Oahu - Klipper, Hawaii Prince, Turtle Bay Palmer and Fazio, Makaha

FourUnder · February 7, 2015

Played 5 rounds on a recent trip and thought I would share some feedback for anyone Deciding where to play.

Hawaii Prince - Played the A and C nines so didn't see B. Very flat course with some rolling mounds built in. A had quite a bit of water and was nicer than C in my opinion. Decent course, but wouldn't play here again over playing a different course in the area like Ewa Beach.

Klipper - This course is on the Marine Base at Kaneohe Bay. Civilians can play by calling five days in advance and giving your social security number. You can call back the next day for a tee time if you are not a single. Singles have to walk on. Give yourself extra time to get through the entry gate and guest pass area. Front 9 is average, not bad but nothing memorable. #10 and #11 have greens with serious slope. #12 climbs the dunes and #13 is where this course gets fun. #13 is one of the best holes I've ever played. Easily fits in with Pebble Beach #9 and #10. #14 and #15 are fun as well. This course is a great value for ~$60 but be prepared for slow play. They allow 5somes.

Makaha Valley CC - $55 with a cart. Nice location between two large cliffs but the only reason to play this course is if you are staying on the northern part of the west side and don't want to drive to southwest Oahu to play. Not in great shape, seemed to have various types of grass in the fairways/greens, and a number of holes with elevated tees and greens but the fairway is much lower which I'm not a fan of.

Turtle Bay Fazio - Best golf deal I've ever seen while traveling. If you're staying at TB you can walk Fazio for $15 after 3pm. Check in early and they may send you if no one else has tee times from 2:30-3:00. This course isn't nearly as nice as the Palmer but I still enjoyed it. #2 and #11 are nice par 3s and the condition of the course was pretty good. Drive-able par 4 on the back has a brutally small green. I would not pay the morning price for the Fazio which is $115 but $60 with a cart after 2pm or $15 to walk after 3pm are both well worth it.

Turtle Bay Palmer - Disclaimer: I really enjoy the use of water hazards on golf courses as long as it isn't unreasonable or unfair. With that said, I really enjoyed TB and would put it on the same level or maybe higher than Mauna Kea on the Big Island. Nothing on TB rivals the 3rd hole at Mauna Kea but the rest of the course is arguably better. The majority of holes have water that can come into play. #17 is the only time you get close to the ocean which is surprising because of the proximity of the coast line. I paid $90 with a cart after 2pm. Wind was blowing early in the morning so there was no point to pay more to play early. This course is really difficult with a 15-20 mph wind but I would pay $90 to play it again in a heartbeat. If I ever come back to Oahu, I'd consider the 3 day unlimited golf package at TB for $250.

Hope this helps someone else who is planning a trip.

ateupwithgolf · April 23, 2015

[quote name='FourUnder' timestamp='1423367261' post='10909291']
Played 5 rounds on a recent trip and thought I would share some feedback for anyone Deciding where to play.

Hawaii Prince - Played the A and C nines so didn't see B. Very flat course with some rolling mounds built in. A had quite a bit of water and was nicer than C in my opinion. Decent course, but wouldn't play here again over playing a different course in the area like Ewa Beach.

Klipper - This course is on the Marine Base at Kaneohe Bay. Civilians can play by calling five days in advance and giving your social security number. You can call back the next day for a tee time if you are not a single. Singles have to walk on. Give yourself extra time to get through the entry gate and guest pass area. Front 9 is average, not bad but nothing memorable. #10 and #11 have greens with serious slope. #12 climbs the dunes and #13 is where this course gets fun. #13 is one of the best holes I've ever played. Easily fits in with Pebble Beach #9 and #10. #14 and #15 are fun as well. This course is a great value for ~$60 but be prepared for slow play. They allow 5somes.

Makaha Valley CC - $55 with a cart. Nice location between two large cliffs but the only reason to play this course is if you are staying on the northern part of the west side and don't want to drive to southwest Oahu to play. Not in great shape, seemed to have various types of grass in the fairways/greens, and a number of holes with elevated tees and greens but the fairway is much lower which I'm not a fan of.

Turtle Bay Fazio - Best golf deal I've ever seen while traveling. If you're staying at TB you can walk Fazio for $15 after 3pm. Check in early and they may send you if no one else has tee times from 2:30-3:00. This course isn't nearly as nice as the Palmer but I still enjoyed it. #2 and #11 are nice par 3s and the condition of the course was pretty good. Drive-able par 4 on the back has a brutally small green. I would not pay the morning price for the Fazio which is $115 but $60 with a cart after 2pm or $15 to walk after 3pm are both well worth it.

Turtle Bay Palmer - Disclaimer: I really enjoy the use of water hazards on golf courses as long as it isn't unreasonable or unfair. With that said, I really enjoyed TB and would put it on the same level or maybe higher than Mauna Kea on the Big Island. Nothing on TB rivals the 3rd hole at Mauna Kea but the rest of the course is arguably better. The majority of holes have water that can come into play. #17 is the only time you get close to the ocean which is surprising because of the proximity of the coast line. I paid $90 with a cart after 2pm. Wind was blowing early in the morning so there was no point to pay more to play early. This course is really difficult with a 15-20 mph wind but I would pay $90 to play it again in a heartbeat. If I ever come back to Oahu, I'd consider the 3 day unlimited golf package at TB for $250.

Hope this helps someone else who is planning a trip.
[/quote]

+1 thanks man!
Staying at Turtle Bay for 4 days in July, then hoping over to Maui for another 4 to play Kapalua. Want to add at least 2 more rounds but havent' decided what would be the best.

bmaas03 · June 4, 2015

[quote name='ateupwithgolf' timestamp='1429816575' post='11426959']

+1 thanks man!
Staying at Turtle Bay for 4 days in July, then hoping over to Maui for another 4 to play Kapalua. Want to add at least 2 more rounds but havent' decided what would be the best.
[/quote]

Take the boat from Maui to Lanai and play Manele Bay. You'll pay for it, but it is the most spectacularly scenic course in Hawaii, in my opinion. And it doesn't get very busy, so you can get a 2nd 18 in if you get the right tee time and travel schedule.

BVIChester · November 19, 2015

Am looking to play Luana Hills and Ko'olau when i go out in a couple of weeks. Seem like a good plan?

Random question too but can anyone recommend a driver service that a group of us could use for a couple of days.

bmaas03 · November 29, 2015

[quote name='BVIChester' timestamp='1447919640' post='12618560']
Am looking to play Luana Hills and Ko'olau when i go out in a couple of weeks. Seem like a good plan?

Random question too but can anyone recommend a driver service that a group of us could use for a couple of days.
[/quote]

Luana Hills has been a mess for awhile. I'd try to ask around a bit about the course condition before you decide to play there.
Uber is pretty convenient if you're staying in Honolulu. That could be a decent option for you.

BVIChester · December 6, 2015

Ended up only managing to get out one day and that was toe Royal Hawaiian/Luana Hills. Course wasnt in great nick due to heavy rain previously meaning lots of mud balls but was drying out.

Whilst the condition wasnt great the views the course affords are specatucular and worth it just for that.

i ended up using Eric at www.higolfguide.com who i would recommend and use again. Picked us up and waited whilst we played and then took us back again at a v reasonable price and was a nice guy