Representative image Photo: ristok from Helsinki, Finland · CC BY-SA 2.0
Mauna Kea Golf Course
Kohala Coast, Hawaii, United States
18 Holes · Par 72 · Green fees on request · Coastal
— About
About Mauna Kea Golf Course
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Mauna Kea Golf Course is an 18-hole, par 72 resort course on the Kohala Coast of Hawaii's Big Island, part of Mauna Kea Resort. Robert Trent Jones Sr. built it across black lava fields beside the Pacific, and it was the first resort golf course on the island. Elevated greens and ocean views define the round, and the course sits on the same shoreline as the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel.
- It is the only course in the world worked on by Robert Trent Jones Sr., his son Rees Jones and his son Robert Trent Jones Jr.
- The 2024 renovation re-grassed fairways and greens with seashore paspalum and redesigned the bunkers.
- New water-saving measures arrived with that work, including drought-tolerant grass and native landscaping.
- A new pro shop and practice range opened with the reopening, alongside GPS-equipped carts.
History of Mauna Kea Golf Course
Laurance Rockefeller developed the resort on Kauna'oa Bay and hired Robert Trent Jones Sr. to design the course. It was inaugurated in December 1964 with a televised match among Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player. Rees Jones renovated the course in 2008. In 2024 Robert Trent Jones Jr. led an eight-month renovation, and the course reopened the week of Christmas as part of the resort's $200 million overhaul.
Signature holes at Mauna Kea Golf Course
The par-3 3rd is the hole everyone talks about: a tee shot over the Pacific to a kidney-shaped green set at the edge of the lava-rock shoreline, with cliffside views beyond. The 2024 renovation restored it.
When to play Mauna Kea Golf Course
The Kohala Coast is among the driest and sunniest parts of Hawaii, so the course can be played in any month. Wind is the real variable: the coast is breezy and at times very windy, and the trade winds change how the over-water 3rd and the elevated greens play.
Playing Mauna Kea Golf Course: tips
Mauna Kea is a resort course open to the public, with a driving range, putting greens and a pro shop. Reserve a tee time ahead; resort guests can book through the hotel. Plan for the trade winds when choosing clubs.
Visit Mauna Kea Golf Course
62-100 Mauna Kea Beach Drive, Kohala Coast, HI 96743
Kohala Coast, Hawaii, United States
— Facilities
Practical Information
— FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about Mauna Kea Golf Course
Do I need to stay at the hotel to play Mauna Kea?
No. Although it is a resort course, it is open to the public, so you can book a tee time without staying at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel.
How long is Mauna Kea Golf Course?
From the championship tees it plays 7,370 yards at par 72, so there is plenty of length for stronger players, with several shorter tee options.
Where is Mauna Kea Golf Course?
On the Kohala Coast of Hawaii's Big Island, at 62-100 Mauna Kea Beach Drive, next to the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel and Kauna'oa Bay.