Waimea, Hawaii
Mauna Lani North delivers a Hawaiian lava-golf experience unlike any other, with dramatic black rock, rolling greens, and feral goats adding local color. Play through volcanic remnants as you tackle a demanding but beautiful layout with both strategic teeth and scenic wow-factor.
Watch for the feral goats roaming the course—locals consider them a quirky, neutral hazard unique to Mauna Lani North.
Mauna Lani North Course expresses the drama and challenge of true Hawaiian lava golf: black volcanic rock frames emerald fairways, while kiawe forests and subtle elevation changes define hole strategy. The Nelson-led 1991 split kept the best of the classic routing, adding new holes with a striking 'lava desert' feel, where wind, ground texture, and visibility require creative shot-making. Few resort courses so deeply integrate native geology and a sense of place—the course’s bold lines and amphitheater features are sculpted from primordial basalt, emphasizing the harmony between golf and volcanic landscape.
Nelson and his team retained much of the original playing corridor ethos but injected the new circuit with a volcanic design language—lava is both friend and foe, demanding respect but rewarding imaginative risk.
The longest hole on the course, this par 5 runs parallel to a thick stretch of lava, demanding commitment and precision at every decision point. Wind is a constant companion, making the strategic second and third shots test both your nerve and your planning.
Stay left off the tee to create a wider landing for your second; the wise play is a conservative layup avoiding lava borders before attacking the pin placement with your wedge.
A stray drive or overaggressive approach can find the jutting lava beds, turning a birdie opportunity quickly into a costly big number.
Greens and fairways are meticulously maintained with seashore paspalum, offering smooth putts and lush lies among the lava.
Peak times can be leisurely, especially with vacationers—early morning bookings are recommended for a quicker round.
Relaxed, scenic, and subtly luxurious, balancing resort comfort with the sense of adventure that comes with true Hawaiian golf.
Collared shirts and golf-appropriate attire; traditional resort golf standards enforced.
Hone your flight control before arrival—the prevailing breeze is playable but consistent and matters on every iron.
Resort pace slows after mid-morning, so play at sunrise for uninterrupted flow and the best light on black lava.
Lava is as penal as water; lost balls are common, especially for first-timers pressing for aggressive lines.
Carry water—sun exposure can be relentless, especially mid-day.
Mauna Lani Resort’s original 18-hole course ('The Classic') opens, designed by Homer Flint and Raymond Cain.
Original 18 holes split into two: North and South Courses, each with newly added holes by Robin Nelson, Rodney Wright, and Neil Haworth.
North Course debuts, quickly gaining a reputation for lava-challenge golf.
Hosts the NCAA Division I Amer Ari Intercollegiate, a top-tier collegiate golf event.
Amer Ari returns for the 35th annual event, further raising the North Course's competitive profile.
Mauna Lani North’s signature amphitheater par 3 is carved out of solid black lava, creating a unique and daunting visual as players descend to the green. The setting is so dramatic it’s become the defining image for the course and a must-snap photo for visitors.
A local herd of feral goats roams the North Course and is considered by regulars as an unofficial 'neutral hazard.' Their unpredictable course crossings and bold presence have created countless memorable guest interactions.
Construction required dynamite blasting for lakes and irrigation lines, as the course sits directly atop centuries-old lava flows. This adds an ancient, elemental quality—every shot is literally played over the Big Island’s volcanic legacy.
In 2024, the North Course became the host venue for the high-profile Amer Ari Intercollegiate, drawing college golf’s best to the Big Island’s lava fairways. The shift cemented Mauna Lani’s growing tournament status.
Mauna Lani North played host to the prestigious Amer Ari collegiate invitational starting in 2024.
Construction blasted through ancient lava—no natural topsoil exists under fairways.
Feral goats roam the course and are a celebrated oddity for guests.
Parts of the routing cross within view of a protected Hawaiian archaeological district.
The course is known as Hawai‘i’s original 'lava golf' layout.
Sibling to the North; offers Pacific views and a less penal layout.
A Robert Trent Jones Sr. classic with legendary oceanfront holes.
Laid-back play with expansive island and ocean views.
Easily accessed, fun, and playable for all skill levels.
Accessible, popular, and energetic; ideal for a second round.
Kohala Coast (Mauna Lani, Mauna Kea, Waikoloa) for maximum course access and ocean proximity.
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Why it matches: There is real overlap here. Forest Highlands Golf Club – Canyon shares a memorable sense of place and offers similarly polished playing surfaces, making it a compelling counterpart to Mauna Lani North Course.
Why it matches: If Mauna Lani North Course is your kind of course, Old Edwards Club is worth a look because it makes the landscape part of the experience.
Why it matches: Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course is a natural next stop after Mauna Lani North Course: it shares a memorable sense of place.
Alaska’s longest, boldest and most demanding test
Community Sentiment
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