Royal Hawaiian

Royal Hawaiian

Carved Through a Tropical Rainforest

Golfers feel the powerful spirit of the lush valley surrounding the Royal Hawaiian. Stunning green cliffs provide the backdrop for this par 72 course, a Pete and Perry Dye-designed layout (and recently upgraded with the help of Hall of Fame golfer Greg Norman). The front nine is known as Jurassic Park, because your round will take you through tropical jungles filled with exotic birds, flora and wide-open hillsides with wandering streams. Norman's recent changes helped to soften the course, toning down the natural tropical rain forest and steep elevation changes to make it more player-friendly.

ABOUT ROYAL HAWAIIAN

Golfers get the royal treatment at this flagship Pacific Links Hawai'i golf course, where you are guaranteed to lose a few balls. The course is a test of durability and accuracy, but to make the game suitable for various levels, Royal Hawaiian offers multiple tee positions so you can choose your level of challenge on each hole. A recent $4 million renovation included flipping the nines and relocating two greens.

FEATURED HOLE

The towering Koolau Mountains are a gorgeous backdrop to the par-3 12th, considered one of Royal Hawaiian's signature holes and at a little more than 400 yards, the 13th hole is one of the most difficult par-4s in all of Hawaii.

ROYAL HAWAIIAN + BEYOND

Reflect on your round of golf at Byodo-In Temple, a scale replica of a temple in Uji, Japan, and constructed entirely without nails. The serene surroundings are home to hundreds of Japanese koi, wild peacocks, a large reflecting pond, intimate spots for meditation, and a golden Buddha more than nine foot tall; film and television credits include Pearl Harbor, Magnum P.I., Hawaii 5-0 and Lost .

Insider Tips

There are 19 holes at the Royal Hawaiian; 3B is normally closed.
One of the courses closest to Waikiki and downtown Honolulu.

Address: 770 Auloa Road Kailua, Oahu, Hawaii 96734
Phone: (808) 262-2139
Web Address: www.pacificlinks.com/royalhawaiian
Distance/Drive: 12 miles – a 25-minute drive from THE MODERN HONOLULU
Brief directions from THE MODERN HONOLULU: Turn left onto HI-61 S/HI-72. Follow for 9 miles. Continue onto Pali Highway for 0.2 miles and Bishop Street for 0.4 miles. Turn left onto Ala Moana Boulevard. Proceed 2.5 miles.