Turtle Bay Resort (Oahu)

I thought this course was gorgeous and a really nice layout. I thought $199 to play was a little steep. I would play it all the time at $125 or less.

I live on Maui and took advantage of the opportunity to play this course as I was on Oahu for a visit. A friend had told me this was the best course on Oahu. For that, it was a massive disappointment, especially considering the price.

I must add that we played on a day with a lot of wind. And I’m talking about hitting a wedge 175+ yards downwind and hitting a driver less than 175 upwind, kind of day. I am used to playing in wind from Maui, but this was something else. And the course layout only partially seems to support that. Many holes are nestled into the trees making it impossible to judge the impact of the wind once the ball gets above the tree line. I don’t remember having hit this many good shots that were severely punished, ever! I suppose it might be easier once you know the course, but that is a bad characteristic for a resort course, IMO.

And the sand! Oh my god, the “sand”. This course is practically on the beach yet you can’t find any sand to fill the bunkers?!? Almost comically horrible.

Greens are very slow. Maybe that is personal preference, but I would like then to be faster. I was also constantly fooled into thinking they’d break more. Maybe that’s just me.

The scenery was also disappointing. Doesn’t feel like Hawai’i at all, especially when compared to courses like the Wailea courses, that go through palm trees and lava, and offer awesome views everywhere. Here, you see the ocean once. And you play through a bunch of shrubs and can’t see out. And some of the stuff neighboring the course is downright depressing.

Overall, everything at Turtle Bay seems slightly old and off. Some things remind me of municipal courses. The hotel reminds me of an old summer camp. I guess it was nice once, but it is now badly in need of renovation.

It was also odd that it looked like they had very few openings (1 player here and 2 players there, sort of thing), but when we got there, there were very few people. Makes you wonder if they try to make the course appear busier.

I would play the course again, but only on a less windy day and for less money. The way this went, it just isn’t worth it. But I can see that the layout is interesting. Maybe I’ll come back for a tournament one day. But I wouldn’t take anyone there, especially not at full price.

Get new sand in the bunkers now!!!!!!!!! The course layout is absolutely amazing and beautiful the greens are slow but well manicured, and the fairways are in good shape. Probably my favorite on the island as far as layout top 5 as far as being well manicured (Ewa beach golf course is the best), but my god fix the bunkers. There is a ton of sand all over the course and is beautiful but if you find yourself in then you may as well be hitting off the cart path please fix the bunkers and it would be the best course on island.

The overall experience was absolutely most enjoyable,

Pace slowed down a tad but nothing to be close to annoyance,

A positive experience

Challenging layout, played the Blue Tees and was very happy with the design. Keeps you interested. Management has missed the boat on the little things. Range wash buckets have no brushes, no chairs, no towels. Can’t use a driver on the Fazio practice facility and the range balls are low quality. $200 is roughly $75 too much. However, the staff was great and the overall experience made the $200 less painful. It’s OK “once”. Feel no need to play either course for a second time.

I have played both the Palmer and Fazio courses at 10 times each. I have stopped playing the Fazio course because the bunkers are hard and packed. I've mentioned this to staff many times and all I here is yes we are aware of this and we are in the process of reviewing the course and making improvements. My family and I fly in from Texas and arrive at the rental house I call for tee times and find out no improvements have been made so I spend twice the money and play the palmer course. Someday maybe??

After playing in Maui’s golf course, i expected the same here in Turtle bay. I must admit, the course is in a great condition. Greens are in good shape. I found this course more like the courses we can play on the main land, nothing else, no “Wow”s, but the 17th hole. Also, i wonder why the is no ball cleaners at all on the course. Pricing is overated, you can get as much for lot less.

The course is good, not great only one view very over priced

Great layout but on the pricey side. Greens rolled true but were not in as good of shape as previous rounds.

Overall a very pretty little course. I came on a random Thursday and it had been misting for the first part of the morning. As a result, I was able to golf alone with seeminingly the entire course to myself. However, this course definitely benefits those who tend to miss-hit now and then. Impossible to lose your ball for the most part because of how it’s constructed. Fairways are wide and pretty straightforward. However, the course is well-maintained and the oceanside holes are something to remember. Appropriately priced at $85.

I played the Fazio course early there was only one group ahead of mine and the pace of play was excellent. The fairways were excellent and the rough was fair it made you think about club selection if you ended up in the rough. The bunkers are playable not too much sand but they still allowed for getting the ball close to the hole if you played the proper shot. The greens were slow on putts but it was tough to have the ball stick on approach shots that was the toughest thing to adjust to . Overall this is a great course and the staff was very friendly and helpful

Travelled up from KoOlina where we are staying. Decided to head to North Shore and Turtle Bay. Had heard some pretty good recommendations for the Palmer course.

Several fairways burnt... staff said they had some issues and were aerating a few.??!

Didn’t play anywhere near the ocean... in fact saw the water just once during round. Lots of traps and dog legs and water everywhere, just not ocean. Disappointed with layout and conditions for $195. Better value elsewhere currently.

Despite the greens being recently cored, it’s a lovely course to play catering for all levels of player.

Good fairway widths and strategically placed pots.

Excellent opportunity to unleash the driver on many holes.

Will play again

The Turtle Bay - Palmer Course is a top-notch golf course. The layout is very good and makes for an enjoyable round. The greens were close to immaculate, running true and fast without going over the top on the speed. There was some damage to a few of the fairways, which I surmise may have occurred as a result of the recent hurricane or other heavy rain (and which I imagine will be repaired with an upcoming aeration). The separate practice tee for the Palmer course is excellent, with very nice and well-maintained grass tees that are directly adjacent to the first tee box. The beverage cart (which may have been the coolest beverage cart I've ever seen, a 4x4 vehicle complete with doors) made frequent rounds without being intrusive. The lemon-scented cold towel at the end of the round was a nice touch. The greens fees are just a tad on the high side for Oahu, but the quality of the facility I believe merits the premium. I would not hesitate to recommend this course to visitors to Oahu.

Every time we play here it’s a great experience! Staff is friendly, course is well laid out, and pace is great!! I especially like the fact the ocean view!! Outstanding round of golf!!!

Course was very playable the staff very friendly enjoyed the round looking forward to playing again

More than I usually pay for golf but not a bad value considering the price for non residents in Hawaii. Good layout, not crowded at all, in good condition, and nice views of the ocean on some holes.

A little pricey for the Palmer course, their reason being PGA and big break tournaments played there, however the Fazio course was in just as good of shape and it’s more scenic with more ocean views. Also when you book on line they don’t tell you about the local high schools using the course which is in my opinion not right,while it’s fantastic turtle bay opens up for these fine youngsters, there should be some warning just like if they were punching the greens, we as consumers should be given all of the details before making our decision to book.