First Hawaii Trip

[ilikegolf26]

Going to be in Honolulu for 5 days and Kona for 5 days end of February to first week of March.  Plan to play one round on each island. Right now I’m planning Royal Hawaiian while in Honolulu and either Hapuna or Mauna Lani South while in Kona. Any feedback on these or if I should consider any others. I don’t have a club pro that can get me on anything private. 

[Lexicographer]

If cost is not an issue, I would definitely play Mauna Lani South over Hapuna.  I do like Hapuna, though.  The other course on the Big Island to consider is Mauna Kea.  Very good, but significantly harder than Mauna Lani.  Manua Lani North is also good, but I would rather play South.

[tad950]

The back 9 of Royal Hawaiian makes you feel like you’re in Jurassic Park. Because it’s on the Windward Side, rain showers do pop up. 
 

Mauna Lani South is pure resort golf. The North Course is more challenging, but not as scenic. Hapuna is nice, but I would avoid it if the weather forecast calls for strong winds.

 

Hualalai is very good, but you might have to stay there to play there. Doesn’t hurt to ask though.

 

I used to play the King’s Course at Waikoloa a lot. But they closed 9 holes down, and made it a 27 hole complex.  It I don’t know how they divided up the 9’s. The course itself is fine….but a lot of condos.

[ilikegolf26]

Thanks for the feedback. When you say it’s typical resort golf you mean it’s wide fairways and relatively easy? Are the views good? Possibly of the ocean?

[Lexicographer]

1 hour ago, ilikegolf26 said:

Thanks for the feedback. When you say it’s typical resort golf you mean it’s wide fairways and relatively easy? Are the views good? Possibly of the ocean?

Yes, Mauna Lani South is relatively easy.  And very good ocean shot.

 

[tad950]

3 hours ago, ilikegolf26 said:

Thanks for the feedback. When you say it’s typical resort golf you mean it’s wide fairways and relatively easy? Are the views good? Possibly of the ocean?

As Lexicographer said, Mauna Lani South won’t beat you up. Unlike my favorite course on the Big Island, Mauna Kea. Wind is almost always a factor in Hawaii. So any course can become hard to manage. To me, resort golf means generous fairways, palm trees, and Bluetooth on the carts. And some ocean views.

[aloha b.]

Though I've given up golf, I still come on this site once in awhile, this past Christmas we were on Hawaii Island and our condo overlooked the signature 15th at Mauna Lani South and this was the first time that I didn't golf at all. Like tad950 said it won't beat you up and I've played this course many times and usually there's not too many golfers on the course. Besides Mauna Lani, South I like Mauna Kea, Hualalai, Mauna Lani Norh,  Hapuna and even Waikoloa Village. Here's some pictures of South course. The last picture is the signature 15th from the tips at ~196 yds.

 

Edited January 28, 2023 by aloha b.

[CAT GOLFER]

I agree with the sentiments about Mauna Kea, it is hilly and there are a bunch of blind shots. I would have scored better if I knew what lines and what clubs to use.  It’s not hard, it’s just challenging and the bunkers take getting used to.  Can’t beat the views, many ocean holes.

[Bumbershoot]

On 1/26/2023 at 7:58 PM, tad950 said:

I used to play the King’s Course at Waikoloa a lot. But they closed 9 holes down, and made it a 27 hole complex.  It I don’t know how they divided up the 9’s. The course itself is fine….but a lot of condos.

The back nine of the King's Course has been closed for a couple of years, but they're still mowing/watering it.  I suspect that Covid slowed the development down.  Both nines of the Beach Course are open, and you can play the three nines in any combination.  It's kind of a crappy arraignment, as if you get an early tee time, you can roar around the front nine, then come to a screeching halt on your back nine, as the casual golfers have had time have their coffee and get to the course.

[ilikegolf26]

Playing Hapuna and  Mauna Lani South on the Big Island. 
 

Still deciding where to play around Honolulu. Was thinking Royal Hawaiian but they seem to have a million restrictions in place like you have to drive to the course only with people you’re playing with and other silly stuff. Is this actually still in place or have they just not changed their disclaimer on their site when you go to book? Anywhere else you’d recommend in Oahu? I’m thinking either Turtle Bay Palmer or Ko’Olina. 

 

Course Message­

The following restrictions will be in place until further notice:

Tee times will be at 20 min intervals with only 4 players allowed per group and no riders/spectators. No Car Pooling to the golf course (unless you live in the same house). 1 Player per cart, Juniors who do not drive or cannot drive will be allowed to ride with a parent. Royal Hawaiian GC will be a "Self Service" type operation. No bag drop service, club cleaning, towel service. All golfers are to handle their own equipment. Masks will be required when checking in and the staging area. Credit card payment only and all golfers must remove their own trash from the golf cart when done with round.

 

Edited February 21, 2023 by ilikegolf26