Mauna Kea golf course
PublicWalking AllowedTop 100

Mauna Kea

84
Gems Index
Quality
Value
Playability
Prestige

Kamuela, HI

Mauna Kea is a public golf course in Kamuela, Hawaii, designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. in 1964. The course features 18 holes.

Mauna Kea is a public course in Kamuela, Hawaii, designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. and established in 1964.

About Mauna Kea

Robert Trent Jones Sr. designed this magnificent layout in 1964 on the slopes of Hawaii's highest peak, creating what many consider the most dramatically situated golf course in the islands. The routing takes full advantage of the volcanic terrain, with fairways carved through ancient lava flows and elevated tees that offer breathtaking views of both the Pacific Ocean and the snow-capped summit of Mauna Kea itself. Jones showcased his signature style here with generous fairways that encourage aggressive play, but strategic bunkering and water hazards that punish the wayward shot. What sets this course apart is its remarkable elevation changes and the way Jones incorporated the natural lava rock formations into the design rather than bulldozing them away. The conditioning is typically immaculate, befitting a resort course of this caliber, and the experience of playing golf at nearly 3,000 feet elevation with views stretching to the horizon is simply unmatched. While green fees reflect the premium location and maintenance standards, this is bucket-list golf that delivers an experience you won't find anywhere else in the world.

Key Facts

  • Mauna Kea is located in Kamuela, Hawaii.
  • Course type: public.
  • Course architect: Robert Trent Jones Sr..
  • Year established: 1964.
  • Number of holes: 18.
  • Walking: Allowed.
  • Gems Index score: 84/100.

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