Perhaps the most relaxed course on the island, the Kahuku Golf Course fits with the theme of the North Shore, mellow, casual, and local style. This 18-hole course is walk only with pull carts and golf clubs available for rent. Located 40 miles from downtown Honolulu and approximately a 75 minute drive from Waikiki hotels, it neighbors the North Shore and Turtle Bay Resort. Here's how relaxed the course really is. You can't make a tee time, just show up and walk. There's no club house, so bring along a sandwich, chips and a drink. It's as casual as can be, but still beautiful, fun and traces the coast line with ocean views. 9-Hole Course Men: 5,398 Yards Par 70 Rating 65.2 Slope 111 Women: 5,398 Yards Par 72 Rating 69.0 Slope 112
Recommended for Golf Courses because: As relaxed as can be, this North Shore course is beautiful, quite and on the ocean.
Jade's expert tip: Experience this course along with the North Shore, and bring a long food and drinks because there's no club house.
Perhaps Olomana Golf Club's claim to fame is that it's the course that helped shape the talents of golfer Michelle Wie. This 18 hole par 72 course is a daily fee course that offers two distinctly different nines. Located on the Windward Side of Oahu, golfers are treated to views of the Ko'olau Mountain range of usually sunny conditions. There are 40 tees available at the double decker driving range to warm up before the game. Those familiar with the course know that the wind can make shots a bit challenging. Available amenities include club rentals, driving range, a pro shop and restaurant. Blue: Yardage: 562 Par: 5 White: Yardage: 533 Par: 5 Red: Yardage: 498 Par: 5
Recommended for Golf Courses because: Two distinctly different nine hole courses make up the Olomana Golf Club on the beautiful Windward Side of the island.
Jade's expert tip: Windy days make these courses extra challenging.
The Hawaii Kai Golf Course is actually home to two courses, the Championship Course and the Executive Course. Designed by William Bell and opened 1973, The Championship Course measures 6,500 yards from the championship tee. Beautiful ocean views can be enjoyed from here, and in clear weather views of Moloka'i are possible. It's known for its wide fairways and well placed bunkers. Those familiar with this course know that wind is a noticeable factor. Golfers who know the course say that there is a tendency to under club on the ten holes which play into the wind. Meanwhile, The Executive Course was designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. and opened 1962. Measuring 2,223 yards, it features a 54 par 3 layout. It's known to require putting and chipping skills and provides a challenge for even very experienced golfers.
Recommended for Golf Courses because: With two courses at one location, the Hawaii Kai Golfers Course offers beautiful sights and options challenge wise.
Jade's expert tip: The Executive Course is known to be the tougher of the two and on the Championship Course it's common to under club on the ten holes.
Known as a good course for intermediate golfers, the West Loch Golf Course is short but challenging 18-hole course. The layout includes a variety of water features like lakes, streams, or the West Loch of Pearl Harbor. Located on Leeward Oahu near Waipahu town, West Loch is about thirty miles from downtown Honolulu and approximately a 45 minute drive from Waikiki hotels. West Loch is a par-72 course with a practice range that often leads to balls landing in the water. The course was designed by Robin Nelson and is known for being well maintained, especially for a municipal course. Men: 6,335 Yards Par 72 Rating 67.8 Slope 119 Women: 5,018 Yards Par 72 Rating 68.6 Slope 117
Recommended for Golf Courses because: With beautiful water elements throughout, this course is well maintained, fun and away from busy Waikiki.
Jade's expert tip: This a convenient course for visitors staying at resorts on the Leeward Coast looking to avoid the bustle of Honolulu.
The 18-hole Pali Municipal Golf Course is located on the Windward Side of Oahu, and measures 250 acres below the beautiful Pali Lookout and offers views of the lush Ko'olau Mountain Range. Although it's revered as a good course for beginners and intermediate golfers, it's a bit hilly, which makes it a tough course. It was designed by Willard Wilkinson and opened in 1954. Because it's located just seven miles from downtown Honolulu and approximately 30 minutes from Waikiki hotels, it's easily accessible for visitors staying in Waikiki. It offers a par 72 for men and 74 for women. 18-Hole Course Men: 6,524 Yards Par 72 Rating 70.4 Slope 126 Women: 6,050 Yards Par 74 Rating 74.5 Slope 127
Recommended for Golf Courses because: Offering gorgeous views far from the busy streets of Waikiki, this serene course is low key and challenging.
Jade's expert tip: This course is recommended for beginners but because of a hilly topography is actually a bit tough.
Ko Olina Golf Club, is located on the sunny Leeward Coast of Oahu. Consisting 640 acres of oceanfront property that's part of the Ko Olina Resort and Marina, the course is an 18-hole championship course that is renowned as one of Oahu's most prestigious and challenging courses. Designed by Ted Robinson, the golf course is marked by 16 exceptional water features, multi-tiered greens and vast landing areas for shots. The beautiful Ko Olina Resort & Marina is located just across the street from the new Aulani Disney Resort & Spa at Ko Olina. Round-trip transportation is available from Waikiki for only $10 and can be arranged by calling the Golf Shop.
Recommended for Golf Courses because: The Ko Olina Golf Club is an 18-hole championship course that is renowned as one of Oahu's most prestigious and challenging courses.
Jade's expert tip: Round-trip transportation is available from Waikiki for only $10 and can be arranged by calling the Golf Shop at (808)676-5300.
Located in the heart of Honolulu just steps from Waikiki, the 18-hole Ala Wai Golf Course is all about a convenient location with city views. The par-70 course is a favorite course for locals, and well kept greens offer a stark contrast to the tall buildings surrounding it. Known as one of the busiest courses in the state, the Ala Wai Golf Course is said to hosting approximately 145,000 rounds a year. Although it's possible to secure a tee time, it's not easy. Stand-by or mid to late afternoon is a visitor's best bet. It stretches along the Ala Wai Canal and offers views of Diamond Head crater, the Ko'olau Mountain Range and Waikiki. Men: 5,861 Yards Par 70 Rating 66.8 Slope 115 Women: 5,095 Yards Par 70 Rating 67.2 Slope 110
Recommended for Golf Courses because: Located in the heart of Honolulu, the Ala Wai Golf Course mixes fun with convenience.
Jade's expert tip: Stand-by or mid to late afternoon is a golfer's best bet to get a tee time and this is good for beginners.
There's something key to remember about the Hawaii Prince Golf Club. It is NOT located adjacent too, or by the Hawaii Prince Hotel in Waikiki, though it is partnered with it. Instead, the course is located out on the Leeward Side. Designed by Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay, it has 27 holes, the only course like this in all of Hawaii. There are sets of nine holes that offers playing conditions for all skill levels and styles. Consisting of 270 acres of beauty and offers wonderful views of the lush Waianae Mountains, the course has white sand bunkers and 10 strategically placed lakes. Course Statistics Yards Par Rating Slope A/B B/C C/A||A/B B/C C/A||A/B B/C C/A||A/B B/C C/A Back 7,117 7,255 7,166 72 72 72 74.4 74.8 74.2 132 134 129 Championship 6,759 6,801 6,746 72 72 72 72.7 73.0 72.7 126 127 122 Resort 6,237 6,175 6,214 72 72 72 69.6 69.4 69.4 120 119 117 Forward 5,275 5,205 5,300 72 72 72 69.9 69.5 69.6 119 120 119
Recommended for Golf Courses because: The Hawaii Prince Golf Club is the only course in the state to offer 27 interchangeable holes.
Jade's expert tip: The Hawaii Prince Golf Club is NOT located adjacent too, or by the Hawaii Prince Hotel in Waikiki, though it is partnered with it.
Known as the more demanding of the two Turtle Bay courses, the Palmer Course features 18 holes as it meanders its way through the natural wetlands of the North Shore. Beginning farther inland, it runs down to the ocean and white sand beach and back, and can be enjoyed by cart. Rated as one of the 75 greatest golf resorts in the world by Travel & Leisure, Turtle Bay provides everything you could need for a day on the links. The Palmer, which begins right by the golf pro shop, has been rated one of the top 100 public courses in the United State by Golf Digest. Palmer Course Yardages, Ratings & Slopes According to Turtle Bay, the Palmer is the more demanding of the two and ideal for either professional golfers or amateurs. Black (Palmer) 7,218 74.4 143 Blue 6,795 72.5 140 Gold 6,225 70.0 132 White (Men) 5,574 67.0 125 White (Ladies) 71.9 128 Red (Men) 4,851 64.3 121 Red (Ladies) 68.0 117
Recommended for Golf Courses because: Located at Turtle Bay Resort in an idyllic oceanside setting, the Palmer is a world renowned beautiful course.
Jade's expert tip: End the day with dinner at Lei Lei's on the golf course.
The world renowned Fazio Course at the beautiful Turtle Bay Resort on the North Shore starts by the golf pro shop and offers 18 holes as it stretches west past the horse stables. Known as more forgiving than the Palmer Course, the Fazio has a walker-friendly layout and is also known as a great primer for the Palmer experience. Over the years, the Fazio has been utilized for the LPGA Tour's Hawaiian Open, as well as the Inaugural Champions Tour Skins game which featured many professional golfers. Fazio Course Yardages, Ratings & Slopes According to Turtle Bay, "The Fazio Course is generally considered the more forgiving of the two courses at Turtle Bay, but that doesn't mean it can't pack a punch. Holes are receptive off the tee, but the greens are raised and somewhat small, making for challenging approaches and short game play." Blue 6,769 73.8 130 White (Men) 6,091 70.0 124 White (Ladies) 75.3 129 Red (Men) 5,354 66.6 114 Red (Ladies) 71.1 122
Recommended for Golf Courses because: Resting oceanside at beautiful Turtle Bay Resort, the Fazio course is one of the island's top - and toughest - courses.
Jade's expert tip: End the day with dinner at Lei Lei's on the golf course, and keep an eye out for drink carts on the greens.