near Kohala Coast, Hawaii · Big Island
Mauna Lani Resort South Course
Fairways cut through the 16th-century Kaniku lava flow to the ocean. The par-3 15th over the water is one of the most photographed holes in the world.
- 18Holes
- 72Par
- 6,924Yards
- HawaiiLocation
- 1981Opened
About Mauna Lani Resort South Course
The South Course runs through black lava on the Kohala Coast. It's built on the 16th-century Kaniku lava flow, and the green fairways against that dark rock are what you remember. The fairways are generous, but the lava between them is rough and porous. If your ball goes in, leave it: most sink into the cracks, and you could turn an ankle looking. It's par 72 and a little over 6,900 yards from the tips, links-style, with the ocean in view much of the way. In winter you can watch whales offshore.
Everyone talks about the 15th, a par 3 over the ocean that's one of the most photographed holes in the world. The green is big enough that the pin can change your club by two or three. The ocean shows up well before that, though. The 7th is a 214-yard par 3 from the tips over water and lava, and GolfPass calls it the harder of the two. The par-4 13th backs onto the ocean and looks across to the 15th tee.
It opened in 1981, a design by Homer Flint, Raymond Cain and Robin Nelson. From 1990 to 2000 it hosted the Senior Skins Game, with Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino, Gary Player, Raymond Floyd and others. In January 2023, GolfPass's Golfers' Choice awards, based on more than 315,000 golfer reviews, named it the No. 1 course in the U.S.
It's one of 12 courses Yoink watches in the Big Island area, and Mauna Lani Resort North Course is practically next door — handy when your first choice is booked solid.
What it's like to play Mauna Lani Resort South Course
There are about 108 bunkers out there, well above average, so a good bunker game pays.
Course character from OpenStreetMap contributors' survey data (ODbL).
Booking a tee time at Mauna Lani Resort South Course
Book online through the resort's golf page or call 855.201.3179 (the golf shop is 808.885.6655). The Clubhouse Bar is open to everyone from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and the resort runs a sunset cart tour of the South Course that stops at the 15th.
How to get a tee time at Mauna Lani Resort South Course
Yoink
Golfers across Big Island know the drill: the good times at courses like Mauna Lani Resort South Course are gone within minutes of release, and cancellations come back without warning.
Instead of refreshing the booking page, let Yoink do it. Pick Mauna Lani Resort South Course, choose your day and time window, and Yoink alerts you when a tee time that fits opens up. You always book straight with the course.
- Pick Mauna Lani Resort South Course in Yoink.
- Choose your day, time window and number of players.
- Get an alert when a matching tee time opens — then book it directly with the course.
Golf courses near Mauna Lani Resort South Course
- Mauna Lani Resort North Course · 0 mi
- Mauna Lani Resort WikiWiki Course · Kohala Coast · 0 mi
- Waikoloa Golf Club - Beach Course · 1 mi
- The Village Course at Waikoloa · 5 mi
- Hapuna Golf Course · Waimea · 5 mi
- Makani Golf Club · 8 mi
- Mauna Kea Golf Course · Kamuela · 8 mi
- Makalei Golf Club · Kailua Kona · 21 mi
Mauna Lani Resort South Course FAQ
Where is Mauna Lani Resort South Course?
Mauna Lani Resort South Course is near Kohala Coast, Hawaii, in the Big Island area.
Who designed Mauna Lani Resort South Course, and when did it open?
Mauna Lani Resort South Course was designed by Homer Flint, Raymond Cain and Robin Nelson and opened in 1981.
Is Mauna Lani Resort South Course open to the public?
Mauna Lani Resort South Course is resort (Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection), open to outside play.
How many holes is Mauna Lani Resort South Course, and what's par?
Mauna Lani Resort South Course is an 18-hole regulation course: 18 holes, par 72, 6,924 yards.
How do I get a tee time at Mauna Lani Resort South Course when it's booked up?
Set a watch for Mauna Lani Resort South Course in Yoink with your date, time window and group size. Yoink monitors the course's tee sheet and alerts you the moment a matching time opens, including cancellations. You book directly with the course.
What golf courses are near Mauna Lani Resort South Course?
Nearby options include Mauna Lani Resort North Course, Mauna Lani Resort WikiWiki Course and Waikoloa Golf Club - Beach Course. Yoink watches 12 courses in the Big Island area.
Sources
Facts on this page come from these pages, checked 2026-09-28. Rates and booking rules change, so confirm with the course.
- aubergeresorts.com · official
- auberge.com · official
- troon.com · official
- golfpass.com · media
Never miss a tee time at Mauna Lani Resort South Course
Yoink watches the tee sheet so you don't have to. When a time you want opens up, your phone buzzes — you book direct.