Ko'olau Golf Club
Tropical splendor stars at Ko'olau Golf Club in eastern Oahu. The Dick Nugent-designed course encompasses three distinct climate zones and is carved out of a tropical rain forest. The course, located on the side of a mountain range, features winding ravines, elevation changes and picturesque views of waterfalls.
Beauty meets tropical splendor at Ko'olau Golf Club in eastern Oahu.
Ko'olau Golf Club encompasses three distinct climate zones and is carved out of a tropical rain forest on the side of a 2,000-foot mountain range. The golf course features winding ravines, memorable elevation changes and exceptional views of waterfalls.
The targets for the holes are ravines, and the rugged landscape also features lush vegetation and gigantic sand bunkers. With a slope rating of 152, the Dick Nugent-designed course is considered the toughest in the nation, and it was named in 1997 by Golf Digest as one of the top two golf courses in Hawaii.
Before you hit the golf course, hone your swing at the five-acre practice facility. Amenities include a natural grass driving range, an elevated chipping green and a two-tier putting green. Golfers can also enjoy an elegant clubhouse that features a full-service pro shop and a golf school. End the day at Honey's, restaurant that's been drawing crowds for years. The eatery was also the career birthplace of Don Ho.
See also
Articles:
Golf course details
- Holes: 18
- Designed by: Brad Bartell, Dick Nugent
- Public/Private: Public
- Year opened: 1992
- Golf Season: Year round
- Guest Policy: Open
- Tee times welcomed: Yes
- Fairways: Bermuda Grass
- Greens: Seashore Paspalum Grass
Facilities
- Pro in house: Yes
- Driving range: Yes
- Rental clubs: Yes
- Rental carts: Yes - included in green fees
Green fees price ranges
- Week days: $65 - $155
- Weekends: $65 - $155
- Tee times from $25 - Check prices
Course policies
- Metal spikes allowed: No
- Dress code:
- Credit cards accepted: VISA, MasterCard, Amex, Discover, JCB Welcomed
Length, slope and rating for each tee
| Tee | Par | Yardage | Slope | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White (W) | 72 | 5735 | 144 | 75.2 |
| Gold | 72 | 6797 | 150 | 75.4 |
| Blue | 72 | 6406 | 141 | 73.7 |
| White | 72 | 5735 | 131 | 70.5 |
| Black | 72 | 7310 | 153 | 78.2 |
| Red | 72 | 5102 | 129 | 72.3 |
Reader Ratings / Reviews
- Played Ko'olau twice in the last ten years. One of the best inland course layouts in all the island. Demanding carries on many tee balls and approach shots. I am a 3 handicap and found the layout fun to play. Area gets lots of rain and effects Course Condition which is subpar to many Resort courses in Hawaii. For the money a good deal. If you are not a decent golfer brings some extra balls.
- Course has one of the best views and layout. Its a shame that constant rain in the area ruins the condition. Front 9 is playable but the back 9 is horrendous. Even tee shots landing in the fairways are difficult to find and anything in the longer rough, might as well forget it. Imagine playing in a swamp land with small patch of fairway that is actually playable. You need rain boots to play here since you'll be ankle deep in mud. With the current conditions, they really should only charge 9 hole rates.
- I've played the course three times - twice in 2006 and once in June 2016, 10 years later. My handicap is a 5. The layout is as challenging as any course I've played, very scenic and makes you think your way around the golf course. Target golf at its finest.
Unfortunately, over the years the conditioning has gone downhill - the new owners aren't putting the necessary money into the course to maintain it, and when I played it I lost balls in the fairways because they hadn't been cut in a month. Out of fairness to them, it had been raining, but in talking with locals who play there they told me that the course wasn't in nearly as good a shape as it had been previously.
Still a GREAT golf course, but now you are taking your chance with conditioning. - I'm between a 5 to 9 handicap depending upon my play volume and golf conditioning, and believe the Koolau golf experience depends upon your expectations that day and course conditions. I've played it a dozen times and scored from 70's to 90's with the same handicap. Course condition is a huge factor, which was raw on some back nine fairways and various greens in Fall 2015.The staff is great.Often local music on Friday or Sat night in restaurant. The specific location is both the blessing and difficulty. It's spectacular topography, magnificent views, multi-tiered greens, fairways tight but good shot placing rewarded. The views and topography are worth the trip independent of the golf. Saw two wild boars last time! It's a high elevation rain forest course and unique in Hawaii for a great cost.
- I've heard about the difficulty of this course, but found it to be challenging but playable. We received free transportation from Waikiki through HiGolfGuide, and our driver gave us some good tips. The views on this course are unbelievable, and unlike anything we've ever seen before. The greens were on the slow side but very smooth. Course is very lush and green. It had rained the day before so the course was kind of muddy. If you only had one round of golf to play on Oahu, I would recommend playing here. It will definitely be an experience you will never forget!
- If you love golf. you gotta go! The local 'rule' is; you will lose as many golf balls as your hdcp. I'm an 11 and lost three,so I hit it straight. There is a 170 - 180yd. carry from guest tees to MANY fairways,cart paths take you on jungle tours as you travel to your tee shots. High tropical covered cliffs are along West side of course. There are features one would seldom find on a golf course. More than worth the fees!
- What a special place. Teed of with a 2 iron most of the day playing from the blue's. I played it on a Tuesday and had to go back on Thursday for a second flogging. My son tried to get me to hit it over the tree's on 18.(no way) Shot 86 then 82 and felt like a super star. I would recommend this course to any one that enjoys a good old fashion butt whipping.
- Not knowing what to expect, and playing to a 9 handicap, I shot 96 my first time and lost 6 balls. Second time, 86 and lost 1 ball. Third time 81 from the blue tees, none lost. It's a magnificent golf course that must be experienced regardless of your abilities.
The sooner you learn not to challenge this course the fewer balls you'll lose. The real challenge here is controlling your game, and when you can do that, the course is easy and absolutely beautiful.
Beware! The slope from the whites is 138, blues 145. But don't miss it. - Nasty. Diabolical. Evil. Perfection.
Set amid a majestic rainforest, Koolau is golfing heaven disguised as golfing hell. Every hole is a potential card wrecker, every shot a knee trembling experience. It features shots even good golfers squirm at. Highlights are 7, 8, 11, 16 & 17. Play this place to enjoy it and try not to pay too much attention to your card, it will be a harrowing experience if you do - If you love beautiful and challenging golf courses, you have to play Ko'olau.
I'd read for years about just how tough it was and frankly was a little intimidated, but decided I had to see for myself. I am glad I did.
On the first hole I pulled one left into a hazard, dropped a ball with a penalty stroke, and played the rest of the day with that ball. A moral victory!
The course was not crowded at all (weekday), so I also took several pictures on the first and second holes. I could have done that all the way around, because the holes and the vistas were amazing.
I played the first 14 alone and the last four with a local. He said a lot of the locals don't play there because it is too difficult. It holds its own, but it is fair. Just keep the ball in front of you and enjoy the views.
The course was in excellent condition, the staff was very friendly and helpful, and I can't wait to go back again. - Without a doubt the hardest course I have ever played. This course challenges every part of your game instead of gripping and ripping you have to be smart and leave the driver in the bag on alot of holes. I now know why the professionals avoid this place. I had the time of my life though and will be back out to play it again "SOON".
- Superb challenge...every hole unique...best deal on the island for locals and visitors alike. The course provides a good measure for your game. Current management team is doing a good job on improving playability and making the course an enjoyable experience. Never a bad choice to play Ko'olau Golf Course.
- We played Ko'olau during the winter, which is the wet season, so the course was damp, but absolutely the most scenic track I've ever been on. It's very difficult, but I knew that going in, and I was there for the experience, not the score. Some of the holes are simply breathtaking, and you often catch yourself just standing and looking around, instead of concentrating on your game.
It's the only course I've ever played in the islands, but I'd play it again in a heartbeat.