Francis H. I'i Brown Golf Courses

Francis H. I'i Brown Golf Courses are a full resort-golf experience on the Big Island’s Kohala Coast, set in Waikoloa within the Mauna Lani area. This is one of the island’s strongest itinerary blocks for golfers because it combines two 18-hole championship layouts with a distinctly Hawaiian setting: black lava fields, kiawe forest, ocean edges, and long views that make the round feel anchored to place rather than just to scorecard. For travelers building a day around active time outdoors, it works especially well as a half-day or longer anchor rather than a quick stop.

North Course, South Course, and the Keiki layout

The main draw is the pair of championship 18-hole courses, the North and South Courses. They share the same broad resort setting but feel meaningfully different in character. The South Course is the more dramatic ocean-side play, with holes that lean toward wide Pacific views and the memorable par-3s that have made it famous. The North Course feels a little more enclosed and rugged, threading through older lava flows and kiawe trees beside protected archaeological land.

There is also a 9-hole Wikiwiki course, often referred to as the Keiki course, which gives the property a family-friendly side that many Big Island golf stops do not have. That makes the complex more flexible than a pure championship venue: serious golfers can build a full round, while beginners, juniors, or mixed-skill groups can still take part.

A course shaped by lava and coastline

What sets Francis H. I'i Brown Golf Courses apart is the landscape itself. Fairways cut across a terrain of a'a lava, with sharp visual contrast between manicured grass and raw volcanic rock. That creates an unmistakably Big Island feel, but it also changes how the round plays. Balls can disappear quickly into lava, so the course rewards measured shot-making and sensible course management. It is not the place to get overly aggressive if the wind picks up or if you are unfamiliar with resort golf on volcanic ground.

The setting is also culturally important. The area around Mauna Lani has deep historical significance, and the courses were designed around natural features rather than bulldozed flat. That gives the round a more layered personality than a generic resort track.

Building it into a Waikoloa day

This is an easy fit for travelers already based in Waikoloa, Mauna Lani, or nearby Kohala resorts. It pairs naturally with a relaxed morning on the course, lunch at the resort, and a low-key afternoon by the coast. Because a full round usually takes several hours and the property offers practice facilities and instruction, it can comfortably occupy most of a day.

Reservations are the smart move here, especially in peak travel periods. The course is private resort golf, so this is not an improvisational outing. Sun protection matters, hydration matters, and the terrain makes it wise to leave the ball-retrieval heroics alone when shots vanish into lava.

Best for golfers, less so for everyone else

This is an excellent choice for golfers who want scenery to matter as much as shot value. It also suits families with players of different ages or abilities, thanks to the Keiki course and instruction options. Travelers who do not golf, or who are keeping a strict eye on budget, will find more value elsewhere on the island. But for anyone looking for a polished Kohala Coast golf day with a strong sense of place, Francis H. I'i Brown Golf Courses stands near the top of the list.