Played this course about two weeks before the pros, very cool experience. Course was immaculate as you would expect. The... » More

Played this course about two weeks before the pros, very cool experience. Course was immaculate as you would expect. They had us hitting off mats on the par threes and sections of the fairways that I assume were popular landing spots were roped off. I think if you landed in them you were supposed to move your ball or hit off a mat somewhere, never came up.

Great to watch it on TV as my pictures don't seem to do the magnificent setting justice.
Truly a once in a lifetime experience, which brings me to my caveat. It is now $350+forecaddy tip and I'm assuming once the whole complex is complete it will be more.

Hotel looks finished but there is lots of construction going on including a rock crusher that seemed to follow us sound wise for several holes. The course winds its way thru the red rocks and the black lava fields so it is definitely a unique experience.

The round comes with unlimited tasty food at two different comfort stations (don't think I could eat myself even) but it is a 5-hr. round at minimum, so the golf was a bit of a slog. The black lava is a ball magnet, but it can kick the ball back into play which is cool to watch.

The consensus among all the locals I played with afterward was that it was overrated and overpriced, I agree but still say it is worth it once, doubt I will be playing it again.
My favorite hole might have been the bonus 19th. 75-yard par three over water to a green surrounded by black lava.
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Got out on the North course after being closed ten days for maintenance. You couldn't even tell the greens were aerated ... » More

Got out on the North course after being closed ten days for maintenance. You couldn't even tell the greens were aerated and they had some speed to them. Soft with some firmness mixed in, the green should be up to top speed by mid November, once cooler weather arrives and they have been rolled a few times. Pas pallum Bermuda fairways look great as the base has held up (unlike the South course) and they didn't have to overseed them, tees still have several varieties of grass but are very playable and bunkers are quite nice too. I'm sure by February we will wish the fairways were overseeded as the Bermuda stops growing during cold weather. The rough has great coverage and is very nasty as the ball sinks right to the bottom. Nice thing is that there are no cart path restrictions, so POP is 4 hours.

Thoroughly surprised as i was expecting two mediocre courses for several more months.
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Played this AM. All tee boxes now open. Greens healed. Nice white sand in front 9 bunkers. Still some back 9 holes not d... » More

Played this AM. All tee boxes now open. Greens healed. Nice white sand in front 9 bunkers. Still some back 9 holes not done yet. Other than damp fairways that need mowing the place looks good. Excellent customer service from Mateo and Christian in the shop. With some mowing and dry temps course should dry out and firm up over the coming weeks.
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It's about time for another review of good ole Fairmount Park. Got out for 9 yesterday afternoon, course was uncrowded a... » More

It's about time for another review of good ole Fairmount Park. Got out for 9 yesterday afternoon, course was uncrowded at 1pm on a weekday for sure. Rates are the same ($18 for 9 holes for a non-city resident) but conditions seem to be on the decline: fairways are more dead/dying/dirtpatchy, especially big swaths of the par 5 4th hole. Greens are cut and roll nicely but aren't super fast or anything. Teeboxes are either unlevel or patchy dirt. Still a perfect muni walking experience, all things considered.
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Played Puakea right behind Costco in growing neighborhood looks deceivingly nondescript upon entering lot but well stock... » More

Played Puakea right behind Costco in growing neighborhood looks deceivingly nondescript upon entering lot but well stocked friendly clubhouse and busy restaurant (quite a few non golfing patrons) showing its popularity. Weekday afternoon golf, cart, gps, newer set PXGs and range for just over 200. Right away range was well maintained with several targets and new balls set me off to practice green same coming out of maintenance (forwarned) as all courses played this visit. White tees 6061 fairly wide and open front nine but some tricky lies if in wrong areas with tough make up and downs if missed. Blind second shot with lake in play on third hole look before shot and signature big drop par 3 over lake to green with jungle three sides check wind carefully. Some out of play homes on front side with beautiful mountain views and lush OBs along each hole. Back nine drops down into canyon like settings with more undulation, split fairways, gullies and narrowing requiring more consistency hitting proper locations. Seemed at least one worrisome shot per hole gratifying when successful repeating if not! Scenery extremely hard to concentrate on golf. Oh no here comes rain #13 fast mode aim center green quick hit putt out run back to cart next hole. Rain stopped #18 what a blast sun on green finished last 6 holes 2 under! Wonderfully fun course with great conditions (excepting greens) will certainly play next visit and try restaurant which had an ongoing function when I finished round.
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Kukuilono is a local favorite course also having several walking trails & gardens, dramatic ocean views and Pacos Tacos ... » More

Kukuilono is a local favorite course also having several walking trails & gardens, dramatic ocean views and Pacos Tacos in clubhouse. Regulation has 3 tee sets and each hole has a par 3 tee for short game play. Wind on this ridge top layout is main defense as the few traps didn’t look well maintained. Course had wide full mixed grass fairways and rough coverage going off into jungle for wild or wind blown shots (par 3 #6 plus 3-4 clubs). Greens coming out of maintenance some sandy & slow some quick with movement made putting interesting at times. Several holes following uphill or downhills with grassy gullies and a couple wicked par threes one steep long uphill with large tree left drop off right the other must carry deep gorge to green into wind with anything short or right lost. This course was very fun playing we tried again on a Sunday but unusually crowded with a tournament and locals out. Golf 15, cart 15, decent clubs 10 and grass range 5 easy choice for enjoyable nine holes. Sunday did their 9 hole mini grass course twice (5 all day inc putter/ball) actually quite fun was nicely mown bordering rough tough with hills, doglegs and side slopes. Had distances in feet (525’ total par 36) was well maintained and shaded. Staff friendly and funny with Pacos Tacos having great food, cold beverages and service. Really liked this course, the park, walking trails and facilities.
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Played uncrowded Kiahuna weekday afternoon with golf, cart, gps, range and new unused Calloway Elyte set for a couple hu... » More

Played uncrowded Kiahuna weekday afternoon with golf, cart, gps, range and new unused Calloway Elyte set for a couple hundred dollars. Grass range nearby and large practice green headed toward first hole. Started on white tees in light breeze moving up to silver late back nine when hitting into increased winds. Fairways were mostly wide having some undulation with large trees, rock walls, lakes & stream to maneuver over or around. Only in one trap ample coarse sand noted others looked fine also. Greens coming out of maintenance some better some not mostly slow but was told beforehand. Very nice homes out of play along a few holes with more under construction. Clubhouse staff, marshal and starter all friendly and nice selection of local brews for after round. Recommend Kiahuna for an enjoyable leisurely round with Poipu ocean course nearby at more than double my setup fees.
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Played 10/22/2025 8:40 am
We played as a 2some behind a 4some. Pace of play was great! 3:45. Check in was smooth and... » More

Played 10/22/2025 8:40 am
We played as a 2some behind a 4some. Pace of play was great! 3:45. Check in was smooth and friendly. Course condition was overall very good. The fairways were thin in places; however, there are notices of scheduled overseeding soon. Tees were good. Bunkers were inconsistent. Fairway bunkers were prepared hardpan relatively easier to advance. The greenside bunkers were also a bit inconstant with some having soft sand and others a finer sand. The greens were very good. 95% recovered from recent punching and the greens really bumped up my overall ratings. When we finished around 12:30 it was considerably more crowded which probably will slow down the pace of play.
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I played. Del Monte on Tuesday with a late morning tee time. Conditions are very nice all around. The small greens rol... » More

I played. Del Monte on Tuesday with a late morning tee time. Conditions are very nice all around. The small greens roll true at a nice fast pace. Fairways were lush throughout and the rough was very manageable. The sand traps were a perfect 10. Super fluffy sand throughout. This is a very easy course to walk so it was great to get out and stretch the legs after my MTB ride the previous day. The downside of the tight parkland setting is the greens are very close to the next tee box. Great for transfers when walking, not so great when things backed up and you had two groups waiting on the tee box, chatting away while you’re lining up a birdie putt. POP was ok for 10 holes then got horribly slow. The layout is so so but the conditions are up there with the big three.
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First out Tuesday on a beautiful, but cool autumn morning. The course remains cart on path, which will continue for at l... » More

First out Tuesday on a beautiful, but cool autumn morning. The course remains cart on path, which will continue for at least two more weeks, which is appropriate because the new grass is still growing and has not yet completely filled in. Much of the fairways look good, but there are still areas which are struggling to take hold. The greens rolled very well, with more pace than before, yet still very receptive. Bunkers, tee boxes and rough are fine. Just have to be patient before I make a final call as to the success of the overseeding.
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Participated in the GOLF MOOSE/VIVID Private Club Event (my first) @ Dove Canyon on Monday and was happy I elected to do... » More

Participated in the GOLF MOOSE/VIVID Private Club Event (my first) @ Dove Canyon on Monday and was happy I elected to do so. As is always the case when Johnny is involved, it was a well-organized affair with the club staff providing a welcome, hospitable atmosphere. A tip of the hat to everyone who made this day possible.

And I was blessed with great company…having been paired up with Johnny, Ron, and Mark…which elevated my level of enjoyment. Got to witness a number of high-quality shots from the boys as well. And much appreciation for Mark’s guidance throughout the day since this was my initial visit to the golf course.

Expansive, warm, and inviting clubhouse that’s conducive to relaxing with a drink and trading stories following a day on the course. Large practice range facility with a short-game area off to the side provides the opportunity to work on all phases of one’s game. Although we were relegated to hitting off mats, they were in good shape as I didn’t notice any signs of excess wear…and good quality range balls I might add. Practice putting green overlooks the picturesque finishing hole and was pretty close to mirroring what I encountered on the course.

As for the course itself, I’d rank it as one of the more demanding layouts I’ve played. Typical Nicklaus design: it demands precise iron play in order to score well. Having the ability to hit high approach shots is a huge plus…particularly when the pins are tucked in the far reaches of these devilish greens, many of which are on the narrow/shallow side and run diagonally to the fairway. And Jack’s bunkering has them well-protected. For a guy who was never known for his sand play, I get the impression this is how he’s chosen to exact his revenge.

While I personally feel some of the contours and segmented sections of the surfaces ‘push the envelope’, there is a perverse sense of pleasure one experiences if able to navigate those challenges successfully. Adventuresome and mentally-stimulating are appropriate terms when it comes to describing the pitching/chipping and putting experience at Dove Canyon.

And with that said, the golf course demands full engagement from start to finish; it’s an exciting layout and the word ‘boring’ never comes into play. I found the elevation changes, rolling fairways, and general scope of this design quite pleasing to the eye. There are a number of excellent holes out there but it’s tough to top the dramatic tee shots you face on the Par-3 10th and 17th holes.

Course conditions were very good; tees, fairways, and greens in solid shape for this time of year. Took note of a few bare spots on a couple of greens but didn’t have to deal with anything that compromised play. Rough was just long enough to create an issue but that was dependent upon the lie: if the ball sat up, not much of a problem…but a different story if it burrowed into the turf.

Greens rolled at a quick pace but nothing unreasonable…especially given the contours and slopes…and were very receptive to well-struck shots. Yes, the approaches are challenging, but if you hit the mark distance-wise, the ball did settle down nicely.

Bunker sand had good texture…a bit on the heavy side…along with plenty of depth, with just about all of them requiring lofted escapes as the ones I was in sat below the putting surfaces and featured steep faces.

Having no previous experience at Dove Canyon, I felt I was at somewhat of a disadvantage…which wasn’t helped by a sloppy ball-striking round. But now that I’ve gotten a look at it, made some observations, and taken notes, I’m looking forward to a return at some point down the road.
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Price was right. 60 after 10:30. The course is in good condition. We played 10/15/25. The greens were very receptive and... » More

Price was right. 60 after 10:30. The course is in good condition. We played 10/15/25. The greens were very receptive and quick, probably a 10. They can get these faster whenever they want. Very scenic course and what you see is what you get. Its defense is wind and the greens. You miss on the wrong side and it will cost you. In fact, the rough around the greens is difficult. Bunkers are so so, hit or miss. You can save many strokes by fairways and greens. All in all it's a great course and the price is refreshing.
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