GreenlitBETA
Kahuku, Oahu

Turtle Bay Resort - Arnold Palmer Course

Arnold Palmer's masterpiece on Oahu's legendary North Shore—where Scottish links-style golf meets tropical paradise.

About the Course

Turtle Bay Resort's Arnold Palmer Course stands as one of Oahu's premier public golf destinations, a stunning championship layout that has hosted the LPGA Tour, Champions Tour, and Golf Channel's The Big Break. Designed by Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay and opened in 1992, this course was immediately recognized as special, earning Golf Magazine's "Top 10 New Courses" and ranking 4th in Golf Digest's "Best New Resort Courses in America" when it debuted.

The course presents two dramatically different nines that keep golfers engaged throughout the round. The front nine plays like a Scottish links course with rolling terrain, strategic bunkering, and subtle elevation changes, while the back nine shifts into a more tropical setting, winding through lush Hawaiian landscapes and dense jungle vegetation. The signature 17th hole, set on a plateau 100 feet above the ocean with nine bunkers leading to the green, is one of golf's most iconic finishes and provides the round's most visible ocean views.

What makes Turtle Bay special for group play is the variety within a single course. At 7,200+ yards from the back tees with a course rating of 75.0, it's plenty challenging for serious golfers, but multiple tee options make it accessible for everyone. The course strategically places water in play on 14 holes and uses the surrounding Punaho'olapa Marsh—a 100-acre bird sanctuary—as both a design feature and ecological treasure. Located just 45-50 minutes from Honolulu, Turtle Bay puts you in Hawaii's most relaxed, most iconic setting: the North Shore, known worldwide for epic surfing but now your group's private golfing paradise.

Why It's Great for Groups
  • ✦Two distinct nine-hole experiences—Scottish links front nine and tropical back nine—keep the round fresh and engaging for a full foursome
  • ✦On-site luxury lodging at The Ritz-Carlton Oahu, Turtle Bay means you stay steps from the first tee and can play multiple courses without leaving the property
  • ✦Hosted professional tours (LPGA, Champions Tour) and Golf Channel events, so you're playing the same greens as legends like Annika Sorenstam and Hale Irwin
  • ✦Spectacular North Shore setting with a second course (George Fazio) on property for multi-day group trips—variety without traveling
  • ✦Accessible to all skill levels with multiple tees, while maintaining the challenge serious golfers crave; perfect for mixed-ability groups
Courses on Property
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Arnold Palmer Course18 holes · Par 72

Championship course featuring a Scottish links front nine and tropical back nine, with the iconic 17th hole perched 100 feet above the ocean.

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George Fazio Course18 holes · Par 72

More forgiving and walker-friendly sister course with generous fairways and raised greens; perfect for multi-day group trips.

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Key Details
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Green Fees
$250–$285/person est.
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Walking Friendly
Cart recommended
🎒
Caddies Available
Yes
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Best Time to Visit
April through October offers the best weather with less rainfall and consistent trade winds. January-February brings cooler temperatures (around 73°F) and milder conditions ideal for golfing, though it can be wetter. December tends to be the wettest month. Avoid North Shore swell season (November-March winter swells) if you prefer calmer ocean views. Early tee times are recommended year-round to avoid afternoon wind and to finish before sunset (as early as 5:30 PM in December, as late as 7:15 PM in June/July).
LinksParklandOcean ViewsBucket ListChampionshipLPGAResortRyder CupMajor VenueWaterfrontCaddies Available
Stay on Property
The Ritz-Carlton O'ahu, Turtle Bay offers 443 oceanfront rooms with every room featuring ocean views. Accommodations range from standard ocean-view rooms to premium oceanfront suites and exclusive ocean bungalows with private pools. The resort spans 1,300 acres with five miles of pristine beach, 12 miles of trails, world-class restaurants, Nalu Spa, and extensive activities. Golf course preferred guest rates apply to resort guests.

The Ritz-Carlton O'ahu, Turtle Bay offers 443 oceanfront rooms with every room featuring ocean views. Accommodations range from standard ocean-view rooms to premium oceanfront suites and exclusive ocean bungalows with private pools. The resort spans 1,300 acres with five miles of pristine beach, 12 miles of trails, world-class restaurants, Nalu Spa, and extensive activities. Golf course preferred guest rates apply to resort guests.

Nearby Lodging