The Mauna Lani North Course is a feast of lush fairways and inviting greens set atop an ancient lava flow much older than the South Course’s Kanika flow. The challenge here is to keep the ball in the short grass and avoid the array of kiawe trees that populate nearly every hole. If you don’t, you’ll soon find out why the North course is rated slightly tougher than the South.
The North Course is also more coveted by better players. The first hole is a classic par-4 with a dogleg right that invites risk off the tee to win the reward on the green. No. 9 is a longish par-4 that plays straight away toward the ocean, out-of-bounds at your left, with water guarding the right of the green. Even with a helping trade wind, most golfers will need to hit a full approach for a go at par or better.
The most distinctive hole on the North course is the short par-3 at No. 17. It plays from an elevated tee to a wide green that sits down inside a bowl of threatening lava rock. Be aware of the ever-present and changing wind. The large bunker that fronts this inviting green is there for good reason.
Mauna Lani’s North Course represents the quintessential golf experience on the Big Island. Built on a lava bed, this championship golf course in Hawaii is characterized by rolling terrain punctuated by Kiawe (mesquite) forests. Number 17, a par three tucked into a natural lava amphitheater, is one of Mauna Lani Resort’s signature holes and a favorite “I was here” photo spot.
A 230-acre protected archaeological district lies on the northern boundary of the golf course. Herds of feral goats frequent the entire golf course, moving from hole to hole throughout the day. The North Course has fast become one of the most popular tournament venues on the Big Island of Hawaii.