Turtle Bay Golf, Oahu
The Turtle Bay Resort is located on a stretch of stunning north shore coastline on Oahu and it offers two spectacular golf courses – one course designed by Arnold Palmer and the other by George Fazio, two renowned names in the fields of golf and architecture. With stunning ocean views and incredible coastal panoramas, the two 18-hole championship courses at Turtle Bay have played host to the Champions Tour, the Hawaii State Open, the LPGA Tour, and Golf Channel's The Big Break. The Kuilima Estates residential community is located along the golf course.
The Fazio Course at Turtle Bay is the only golf course in Hawaii to have been designed by George Fazio. With its classic design, it was originally built in the 1970s and, having proved its mettle over time, it remains equally popular amongst visitors and professionals. This course is 6,535 yards long, has a slope of 131, and holes that wind their way through acres of lush fairways, deep bunkers, and well-maintained greens, all the while offering amazing views of Hawaii's famous North Shore.
While the Fazio course is a superb facility, the famous Palmer Course is considered the gem of Turtle Bay and has achieved many accolades, not least being included in Golf Digest's "Top 100 Golf Courses in the US." The design of this championship course combines a Scottish Links-style layout with dense wetlands, contoured fairways that are lined with trees, and stunning Pacific views from the penultimate hole – the signature 17th. This course is comprised of two distinctly different experiences. The front nine features rolling terrain, sand, water, and wind with few shrubs or trees. By contrast, the back nine takes the player through a jungle of forest pines and provides an altogether different feel. This course comes to an end on a plateau one hundred feet from the ocean.
There are two practice facilities near the clubhouse at Turtle Bay with a driving range, a chipping green with sand-filled bunkers, and a sizeable putting green. The Arnold Palmer Practice Area is one of the best in Hawaii and includes a large driving range, a short-game area, and a pitching green. There is also a Golf Academy where players can obtain instruction to improve their existing game or completely overhaul their techniques.
Other facilities include a fully-stocked pro shop and a restaurant – Lei Lei's Bar & Grill. Turtle Bay Resort also offers a variety of accommodations for those who want to stay, and there are facilities to cater for business meetings, weddings, and all types of social events.
