Mauna Lani, from Auberge Resorts Collection (Hawaii Island)

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.

Compared to its sister South course, the North course at Mauna Lani Resort feels like a bully.
While the South is open and forgiving, the North plays long and narrow at times.
Tourists tend to lean toward playing the South course for its ocean views. Locals and regulars tend to favor the North course for the challenge and variety of holes. The North constantly doglegs through trees and lava fields.
The 455-yard ninth hole rates among the toughest (and best) par-4s on the island. Water and a bunker guard the right side of a green set near the beach. The signature 17th hole, the shortest on the course at 132 yards, plays into a bowl of lava rocks.
Mauna Lani Resort - sandwiched between the top-100 Mauna Kea and a Champions Tour venue at Hualalai - probably doesn't get the credit it deserves. This is one of the finest golf clubs in all of Hawaii.