Mauna Lani Golf
Mauna Lani Golf offers an 18-hole experience blending volcanic terrain with lush fairways and ocean glimpses. This parkland-style course challenges precision and strategy amid Hawaii’s striking natural contrasts.
Course Overview
Mauna Lani Golf on Hawaii’s Big Island presents an 18-hole challenge carved into rugged lava flows and rolling terrain, offering an immersive experience that balances natural beauty with strategic design. The North Course unfolds over roughly 6,700 yards of well-kept fairways bordered by volcanic rock, demanding accurate shot placement while rewarding thoughtful course management. Each hole reveals a different facet of the landscape, moving from the contrast of black lava to bright greens, to glimpses of the Pacific stretching toward the horizon.
This course leans toward a parkland style, with wide fairways giving players room to maneuver but guarded by strategically placed bunkers and pockets of native vegetation. The greens vary in contour, featuring subtle to moderate undulations that require careful reading rather than pure power, inviting players to engage their short game fully. The course is approachable enough for mid handicaps seeking a fair test but offers enough complexity to challenge lower handicaps, emphasizing precision over brute distance.
Mauna Lani’s setting is one of contrasts. Lava formations punctuate the course, creating natural hazards, and give the layout a distinct character. A handful of holes near the coast provide panoramic ocean views, especially around the 9th and 10th, where the sound of waves accompanies the round. At times, gentle trade winds add another layer of challenge, tempering your swing tempo and club selection.
The course experience is enhanced by attentive staff who maintain pristine conditions. Tee boxes and fairways are lush and evenly trimmed, while the greens show careful upkeep despite seasonal maintenance. On-course amenities include clean restrooms spaced regularly and frequent beverage service, helping players remain comfortable throughout play.
Practice facilities adjacent to the clubhouse include a well-maintained driving range with mountain and ocean backdrops, along with sizable putting and chipping greens supportive of a thorough warm-up. Rental clubs are available and kept in good shape, providing convenience and quality for visiting golfers.
Mauna Lani Golf strikes a balance between scenic beauty and thoughtful course design delivering a memorable Hawaii golf experience that appeals to a wide range of players, rewarding focus and finesse with every round.
Course Highlights
Distinctive volcanic lava formations line fairways, offering natural hazards that test accuracy. Key holes near the coastline provide sweeping ocean vistas, while fairways are wide but protected by strategic bunkers. The North Course combines parkland elements with island topography, demanding precision and firm course management. Practice facilities include a large driving range and extensive short game areas set against ocean and mountain views.
Frequently Asked Questions
Guest Reviews
Arkady Vestel
Played North Course, 6/29, 720 tee time. Property is absolutely gorgeous and meticulously maintained. Tee boxes, fairways and greens were all perfect. Divots were filled in pretty much everywhere. There is no shortage of beautiful views with rolling hills throughout and perfectly lined and strategically placed volcanic rock. Even though it's not the more scenic south course you still get a couple gorgeous ocean view holes with 9 and 10. Bunkers definitely add to the challenge and are strategically placed and clearly often replenished. Only small complaint was some latter holes on the back 9 still had punched greens from recent maintenance and the loose sand did heavily affect putting. Played as a solo with another solo and 3some in front of me. 3 some graciously let both of us pass by hole 3 and didn't see another soul in front of me until hole 16. Pace of play was great. They offer you complimentary balls, water, towels, tees and came by on the course a few times to see if you needed more water. Didn't use the driving range but appeared to be in good shape with a fantastic view of the mountains as a backdrop. Putting green was great offering numerous undulations for practicing. Rented a set of clubs which were in good condition. Mixed set of Taylormade Sim Irons and QI10 hybrid, woods and driver. Bit pricey for sure for an AM round but well worth the experience.
Tony Tony
Played a tournament here on the south course and really enjoyed the views and course conditions. Pro shop and starters were great, course was in excellent condition. Green were smooth and quick with subtle breaks. Fairways were wide but boarded by lava so don't miss or your ball is gone. Even the driving range is nice with several targets to aim at. Would play again.
Mike G
First off, this is a beautiful course. There are two courses here, a north and south. We played on the north course. It's not the longest course, but you will need to have good ball placement and course management. It is a challenging course, but fun at the same time. Tee boxes: The tee boxes here are nice, full of grass. It's not sandy like some other courses, great to hit off of. Fairways: Fairways are in real good condition. This is where you want to be. The grass is well maintained and nicely cut. There are trees and fairway bunkers, so you will need to look ahead and plan your shots. The fairway bunkers have sand, but not a lot, which is normal in the other courses I have played. There is a lot of OB left and right of the fairways, but it's the Big Island and lava rocks is not where you want to go walking in golf shoes. Rough: The rough can get thick in some areas. The grass feels a bit sticky, so it could grab your face and shut it if you are not careful. It's best to stick to the fairways. Greens: The greens are pretty nice. It did look like they have been aerated and sanded recently, so speed may vary a little on the different greens. There is a good mix of greens with little undulation to ones with more. Nothing super crazy, but you may need to do a little green reading. The greenside bunkers are also nice, not to be in, but there is enough sand to hit a good shot out. They don't have an overabundance of sand where you need to dig it out, so don't swing as if you are going to take a lot of sand. Staff: The staff are great out here. The clubhouse employees were super friendly and helpful. They directed us to where we needed to go to start on the right course. It does get hot here in the summer, and the Marshall continuously visits everyone, handing out bottles of cold water. Amenities: -Driving range - you will need to take a cart to get to the driving range. It is a grass range, and with the round, you get free balls that are located at the range. -Putting and chipping green - The putting and chipping green is next to the clubhouse. The area is pretty big so it can accomodate a good number of people. -Restaurant - there is a restaurant on property, but we did partake this trip.... maybe ext one. -Restrooms on course - you can find a restroom about every 3 or 4 holes, which are kept pretty clean. We had a great experience here! Definitely will be coming back to enjoy the other course.
Richard Deem
We played the south course. It has ocean and mountain views. The fairway is like a carpet and the greens are in great shape.
Arkady Vestel
Played North Course, 6/29, 720 tee time. Property is absolutely gorgeous and meticulously maintained. Tee boxes, fairways and greens were all perfect. Divots were filled in pretty much everywhere. There is no shortage of beautiful views with rolling hills throughout and perfectly lined and strategically placed volcanic rock. Even though it's not the more scenic south course you still get a couple gorgeous ocean view holes with 9 and 10. Bunkers definitely add to the challenge and are strategically placed and clearly often replenished. Only small complaint was some latter holes on the back 9 still had punched greens from recent maintenance and the loose sand did heavily affect putting. Played as a solo with another solo and 3some in front of me. 3 some graciously let both of us pass by hole 3 and didn't see another soul in front of me until hole 16. Pace of play was great. They offer you complimentary balls, water, towels, tees and came by on the course a few times to see if you needed more water. Didn't use the driving range but appeared to be in good shape with a fantastic view of the mountains as a backdrop. Putting green was great offering numerous undulations for practicing. Rented a set of clubs which were in good condition. Mixed set of Taylormade Sim Irons and QI10 hybrid, woods and driver. Bit pricey for sure for an AM round but well worth the experience.
Kirk Brown
I played early on a Tuesday morning. The course was so uncrowded that I went off as a single. I actually finished 18 holes in two hours and 10 minutes! This is my favorite course on the big island. The Taylor Made rental clubs were excellent. The staff was all very friendly and helpful.
Kathy Camburn
John Daly
Played both courses on March 25th. Paid full price for first round and play again price for second round. No military rates, but offered a Junior rate for my highschool aged son. Much appreciated! Both courses were great, beautiful, and in great shape. Will definitely play again whenever I return to the Big Island. I didn't have a favorite between the two courses. I shot a better score on the North, but maybe I was warmed up for the second round. Both courses had some very scenic holes. Especially all of the lava rock, incredible. The holes along the water were breathtaking. Definitely a must play!
Frank Figueredo
Amazing experience. AMAZING! Not cheap but experience is extraordinary.
Kyle Thomas
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Course Details
Access & Location
68-1050 Makaiwa Pl, Waimea, HI 96743, USA
Mauna Lani Golf Clubhouse with pro shop and dining facilities
Walking is permitted and enjoyable; players should wear sturdy shoes due to varied terrain including lava rock edges.
Advanced tee time reservations recommended, especially during peak travel seasons.
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