KOHALA COAST, Big Island, Hawaii -- It's tough living in the shadow of a legend. Mauna Kea, a top-100 golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. in 1964, remains the king of golf on the Big Island. Across the street, Hapuna Golf Course, an Arnold Palmer-Ed Seay design built in the 1990s, should no longer be considered just a secondary, more affordable sister course.
Hapuna has star power, too. A commitment to better conditioning and the cutting back of rough and long grasses continues to help Hapuna rise in the eyes of golfers.
Hapuna rides the hillsides high above the beach, delivering some fun elevation changes and constant panoramic views. The elevated tees on the par-5 11th and signature par-4 12th stare off into a blue horizon. It's enough visual stimulant to make any mainlander's heart melt.
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The 12th at Hapuna Golf Course provides panoramic ocean views of Hawaii's Kona Coast. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
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The second green of Hapuna Golf Course sits raised above the fairway. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
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Hapuna Golf Course sits high in the hills above the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
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The Pacific Ocean fills up the horizon from many of Hapuna Golf Course's holes. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
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A pond will snatch slices to the right of the ninth green at Hapuna Golf Course on Hawaii's Big Island. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
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It's a narrow but scenic approach into the sixth green of Hapuna Golf Course in Kohala Coast, Hawaii. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
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Trees can complicate approach shots to the 10th green at Hapuna Golf Course in Kohala Coast, Hawaii. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
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The pond left of the third green at Hapuna Golf Course challenges big hitters attempting to go for the par 5 in two. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
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Director of Golf Josh Silliman shows proper form on the scenic 11th hole at Hapuna G.C. on Hawaii's Big Island. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
