Big Island Golf

[Boricua Golf]

I have to say, I lived in Hawaii (US Army) for 6 years and Hualalai is gorgeous, we used to fly to other islands once a month to play, leave in the AM, play morning and evening rounds and get back home (Oahu) by 7pm, love Hawaii Golf...

[aloha b.]

/

We've stayed their twice and it is relaxing, did you get one of the rooms with the outdoor shower? Also if you go there again try eating and having drinks at the Residents Beach House restaurant. It's right on the beach and the bar faces the ocean. Most people think that you have to own a property on site to use the restaurant but anyone can eat at RBH.

Thx for the tip! will give a try next trip.

mahalo

 

aʻole pilikia

http://www.hualalairesort.com/dining/residents-beach-house/

[aloha b.]

I have to say, I lived in Hawaii (US Army) for 6 years and Hualalai is gorgeous, we used to fly to other islands once a month to play, leave in the AM, play morning and evening rounds and get back home (Oahu) by 7pm, love Hawaii Golf...

 

That sounds like lots of fun!

[Lexicographer]

Just finished my trip. Played Muana Kea, Hapuna, Mauna Lani South, and Mauna Lani North. All courses were in great shape, but I definitely prefer the Mauna Lani courses.

 

Hapuna - Started here. Decent twilight rate. They have recently replaced their greens with paspalum. They were understandably very firm, but looked great. Putted a little slow, but that's expected. This course sits higher up and has some decent views. No holes were super memorable, other than 18, which sucks. I like this course ok, but think I'll pass next time.

 

Mauna Kea - Not my favorite. Staff was great and course was in nice shape. I just find this course overly hard, especially for vacation golf when I haven't picked up a club for months. Raised greens, deep bunkers. Missed greens can easily kick into the junk. I've played it twice now and probably won't play again.

 

Mauna Lani South - Definitely my favorite. Yes, it's pretty easy, other than the par 3s. Nice and wide. But very manicured and some great views. 15 is a better hole than 3 at Mauna Kea. Troon took over management at Mauna Lani. Troon should really put some money into their carts. They are reusing carts from other clubs (Hokulia, Hualalai) that have bald tires. No GPS. Amenities and hospitality were better at the two Mauna Kea courses, but the course conditions were best at Mauna Lani. I guess they are currently spending money where it matters most. Greens putted great.

 

Mauna Lani North - This was my second favorite. Harder than the South, but not so much harder that it was too hard. Two things hold it back: lack of holes with views, and a couple of janky holes. They have 3 holes with big Kiawe trees right in the middle of the fairway. That's two too many. Plus, the trees are WAY too big on two of them. Still, had my best round here.

 

I used Teeoff.com for all tee times. Mauna Lani is now doing demand pricing. Mauna Kea has a higher rack rate, but it was easy to get a good discount on teeoff. I payed $125 twilight at Hapuna (1 PM), $163 at Mauna Kea (12:48 PM discounted on teeoff), and $225 at both Mauna Lani courses (7 AM and 9 AM). That $225 price was the cheapest I could find on teeof that wasn't after 2 PM. Though, I was there during a pretty busy time. May be cheaper in low season.

[PixlPutterman]

Ill be playing all 28 at Kukio next week, very excited :)

[PixlPutterman]

Well, Kukio ruined all other courses for me, what an amazing track!!!

 

[dethman]

will be heading there next week. probably have time only for one round of golf as i'll be there with family, probably will do mauna kea, but would rather play hualalai. any other tips on getting on without staying at the four seasons? o:)

[PixlPutterman]

> @dethman said:

> will be heading there next week. probably have time only for one round of golf as i'll be there with family, probably will do mauna kea, but would rather play hualalai. any other tips on getting on without staying at the four seasons? o:)

 

To my knowledge you have to stay there. Most employees dont even get golf privileges.

[Hack Daddy]

> @"PixlPutterman " said:

> > @dethman said:

> > will be heading there next week. probably have time only for one round of golf as i'll be there with family, probably will do mauna kea, but would rather play hualalai. any other tips on getting on without staying at the four seasons? o:)

>

> To my knowledge you have to stay there. Most employees dont even get golf privileges.

 

Just to piggyback off this - my wife's friend is a regional manager for four seasons, and she couldn't get us on.

[Hack Daddy]

Mauna Lani South

 

 

[Bbo569]

If you get to know the right people, I highly recommend trying to get on Ke'olu in the Hualalai Resort. It is the private members course on the resort grounds. I got the privilege to play it once and I was floored. One of the best courses I have played with some amazing views and unique way of creating volcanic rock hazards. Doubt I will get the opportunity again, but if it comes across any of yalls paths drop whatever you are doing!

[Hack Daddy]

Yes, the volcanic rocks were quite the adventure, lol.

 

 

[Jakerepp]

Going to be in Kona in October and will play 1 round. I played Waikoloa Beach Course on my Honeymoon in Nov. 2016 and thought it was perfectly reasonable and might just go back. Has anyone played it recently?

Gimme your top 3 choices for ~$150.

[tad950]

> @Jakerepp said:

> Going to be in Kona in October and will play 1 round. I played Waikoloa Beach Course on my Honeymoon in Nov. 2016 and thought it was perfectly reasonable and might just go back. Has anyone played it recently?

> Gimme your top 3 choices for ~$150.

 

Played the Beach and Kings in December. Nothings changed, except for more development around the Kings course.

 

[JoshuaR]

Looking at Mauna Kea and Hapuna (will be staying at the Hapuna Resort in mid-December). Do you know if they have any special rates for resort guests, or is my best bet going to be shopping around at teeoff.com for the best rates? On a related note, any info on just using the practice facilities? Hapuna doesn't even seem to have a web site...

[Haloha]

 

Beautiful! I miss those views of the big island golf! Hopefully I can visit in January?

> @"Hack Daddy" said:

> Mauna Lani South

>

>

>

>

 

[tad950]

> @JoshuaR said:

> Looking at Mauna Kea and Hapuna (will be staying at the Hapuna Resort in mid-December). Do you know if they have any special rates for resort guests, or is my best bet going to be shopping around at teeoff.com for the best rates? On a related note, any info on just using the practice facilities? Hapuna doesn't even seem to have a web site...

 

 

Hotel guests do get a discounted rate at Hapuna and Mauna Kea. There are grass driving ranges at both. Hapuna has a larger chipping/ bunker area. Practice balls are always available at the driving ranges.

[Jakerepp]

Booked at round a Mauna Lani South for October 21st! I look forward to posting pics and review of it. I'm sure it will be a glowing review.

[Jakerepp]

Well Mauna Lani South was fantastic. Greens were very smooth and healthy, if not a little slower than I might've expected. Fairways and tee boxes were lush. Only complaint was the spongy rough. it was difficult to know how the ball was going to come out. The carts were very nice, with small coolers filled with ice cold water, towels, tees, and GPS. Someone had previously mentioned disappointing golf carts, so they've definitely been upgraded since then. The staff was excellent and the starter drove down to the driving range to let me know that I could jump out early ahead of two foursomes if I wanted to play solo.

EDIT: @Lexicographer yeah, Troon invested in new carts.

 

 

 

 

[puttnforthe8]

> @"PixlPutterman " said:

> Well, Kukio ruined all other courses for me, what an amazing track!!!

 

>

 

How did you get to play the course? Reciprocal?

[PixlPutterman]

Good friend of mine worked there at the time so we got out on a Monday.

 

 

> @puttnforthe8 said:

> > @"PixlPutterman " said:

> > Well, Kukio ruined all other courses for me, what an amazing track!!!

>

> >

>

> How did you get to play the course? Reciprocal?

 

 

[Georgewang]

> @"PixlPutterman " said:

> Good friend of mine worked there at the time so we got out on a Monday.

>

>

> > @puttnforthe8 said:

> > > @"PixlPutterman " said:

> > > Well, Kukio ruined all other courses for me, what an amazing track!!!

> >

> > >

> >

> > How did you get to play the course? Reciprocal?

>

>

 

I’m playing hualaiai in a couple weeks. Any tips? Is it windy in the morning?

[PixlPutterman]

I played Kukio, but if they are anything similar..........good luck.

 

Wind, firm greens and small landing spots that dont spin back off the green.

 

 

> @Georgewang said:

> > @"PixlPutterman " said:

> > Good friend of mine worked there at the time so we got out on a Monday.

> >

> >

> > > @puttnforthe8 said:

> > > > @"PixlPutterman " said:

> > > > Well, Kukio ruined all other courses for me, what an amazing track!!!

> > >

> > > >

> > >

> > > How did you get to play the course? Reciprocal?

> >

> >

>

> I’m playing hualaiai in a couple weeks. Any tips? Is it windy in the morning?

 

 

[tad950]

Hualalai is a resort course. So you probably aren’t going to ge beat up too much. Fairways are usually pretty generous. And always expect to play with wind in Hawaii. Keep an eye out for the cookie station ?.

 

> @Georgewang said:

> > @"PixlPutterman " said:

> > Good friend of mine worked there at the time so we got out on a Monday.

> >

> >

> > > @puttnforthe8 said:

> > > > @"PixlPutterman " said:

> > > > Well, Kukio ruined all other courses for me, what an amazing track!!!

> > >

> > > >

> > >

> > > How did you get to play the course? Reciprocal?

> >

> >

>

> I’m playing hualaiai in a couple weeks. Any tips? Is it windy in the morning?

 

 

[Christen_The_Sloop]

Guess I'll be over at the Westin in February so thinking of doing Hapuna. Where else should I be looking?

[birdiebuster72]

I've played Mauna Lani and Mauna Kea. Mauna Lani is 100x nicer but a little less challenging than Mauna Kea

[Lexicographer]

> @birdiebuster72 said:

> I've played Mauna Lani and Mauna Kea. Mauna Lani is 100x nicer but a little less challenging than Mauna Kea

 

Agreed. I thought Hapuna was ok for the price (get an afternoon time). Mauna Lani south is by far my favorite. Not too hard, great conditioning, great views. I've played Mauna Kea twice and will skip it next time. Mauna Lani North is pretty decent too, but a few too many holes with big Kiawe trees in the middle of the fairway.

[Georgewang]

Staying at the 4S now, and just played Hualalai. Big letdown. The course does seem fairly pedestrian comapred to the other Hawaii courses I have played (e.g., makai, wailea, Kapalua, etc.). I thought I would be enamored by the volcano rocks, but after a while, it was just a bit meh. THE BIGGEST LETDOWN was the fact taht 9-10 of green were makeshift greens! This was not mentioned to me when I booked tee time (which was 295 dollars). The 2 signature holes were also part of the list as well! Super letdown!!! And, to make matters worse, these makeshift greens were in TERRIBLE condition.

[toddnt]

What good par three, but the maintenance guy was at back of green and totally ruined my shot**. Uugh

[Lexicographer]

Bump.  Well, I booked our condo for March 2021 in January of 2020.  Damn you Covid.  Still holding out hope we can make it. 

 

Plans for this trip are Mauna Lani South, Waikoloa Beach Course (never played, even though it runs right by the condo we stay at), and probably one more.  Might just play Mauna Lani south twice.  Unless any of you have a hookup at Nanea or Kukio (lol!).