TURTLE BAY RESORT sits on Oahu’s picturesque North Shore, a world-class surfing destination and a peaceful contrast to the bustle of Waikiki. For travelers seeking a relaxed escape with plenty of amenities, Turtle Bay makes an ideal base. I arrived late afternoon the day before my tee time, checked into an ocean-view room and took a walk around the grounds to get oriented. Guests were enjoying sun and surf in the resort’s protected cove, and I settled in for an early dinner at Roy’s Beach House with a mai tai and fresh sushi.
But the reason I was there was golf. Turtle Bay offers two distinct courses: the original Fazio, laid out in the 1970s along the coast, and the Palmer, widely regarded as the best-designed course on Oahu.
The Palmer Course, opened in 1992, was designed by Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay. The routing shifts through wetlands, woodlands and coastal terrain over 18 holes, culminating in the signature par-4 17th that meets the ocean. The course spreads over roughly 180 acres and weaves around the Punaho’olapa Marsh and small housing pockets, with frequent sightings of native birds. Even the short drive from the clubhouse to the first tee feels like a relaxed nature tour.
I played the Palmer on a Wednesday that began with heavy rain. I put on my golf shoes knowing this was my only opportunity to play, and the downpour fortunately gave way to a glorious morning. I teed off with Bruce, a fellow guest from Dallas.
HOLE 1 | 412 yards, par 4
Bruce hit first and pushed his tee shot right, out of bounds in the rain — a common risk on this hole, as the course warns. His second drive found the fairway left of center. The hole doglegs right with a large banyan tree lining the right side; players either fly the roots or shape a fade from left to right. I hit one of my best drives of the day into the middle of the fairway. A mis-hit chip still reached the green inside birdie range, but a missed putt left me with a comfortable par to start.
HOLE 3 | 543 yards, par 5
The third is a long par 5 with water guarding the right side that claims many wayward shots. Using the rental clubs—a Titleist 917 driver and wood—I found a safe line to the right side of the fairway, avoiding the long pond on the left. Bruce lost several balls to the water. My 3-wood carried well and left me about 100 yards short of a large right-side bunker. The Titleist irons I was given were a touch more advanced than I’m used to, but a well-struck 54-degree wedge found the green and two putts saved par.
HOLE 7 | 394 yards, par 4
From the tee both of us elected to use less club because water guards the front of the green. We weren’t sure our drives had held the fairway until we walked up and found ourselves about 90 yards out. Bruce executed a lovely high chip to the green; my shot shanked left into the water. It’s one of the most elegant holes on the course, and I’m already looking forward to another attempt to make par or birdie.
HOLE 17 | 452 yards, par 4
The Palmer generally reveals only glimpses of the ocean, but the 17th offers a spectacular beach and cliff view from behind the green—worth the short walk for the panorama. My drive was modest but in the center of the fairway. Nine bunkers line the hole, favoring the right into the green. I faced a breezy approach and chose a 21-degree utility wood, which hit perfectly and settled on the front edge of the slightly raised green. Bruce battled the bunkers on his way in while I paused for a quick selfie of the view before two putts secured a lucky par.
HOLE 18 | 577 yards, par 5
The finishing hole is a fitting, scenic closer. We caught the first group we had seen all round—remarkably, we completed 18 holes in under three hours. The tee shot is semi-blind down the fairway; the approach bends right over a pond to reach the green, while a smaller pond left can come into play off the tee. My drive was one of the day’s best, landing in the center of the fairway in an ideal position. I aimed past a scrubby tree toward the traps in front of the green, landing just short and leaving an easy chip onto the surface. Two putts finished the round and we exchanged handshakes—Bruce had a tougher day, but we both enjoyed great golf in beautiful surroundings.
Afterward I returned to the welcoming clubhouse for an early lunch of grilled ahi tuna and a Caesar salad. My quick pace meant I had plenty of time to get to my afternoon appointment in Honolulu without rushing.
Turtle Bay Resort
57-091 Kamehameha Highway
Kahuku, Hawai’i 96731
tel 808 293 6000
turtlebayresort.com