The next course up on our visit to the Big Island was Mauna Lani’s South Course. We hoped to do a couple water activities this week but high surf advisories were posted pretty much every day. So, we skipped a snorkel tour and went for another round of golf.

Besides the two courses at Mauna Kea, the Mauna Lani courses were the other premium courses I was considering this trip. Just like at Mauna Kea, there are two regulation courses at Mauna Lani – the North and the South – and then a short course. The South Course is likely the more recognized course as it hosted the Senior Skins game for a number of years.

The South course’s claim to fame are its holes along the ocean and all the lava rock intertwined throughout the layout. The course presents well visually with many different colors.

The course opens with some inland holes before getting to the par-3 7th, one of the signature holes. The 7th – 201 yards from the blue tees – plays across the edge of the ocean and showcases Hawaii’s dramatic coastline. The green is large and there is a bailout area to the right, but it is still an intimating shot.

The design continues through the lava fields before reaching the signature holes on the back nine. The 13th is a short par-4 where you tee off towards the ocean. The hole doglegs a bit right to a green that sits along the ocean. The 15th is another par-3 that plays over the ocean – 158 yards from the blue tees. It was tough to pick a club with the strong wind off the ocean!

The blue tees on the South course are 71.4/125/6453. From a difficulty standpoint, I’d say the course is very fair. It has a resort course feel. There are spots to lose balls (water hazards, the lava, and the ocean) but the fairways and greens are generous. Generally speaking, only terrible shots are punished. There are many large bunkers to catch shots in the wind – so those added some difficulty.

The twilight green fee was $235 after tax, so the South course isn’t cheap. However, the conditions were near perfect. The turf was lush. Lies were great. The greens were smooth and a medium pace.

I’d highly recommend a round on Mauna Lani’s South course if visiting the Big Island. I know I’ve said it before, but I’m a sucker for scenery on a course – the South course is one of the most scenic courses I’ve played. And, it is fun to play. I’d put it somewhere among my top 30 favorite courses.

Course Pictures (click any picture to scroll through the gallery):