62-100 Mauna Kea Beach Drive,
Kona-Kohala Coast, Hawaii (Big Island) 96743
The Course:
18 holes. Tree-lined & open parkland. Undulating terrain - several slopes to climb.
Surroundings:
Woodland, open countryside, residential and two spectacular oceanside holes.
Designer:
Original design by Robert Trent Jones Sr (1964); modifications by his sons Robert Trent Jones Jr (1975) and Rees Jones (2008).
20.005562
-155.823126
32 mi N of Kailua-Kona.
Mauna Kea
Mauna Kea Golf Course, located on the northwest coast of Big Island, lies at the very end of the lava field of the volcano Mauna Kea. Here you'll find a championship layout that ranks with some of the best in the Hawaiian Islands. Immediately across the road, and just inland from Mauna Kea is the also enjoyable Hapuna Golf Course.
Laid out amidst rolling rugged terrain, Mauna Kea has benefitted from the sublime design skills of the great Robert Trent Jones Snr, with later modifications added by his son Robert Jr, and a fairly significant revamp after that by Robert Jr's brother Rees. The Jones family have ensured a wonderful test for your all-round game, with many attractive, skilfully crafted and challenging holes to enjoy.
Pick of the holes: the par-3 3rd, played directly alongside the ocean across a small cove, is surely one of the world's most scenic golf holes. A must to include on your Hawaii Island play list.
Stay&Play at Mauna Kea: onsite accommodation available, see Where2Stay section below.
Visitors welcome on weekdays and weekends.
Must book in advance.
Good
Mauna Kea takes its name from one of five impressive volcanoes that formed the island of Hawaii (aka Big Island). Mauna Kea is a dormant volcano, the others are either extinct (Kohala) or active (Hualalai, Mauna Loa and Kilauea). Mauna Kea (the volcano) lies a 50-mile drive inland from the eponymous golf course.
Hawaii's 5th best course (Golf Digest, 2023/24).
USA's 39th best public access course (Golf Digest, 2023).
62-100 Mauna Kea Beach Drive, Kohala Coast, Hawaii 96743.
+1 (808) 882 7222
Visit websiteLocated on the picturesque Kohala Coast, the 260-guest room Mauna Kea Beach Hotel is a luxury Big Island hotel and resort. Laurance S. Rockefeller founded the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel in 1965.
Mauna Kea
Hapuna (2 mi).
Mauna Lanai; Waikoloa Beach; Waikoloa Village; Hualalai; Kukio Makai Beach (private); Nanea (private).
62-100 Kauna'oa Drive, Kohala Coast, HI 96743.
+1 (888) 977 4623 (toll free)
Visit websiteSituated on 32 oceanfront acres, Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel features 350 spacious guest rooms, including 36 oceanfront suites. Each of these luxury accommodations offer ocean-facing views, revealing the long expanse of Hapuna Beach from each private lanai (balcony).
Hapuna
Mauna Kea (2 mi).
Mauna Lanai; Waikoloa Beach; Waikoloa Village; Hualalai; Kukio Makai Beach (private); Nanea (private).
Chevron Championship: Carlton Woods near Houston in Texas provides the stage for the first women’s major championship of 2025, where Nelly Korda defends her title. (April 24-27).
Soudal Open: successor to the Belgian Open, the Soudal Open takes place on the quiet, wooded North course of Rinkven Golfclub. Belgian stars Thomas Pieters and Nicolas Colsaerts will be vying for top honours. (May 22-25).
Rory McIlroy: with his 2025 win in The Masters, Rory joined the pantheon of golfing greats who have achieved a career Grand Slam of men’s majors ... Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods are the only others in this select band.
Bernhard Langer: he may have played in his last Masters Tournament, but the 67-year-old German will be trying to extend his own record, and win a 13th senior major title at the 36th Regions Tradition. (May 15-18).
Marco Simone Golf & Country Club: With a clubhouse that might befit a Roman Emperor, and a golf course to match, you can be sure of a memorable outing at Rome's most talked about golf facility.
Jim Fazio's original layout was much changed to create a modern Ryder Cup course ... now one of the Eternal City's (and Italy's) most revered.
Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.
Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available
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