Mauna Kea Golf Course

About
With Mauna Kea Golf Course, Robert Trent Jones Sr. transformed what was seemingly a barren lava field into what is now one of Hawaii's most popular courses. The challenging layout has holes that play right along the sea as well as over 300 feet above. The course tumbles across seaside cliffs, offering views of the beautiful Kohala Coast. The elevated, undulating greens and prevailing coastal winds demand accuracy. On blustery days 200 yards could feel like 1,000 yards. There are also more than 100 bunkers strategically placed throughout. Mauna Kea Golf Course's signature third hole is the course's most well known by far. This legendary par 3 requires a dramatic carry across a rocky shoreline, sprinkled with nooks and crannies that are filled with hundreds of lost golf balls. To prepare for this demanding course, golfers can warm-up on the driving range and putting green.
Tee | Par | Length | Rating | Slope |
---|---|---|---|---|
Championship | 72 | 7370 yards | 76.6 | 144 |
Tournament | 72 | 6806 yards | 73.6 | 140 |
Resort | 72 | 6358 yards | 71.4 | 138 |
Composite | 72 | 5798 yards | 69.2 | 133 |
Composite (W) | 72 | 5798 yards | 75.7 | 132 |
Forward | 72 | 5096 yards | 66.0 | 122 |
Forward (W) | 72 | 5096 yards | 71.3 | 124 |
Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Championship M: 76.8/143 W: 84.5/155 | 374 | 380 | 272 | 438 | 600 | 338 | 218 | 547 | 430 | 3597 | 567 | 250 | 392 | 374 | 425 | 211 | 484 | 620 | 450 | 3773 | 7370 |
Tournament M: 74.0/140 W: 81.1/152 | 374 | 357 | 205 | 385 | 560 | 338 | 198 | 526 | 375 | 3318 | 534 | 214 | 373 | 337 | 425 | 188 | 425 | 561 | 431 | 3488 | 6806 |
Resort M: 71.9/137 W: 78.9/147 | 353 | 336 | 179 | 357 | 518 | 315 | 188 | 493 | 342 | 3081 | 509 | 206 | 340 | 326 | 405 | 171 | 397 | 538 | 385 | 3277 | 6358 |
Composite M: 69.3/127 W: 75.5/139 | 347 | 305 | 145 | 348 | 453 | 284 | 169 | 485 | 305 | 2841 | 463 | 191 | 332 | 270 | 324 | 163 | 390 | 493 | 363 | 2989 | 5830 |
Forward/Composite W: 71.2/128 | 325 | 223 | 145 | 274 | 372 | 267 | 142 | 446 | 287 | 2481 | 428 | 173 | 287 | 264 | 305 | 111 | 290 | 465 | 314 | 2637 | 5118 |
Forward M: 66.1/118 W: 71.1/125 | 325 | 223 | 108 | 274 | 372 | 267 | 142 | 446 | 287 | 2444 | 428 | 173 | 287 | 264 | 305 | 111 | 290 | 465 | 314 | 2637 | 5081 |
Handicap | 7 | 11 | 13 | 1 | 3 | 17 | 15 | 5 | 9 | 2 | 10 | 12 | 18 | 4 | 16 | 6 | 8 | 14 | |||
Par | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 36 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 36 | 72 |
Handicap (W) | 5 | 11 | 15 | 13 | 3 | 7 | 17 | 1 | 9 | 2 | 16 | 6 | 12 | 10 | 18 | 14 | 4 | 8 |
Course Details
Rentals/Services
Practice/Instruction
Policies
Food & Beverage
Bar, RestaurantAvailable Facilities
Clubhouse, Conference Facilities, Banquet Facilities, Showers, Locker RoomsReviews
Reviewer Photos
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#11 Photo submitted by u631207672 on 07/08/2023
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Photo submitted by u382536859 on 05/28/2023
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#1 approach Photo submitted by u000001012847 on 05/02/2023
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Photo submitted by u000001012847 on 05/02/2023
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#3 Photo submitted by u000001012847 on 05/02/2023
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Photo submitted by u000001012847 on 05/02/2023
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Photo submitted by u000001012847 on 05/02/2023
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Photo submitted by u000001012847 on 05/02/2023
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Photo submitted by u314162579973 on 04/30/2023
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Photo submitted by jampete23 on 03/21/2023
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Photo submitted by jampete23 on 03/21/2023
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Photo submitted by u314163738234 on 03/09/2023
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Photo submitted by Dale2537591 on 02/06/2023
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Photo submitted by Dale2537591 on 02/06/2023
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Photo submitted by Dale2537591 on 02/06/2023
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Photo submitted by u000003222065 on 01/08/2023
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Historic 3rd hole Photo submitted by jtfred on 01/07/2023
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Photo submitted by jtfred on 01/07/2023
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Photo submitted by u837832471 on 01/02/2023
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Photo submitted by u038848048 on 12/24/2022
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Photo submitted by u038848048 on 12/24/2022
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11th green Photo submitted by WinterGolfTrip on 12/01/2022
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11th hole Photo submitted by u879676728 on 11/13/2022
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Challenging Par 3 Photo submitted by Steveabdo on 05/17/2022
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Photo submitted by u314161182673 on 04/27/2022
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3rd hole Photo submitted by statexe on 04/05/2022
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2nd hole Photo submitted by Smorrical on 03/27/2022
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Photo submitted by u1623910650 on 03/09/2022
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Photo submitted by u314162513180 on 03/04/2022
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Photo submitted by chrischatten on 02/18/2022
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Photo submitted by RTellmann on 02/09/2022
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Photo submitted by u314162438099 on 02/01/2022
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Photo submitted by u314161116901 on 01/25/2022
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Photo submitted by u314161116901 on 01/25/2022
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Photo submitted by jensen2741 on 01/23/2022
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Signature Par 3 Photo submitted by stevemyerson on 01/21/2022
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Photo submitted by uIOSF3652IO on 01/07/2022
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bliss Photo submitted by jendever on 12/03/2021
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Hole 3 play from the tips to hit over the ocean. Photo submitted by jimm462 on 11/22/2021
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Third hole Photo submitted by beckm8 on 10/10/2021
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Photo submitted by u314161667674 on 09/03/2021
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3rd hole. Par 3 210 yards all carry. Photo submitted by Edward7169256 on 07/16/2021
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#11 Par 3 214 yards Photo submitted by VL1009 on 03/31/2021
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Photo submitted by paulboyf on 03/25/2021
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Beautiful scenery on some of the holes! Photo submitted by u314161181557 on 03/09/2021
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Photo submitted by Snaphook417 on 01/29/2020
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The third hole at Mauna Kea plays over an ocean cliff. Photo submitted by JasonDeeganGA on 01/28/2014
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The signature 3rd hole. Photo submitted by u000001952421 on 02/18/2013
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Photo submitted by climbr17 on 12/02/2012
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.
Great course
Enjoyed playing this course. Nicest public course on the Big Island. A little pricey, but worth playing once.
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…
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.
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.
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!!!
Beautiful setting.
Not in the best of condition.
Too expensive.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!!
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!
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.
Most seanic golf course in Hawaii
It's a second shot golf course. Elevated greens and bunkering makes this a challenging golf course.