Mauna Lani, from Auberge Resorts Collection (Hawaii Island)

Some of the most beautiful par 3s and holes along the water I have seen. This was the 114th course in the USA and Canada I have played. Course was challenging but generous and wide open.

When in Hawaii, I strongly recommend playing the Mauna Lani South course. The layout along the coast made for some of the most scenic views. The cart girl mentioned seeing whales spouting, although we did not see them.

The staff is very helpful. The Marshall carries ice-cold water and offers it to the players free of charge. The carts have ball washers and club cleaners as well as a cooler with ice and cold water bottles.

Place is unbelievably pure, definitely play here if you get the chance!

This little pitch and putt is perfect for families and beginners staying at Mauna Lani. All guests can play for free (including rental clubs). A resort fee covers the cost, so take advantage for a break from the beach and the pool. The greens are tiny and tilted, so even good players will miss at least half of them.

This 6,924-yard South layout is the showstopper every mainlander comes to see, thanks to its trio of epic ocean holes. The par-3 15th hole might very well be the most photographed hole in Hawaii. The scenery really pops as you tee off over the crashing waves. Resort-friendly, wide fairways allow rusty winter swings the room to spray it and still score. I love everything about this course. I wish it were my home course. I'd play it every day.

The 6,913-yard North is the more strategic of the two 18s at the resort. It's harder, too, especially if your ball comes to rest under the random trees that sit in the middle or along the edges of the fairways of multiple holes (1, 3, 4, 6, 13 and 16). They sucked my tee shots in like tractor beams. The North briefly visits the ocean at the second and ninth greens, but its signature moment comes via the 17th, a 132-yard par 3 cut from a bowl of black rock.

One of the best courses I have played anywhere. It was a slightly windy day making avoidance of the numerous sand traps tricky. Greens and fairways in great condition.

This course features some absolutely stunning views of both the ocean and the properties surrounding it. While the course plays relatively easy with huge landing areas, errant shots that miss the fairway are almost always a penalty, as the lava rock is unforgiving. It's worth noting that there isn't a halfway house, and the beverage cart doesn't carry food, so pack accordingly. I'd have a hard time selling myself on paying full freight to play here, but snag a GolfNow'hot deal' and it's well worth it.

For transparency to all, this course is NOT a par 3 course, it's a pitch n' putt. I don't say that with any negative connotation, just calling it what it is. The course has taken two par 4's (down and back) and cut in 9 little pitch n' putt holes. The course is very well maintained, and this is the perfect spot to dial in your wedges or enjoy a fun round with beginners. The $40 price tag is a bit ridiculous ($20 would be more appropriate), but what golf doesn't cost an arm and a leg these days...All in all, I would recommend.

South is less challenging than the north, but makes up for it with more scenic holes. Course was in great shape and got around in 3 hours middle of the day. Couple tough par 3 holes and a few holes you want to check your yardage and line, but overall pretty forgiving off the tee. Worth playing especially if you find a discounted rate. Better than the Waikoloa courses.

I’m not sure how I missed this course last time I visited Kona but happy to have played it. The South course is very scenic, very playable but not too easy. Hard to hit out of the rough and you want to avoid the lava, but the fairways were large enough to hit regularly.

One par 3 runs along the ocean and one you have to hit over the ocean but neither are brutally long holes.

Thanks to GolfNow, I got a Hot rate for an earlier time than I could have on my own…..THANKS!!

This is my first time. Golf ⛳ course is amazing and views are also very nice especially hole number 15.

Got a great deal and was looking for something to be wrong but it was in great condition and the views were amazing. I recommend it!

Rack rate $295

Golf Pass rate $145

Pays for itself, thank you!

The golf pass discount rate is close to $100 off the rack rate price for a tee time. That’s phenomenal. Either course at Mauna Lani is going to be an exceptional experience that you just can’t get anywhere other than the island of Hawaii.

Overall I can see why people would give this place a good review. This is just my one experience but I walked away unsatisfied. First for the positives... Rental set was great, had different shaft options in woods which is always a plus. Driving range was beautiful and free to hit balls. The course itself was a fun layout with some very memorable holes.

The North course had just punched it greens, which normally doesn't bother me. However, when I asked the lady behind the counter after the round she told me that the South course was in great shape and should of let her know punched greens would be an issue. In what world would I rather play punched greens? I asked for a discount on the round, comp the rentals or my wife's riding fee, and was laughed at. I understand course maintenance has to happen but when there is another course that is available it seems like the right thing to do is put people on knowing its a better experience.

One other annoyance was the pace of play. The starter let me know that the other 2 in our group wanted to play by themselves so I'd be going off on my own. Normally I would be thrilled, but when I got to 1 tee there was 3 other twosomes that were going off. Every tee box was at least a 5 minute wait.

Like I said, I can see why people would really enjoy this spot, but for that kind of money I was surprised how poorly run it was. Not saying don't go, but I would ask which course to play and set expectations for a 5+ hour round of golf.