Representative image Photo: Ulrich Mayring · CC BY-SA 3.0
Nanea Golf Club
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, United States
18 Holes · Private club — no published green fee; play is by member invitation · Mountain
— About
About Nanea Golf Club
Nanea Golf Club is a private 18-hole course on the west coast of Hawaii's Big Island, about 15 miles north of Kailua-Kona. Scottish architect David McLay Kidd designed it, and it opened in 2003. Charles Schwab and George Roberts developed the club, and it sits on the slopes of Mount Hualalai, where the terrain is classed as mountain golf. The club keeps publicity to a minimum. A pro shop offers cart and club rental.
- The par-3 17th plays toward the Pacific and is the hole reviewers mention most often.
- Native fountain grass ripples through the property and gives definition to the holes without adding penalty.
- A driving range and putting green give guests room to warm up before a round.
- The club also has a restaurant and offers lessons.
History of Nanea Golf Club
Schwab and Roberts wanted a challenging test in the spirit of their favorite courses in Britain and Ireland, and they brought in Kidd to deliver it. The ground was far from ideal for turf, so building the course meant shaping a links-inspired layout on difficult volcanic soil.
Signature holes at Nanea Golf Club
No single hole defines Nanea as much as the ground does. Lava rock runs through the routing, so even the routine shots feel set in a volcanic landscape with the ocean rarely out of view.
When to play Nanea Golf Club
Nanea is private, so the best time to play is whenever a member hosts you. Kona's leeward coast is warm and dry for most of the year, which is why the course is grassed with drought-tolerant turf. Ask your host about the best tee time on the day.
Playing Nanea Golf Club: tips
Access is by member invitation only, and the club does not sell tee times or publish a green fee. Ask your host about carts and walking before you arrive.
— Facilities
Practical Information
— FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about Nanea Golf Club
Can visitors play Nanea?
Only as a member's guest, so ask a member you know to host you.
What grass is used at Nanea?
Paspalum covers the playing surfaces. It is a drought-tolerant grass, which suits a dry leeward coast.
Where should I stay near Nanea?
Kailua-Kona is the nearest town for lodging and dining.