photo: Ko Olina Golf Club
For anyone seeking an escape from the bustle of Honolulu, Ko Olina Golf Club paired with the JW Marriott provides an ideal retreat to relax and enjoy quality golf. Situated on Oahu’s western shore, this course has been recognized by Honolulu Magazine as the Best Golf Course in Hawaii and appears among Golf Digest’s top 75 resort courses.
I spoke with the head PGA professional and golf director, Greg Nichols. He’s the sort of pro every golfer hopes to have at their home club: fit, knowledgeable, approachable, and confident. During our conversation I managed to project a better game than I actually have, and Greg entertained my braggadocio with good humor.
Designed by Ted Robinson, who has more than 160 projects across the western United States, Hawaii, Mexico, Japan, Korea and Indonesia, Ko Olina reflects his reputation as the “King of Waterscapes.” Water features shape several holes, adding both beauty and strategic challenge. The resort also offers full amenities, including a Roy Yamaguchi restaurant. Greg expressed particular pride in the club’s teaching facilities and outreach programs that introduce local youth to golf.
Hole 2 (412 yards, par 4)
I played with a U.S. Navy officer, John, and his father-in-law, Tim. After losing a ball on the opening hole—thanks to shifting sun and soggy turf from recent rains—hole 2 felt like a welcome reset. The tee is slightly elevated on this long hole; water runs along the right side nearly the entire length, ending about 130 yards short of the two-tiered green. Out of bounds lines the left. All three of us found the fairway; I aimed left to avoid the water and left myself a short approach. A precise chip left me a foot for a gimme par.
Hole 6 (373 yards, par 4)
This hole begins with a tee shot over a ravine to an elevated fairway, then bends slightly right toward the green. I hit a solid drive into the middle of the fairway—position “A.” A slice will put you in trees on the right or in bunkers filled with beach sand, which prevents plugged lies but plays differently from typical course sand. The elevated green slopes up from front to back and is guarded by a lone bunker on the left.
Hole 7 (444 yards, par 4)
Hole 7 is memorable for its view: to the left you can glimpse the ship featured in the Pirates of the Caribbean films and the Aulani resort area. But it’s a stern test of golf. Aim left-center off the tee; drifting right, as Tim did, leaves a tough recovery and makes par unlikely. Prevailing winds at Ko Olina typically blow from the northeast toward Diamond Head and can assist approaches to the elevated green. I posted a five on this one.
Hole 8 (195 yards, par 3)
A signature par-3, hole 8 showcases the course’s water features. The elevated green plays longer than the yardage indicates, and from the tee the temptation is to take too little club. All of us came up short; John’s ball found the pond. Water cascades from a waterfall to a pond beside the tee, making this a scenic spot and a frequent photo subject.
Hole 10 (413 yards, par 4)
I found a good rhythm on this hole. I pulled my drive left, flirting with a fairway bunker, but the ball sat up in good position. A clean 5-wood found the green where it held, and two putts saved par. Playing left can neutralize the water hazard on the right, a smart way to approach the hole. My partners played well too, though I didn’t keep score for them.
Hole 12 (183 yards, par 3)
To reach the tee on 12 you pass under a small cascading waterfall. The sound of rushing water is behind you while a low hedge and a well-bunkered green rise in front. I over-clubbed, carried the green and rolled off the back, then struggled with a tricky chip and return putt.
Hole 13 (514 yards, par 5)
Hole 13 is rated the course’s second-most difficult. This long, elevated tee offers a sweeping view, but the prevailing wind can push drives toward a water hazard. The green is three-tiered; successful scoring here requires solid fairway shots and careful reading of the tiers. The greens use Bermuda grass and show a pronounced grain, which typically aligns with prevailing wind patterns—knowing the wind helps predict the grain.
Hole 18 (428 yards, par 4)
The finishing hole demands strategy. A pond fronts the green, and large plantings and out-of-bounds to the right add penalty for errant drives. Big hitters may want to club down to avoid trouble. The approach must clear the pond and bunkers to a two-tiered uphill green that can yield high scores if misread. I closed with a bogey; Tim and John paid the price for water and out-of-bounds trouble.
Ko Olina Golf Club offers a scenic, thoughtfully designed test of golf with excellent facilities and a welcoming atmosphere—ideal for players of various skill levels and a pleasant escape from city life.
Ko Olina Golf Club
92-1220 Aliinui Drive
Kapolei, HI 96707
tel 808 676 5300