Royal Hawaiian Golf Club
Royal Hawaiian Golf Club delivers an 18-hole journey through dense tropical jungle and sweeping island vistas. This public course offers a compelling challenge for accurate players drawn to scenic surroundings and the unique demands of island golf.
Course Overview
Perched amid the vivid greenery of Kailua, Hawaii, Royal Hawaiian Golf Club offers an 18-hole experience that blends adventurous play with a striking natural backdrop. This public course stretches a manageable yardage that invites golfers of varying skill levels, yet rewards precision and thoughtful strategy. It unfolds across a diverse landscape combining dense tropical jungle and open fairways, where the island’s vibrant flora presses close to the edges, challenging players to keep the ball in tight corridors. The front nine weaves through thick jungle terrain, presenting a visual feast that few mainland courses can match. The shifting elevation and the intertwined streams frame several holes with an almost primal sensation of being immersed in untouched nature. These conditions demand accuracy—shots straying from the fairway often disappear, urging golfers to stay patient and pick their moments carefully.
As the round progresses, the back nine opens into lighter vegetation and gently rolling terrain. While less dramatic, these holes provide a steadier challenge with well-positioned bunkers and firm, undulating greens. The course’s overall design maintains a balance between offering scenic variety and compelling shot-making opportunities, making it an engaging test for intermediate and advanced players willing to embrace its quirks.
Royal Hawaiian Golf Club stands apart for its setting as much as its play. The humid island air, frequent breezes, and sounds of local wildlife create an atmosphere that transports visitors away from ordinary golf. However, the tropical environment’s influence is undeniable, with certain maintenance challenges affecting turf conditions, particularly after rain. Bringing ample golf balls is a practical necessity as dense rough and jungle brush ensure lost shots are common.
The clubhouse provides a welcoming hub for players, stocked with essentials and friendly staff who enhance the experience. Golf carts with GPS are available, though walking can be demanding given the terrain. Visitors should prepare for a round that combines Maui-like beauty with a test of patience and precision. For players seeking a memorable tropical course with a mix of natural beauty and golfing challenge, Royal Hawaiian Golf Club is an opportunity to engage closely with Hawaii’s lush landscape.
Course Highlights
The course is defined by its front nine's jungle-lined fairways and dramatic elevation shifts, offering a sensory-rich environment reminiscent of a tropical rainforest. The back nine relaxes into more open rolling terrain with strategically placed bunkers and firm greens. The combination of natural Hawaiian flora and water features creates a distinct island golfing experience. GPS-equipped carts are available, assisting navigation through the course’s varied layout.
Frequently Asked Questions
Guest Reviews
A1 Tee Off
This place is great!! The front 9 is the most amazing views I’ve ever golfed on. The back 9 still has great views just not as magical as the front. The course is in really good shape. I am not sure on the reviews that have said it’s a bad course in terrible shape. I’m by no means a high level golfer but I do play every week and am part of a weekly league. I would play this course again and again. Highly recommend. You will not be mad. Take a handful of balls above your handicap and you will loose quite a few.
Chasing Daylight Podcast
Played the course on June 27th of 2025. It was an absolutely perfect day. Just slightly breezy, no rain, and not too hot. Once you get on the property and pass the main sign for the course, the guessing game of where to go begins. Haha. What looks like a maintenance lot is actually the parking lot. I overheard a group say they were late because they drove past the parking lot and were waiting for someone to help them, where it looks like you should go. So make sure you hit that first lot. The Pro Shop is small but spacious, and it offers a nice variety of apparel items—even some Flat Bill hats! However, the golf ball selection was not good. They only had Srixon and sleeves of TaylorMade Tour Response, so make sure to bring some balls if you’re not keen on playing those. The staff was terrific. The gentleman who checked me in was in fantastic spirits; you could tell he loved his job! That’s always nice to see. Danny, the Starter, does a fantastic job explaining the layout and how your adventure will get started. The carts are good, too! The GPS on them helped out a ton, as I didn’t bring my bag with me, so I didn’t have my rangefinder. OK, let's go on to why you’re here. I’ll start by saying this: the fact that they were even able to build a course on this property is remarkable. The elevation changes on the front, along with the jungle brush, streams, and wildlife, are truly spectacular. However, it's difficult to keep the course in good shape because of its location and the amount of rain it gets. The fairways were a mess—arguably some of the worst conditions I’ve played on in a long time. Toss in a cart path only on the front for a track that is not walking-friendly, and it just adds to the dismay. The greens were firm, but they too were not in great shape. Better than the fairways, but still not good. The bunkers I played out of were not good. The sand was too thin, and sand is certainly needed with some of the shots you have to pull off. Well, let me say if there was good sand in them, you would be able to pull off some cool shots. Without it, though, it was just blah, cause you could only do one thing and chip it out. The front nine is visually stunning, but the back nine, not so much. But the landscape they had to work with wasn’t as impressive, so it's easy to see why it pales in comparison. Overall, I think the layout is fun, and if you’re not a conditions snob, you’ll have a good time. Make sure to bring some balls with you. If you're off the fairway, there is very little to no chance you'll find your ball. Hell, I even lost one in the rough. For the $180 visitor rate, you certainly can find a course with better conditions, but it would be difficult to match the views and fun you’ll have. It’s one of those courses you need to play to experience, but I think it’s one and done for me. Matt
Diana L
The Royal Hawaiian Golf Course is the most stunningly beautiful golf course I have ever seen, and is also fun and challenging. The fairways and greens are well kept, and unsurprisingly surrounded by lush plant life. All of the staff are welcoming, courteous, and helpful. I will definitely be back to play this course again.
Gary Turner
A challenging course in a rain forest. A lot of fun but take a lot balls.
Oscar López
OVERPRICED AND THEY SCAM YOU The course charges tourist rates that suggest a championship-level layout, but what you get is something closer to a poorly maintained municipal track. Fairways were patchy, bunkers were unkept, and several greens were in rough shape. Not what you’d expect for $250+ a round. Rental clubs were outdated and mismatched. Cart fees and add-ons were excessive, and the staff seemed more focused on upselling than hospitality.
A1 Tee Off
This place is great!! The front 9 is the most amazing views I’ve ever golfed on. The back 9 still has great views just not as magical as the front. The course is in really good shape. I am not sure on the reviews that have said it’s a bad course in terrible shape. I’m by no means a high level golfer but I do play every week and am part of a weekly league. I would play this course again and again. Highly recommend. You will not be mad. Take a handful of balls above your handicap and you will loose quite a few.
brent kinder
i had a great time playing here, even though I was way off my game and could not hit my rental clubs at all. would love to try it again with my own clubs. lost a lot of balls, do not get off the fairway, your ball will vanish. stay conservative, play the whites if you're not a magician, get some deals on GolfNow to lower the rates. rental clubs again, not my bag, the putter was especially terrible. gorgeous scenery.
TC Krueger
I love this course, one of my favorites!
Dusty Ledbetter
Love the scenery of this course. Feel like I was in Jurassic Park on the front nine. Like others have said... if it's off the fairway, count it as gone so plan accordingly. Course is shorter but winds still made it challenging. Fun course. Staff was great and fun.
Patrick
Epic golf course and amazing views, a must play if you’re in town for sure. The front 9 is all in the jungle with very beautiful scenic views and greenery everywhere. The rough is not maintained well or trimmed so any stray balls are likely lost, be sure to keep extra balls, At least 1 per handicap point. If you’re in the fairway and fairly accurate it’s not that difficult of a course, pretty short overall. Definitely more of a scenic round and enjoying the nature for sure. Still a lot of challenging holes and shots though. Definitely do not recommend for beginners unless you’re ok with losing a lot of balls or just want to see the views.
Book Your Round
Experience one of golf's most legendary courses
Direct booking • No commissions
Course Details
Access & Location
770 Auloa Rd, Kailua, HI 96734, USA
Royal Hawaiian Golf Clubhouse
Walking is possible but challenging due to elevation changes and dense terrain; sturdy golf shoes recommended
Open daily with advance tee time reservation recommended, especially during peak seasons
Nearby Courses
