RPGC event this weekend at Rancho Park and it hurts to say it but the course is not in its best shape. The greens are actually great right now and rolling true and medium-fast, but the rest of the property is feeling the heat.

The fairways have far too many thin or burned out/dirt areas for my liking, but the rough is good in most spots. The tee boxes are a bit beat u... » More

RPGC event this weekend at Rancho Park and it hurts to say it but the course is not in its best shape. The greens are actually great right now and rolling true and medium-fast, but the rest of the property is feeling the heat.

The fairways have far too many thin or burned out/dirt areas for my liking, but the rough is good in most spots. The tee boxes are a bit beat up for sure (we played from the white tees this round), and the bunkers are just okay. There's just an overall 'meh' feeling about course conditions right now, with the notable exception of the greens.

Still no end in sight for the clubhouse remodel, either. So if you want to play some very fun and challenging greens right now, Rancho Park is a great choice. But if every other aspect of golf is also important to you, then give them a few weeks to somehow get this sorted out.
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The Waikoloa Village golf course sits about 5 miles from the coast up the hill in the village of Waikoloa. A much cheaper option than courses down by the water. This where a lot of locals play. The course itself at times feels forgiving and open. The challenges are the wind, the sand traps, and the rough. The wind can change rapidly up on this hill so that was difficult to rea... » More

The Waikoloa Village golf course sits about 5 miles from the coast up the hill in the village of Waikoloa. A much cheaper option than courses down by the water. This where a lot of locals play. The course itself at times feels forgiving and open. The challenges are the wind, the sand traps, and the rough. The wind can change rapidly up on this hill so that was difficult to read. The sand is not sand at all but rather pebbles, that at times feel and play like normal sand and other times play like rocks. This is really the only downside to playing here. The rough, fairways, and greens don't get cut on the weekend, and since I played on a Sunday the challenge was on. The rough at times was playing at least 1 club more. The greens were in excellent condition, they were not as fast as you would think, but rolled pure and almost no marks on any green on the course.

The course truly rewards you for hitting the fairway. Thats what I did on the front, and was pumped to have one of my best rounds going, until the back 9 got me good. The front 9 is more scenic with some great views, especially holes 5 and 6. Everyone, who works there is very friendly and supportive, the locals gave me some excellent tips, and price is great. In the area and looking for a cheaper option with plenty of challenges, this is it.
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Played 6/19. Course is in decent shape. Fairways do have some bare/thin/rough patches. Rough is spotty. Greens are still a little bumpy and slow. Many of the forward tee boxes are under repair, the rest were a little overgrown. Overall, not bad and seems to be improving.

A week in Waikoloa and I managed to find myself at the Beach course (9-holes) followed by the Kings 9. I will review both here. The Waikoloa mixed use community is now offering 3 nine-hole options for players. The Beach, Kings, and Lakes. Lets start with the Beach.

The Beach 9 is about as classic of a resort course as you can find. Some challenging holes and well pla... » More

A week in Waikoloa and I managed to find myself at the Beach course (9-holes) followed by the Kings 9. I will review both here. The Waikoloa mixed use community is now offering 3 nine-hole options for players. The Beach, Kings, and Lakes. Lets start with the Beach.

The Beach 9 is about as classic of a resort course as you can find. Some challenging holes and well placed bunkers, with most holes offering double wide fairways and forgiveness. Every hole I was thinking, why is this called the beach 9 when its not actually on or near the beach. Only one hole plays near the water. In terms of course conditions, everything was really great. The greens rolled pure and were quick, the fairways, rough, and tee boxes are 9/10, the sand however was lacking and was not soft. The bunkers were so hard to get out of, creating a real challenge if you got in one . Overall, I loved it and I want to play this side again, its what Hawaii resort golf should be... fun.

The Kings 9-

This side is much more challenging and requires some real shot shaping and creativity. Not sure why its called the Kings but I can tell you that there are feral goats all over the course. No I am not talking about great golfers or GK members/gurus, literally feral goats in the fairways, on the greens, and in the rough. They are peaceful and will not bother you. This did throw me off just slightly. The greens were dryer and faster on this side, the wind picked up, and the pin placements made the Kings 9 a good challenge. The rough, tee boxes, and fairway conditions mirrored the Beach side except for the wind. Overall, I loved it.

Waikoloa is a fun and cheaper option than those at the surrounding expensive resorts(Mauna Kea, Hualalai, Mauna Lani). If you stay anywhere on the property you get a discount. The people are helpful and friendly, and the course is not going to crush you. I recommend this course, mahalo!
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Course continues to be in great condition. They are working on patching some of the areas adjacent to the cart paths which have bare spots due to cart traffic. Numerous areas in a few fairways have been resodded, to address some bare spots. Greens rolling well, but like the North Course, slower than normal? Otherwise, no issues. Enjoying these pleasant morning.