Going to Oahu next month and was looking to see if there were any course recommendations?

Only going for a few days, so I'll play 1 (maybe 2) rounds.

I've read about Royal Hawaiian but wanted to see if there were any other great suggestions.

I would say it depends mostly where you're staying. I've played Ko'Olina, Turtle Bay, Royal Hawaiian, and Ewa Beach. I think I played another course, but can't remember. Unlike Maui you don't get a lot of ocean views.

Since it's always talked about Royal Hawaiian is a neat experience because you are in a "jungle", but it's a challenging course. So I'd only go if you want that jungle experience, don't care about your score, and don't like to hit driver. Having played it once, the only allure for me would be to see if I can improve on my first score now that I "know the course". Aesthetically I would say it's the nicest on Oahu(at least from what I played), but like I said it's challenging.

Turtle Bay was well kept, only had 1 hole with an ocean view which was hole 16 or 17 when you were on the green if I remember correctly.

Ko'Olina was well kept, the signature hole par 3 drive thru the "man made waterfall" was a cool reveal. I liked most of their par 3's and their finishing hole was tough/unique.

Although it's not talked about much, Ewa Beach was my favorite because it was a surprise in how good the course was w/o reputation. There were 3 or 4 risk reward par 4's, a couple quirky holes, a challenging par 3 that was scenic (and memorable because my tee shot ended up being a foot or so from being an ace) and the condition of the course was much better than I thought it was going to be. If I remember correctly it wasn't very far from Ko'Olina, which makes for a good 1-2 pop if you're on the SW part of the island.

I agree with everything you said, with the exception that Ewa Beach was your favorite. Mine was Turtle Bay, but Ko'olina was second. It really does depend where you're staying though.

2 rounds. Depends on where you stay but I would play Royal Hawaiian just because of how unique it is and then pick between Koolina and Turtle Bay. I lived there 5 years and left in '21 - at that time, Koolina was in much better shape than Turtle Bay. Turtle bay is a whole day if you are not staying on the North Shore. Also, if you play Koolina, Monkey Pod is a good restaurant for post round. Just down the road from the course.

Monkeypod's Strawberry creme pie is one of my top 3 favorite desserts ever! Bought a shirt to commemorate the experience.

Played Turtle Bay Wednesday. It's in fantastic shape. You get views of the water on 15-18. 17 green backs up closest to the water. It was breezy when we played which made the front 9 pretty challenging. Would absolutely recommend playing it though.

Spent the last week mostly at lagoon 4. Ate at Monkey Pod yesterday. Live music and decent food. Would definitely recommend for a happy hour.

Ko'Olina is my fave

Some ocean views



Then there was this on the back 9

DaleDoback said:

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Played Turtle Bay Wednesday. It's in fantastic shape. You get views of the water on 15-18. 17 green backs up closest to the water. It was breezy when we played which made the front 9 pretty challenging. Would absolutely recommend playing it though.

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Really glad to hear Turtle Bay is in good shape - hopefully they will open up Fazio again. One of my saddest days in golf was during Covid when I played Palmer and is was like a goat farm - so bad. That's when I thought the world was ending. It is typically in really good shape.

Anybody play the Kaneohe Klipper course on the Marine Corps base?

bobbranco said:

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Anybody play the Kaneohe Klipper course on the Marine Corps base?

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played there quite a bit. Views are the best on island, on par with some of the best of all the islands when it comes to golf. Conditions are typical military course conditions that can vary quite a bit.

Thanks. That's what I've heard. Also, beaches at MCBH are supposedly beautiful.

Been a long time, but I stayed at Ko'olina and played also at Makaha Valley country club. Everything was nice. Greens always break toward the ocean!

bobbranco said:

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Anybody play the Kaneohe Klipper course on the Marine Corps base?

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Yes the signature hole is awesome. Outside of that it's not very memorable. My favorite on the island is royal Hawaiian by far. Front 9 is mountains and back 9 is a jungle. You feel like you're in jurassic park. Truly wild

Royal Hawaiian

Klippers signature hole

Mr.Bond said:

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Klippers signature hole

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I'd push it. 60 yards into the surf. 300 yd drive.

And yes an absolutely beautiful setting.

Ko Olina is pretty solid. Just 8-10 min or so away is Kapolei Golf Club...we all thought this course was very solid. I haven't played it in about 8 years though. We just got back from Ko Olina 2 weeks ago, and while I didn't play it, the course looked like it was in EXCELLENT shape from all of the rain in recent months...last time we played it, it was pretty dry and not in very good shape...I wasn't happy to be paying such a pretty penny to play it in those conditions, but it is looking very nice as of late.

Here's Kapolei though...hidden gem imo.

bowhuntr said:

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DaleDoback said:

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Played Turtle Bay Wednesday. It's in fantastic shape. You get views of the water on 15-18. 17 green backs up closest to the water. It was breezy when we played which made the front 9 pretty challenging. Would absolutely recommend playing it though.

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Really glad to hear Turtle Bay is in good shape - hopefully they will open up Fazio again. One of my saddest days in golf was during Covid when I played Palmer and is was like a goat farm - so bad. That's when I thought the world was ending. It is typically in really good shape.

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Only downside...if you are not on that side of the island, and the winter surf is big...the north shore can get pretty jammed up and be a pretty long round trip.

2007 anniversary Royal Hawaiian Tower whose balcony views include surfers from the public beach (mmmm Cheeseburgers in Paradise w/Kona coffee), Diamondhead & where the action is all night next door at Outrigger (Dukes & Maitais, buffet or menu) ... but you are located far enough away to sleep well.

"Back yard" behind the Royal Hawaiian, across the canal = taxi ride is the first come, first served, everyone is the same status @ Ala Wai Golf, tons of fun with anyone local paired with you. The greens are so toothy, however, they can veer your putt off course & toward the canel by 90d in some cases ... laughable on some greens. Wonderful, something to do very often. Wife might enjoy ballroom dancing upstairs clubhouse but think dining is closed = ironic.

You must have an escort arranged by hotel concierge to experience the Jurassic Park golfing at Ko'olau Golf Club in Kaneohe (east side) .... WOW something to do once in a lifetime.

Loads of other courses.

Worth the special taxi ride to the Hilton Rainbow Tower grounds & not so formal Lagoon Grill @ Paradise Pool that has been romantic at night.

The airport will beat the hell out of your golf bag case, then finding them may delay boarding your flight home ... so next time me thinks shipping them back-forth with many carriers offering to do so.