Mauna Lani Resort Golf

Perhaps one of the top three courses on the island. Excellent track with enough visual stimulation on every hole to keep you challenged, happy, pissed, and rewarded. This course continues to kick my butt and my 6 handicap. Play the North Course where they used to play the skins games years ago. Loved it and will return for another ass whoopin’!

I take my parents to many golf course in all the islands in Hawaii. I normally enjoy warm welcome from all the places I take my parents except here.
Golf course looks beautiful and beautiful club house, but people who works in Mauna Lani club house are very unfriendly.
Because my parents ask me «how much is it to play here? It looks beautiful! We really want to play here!» I told my parents, «Sure!»
There were two people working in there. I asked, «Do you have the list of price to play here?»
Her answer was, «We do not have list but I can tell you. It is expensive. and complicated.» I thought that was a very strange answer. Have I ever receive this kind of answer from any other golf course? Is that because it belongs to «high class Tokyu hotel?» I never receive this kind of service in Tokyu hotel in Japan. Since she gave me very cold answer, I answer back «is that difficult to write down on the piece paper for you?» Then she find out that I can speak English. (unlike other Japanese tourists.) She tried to be nice to me… It is too late. If they are treating differently for people from other country…, that is discrimination. I really hope Tokyu group would do much better education to all their employees.
(We were there November 4^th around 2pm.)

We had a wonderful experience at Mauna Lani. We played the South course and it was in fantastic shape with breathtaking views. We loved their signature hole over the ocean. We had drinks and appetizers in the restaurant and the staff was very friendly and the food was great. We highly recommend playing Mauna Lani south course during your time on the island.

I played the north course about a week after they punched it. They were very up front about it which I appreciated. The greens were in pretty good shape for just a week after aerification. the pro shop, staff, etc. were great. They were pretty casual about start times because it wasn’t very crowded (played ¹⁰⁄₁). The course itself is very interesting and makes you think about your shots. Lots of elevation changes, particularly on the par 3s. Not really very much water on the course (6 holes) considering where it is. I’d definitely play it again (and be a little smarter on some holes ;)

Most beautiful course I have played to date! The course is pristine, fun challenging course. Be sure to ask for specials, for the best rare. Worth the $$$, for sure!

This review is for the bar only, as we weren’t willing to pay $ 170 plus a $ 40 ride along fee so my wife who doesn’t golf could join me for a round. From how dead the course was I have a feeling they do big tournaments and not a whole lot of business otherwise.
Back to the bar the staff was super friendly and seemed happy to give us pointers about the island. The view was great, drinks were appropriately priced, and service from the kitchen was fast. This was one of our daily stops while trolling around the island, and an easy walk to a variety of beaches /​bars /​resorts.

The South course was very pretty.
But we will not return ! We’re from Hilo and the golf shop was so rude! Made us pay $ 40 for auntie to ride with us.
It’s totally for the tourist not for local people.
Hapuna course is much more friendly to locals. Plus better rate :0)

Super expensive, but it was a once in a lifetime experience. We played the South course with the ocean view (only several holes). The greens fees were $ 180; including a cart, club rental $ 55 and shoes were $ 15. The staff was super friendly. The course was not busy and we were able to play in a twosome. I even shot a 90, which was my best score ever. Greens didn’t move a lot, fairways were like turf and the rough was spongy. Very well maintained.

Only played the south course, but man, was it a beauty! The photos for this course do not do the in-​person experience justice. If you ever make it to the big island for golf, this should be your destination!
First off, the service at this place is stellar. I really enjoyed the welcoming environment from every staff member, not just the director (whom I did get to meet, what a nice guy)! My family and I didn’t want to lug our clubs with the rest of our luggage so we rented a few sets. The clubs were in great shape and came with a couple sleeves of balls. At $ 60 a set, I wouldn’t expect less, though.
When we started no one was in front or behind us (although a couple twosomes caught up to us in the middle). Everything on the island is so laid back. No starter, no marshall, you’re probably not going to be paired up even if you’re a single. At times this can be a bad thing, but for the day we were out, it was so relaxing!
As far as the course, it is pretty challenging and long. There are the stunning, over-​the-​water holes that make it seem like a very advanced course, but as long as you’re out to have fun you’ll be fine.
Lastly, I would advise to beware the bugs/​flies. The carts don’t have windshields and I left the 18^th with a few in my hair and face.
Keep swinging.

On second visit the result was terrible, the worst time I had as the North course was jammed with old timers playing slow even though the starter said he left room for the group to move ahead. The crabgrass stinks. We asked to be re routed to another part of the course and that turned our to be another mess. The Marshall did nothing to help. I will never be back to this course again.

Crabgrass on the North course, 2 hours 50 minutes to finish 9 holes (I know this is Hawaii, but give me a break), starter/​Marshall didn’t speed up play, greens were in poor shape (they had just been aerated… of course this needs to happen, but included this because we asked if any work was done to the course and were told no).
I wish we went to any other course on the island…

Played the south course twice and the north course twice while at the Fairmont for a week. Loved the NORTH course. Beautiful and challenging. Staff were friendly and efficient. Can’t wait to go back !!

South course was a gem and will definitely return to play again. Only negative was we had a 7 AM tee time and there was not a place to get a beverage or musubi. We were told that the beverage cart would be waiting at the first tee at 7AM for beverages and then would not start serving food until 9. There was no beverage cart until after 9:30AM. Just not acceptable service for a course with this type of reputation and considering the green fees. The golf however was first rate. Our group played 36-​holes this day and at lunch in the restaurant between rounds. Fabulous way to spend a day with friends.

Amazing views and really nice course.

This golf course is among some of the prettiest and most valuable real-​estate I’ve ever had the pleasure of viewing let alone play on. The few opportunities I have had to stay at this resort were absolute blessings.
Ive been very lucky to stay at a Condo that lines the links, specifically a condo that overlooks the south shore’s hole #15, which is arguably the most striking and impressive over water hole ever, and is probably the most photographed golf hole of all time.
Treat the opportunity to play here with great importance, and make sure to really take in the entirety of this beautiful place.
Both courses are equally challenging. The holes are flanked by sharp lava flow rocks that will devour your ball instantly. Also just as abundant are the salt water hazards.
Two highlights of the courses include North Shore’s signature 17^th par 3 where the player must drop his elevated tee shot down into a lava amphitheater surrounding the green. It is a stunning and challenging landscape.
The other is South Shore’s hole #15 is just an absolute treat. Climb up the rocks to a tee box plateau and drive over the cove! Take your camera with you, because this is also one of the most beautiful spots on the island. I could stand on that box just drooling for hours.
Bottom line: This place should be on any golfers bucket list, its not overrated, and the naturally striking landscape along the Pacific is hypnotizing.

The south course is an amazing, scenic resort style course with ocean views.
The course is in immaculate condition and you have the freedom to drive your cart almost anywhere, something I have never seen prior to this. When I golfed it was CRAZY windy, so you might want to look at the weather prior to deciding when you golf.
The only negatives were the lack of GPS, which is not really acceptable when you pay around $ 150 for a resort style course and the potential slow play of people gawking at the beautiful views.

Played the south course for my first round. Attentive staff. Fantastic driving range and practice greens. They let you pull your carts right up to the range tee box on grass! Very different from east coast u.s.
Forgiving fairways with lava rock danger in just the right places. 2 jaw dropping pacific ocean water holes. Traffic tends to back up here as the Asian golfers take tons of photos. Stereotypical??? Yes, but true.
I played as a single and finished the front 9 in less than 70 minutes. Back 9 had traffic from slow playing older couples.
Still finished the round in 3.25 hours!
Being able to drive the cart anywhere on the course makes the round fly by !!
Spectacular conditions. Generous greens with subtle slopes. A must play!

Few things to note before I go into my review. I played the North course and the major reason that i gave this a ⁴⁄₅ was because the yardage markers on the course were awful and it was extremely frustrating to find out how far away you were.
We got to the course around 7 am, just me and my dad, and our goal was to get done so that he could get back for his meeting by 1030 and they starter and the guy who helped us with our bags promised us we could get done in that amount of time. But the way we play when we are on our own with an open course in front of us is not like most do, i think we usually make our way around the course in 2 and a half house, for example if we both hit shitty well pick a mutual place in the fairway to drop and if we hit shitty again well go to the next hole. Also, case we play a skins game if someone hits it in the water or duffs it the other will concede… or if one player (like I did) pops the ball straight up in the air and it lands in the divot mark and he cant find it since the chunk of grass is laying on top of it… he will concede and hang his head in shame lol. but back to the course.
This has to be one of the most well kept and maintained courses on the island, and whats amazing is that they let you drive all over it, even up to the green if you want, and still the course is perfectly green and virtually no brown marks. also, i don’t know how they do it but they mow the green so that almost every put is straight, or very very little break if any! The course track is beautiful, it cuts up into the mountains and through the laval, and then around hole 8 and 9 it cuts down to the ocean, but every hole is different and poses a different challenge for each type of player. The course really was carved out of the laval and its a cool feature, cause if you stray away to far right or left and the gods are on your side it can save you big time. The par 3’s on this course are a lot of fun too, most are an elevated green and all of them have great backdrops…17, my favorite hole, is a par 3 that is like hitting into a canyon of laval and a perfectly manicured green. Wayne S. put it best, every hole is amazing it its own right and picture worthy.
The only gripe I have about this course is that they only have 1 yardage marker that is easy to see, its a big stole on each hole that reads 150 on it, but there is nothing for 100, 200, 250 anywhere on the course. As for the sprinkler head markers, they are super hard to find and are about the size of a flat baseball, so we spent a majority of our time trying to find them, which any golfer out there can tell you kills any mojo your round has.
Also, i know this may not be a huge deal to someone playing golf, but the snack cart has hot dogs on it, and to top it off they are on Hawaiian sweet bread rolls! I know its a very minor detail, but her when you pair that with a great day of golf, a bag of maui chips, and an arnold palmer… you cant ask for much more in life.
One last thing, whoever designed the course has a very sick sense of humor, on a number of the holes there are big trees about 150 yards away from the green (or to put it better exactly where your drive will go) so if you can avoid it your golden and hope that you partner hits the tree and you can laugh :).

Great course for the price. South course rests along the ocean, and the North course goes toward the inland. South course is fairly straight, but windy. Holes along the ocean are beautiful. Stop and take that memorable picture.
It seems like the architect put more thought in the North course. Most of the holes are surrounded by lava. There are plenty of dog-​legs and elevated greens. It’s much more challenging than the South course, and in my opinion, more fun to play.
The staff is very friendly, and the course is well taken care of.

I’ve played here a number of times and never get tired of playing here. This is the best course I’ve ever played at. The greens and fairways are well kept and offer some of the most scenic holes in the U.S. bar-​none. Playing the South Course is the reason you play golf. Considering the green fees (just north of $ 100/​person) is a bargain when you consider everything you’re getting.
Highly recommend checking the forecast as it is always windy in the afternoons. Better off playing in the morning as to avoid the winds. If you are vacationing on the Big Island, Mauna Lani better be at the top of your list of courses to play at.