Pali Golf Course
Pali Golf Course in Kaneohe combines diverse elevation changes with dense natural surroundings, offering an approachable yet testing 18-hole municipal layout. Though modest in amenities, its mountain-backed scenery and thoughtful design provide an authentic Hawaiian golf experience.
Course Overview
Pali Golf Course offers a distinctive urban round framed by the lush, verdant slopes of Oahu’s windward side. This 18-hole, municipal course presents a unique blend of natural topography and city accessibility, making it a practical choice for local golfers seeking a spirited test without leaving Kaneohe. The course stretches over challenging terrain marked by frequent elevation changes that test club selection and shot control, with raised tee boxes and greens demanding attention to detail on every approach.
The layout veers away from manicured resort standards, presenting thick fairways dominated by natural lawn grasses that can disguise the line between fairway and rough. This distinctive turf adds an element of unpredictability, especially for shots requiring precision irons, rewarding confident ball-strikers while challenging those still honing their game. Trees and dense tropical vegetation flank many holes, increasing the stakes for accuracy and shot shaping. Unlike courses lined with traditional bunkers on every hole, Pali’s strategic use of natural obstacles and terrain features presents a rugged yet compelling routing.
Greens on the back nine tend to be in better shape, rolling smoother and offering a more consistent putting surface than the front side’s slower, more uneven surfaces. Despite this, golfers report greens that require careful reading, influenced by subtle breaks and elevations consistent with the mountain slopes nearby. The absence of a driving range and restaurant facilities encourages players to come prepared, yet a small putting green and friendly staff with a local aloha spirit create a welcoming environment.
Walking the course is entirely feasible, but given the ups and downs, sturdy footwear is advisable. Golf carts are available, though many players enjoy the fresh air and physical engagement walking provides. While the course may not rival luxury resorts in amenities, it serves as an accessible and honest test of golf in a stunning, natural setting. For those who appreciate a course offering scenic Hawaiian mountain views, challenging yet fair play conditions, and a community-centered atmosphere, Pali Golf Course delivers an experience worth planning into your Oahu itinerary.
Course Highlights
The course is distinguished by its combination of thick, natural fairway grasses and rapid elevation shifts that influence both strategy and shot-making. Unlike golf courses with uniform bunkering, Pali invites play amid dense tropical foliage, creating a rugged challenge enhanced by consistent mountain breezes that affect ball flight. Notably, the back nine greens have undergone more recent maintenance efforts, contributing to a smoother putting surface compared to the variable conditions encountered on the front nine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Guest Reviews
Cindy Pang
Staff so friendly with aloha spirit that exceeds many other muni courses. Well maintained. AND a cart girl with poke bowls, musubi & hot dogs EXCEPT Tues & Wed. Challenging course but beautiful!
Derrick Foote
I really enjoyed the course. I'm not a beginner, but definitely an amateur and found the course fairly challenging but not in a bad way. No beer/food options, but they don't seem to frown on bringing your own cooler. The views are spectacular!
Amelia
If you feel or get lost due to poor signage - Alike (parking attendant) will come for you. He very much gave me the impression and insinuation that I was trying to avoid paying the $15 parking fee for the Likeke Falls Trail public parking lot . Just so you are aware, the trail head is opposite direction of the building / where to pay for the public parking - it’s not on your way out like I thought. There are only two signs that indicate public parking. It’s so confusing that a truck followed behind me because they also didn’t understand where to go. Alike will not allow you to park in the public parking lot if you try to explain that you didn’t know where to go and was looking at the trail head on your AllTrails app.
James Chanho Park
Mike G
Not the best municipal golf course on island. This course is situated next to the mountain, so expect a lot of up and down hills, raised greens or elevated tee boxes. Lots of trees, bushes and straight up forest near a lot of the holes to eat up you golf balls. Ball breaks away from the mountain, even if it looks like it won't. The grass on the whole course is usually long, it is located on the rainy side of the island so the grass probably grows fast. Tee boxes: Most tee boxes have grass, a few are a little bare. The grass look like the typical crab/lawn grass with weeds. When we went, the grass was not very trimmed or neat. Hard to find a good place to tee up. Fairway: The grass is pretty thick for a fairway and is the same as the tee boxes, crab/lawn grass. Hard to tell the difference between faiway and rough. This course has lots of trees on either side of the fairways and some have forest. No faiway bunkers on this course. Rough: Same grass as mentioned before. Some places in the rough will be thicker...good luck. Greens: Holes 1-7 seem to be in bad shape. Looks like weeds are growing in them that are cut down. The greens rass were still longer and played slowed. Holes 8 and on seemed to have been worked on and look and rolled much better. The speed changes and becomes a little faster, but smoother. Greenside bunkers: The bunkers have a little sand in them, but not a lot. I couldn't take a full splash shot, so we to a chipping swing to get out. The surface has sand, but it is hard under it and it's not deep. Some bunkers are deep in height compared to the greens, most are shallow. Amenities: -No driving range -There is a small putting green -No restaurant or snack bar We only come here if we have to, not normally. It's been at least 7 months since we last played here, not much has changed.
JA F
Pleasant setting for a somewhat difficult golf course
Mark Barrientez
This course was beautiful. Staff were friendly. For it being a city owned course, it was in great shape. No complaints. Considering most places on the island are $200 per person, this is a great bargain.
Mike “Mike” Winn
Played here during a company's trip. The layout is nice for weekend golfers. The fairway grass here is really thick. It's challenging to utilize your irons correctly. The greens are terrible on most of the greens. The view is nice.
Mike G
Not the best municipal golf course on island. This course is situated next to the mountain, so expect a lot of up and down hills, raised greens or elevated tee boxes. Lots of trees, bushes and straight up forest near a lot of the holes to eat up you golf balls. Ball breaks away from the mountain, even if it looks like it won't. The grass on the whole course is usually long, it is located on the rainy side of the island so the grass probably grows fast. Tee boxes: Most tee boxes have grass, a few are a little bare. The grass look like the typical crab/lawn grass with weeds. When we went, the grass was not very trimmed or neat. Hard to find a good place to tee up. Fairway: The grass is pretty thick for a fairway and is the same as the tee boxes, crab/lawn grass. Hard to tell the difference between faiway and rough. This course has lots of trees on either side of the fairways and some have forest. No faiway bunkers on this course. Rough: Same grass as mentioned before. Some places in the rough will be thicker...good luck. Greens: Holes 1-7 seem to be in bad shape. Looks like weeds are growing in them that are cut down. The greens rass were still longer and played slowed. Holes 8 and on seemed to have been worked on and look and rolled much better. The speed changes and becomes a little faster, but smoother. Greenside bunkers: The bunkers have a little sand in them, but not a lot. I couldn't take a full splash shot, so we to a chipping swing to get out. The surface has sand, but it is hard under it and it's not deep. Some bunkers are deep in height compared to the greens, most are shallow. Amenities: -No driving range -There is a small putting green -No restaurant or snack bar We only come here if we have to, not normally. It's been at least 7 months since we last played here, not much has changed.
Nate A
Some staff are no good here at this place the Polly Golf Course stolen stuff from me
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Course Details
Access & Location
45-050 Kamehameha Hwy, Kaneohe, HI 96744, USA
Basic clubhouse with check-in and pro shop facilities
Walking is encouraged and manageable with the right footwear due to rolling hills and natural terrain.
Open to the public; no advance tee-time booking required during off-peak hours, but weekends can see higher demand.
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