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4.6
581 Reviews (581)
5 Stars
415
4 Stars
114
3 Stars
30
2 Stars
15
1 Stars
7
Conditions
4.4
Value
4.1
Layout
4.8
Friendliness
4.7
Pace
4.6
Amenities
4.3
91.5%
Recommend this course
533 out of 581 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
5.0
1 Reviews (1)
5 Stars
1
4 Stars
0
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.0
Value
5.0
Layout
5.0
Pace
5.0
Amenities
5.0
StaffFriendliness
4.0
100.0%
Recommend this course
1 out of 1 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.7
57 Reviews (57)
5 Stars
48
4 Stars
4
3 Stars
2
2 Stars
2
1 Stars
1
Conditions
4.3
Value
4.1
Layout
4.8
Pace
4.6
Amenities
4.1
StaffFriendliness
4.8
89.5%
Recommend this course
51 out of 57 reviews
Read Reviews

About

Holes 18
Type Resort
Par 72
Length 7370 yards
Slope 144
Rating 76.6
Book a Tee Time at
Mauna Kea Golf Course
Powered by GolfNow.com

Course Details

Year Built 1964
Fairways Tifway 419 Hybrid Bermuda Grass
Greens Ultra-Dwarf Tifeagle Bermuda Grass
Golf Season Year round

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes - included in green fees
Clubs Yes
GPS Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Bunker Yes
Golf School Academy Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard, Amex Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Fivesomes Allowed Yes
Dress code Proper golf attire must be worn at all times

Food & Beverage

Bar, Restaurant

Available Facilities

Clubhouse, Conference Facilities, Banquet Facilities, Showers, Locker Rooms

Accolades

Reviews

4.6
581 Reviews (581)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 6
Course Challenges Include:
Bunkers 19
Undulating Greens 16
Elevation Changes 14
This course/club is great for:
A Bucket list/Top 100 Pick 19
Wildlife/ Scenic Views 16
Advanced Golfers 12
This Course's Location is:
At a Resort 19
Worth the Drive 13

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Reviewer Photos

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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Unbelievable golf course

This course is fantastic. There are no routine holes without an interesting aspect. Lots of elevation changes with both uphill and downhill holes. Not to mention the stunning ocean views from quite a few holes. Overall lush. If I had to nitpick, greens were patchy in spots and all bunkers need a top up of soft sand. Overall, ranks among the most enjoyable courses I’ve played anywhere in the world. Would play again.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great course

Enjoyed playing this course. Nicest public course on the Big Island. A little pricey, but worth playing once.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Beautiful course

Beautiful course, really challenging given the 35mph winds we played in, but a great track overall. Everything was in great shape except the greens were a little rough around the edges and fast as glass…nothing damaged from the fires except some trees and hazard OB (which made it a bit easier to find the tee shots that got helped in there by the wind!)

Wonderful staff all around, gorgeous views, and great food and drinks…

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Outstanding Course & Service Personnel

Very challenging and incredible views from just about every hole. Service staff very courteous and professional. Can’t wait to play again next time we visit the Big Island.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Play somewhere else

Greens and bunkers terrible. I know they plan on shutting down next year to redo greens and bunkers but maybe don’t wait.
Pace of play was seriously slow no Marshall’s on course .
I know they just had the fire but not the excuse for the conditions of greens and bunkers.
Definitely not worth paying what they charge for green fees to play it in its current condition.
I have played this course many times and enjoy it, no more.
I will wait until they redo next year.
Too many good courses around most cheaper also.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Disappointed

Course has generous fairways in good shape and ball sits up nicely on them, plenty of great views, lots of elevated greens, but unfortunately the greens are not what you would expect them to be, they have different areas of grasses growing in, look top dressed, and inconsistent rolls, they held well put does it really matter trying to put on that?? Bunkers were ok, but not the greatest of conditions either. I fortunately got a hot deal rate, if I had to pay full rate I would have been very mad!!!

Conditions Fair
Value Poor
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Beautiful setting.
Not in the best of condition.
Too expensive.

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Beginner
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Nice place

Played a few on the island. This is a nice one and worth playing. Greens were a little rough looking but played fine. Wind makes it very challenging. Normally I’d play the blue tees, but played the orange/resort and it was plenty challenging.

Didn’t spend any time inside, so can’t rate amenities. Staff were fine.

I’d play again on my next visit. Kona CC was nice as well.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 9
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Not Hapuna....Thankfully!!

After my recent experience at the overpriced, under maintained, step child of the two courses at the Mauna Kea resort, it was nice to play on this longstanding gem of a course.
From the moment we arrived, the staff was super nice and accommodating. The pro shop is stocked to the gills with excellent merchandise in a beautiful setting.
The course itself was not in its typical pristine condition, but was still well above average and the greens were rolling true and fast.
This is one of the hardest resort courses you can play and it was showing its teeth with a bit of a breeze when we played.
The views are incredible and we played in 4 hours, which is always nice, especially on a tough course that gets a fair share of daily play.
I would highly recommend playing the actual Mauna Kea course compared to its sister course, Hapuna at Mauna Kea. Night and day difference when it comes to friendliness of staff, off course amenities and pace of play.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 5-9
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Walked

First Time visiting from Massachusetts

Played three courses on the BI and by far this was the most expensive course but worth the price. Conditions were excellent and greens rolled twice as fast as the other courses played. The course challenge, layout and views of the ocean did not disappoint. Was happy to land my tee shot on the green on their signature hole #3 and make a two putt for par. The rest of the day was a bonus and played to my handicap. There was little wind on the day I played. If it had been windy no doubt my score would have been higher. Played in a foursome and we got around the course in 4 hours. Bring your camera. Expensive but worth it!

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Beautiful course with scenic holes

Restaurant and snack bar were closed for renovations but able to walk down to the bar in the beach for lunch. Pro shop closes early, like 4:00 so if you have e an afternoon tee time and want to purchase something, do it when you check in.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 16
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Gross greens

The best views and beautiful course are always an attraction for me. Unfortunately the greens are lost, two types of grasses are competing against each other and the consequences are very sad. Every putt had a fast portion and a slow portion, as if putting through a rain puddle, when it rolled through the thick green patches your ball would start screeching to a halt. Best cart girl, Heather, and the friendly staff were not enough to help the course. Play the other courses for that price until they fix their green problems!!

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Views are insane

I have been to the Big Island numerous times as my mom is Hawaiian and my parents live there. I have now played all of the “public”courses and Mauna Kea along with Mauna Lani are top notch. The ocean views on nearly every hole at Mauna Kea are simply stunning. The range is lacking as there is not much space and the greens were a little choppy but that did not interfere with my overall experience. Staff was friendly and the wet towel at the end was refreshing. We got the Golfnow price at $160 which is a steal. I highly recommend this bucket list course at full price but Golfnow discount made it even that much sweeter. Aloha!

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Best on the Big Island by a mile

1. If there are open tee times, management releases them to Golf Now at a discount.
2. See above
3. NONE of the other top courses on the Big Island do this. Mauna Lani, I am talking to YOU.
4. This golf course is over 60 years old and is an utter and absolute masterpiece. Golf design wise, it’s a gem from one of the best to ever do it. The views are unparalleled. The staff is great and the facility feels like it was built last week.
5. If you’re lucky you’ll get Jayne on the drink cart. Have her make you a cocktail and you can thank me later.
6. This place is what Big Island golf is and should be. Every other course and resort on the island should take note. If you’re doing less than this, you’re losing.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart
Value Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Most seanic golf course in Hawaii

It's a second shot golf course. Elevated greens and bunkering makes this a challenging golf course.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Greens

Greens were in pretty bad shape, played there last year and they were much better.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Fair
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Golf Packages

Mauna Lani Auberge Stay & Play Package

FROM $687 (USD)
ISLAND OF HAWAII | Enjoy 4 nights' accommodations at Mauna Lani Auberge Resorts Collection and 3 rounds of golf at Mauna Lani North and South Courses & Wikiwiki 9-hole Short Course.

Ka'anapali Stay & Play Package

FROM $487 (USD)
MAUI | Enjoy 3 nights' accommodations at either The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Ka'anapali or the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa and 2 rounds of golf at Ka'anapali Kai Golf Course & Royal Ka'anapali Golf Course.

Best of Hawaii Island Hopper Golf Package

FROM $657 (USD)
Enjoy 9 nights' accommodations at The Ritz-Carlton Kapalua, Mauna Lani Auberge Resorts Collection, and Timbers Kauai Ocean Club & Residences and 7 rounds of golf at Kapalua Golf Club (Plantation and Bay courses), Princeville Makai Golf Club, the Ocean Course at Hokuala and Mauna Lani Golf Club (North and South courses).

Best of Maui Golf Package

FROM $577 (USD)
MAUI | Enjoy 4 nights' accommodations at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua and 3 rounds of golf at the newly refined Kapalua Resort Plantation Course, Kapalua Resort Bay Course, and King Kamehameha Golf Club.

Maui Golf Around Package

FROM $557 (USD)
MAUI | Enjoy 4 nights' accommodations at Napili Kai Beach Resort and 3 rounds of golf at Kapalua Resort Plantation Course, Kapalua Resort Bay Course & King Kamehameha Golf Club.
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