Played Ko Olina this morning teeing off at 9:30 and paired up with Kim and Kang with a little overcast but 84 degrees and a slight breeze. Maybe I don’t remember this from the last time I played here... Continue »

Played Ko Olina this morning teeing off at 9:30 and paired up with Kim and Kang with a little overcast but 84 degrees and a slight breeze. Maybe I don’t remember this from the last time I played here which was back Jan/Feb but now you have to buy range balls? This is a resort with 3 big hotels right across the street and I don’t get why you have to pay for range balls. Another thing is you have to pay tax, again I don’t get it, however resident discount ( only for greens fee and not food or merchandise) comes to 98.00. After playing this course 2 times I’m not so sure it’s worth 98.00. Anyways on to the review. Kim and I played white tees which is 6400 yds / slope 133 and Michelle and Kang played the blues which is right around 5000 yards. Tee boxes were level and very nice with virtually no divots taken, fairways were lush and green and no rough to speak of. There is water on a few holes but you would have to have a big slice to to lose a ball. After the 4th hole the winds started to kick up to 20-25 mph and it continued off and on for the rest of the day. I don’t mind a little wind but at times it was crazy. I felt sorry for Kim as he was probably in his late 60’s and barely hit it 200 yards off the tee. Greens rolled very quick and true and if you put it a little past with the breezy conditions as many in our group did you would be 10 feet past the hole. I really like this course because it fairly forgiving off the tee and the greens hold shots well and it’s a generally a good course.
If you’re on vacation and you find a discounted tee time I would play, but not for the 245.00 they ask for rack rates.. Mahalo everyone..

Played today at 11:40 and like most days in Honolulu it was 80 degrees and beautiful. Played the white tees measuring a little over 6400 yards and it was just Michelle and I today. For the rate of 1... Continue »

Played today at 11:40 and like most days in Honolulu it was 80 degrees and beautiful. Played the white tees measuring a little over 6400 yards and it was just Michelle and I today. For the rate of 145.00 it wasn’t bad at all not to many golfers on the course and we weren’t rushed at all. The tee boxes were great and fairways were perfect. Not to much rough to speak of and most of the holes are straight forward. The greens really rolled well and held all shots they just checked and rolled maybe 2 feet. I wasn’t in any sand so nothing to speak of there, overall I really enjoyed this course lots of room of the tee and it wasn’t far from Waikiki and we had a great day. Recommended at the hotel rate or a discounted rate but not necessarily the 250.00 they charge.

Played yesterday on a beautiful HI day. Having not been here for a few years, I was taken back by all the development. What once was a quite and rather non busy area, is not that anymore. This is were... Continue »

Played yesterday on a beautiful HI day. Having not been here for a few years, I was taken back by all the development. What once was a quite and rather non busy area, is not that anymore. This is were they put the new Disney resort. Found the course to be in terrific shape. Ted Robinson design, so you know you are going to get water (plenty of it). Got out early so as to avoid as much wind as possible (worked). Never had an issue with any tee boxes. Fairways were wide and very playable. Bunkers were just fine. Greens were fine (large and undulating) and no issues with chipping/putting. Customer service (as expected) was top notch. Great restaurant/bar for after round drinks and food. Love the fact that they have a Roy's restaurant here at the resort. Stay at the Marriott Beach Club (my choice) or Four Seasons to get great rates and specials. Relaxing, enjoyable and recommended.

Played last Friday. Made a single player reservation online (www.koolinagolf.com). If you book at least 8 days in advance, you save $50 and don't have to pay until you play. Made a 7:00'ish tee to avo... Continue »

Played last Friday. Made a single player reservation online (www.koolinagolf.com). If you book at least 8 days in advance, you save $50 and don't have to pay until you play. Made a 7:00'ish tee to avoid the crowds, mid-day heat and p.m. wind.

Got to the Golf Shop at about 6:15 to check-in. I really appreciated the friendly efficiency of the Starter and his team. I got my cart, met my playing partners, hit some warm-ups, worked my way around the putting green, and was ready to roll to #1 before 7:00.

I've played Ko Olina before and enjoyed it each time.

From those previous experiences I learned the advantages -- mentioned above -- of a morning tee time. This time, I learned that four weeks isn't enough time for this course's greens to fully recover from aeration. While the greens were well along in the healing process, you could see the remnants of punch and sand on the putting green...and several greens on the course.

Still, our group had a blast. Memorable stops include #12 the Par 3 signature hole; the back-to-back Par 5s at #13 and #14; and the challenging #18 with a 170 yard second shot -- a forced carry over water -- to hit the green in regulation. Even with our early morning start, we still had to contend with occasionally gusting winds, which added to the challenge of this fun and well-kept track.

If I had another opportunity to play Ko Olina, I'd do it again. Just be sure to ask about course maintenance work prior to play.

Played on a weekday afternoon and the place was packed. Granted it is located in a area where there were at least 4 hotels within a 5 minute drive, it was not a surprise to see so many people here.
... Continue »

Played on a weekday afternoon and the place was packed. Granted it is located in a area where there were at least 4 hotels within a 5 minute drive, it was not a surprise to see so many people here.

Check in was smooth and easy. Proshop was well stocked.

Starter set us up with small bucket of range balls. Driving range mats only, practice green. Snack bar. CArts come with GPS and quite comfortable ride. Plus they gave some Ko Olina swag including a plastic water cup.

Afternoon winds were a factor in playing. Was told early morning is more calm. Teeing ground was lush and so was the fairways. Bunkers had no sand at all which was a bummer considering this is a top course to play and ranked one of the best in Oahu.
Greens seems to have had some minor maintenance done but did not affect the roll although a bit slower than what I would expect.

Pace was moving but had to wait on every shot. We did not mind as the course was really beautiful to look at. There were some holes that ran parallel to roads and can be a distraction at times.

Overall, we had fun playing and will return when we get a chance.

My family and I were staying in the Ko Olina area during the 3rd week of April, and decided to play the course this time around. We stayed in the Ko Olina area, formally the JW Marriott 2 years ago an... Continue »

My family and I were staying in the Ko Olina area during the 3rd week of April, and decided to play the course this time around. We stayed in the Ko Olina area, formally the JW Marriott 2 years ago and opted to play EWA beach and Kapolei Golf Club instead.

We played the course on 04/20/2015, two days after the LPGA Lotte Championship, and the course was in great condition.

Pros:
• Fairways were in great condition
• Greens – in excellent condition, fast and true
• Pace of play: Tee’d off at 6:56am and the course wide open. We completed our round by 11:00am
• Great Pro Shop- Great customer service. My wife has found good deals here
• Complementary Swag:
o Ko Olina Golf Club cup
o Bottled water
o Tees, etc….
• Weather Conditions: Play early, as it gets windy/gusty in the afternoon. (hit a 320 yard bomb on #5, with a tail wind of course)
• Layout: Course lay out is resort style, as homes line the fairways but the overall layout is challenging. Plenty of elevated tee boxes and greens as well as plenty of water hazard. Plenty of scoring opportunities if your teeshots find the fairway
• Experience: A couple of Ocean views, #7,8,9, but aside from that the course provides a great tropical feel. We played the course 2 days after Lotte Championship had wrapped up and there were TV camera towers/booths all over the course. It kinda felt like you were playing in the tourney.
• Very pricey round-$179 per round if you’re staying in the Ko Olina area.
• Overall: Great course and will definitely play again when we’re back in the area.

Stayed in Ko Olina all week but didn't have time to play any golf until Thursday. Played twilight here at 3:30 with my son (kids play for free at 3pm) on 2/12. I played as a single with my son teein... Continue »

Stayed in Ko Olina all week but didn't have time to play any golf until Thursday. Played twilight here at 3:30 with my son (kids play for free at 3pm) on 2/12. I played as a single with my son teeing off with his little driver, then picking up his ball and drop it on the greens to putt. It was a good father/son outing with my 7 year old. Course conditions were good all around but the greens had a bunch of unrepaired pitch marks. I guess you have to deal with that during twilight play. Fairways were not lush green in color but play just fine with good roll outs. Had a wonderful time here and will play again.