Mauna Kea Resort
Courtesy of the club
Courtesy of the club
Courtesy of Mauna Kea Beach Hotel
Mauna Kea Golf Course
Kamuela, HI • Public
Mauna Kea Golf Course
62-100 Mauna Kea Beach Dr
Kamuela, HI 96743-9706
United States
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Overview
The immediate thrill at Mauna Kea is its iconic par-3 third, a daunting tee shot over an ocean cove that’s a great substitute for those unable to gain an invitation to tackle the 16th at Cypress Point. The remaining holes at Mauna Kea are thrilling, too, with constant views of the ocean, awkward lies on sloping fairways and roughs of crunchy lava rock. A decade ago, Rees Jones updated his father’s original work by relocating and redesigning all the bunkers. They now add to Mauna Kea’s beauty.
About
Awards
Ranking history:
100 Greatest Public: Ranked since the inaugural edition in 2003.
Highest ranking: 17th, 2003-'04.
2025-'26 ranking: 39th.
100 Greatest: Ranked for 30 years from 1969-'78 and 1985-2004.
Highest ranking: 62nd, 1989-'90.
Second 100 Greatest: Ranked from 2013-'14 and 2017-2022.
Highest ranking: 136th, 2013-'14.
Best in State: Ranked fourth, 2019-'20. Ranked fifth, 2015-'16, 2021-'26. Ranked sixth, 2011-'14. Ranked seventh, 2017-'18.
2025-'26 ranking (and previous): 5th.
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“Mauna Kea Golf Course is one of the world’s most dramatic intersections of land, ocean, and golf architecture—a volcanic coastal landscape where bold design meets elemental grandeur. Originally crafted by Robert Trent Jones Sr. and later refined with modern sensitivity, the course occupies a shelf of rugged lava flows that descend toward the Pacific, creating a routing defined by contrast: green against black rock, turf against open sea, and strategic nuance against pure visual spectacle."
Read More2025
Review
“Mauna Kea Golf Course is one of the world’s most dramatic intersections of land, ocean, and golf architecture—a volcanic coastal landscape where bold design meets elemental grandeur. Originally crafted by Robert Trent Jones Sr. and later refined with modern sensitivity, the course occupies a shelf of rugged lava flows that descend toward the Pacific, creating a routing defined by contrast: green against black rock, turf against open sea, and strategic nuance against pure visual spectacle."
Read More2025
Review
“Two of the most majestic par 3s I've ever played. The signature #3 which calls for a long carry over an ocean inlet, while #11 is equally stunning, with a long downhill shot with the ocean backing the green. The course is heavy in fun, sunshine, and aloha-vibes."
Read More2025
Review
“Two of the best par 3s in the world, between #3 and #11, showing two different ways to frame a visual element (in this case the ocean). One alongside and partially over the ocean, the other tumbling down the hill with the ocean behind the green."
Read More2025
Review
“Great, picturesque course with views of the mountains and ocean. Must play on the big island."
Read More2023
Review
“Mauna Kea takes complete advantage of the beauty of Hawaii in the routing from mountain to ocean views. The shots to raised greens in several cases frame the mountain in the distance, while the downhill holes finishing each nine make focusing on the shot to be played more difficult with the whales jumping in the distance."
Read More2023
Review
“A classic and must see when visiting the Big Island."
Read More2023
Review
“Beautiful, very challenging course, with plenty of ocean view. Pretty difficult course for a resort course. Nice mixture of holes. Spectacular par 3's over water."
Read More2022
Review
“Old school cool golf in Hawaii. Round starts you off early with the all-world par-3 3rd hole. Make sure you take a peak from the tips before you tee off. That 3rd and the par-3 11th get most of the press, however the meat of this course is the super solid and challenging set of par 4's throughout the course. Plenty of doglegs and well placed bunkering can make for a very challenging round. Still one of the best in the state."
Read More2022
Review
“Dramatic course in terms of both the scenery and terrain with two truly world-class holes (3 and 11). Plenty of other strong ones. Iconic course that should be recognized more for its place in the game's history."
Read More2022
