A Club Born on 9/11
Construction on Nanea began on September 11, 2001—a date seared into memory and part of the club’s private mythology. This unusual beginning cements Nanea's place in history before its first tee was even built.
The verdict
Hawaii's Pinnacle of Private Golf
Nanea is where volcanic spectacle meets elite design, delivering a golf experience that's both scenic and strategic. With British and Irish influences layered over wild lava flows, it's a must-play for devotees of minimalist architecture and exclusivity.
Course DNA
Difficulty
84
Scenery97
Conditioning92
Shot Variety81
Walkability69
Green Complexity86
Wow Factor91
Design Quality89
Don't miss
Notice the start tee marker—a volcanic stone inscribed with the date construction began, quietly commemorating 9/11.
At a glance
Quick facts
Architect
David McLay Kidd
Volcanic Lava Terrain
Course routed through ancient black lava flows
First Course in North America With Full Paspalum
Paspalum grass used tee-to-green
British Isles Design Inspiration
Minimalist, strategic template on Hawaiian land
Ownership
Founded by Charles Schwab & George Roberts
Ultra-Private Access
Members, registered guests, limited Four Seasons play
#1 in Hawaii Golf Digest
Ranked Hawaii's top course since 2013
Opening Day Lore
Construction began September 11, 2001
The design
The architecture
David McLay Kidd’s vision at Nanea pairs the strategic DNA of the British Isles with Hawaii’s untamed volcanic drama. Routed atop ancient lava flows high above the Pacific, the course weaves through black rock, tawny native grasses, and wind-shaped terrain. Minimalistic shaping allows the natural rise and fall of the land—and the unpredictable influence of gusts off the ocean—to steer decisions from tee to green. Expansive greens with subtle slopes, offset fairways, and prominent lava outcroppings ensure that every shot asks for creativity, courage, and keen eyes. In both challenge and aesthetic, Nanea is singular among American private clubs—a course that dazzles as often as it dares.
David McLay Kidd is internationally acclaimed for blending natural landforms with adventurous shot-making, and Nanea remains one of his boldest U.S. commissions.
Defining features
- Routing through ancient lava flows
- Minimal earth movement—natural contours preserved
- Expansive greens with subtle contouring
- Dramatic ocean panoramas
- Strategic ground-game options in a wind-exposed setting
- Full course covered in salt-tolerant Paspalum grass
Hole by hole
Signature holes
Hole 2
Lava Corridor Challenge
PAR
4
YARDAGE
380
The second hole plays as a captivating dogleg framed by brooding black lava fields on both sides and set against a backdrop of ocean blue. This short par 4 baits the aggressive play, but guarding lava and fast-running approaches mean risk lurks left and long.
Play it smart
Precision off the tee sets up a wedge, but bold drivers must thread the needle between lava and fairway contours.
Where it bites
Drifting offline brings instant penalty—lava awaits both the greedy and careless.
Course management
Shots to think about
Uphill par 5 with stiff ocean breeze
Favor a lower, wind-cheating driver and play to the wider side of the split fairway.
Short par 4 bordered by lava left and long
Prioritize accuracy over heroics; lay up if wind is gusty and pin is tucked.
Long par 4 into the prevailing wind
Embrace a low punch on approach—balls that ride the wind often end in trouble.
Approach to perched, firm greens
Land short and bounce in—paspalum rewards the ground game and penalizes carries with too much spin.
Par 3 with swirling crosswind
Club up, play for the fat of the green, and let the wind shape your ball.
Challenging lag putt on subtly breaking green
Read more break than you see—Nanea’s greens rarely run flat.
On the day
What to expect
Conditions
Meticulous, tour-level maintenance with soft, rolling paspalum fairways and greens.
Pace
Rounds move briskly thanks to exclusivity and member control; rarely crowded.
Vibe
Discreet, privileged, and serene—ultra-exclusive with a quiet energy.
Before you tee off
Your game plan
01
Master Wind Management
Spend time practicing trajectory control—crosswinds and headwinds are constant factors.
02
Sharpen Your Ground Game
Practice bump-and-run and low-spinning approach shots; Nanea rewards creativity at green level.
03
Hydrate for the Climate
Big Island sun and dry breezes can sap energy—bring extra water and sun protection.
The lore
How it came to be
- 2001
Construction began on September 11, a notable date in club lore
- 2003
Course officially opened, fulfilling a design brief inspired by British and Irish golf
- 2011
Ranked #84 in the world by GOLF Magazine
- 2013
Became #1 course in Hawaii per Golf Digest
- 2023
Debuted on Golf Digest America's 100 Greatest (#49)
- 2024
#83 on GOLF Magazine's Top 100 in the U.S.
- 2025
Ranked #59 on Golf Digest America's 100 Greatest
Stories & legends
What makes it special
Volcanic Routing, Minimalist Spirit
Kidd used ancient lava flows as dramatic natural corridors, channeling the strategic, bouncy ground-game of the British Isles across Hawaii’s wildest geology. The result is a course where every shot feels exposed to both wind and wonder.
Paspalum Pioneer
Nanea was the first in North America to use Paspalum grass from tee to green, chosen both for playability and resilience against salt and wind. This set a new standard for conditioning in challenging environments.
An Island's Rarest Invite
Ultra-private and with a reputation for near-total exclusivity, Nanea is whispered about in golf circles as Hawaii's most coveted tee time. Access is mostly limited to members and registered guests—with only the rarest Four Seasons visitor slipping in.
For the group chat
Fun facts
1
Course was the first in North America with wall-to-wall Paspalum grass.
2
Nanea sits high on ancient lava beds overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
3
Founded by Charles Schwab, the club is one of Hawaii’s most exclusive.
4
Wind and volcanic rock shape play every day.
5
British Isles links principles—without leaving Hawaii.
Build the trip
If you’re building a Big Island golf adventure
CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
Hualālai Golf Course
Resort (Four Seasons guests)
Classic Jack Nicklaus design with flawless condition and ocean holes
Mauna Kea Golf Course
Resort
Ed-von Hagge classic; big views and challenge
Hapuna Golf Course
Resort/Public
Laid-back vibe, signature Kohala Coast panoramas
Makani Golf Club
Public
Easier access, unique island elevation setting
Waikoloa Beach Golf Course
Resort/Public
Variety of layouts with friendly play for both vacationers and regulars
Kohala Coast resorts—Four Seasons Hualālai, Mauna Lani, or Mauna Kea Hotel
Course DNA
If You Like Nanea Golf Club
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Strong DNA Match8.0
Iron Horse Golf Club
Whitefish, MontanaScenery
Why it matches: There is real overlap here. Iron Horse Golf Club shares a memorable sense of place, making it a compelling counterpart to Nanea Golf Club.
Strong DNA Match8.1
The Quarry Golf Course
San Antonio, TexasScenery
Why it matches: What links these two? Makes the landscape part of the experience — a familiar feeling, expressed in The Quarry Golf Course's own setting.
Strong DNA Match7.8
The Golf Club at Red Rock
Rapid City, South DakotaScenery
Why it matches: What links these two? Makes the landscape part of the experience — a familiar feeling, expressed in The Golf Club at Red Rock's own setting.
Community Sentiment
See something inaccurate in this listing?