Ko olau Golf Club, CLOSED 2020

(cart included), played on Friday, July 2016 at 12:30 PM

On my first trip to Oahu I heard about this course. On the first tee box, another golfer from Colorado said, "you can always get a tee time here, the locals won't play it . . . too hard." Then he asked me what my handicap was and warned me, you better have that many balls in your bag. This is for no other reason than if your ball rolls off the fairway, it's gone into the jungle. I've been back four times and now my wife insists on going with me. It is a spectacular course in a spectacular setting. I am always amused at how I seem to get into a groove to start and then eventually the challenge catches up with you. You need to stay focused and not let a lost ball into one of the eleven forced carries get into your head. Yes it can get wet and muddy in places (the long par four on the back nine from the top tees is notorious for eating balls by plugging them), but that's all part of the ambiance. Greens are currently in amazing shape considering it is cut into a rain forest. I've been told if you register at the pro shop and par the 18th, they'll give you a golf bag . . . a shot makers hole and course not doubt! I take pride in losing fewer balls than my handicap . . .

(cart included), played on Sunday, November 2013 at 11:30 PM

Every time I go to Oahu.. I make the time to play this beautiful Course... this time we played with drizzle and rain, but the Course is so beautiful, I didn't really care... this is one, if not the most beautiful Courses I've ever played!! ALSO THE MOST DIFFICULT!! I always start off scoring my Round, then it ends up being a "practice round"... lol... If you love the Game, you need to play this Course... the beauty and natural wild life that surrounds you, is well worth it!! The first time I played Ko'olau, I met up with 2 Hawaiian Golfers who showed me sights on the Course that I would have never knew existed... they were great Guys and made the Round even better!! I was able to show my Bro-in-Law when we played this time... You need to be a great Shot maker to score well, otherwise just go and play for the Experience!! Oh yeah... bring plenty of Balls, too.... Aloha

$56 (cart included), played on Sunday, November 2012 at 8am

Most difficult course I've ever played. Probably should have moved up a tee box so I could carry the many ravines. However the scenery is spectcular--best of any course I've ever played anywhere in the world. Since a religious organization purchased the course and clubhouse (to use part of the clubhouse for a church), the condition of the course has gone down hill but the experience is still worth it.

$101 (cart included), played on Thursday, August 2006 at 10am

Unbelievable course - difficult, yes, but so beautiful!!!

$76 (cart included), played on Sunday, July 2010 at 8am

Always a fun challenge. It's a must if in Oahu. Over 10 hdcp bring extra balls.

$101 (cart included), played on Thursday, April 2010 at 8am

I devalued the the course conditions, only because the greens had just been ariated and one half of each green was considered "under repair".

$36 (cart included), played on Saturday, April 2008 at 6am

This is a very beautiful course that boasts of being one of the most difficult in the world. well, maybe it used to be and in fact was quite a bit more difficult and beautiful when it first opened in 1992. But since then, the course has gone through a number of different owners and has been made easier (filled-in bunkers, cut down foliage, etc.) and also less beautiful. Still, when the weather is nice it is still a great course and a delight to play. some might call it "target" golf but it does take skill to pull off those carries. A couple of years ago they needed to replace the greens (the wet conditions caused mouldy greens) those are now in great condition. The course also has quite good practice facilities and houses a golf school. Beautiful clubhouse with almost every hole offering a paradise-like vista. Definitely worth playing - can be expensive if you are playing from out of state - about $100 I believe. If you have the money - play it! (better if the weather is clear, as the course can get wet).

$101 (cart included), played on Friday, February 2008 at 6am

This is an amazing and beautiful course that is on the other side of the mountains from Honolulu. It is set at the base of the stunning Ko'olau mountain range and is cut through a thick rain forest. This backdrop creates a memorable golfing experience even before the first tee shot is struck. The course is a treat to play and is very challenging but fair. A few holes have forced carries that require a solid shot to negotiate but also offer bail out areas for the golfer feeling a but timid. I’ve played this course twice during visits to Oahu and have enjoyed both rounds even though they were played on very soggy days. These wet conditions offered absolutely no role which lengthened the course considerably. Being built in a rain forest, I assume this condition occurs fairly often, especially in the winter. But the conditions dampened the experience very little. I even managed to par the monster par four 18th hole, which requires two forced carries to reach the green.