Mauna Lani Golf Courses Jump in 2020 Golfweek Rankings

Hawai‘i Island, Hawaii (July 28, 2020) – Mauna Lani Golf’s two golf courses climbed in Golfweek’s new ranking of “Best Courses You Can Play in Hawaii.” Mauna Lani’s North Course moved up five spots – from No. 13 to No. 8 – while the South Course debuted at No. 15 after being unranked in Golfweek’s 2019 rankings.

Mauna Lani’s North Course, a Flint, Cain and Nelson design, was built on an ancient lava bed. Overlaying the rugged brown pahoehoe lava flow, the North Course features a superb layout for shot makers navigating through lava on the rolling fairways and kiawe forests. A 230-acre protected archeological district lies on the northern edge of the North Course, while feral goats roam the course, cropping the grass and providing a unique neutral hazard. The par-3 17th is the signature hole on the North Course as a series of elevated tees form a natural amphitheater with the green at the base of a lava bowl.

The South Course, a Homer Flint, Raymond Cain and Robin Nelson design, was built on the 16th century Kaniku lava flow snaking through stark, rugged a‘a lava featuring vibrant contrast with manicured lush green fairways and blue ocean. A pair of par 3s – the 7th and 15th holes – are Mauna Lani South’s signature holes and are two of the most photographed golf holes in the world. The South Course was Mauna Lani South Course – Hawaii Golf home to the Senior Skins Game from 1990 to 2000.

“Since August 2017, when Troon began managing the golf and agronomic operations here at Mauna Lani, tremendous attention has been given to course conditions and providing guests with an outstanding golf experience,” said Chris Noda, director of golf, Mauna Lani Golf. “It’s exciting and gratifying to see our teams’ efforts being recognized by Golfweek.”

Golfweek annually publishes its ranking of the “Best Courses You Can Play, State-by-State,” “Best Private Courses,” the “Top 200 Classic” and “Top 200 Modern” courses. Among the criteria used by Golfweek’s panel of course raters include:

Ease and intimacy of routing – The extent to which the sequence of holes follows natural contours and unfolds in an unforced manner.

Variety and memorability of par 3s, 4s and 5s – Different clubs hit; extent to which the angles of play create interesting and varied playing options; and extent to which holes offer variety of options from the tee and on the second shot.

Basic quality of conditioning – Variety of playing textures; extent of turf coverage; consistency and quality of bunker sand.

Walk in the park test – Degree to which the course ultimately is worth spending a half-day on.