satuthill

I have now played most of the courses on the west side of the Big Island. I was looking forward to playing the Beach Course for the first time but walked away really disappointed. The course was in poor shape with many greens with browned out patches, bare patches in the fairways, cart ruts all over the place, etc. Pace of play was slow at around 4 3/4 hours. The starter was grouchy and sent us to the wrong first tee. The course layout feels like you are in a subdivision with the hotels, condos, townhouses, etc. Yes you have the ocean on one side of half the fairway of one par 5 but that is it. We also got to listen to the loudspeakers at a corporate luncheon for several holes. The whole experience was like a muni course on the weekends but at a much higher price. This is a high volume resort experience. If you want the real resort experience go up to Mauna Lani and pay a bit more for a well maintained course and more ocean views from both courses or head up to Big Island Country Club for a better value and a peaceful setting.

I have played most of the courses on the Big Island west side and tried this one for the first time. It was a gem and a great value compared to the resort courses down by the ocean. It is green and peaceful up there. I thought the course was in good shape and is very interesting and playable. The island green 17th is a bit quirky and out of place with the rest of the course design but still enjoyable. Visits by the beverage cart were frequent enough as you don't return to the clubhouse at the turn. Pace of play was glacial at just a few minutes under 5 hours but I didn't seem to mind too much as it was just a good day and place to play golf.

I have played the North course several times now over several years and really find it a great experience. It is well maintained, interesting to play without being too difficult, and has a relatively peaceful Walk in the Park feel to it. (Though if you really want that kind of day head up to Makalei or Big Island Country Club.) Though the South course gets the press for ocean holes you actually visit the ocean twice on the north course, though you don't have to play over it. I have played the south course as well but prefer the north. If you want a high quality resort experience pay a bit extra and play Manua Lani. I would recommend it over Mauna Kea as well, which while equally well maintained, is just too difficult for me to play in my out of season condition. If there was one thing Manua Lani could improve is the frequency of visits by the beverage cart which always seems to be few and far between. Since you don't return to the clubhouse at the turn,make sure to stock up when you can.