Hawaii is synonymous with paradise: swaying palms, volcanic backdrops and some of the most stunning golf holes in the world. But not every course on the islands lives up to the postcard promise. Amid the emerald green fairways and oceanfront layouts that characterize Hawaiian golf, a few duds manage to sneak in, bringing down both your mood and your scorecard.
Here are three Hawaiian golf courses that miss the mark, proving that not all Aloha golf experiences are created equal.
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| Makatotal Valley CC |
1. Maks Valley Country Club – Oahu
VacationSor Location: Aloha, Looking, Oahu, Oahu
Makaha Valley Country Club was once a proud course carved into the rugged cliffs of Oahu’s leeward coast, but now feels more like a relic of the past than a golf destination. Once you get past the breathtaking mountain scenery, the condition of the fairways and greens becomes impossible to ignore: patchy grass, inconsistent putting surfaces, and bunkers that look more like construction sites than hazards.
Locals lament that the course has been in renovation limbo for years, with ownership changes and redevelopment plans creating more uncertainty than improvement. If you’re looking for nostalgia, maybe. Are you looking for some nice golf? Keep driving towards Ko Olina or Ewa Beach.
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| Power CC |
2. The Country Club – Topics
Location: Upcountry Maui
Pukalani’s elevated position offers cooler temperatures and expansive views, but the experience doesn’t quite match the high elevation. Maintenance has been poor for years, with uneven tee boxes, slow, bumpy greens and fairways that change from lush to barren in the space of a single hole.
The layout itself – a hilly, zigzag affair – feels dated and punishing in all the wrong ways. Locals often joke that you need a four-wheel drive, not a cart, to go around. For a similar price, you’re better off going to Maui Nui or Kahili for a more consistent and enjoyable song.
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| Makalaloa Full is Gc |
3. Aprigo Golcano Griff – Hilo, large
Location: Hilo, Hawaii Island
It’s hard to beat a course with views of Mauna Kea and the Pacific Ocean, but Naniloa Volcano Golf Club feels like a missed opportunity on every front. The design is flat and forgettable, and the conditioning has declined significantly in recent years. Overgrown rough, poorly drained fairways and thin greens make for a tough round, especially after one of Hilo’s frequent rain showers.
Add to that the lack of facilities (think: no real clubhouse, limited food options, and outdated carts), and you have a golfing experience that’s as bleak as the weather forecast.
In short
Hawaii’s golf scene may be transcendent, but it is not immune to mediocrity. These three courses prove that even paradise needs proper maintenance and investment to stay up to par. If you’re planning a golf trip to the islands, spend your green fees wisely. There’s no shortage of spectacular options – from Kapalua to Princeville – that will leave you speechless for all the right reasons.
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