Built By Local Professional Caddies

Built from years of firsthand caddy experience, this guide reveals the preferred landing areas, safest misses, wind-adjusted targets, and strategic decisions that help you navigate Robert Trent Jones Sr.'s legendary masterpiece.

Enhanced by AI

AI-powered analysis identifies the strategic characteristics that define Mauna Kea Golf Course, including prevailing trade wind patterns, elevation-adjusted yardages, preferred landing areas, lava-hazard management, ideal approach angles, and the highest-percentage decisions on every hole.

HOLE 1 - THE LAVA BEND
Dogleg right to a multi-tier green perched on a slope

Par 4  -  374 / 350 / 320 yds.

Tee Shot
Robert Trent Jones, Sr. begins this big island journey with a hairpin dogleg right up the lava-laden hillside. There is a bunker that will catch drives hit too good right down the middle, so RTJ makes you think about a shot shape. The tee box is somewhat protected from the wind, so check the tops of the palm trees to gauge the wind speed, which should be moving left to right. In the afternoon, the trade winds can sometimes battle with a localized onshore sea breeze. If the sea breeze takes over, the wind flips into a direct headwind.

Low handicap: long hitters can consider blasting it over the right corner, but this is risky play over OB and will most likely land in the uphill rough. Not exactly a percentage play. If you decide on this play, CaddyTips® recommends teeing it on the left side of the tee box and teeing it up a bit higher to get some more height. Otherwise, stripe one down the middle with a fairway wood, hybrid, or iron with a slight left-to-right peel to shave off some yardage for your approach.  Mid-High handicap: take a club that will be short of the bunker in the middle and swing with confidence, as this line will allow you to miss on either side and be fine. If you have a tendency to always miss right, there is some extra room out to the left to play for your miss.