Royal Hawaiian Golf Club

Less than 20 miles from Waikiki beach, Royal Hawaiian Golf Club sits in the lush Maunawili Valley at the base of the Ko’olau mountain range.

Once through the front gate you are surrounded by an ancient jungle and steep mountains and feel that you have entered Jurassic Park. Ironically both the course and movie opened in 1993.

Previously known as Luana Hills Country Club, it was the 1st co-design by father son duo Pete and Perry Dye. Greg Norman was brought in for a redesign in the early 2010s but uses much of the original routing.

There are 19 holes in total. Heavy rains can result in a bye hole often when conditions are too wet, utilizing a spare par 3. The front 9 bushwacks through the dense rainforest featuring royal palms, koa trees, streams and ravines leading to many forced carries (and lost balls). The back 9 terraces up the hillside and is a little less claustrophobic providing views of Mt. Olomana and the Pacific Ocean horizon if you squint on a clear day.

The course is very challenging, and heavy rains can make the conditions be less than ideal, but the sights and sounds on the winding journey are a unique experience worth having.