on the Kohola Coast including Mauna Kea. I enjoy a wide open resort course with scenery and Mauna Lani delivers in spades. Four of the holes are along the ocean and the views were spectacular. We even saw a whale breaching near the 13th hole. I was going to play the North Course but ended up playing the South Course 3 days in a row. After Mauna Lani, everything else is a let down.

Spent a weekend on a golf getaway with a small group (7) of ladies from our hometown course. We flew to Waikoloa on the Big Island of Hawaii and played several courses. Our favorite of the three that we played was Mauna Lani South course.

From the time we checked in to the time we left, their staff paid great attention to all of our needs. Assisted with loading and unloading our clubs, checking us in and directing us to the tee box.

It was a hot day and the normal trade winds were nowhere to be found. Coolers on the carts and complimentary waters were a relief. The beverage cart was hard to find and by the time it came around, we were parched.

The course is very well maintained. From the tee boxes to the greens. Beautiful bunkers and very well trimmed rough. Spectacular ocean views from about 5 holes. Very nice driving range and huge practice green for putting.

Make sure to bring your camera and don’t worry about the pace of play. You’ll love every minute on the course. In fact, it should be on the top 5 list for best Hawaii Golf Courses.

We previously played the "classic" course--a combination of the north and south courses which made it difficult to track on our app. We played the north course this visit, but based on our prior play, I think I would prefer the south course from an aesthetic point of view. It was extremely windy the day we played which made club selection difficult. On a couple of shots two extra clubs into the wind proved inadequate. Course conditions were excellent, and I recommend playing both the north and the south courses.

Layout is good. Not spectacular but certainly good. The couple of holes by the ocean are very nice. Traditional parkland layout but surrounded by the lava fields and some condos. Highlight is the conditions today. Tees, fairways, rough and greens were immaculate. Absolutely perfect. Even the driving range grass was like carpet. Kudos to the grounds team as this is a very finely kept course. Note this is for North course. South course was closed today and is undergoing greens maintenance. North is a little more difficult than most resort type courses. Not brutal but definitely need to hit fairways here, as there is plenty of lava and some OB. Overall a nice choice if you are staying at Mauna Lani or nearby. Hawaiiteetimes.com has some good value to get on here. The goats roaming the course are an interesting encounter.

The South course isn't just a pretty face. The course is also good enough to host the Hawaii State Open, which doesn't lack for talent. This year, former PGA TOUR players Dean Wilson, Parker McLachlin and Scott Simpson competed. Wilson won for the second time in three years. I was fortunate enough to pair with McLachlin for the pro-am round. It was great to see how a former PGA TOUR winner (2008 Reno-Tahoe Open) attacks the course. He went for all the par 5s in two, including driver off the deck at No. 1 and made eagle on one of them. Everyday golfers like you and me love the course for its oceanside par 3s, but there's plenty of strong holes inland, too. Playing the South is one of Hawaii island's best golf experiences, pro-am or not.

We played the South course under near gale force conditions.
The sustained winds were 40 MPH with gust up to 60 MPH.
Mark, the friendly starter here, said that this was the windiest day he has ever seen.
The guy has been here over ten years.
The course is in fine shape. The greens putt true unless the wind moves the ball. We learned to hit a low ball from living in Texas.
Most of the par fours are doable if you hit a straight tee ball. High ball hitters don't have a chance because the high wind will stop a shot and knock it down or turn it drastically.
The views here are picture postcard variety. We had to take several and Doug the Marshall took a few snaps for us. They provide water and towels in the cart and ice cold towels are
given at the end of the round.
The South course is one of the most scenic on the Big Island. It's a sporty resort style tract, except when there's a high wind alert.
We had some fun here but were challenged by the conditions and we'll be back to play here again when it's tamer.
The good hospitality here and pristine conditions makes Mauna Lani South one of the top courses in Hawaii.

I have played the North course several times now over several years and really find it a great experience. It is well maintained, interesting to play without being too difficult, and has a relatively peaceful Walk in the Park feel to it. (Though if you really want that kind of day head up to Makalei or Big Island Country Club.) Though the South course gets the press for ocean holes you actually visit the ocean twice on the north course, though you don't have to play over it. I have played the south course as well but prefer the north. If you want a high quality resort experience pay a bit extra and play Manua Lani. I would recommend it over Mauna Kea as well, which while equally well maintained, is just too difficult for me to play in my out of season condition. If there was one thing Manua Lani could improve is the frequency of visits by the beverage cart which always seems to be few and far between. Since you don't return to the clubhouse at the turn,make sure to stock up when you can.

The North course at Mauna Lani Resort is probably the better layout, but if you're a tourist from the mainland like me, don't miss the South course.
The ocean views on the South course are epic, starting at the par-3 seventh hole, a 214-yard knee-knocker along the shore.
The short par-4 13th hole uses a lone palm as an aiming point to set up a wedge approach to a green set against an ocean backdrop.
The demanding inland 14th hole, a long par-4, slithers through lava rock before revealing the Pacific once again at No. 15. This 196-yard par-3 looks and plays every bit as thrilling as the iconic third hole at Mauna Kea up the road.
There aren't many courses with a 'wow' factor like this.