Waikōloa Kings' Nine
Experience the Waikōloa Kings' Nine, a challenging Scottish links-style golf course set amidst ancient lava fields on the Big Island's Kohala Coast, offering strategic play and distant Mauna Kea views.
- Scottish links-style golf experience
- Designed by Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish
- Undulating fairways and deep pot bunkers
- Scenic views of Mauna Kea
Waikōloa Kings' Nine is a golf outing on the Kohala Coast of the Big Island, tucked inside the Waikoloa Beach Resort area and shaped by the island’s volcanic landscape rather than by oceanfront drama. It stands out as a compact but distinctive golf loop: a Scottish links-style design over ancient lava fields, with wide fairways, deep bunkers, and long views toward Mauna Kea. For travelers already staying in Waikoloa or building a resort-centered day, it works as a clean, well-defined activity block that feels tied to place instead of just filling time.
A lava-field links course, not a tropical parkland round
The Kings' Nine has a very different personality from the more ocean-facing golf options nearby. Its character comes from strategic shot-making: undulating fairways, pot bunkers that punish wayward approaches, and lava outcroppings that keep the course honest. Multiple tee placements make it accessible across a range of skill levels, but it still rewards golfers who think a few shots ahead.
The setting is a large part of the appeal. The course sits in open country where the black rock terrain, indigenous grasses, and big-sky views give the round a much more exposed, wind-aware feel than many visitors expect from a resort course in Hawaiʻi. Hole #5 is known for its risk-reward setup, while the finishing hole brings players back toward the clubhouse with especially good views.
How it fits into a Waikoloa day
This is an easy activity to fold into a resort stay or a golf-focused Big Island itinerary. A single nine-hole loop makes sense as a half-day anchor or a quick, structured break between beach time, pool time, or a later dinner reservation. For a fuller round, it is commonly paired with another nine from the Waikoloa Beach Resort Golf complex, creating an 18-hole day that can take most of a morning or afternoon.
The resort setting keeps logistics straightforward. Clubhouse access, parking, a pro shop, driving range, and practice facilities are all part of the experience, which makes it more convenient than a more remote course. Reservations are strongly advisable, and golf carts are required, so this is not the place for a casual walk-up plan.
What to know before you book tee time
The biggest tradeoff here is simple: this is a course built for golfers, not for casual sightseeing. If the goal is panoramic oceanfront golf, the more coastal neighboring nine may feel more immediately scenic. If the goal is a more textured, strategic, lava-carved round, Kings’ Nine delivers the stronger identity.
Weather also matters. Waikoloa can be sunny and breezy, and trade winds often become more noticeable later in the day. Sun protection and water are essential, and errant shots can finish in rough lava terrain that is not forgiving. Standard golf readiness applies: the course is approachable, but it still asks for discipline.
Best fit
Waikōloa Kings' Nine suits travelers who want a memorable resort golf round with a clear sense of place, especially those staying in Waikoloa or Kohala and looking for a course that feels more dramatic than generic. It is also a good choice for mixed-skill groups because the tee options keep it adaptable.
Golfers looking for a quick, polished, volcanic-coast round will find plenty to like. Those seeking a more purely ocean-view experience, or travelers who are not planning to play a full golf day, may be better served by spending their time elsewhere on the coast.
