Mauna Kea Beach Hotel Golf Course
Kamuela, HI • Public
Courtesy of the club
Courtesy of the club
Courtesy of Mauna Kea Beach Hotel
Mauna Kea Resort
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
100 Greatest: Ranked for 30 years from 1969-'78 and 1985-2004. Highest ranking: No. 62, 1989-'90.
Second 100 Greatest: Ranked from 2013-'14 and since 2017. Highest ranking: No. 136, 2013-'14. 2021-'22 ranking: No. 149.
100 Greatest Public: Ranked since the inaugural edition in 2003. Highest ranking: No. 17, 2003-'04. 2023-'24 ranking: No. 39.
Best in State: Ranked fourth, 2019-'20. Ranked fifth, 2015-'16, 2021-'22, 2023-'24. Ranked sixth, 2011-'14. Ranked seventh, 2017-'18.
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
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Reviews
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
Review
“Mauna Kea seems to be the "original" of the Big Island Courses. While most know of the 3rd hole on the ocean, I found the rest of the course to be well worth the visit. I'd like it better without so many bunkers, but it definitely provides a tough test."
Read More2021
Review
“Some of the prettiest holes in the world within a testing RTJ throw-back design."
Read More2021
Review
“Sure holes #3 and #11 are beautiful and stunning and there are a couple of other well-routed, strategic holes, but good grief are there some terrible holes on this course for a course rated so highly. The second hole is just downright awful. Probably worth playing once to see the "granddaddy" of Hawaiian resort courses, but then never again."
Read More2018
Review
“A must play course on Big Island. Course can be difficult. New bunkers put in by Rees Jones are excessive and much too difficult for resort play."
Read More2018
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