Mauna Kea Golf Course
Mauna Kea Golf Course offers an 18-hole championship layout that artfully combines coastal beauty with thoughtful design. With ocean vistas and a signature par-3 over water, it provides a rewarding test for all skill levels in an exceptional island setting.
Course Overview
Mauna Kea Golf Course stands as one of the premier golf destinations on Hawaii’s Big Island, offering an 18-hole championship layout that gracefully weaves through rolling hills and coastal terrain. This semi-private course invites players of varying abilities to engage with its meticulously maintained fairways framed by native vegetation and framed by panoramic ocean views that shift with the sun’s path. The course balances strategic challenge with accessible playability, making it appealing to both seasoned golfers seeking precision and those looking to enjoy a memorable round in a spectacular setting.
Designed to take advantage of its natural surroundings, Mauna Kea’s layout features generous fairways complemented by well-placed bunkers and fast, receptive greens that reward thoughtful shot-making. One of the course’s standout features is the signature par-3 hole perched over open water, where the wind adds an unpredictable element that tests tempo and club selection. The gentle elevation changes throughout offer vantage points that reveal sweeping vistas of the Pacific Ocean and, on clear days, the distant silhouette of Maui.
Complementing the course, the Mauna Kea Resort provides a range of amenities including a driving range, putting greens, and rental clubs that ensure golfers come prepared without extra hassle. The clubhouse offers a welcoming atmosphere with access to dining and relaxation spaces, perfect for recounting the day’s play. Nearby, accommodations range from well-appointed residences to resort lodging, allowing for an immersive golf vacation.
For players planning a visit, it’s advisable to bring shoes suited for walking if you prefer to navigate the course on foot, as the terrain varies between smooth slopes and more rugged coastal stretches. The course is known for its excellent conditioning year-round, although Hawai‘i’s trade winds between spring and summer months present an added challenge that requires adaptive strategy.
Whether driven by the lure of ocean views or the challenging yet fair test of golf presented, Mauna Kea Golf Course remains a must-play for anyone visiting Hawaii’s Big Island with an appreciation for quality golf intertwined with natural beauty.
Course Highlights
The course features a signature par-3 that requires a precise carry over open water, expansive ocean vistas across multiple holes, and a layout that integrates coastal wind elements and elevation shifts to challenge golfers without sacrificing approachability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Guest Reviews
Gregory Gibson
What a beautiful course! The fairways and greens were absolutely immaculate; if only my golf game with this superb! The highlight of the round was the gorgeous Par 3, that had to carry over open water - such a challenging hole with a stunning view. Loved my visit and experience here.
Clinton Stumpf
Mauna Kea Golf is a beautiful golf course with excellent conditions and great views of the ocean. The course is expensive but it still worth it.
Kristopher L
I've had better service at every Oahu Municipal course. The Kama'aina rate was said to be $125 over the phone, but the day of we were charged $185. Non-residents pay an eye watering $325. For that, you get zero service. I mean, none. After we paid, we walked out to the cart the bell desk brought our bags to. No starter, no hey welcome driving range is that way, nothing. We found the range by following some "club members," but there were no extra stalls set up for us, no bag stands, no balls. The lounge was "club members only" with a card swipe and no staff. With no snack window or restaurant, we were stuck with the 2 water bottles pre placed in the cart cooler that we also had to discover. The beer cart zipped passed us at the starter area without asking if we needed anything to start, but she did catch us 3-4 times throughout the round. As a member of an actual private country club on Oahu, I'd honestly be even more disgruntled as a member there than as a guest. The course is beautiful, but there are no hole markers. Almost drove past the first set of tee boxes. For this kind of money, they really need to offer more than a beer cart with a short list of options. Maybe hire some staff. I read on another review that they will give you an engraved bag tag at the end of your round. We had to ask, then had to ask for it to be engraved. Staff seemed like it was a bother. This place needs a serious restructure of staff. Just a few conversations, people able and willing to provide customer service, and this would have been a drastically better experience
Y.C Friedman
Mike Slavin
Worth every penny. Rented brand new Taylormade clubs (with stickers still on them) for $75. They provide 2 sleeves for balls. Driving range is well maintained and great to get used to the rentals. Make sure you ask for your complimentary bag tag after your round. They’ll engrave it in the back. Course was well maintained in early May when I played. Staff were all very helpful.
Ran Ran
I came here after the renovation was completed. The annoying bunkers were gone, and the bunkers that were so deep that it was a mystery how you could get out had been made shallower. This is a course that gives you just the right amount of resort feel. It's not exactly gentle!
Cole Schneeweis
One of the best courses you can play on the Big Island of Hawaii. Great views throughout the whole course. Awesome rentals clubs at a low price. The course had a great driving range, putting practice greens, and golf carts. Overall a great experience well worth the price.
L P
The residences at the Mauna Kea Resort on the Big Island, Hawaii is beautiful, are fully furnished with two or three bedroom rental townhomes. We found our stays there to be like home with every amenity you might need. Bathrooms are spacious with lux towels, hair dryers, lotions and shampoo’s. The kitchen just needs your cooking skills and food with comfortable outdoor furnishings and barbecue as well. They are situated within the golf course and are built on rolling hills where the vast views of the ocean and Maui off to the right are breathtaking. Although the golf course runs through the neighborhood, it is quiet, gated with exquisite palm, orange and lemon trees, bougainvillea and oleander eel to always be blooming. This is our third time at Kumulani residences and there rental included golf access, all the amenities at both the Westin and Mauna Kea resort in Kamuela. and are planning to return again soon. Both the beaches at the resorts. They have a resident parrot at the Mauna Kea resort named Mango. Despite the renovations in progress currently (2024 and part of 2025) we were able to access the hotel restaurants, gym and other amenities. The staff are simply the sweetest, always smiling, always with a mahalo. Since it’s about 45 minute drive from Kona north and at least 35 minutes to Waimea further north east, but sure to stop for groceries or gas on your way. However, there is a small market inside Mauna Kea Hotel with limited items, fresh coffee, and sandwiches etc, there are other coffee shops and restaurants which are excellent and the views can’t be beat. We enjoyed the beach and swimming in the ocean and walking the trail between the two resorts which follows along the ocean.
Cole Schneeweis
One of the best courses you can play on the Big Island of Hawaii. Great views throughout the whole course. Awesome rentals clubs at a low price. The course had a great driving range, putting practice greens, and golf carts. Overall a great experience well worth the price.
David Avallone
Book Your Round
Experience one of golf's most legendary courses
Direct booking • No commissions
Course Details
Access & Location
62-100 Mauna Kea Beach Dr, Waimea, HI 96743, USA
Mauna Kea Golf Course Clubhouse offers full-service dining, pro shop, and locker facilities.
Walking is allowed and popular; comfortable golf shoes with grip recommended due to coastal terrain and elevation changes.
Reservations recommended; rental equipment and practice facilities available on site.
Nearby Courses
