By Kris Hazard
About six miles south of downtown Kona, the Kona Country Club golf course traces dramatic stretches of shoreline above Keauhou Bay. The club currently offers one 18-hole public championship layout, practice facilities that include a driving range plus putting and chipping areas, and on-site dining at The View Bar & Grill.
For anyone comparing lifestyle in this area, the course says a great deal about how oceanfront recreation and daily living come together on this side of the Big Island.
Key Takeaways
- Location: Keauhou setting just south of downtown Kona.
- Layout: One public 18-hole oceanfront championship course.
- Highlights: Signature shoreline holes and views toward the Pacific.
- Lifestyle: Strong connection to nearby condos, resorts, and Keauhou amenities.
The Setting Gives the Course Its Identity
The course stands out first for where it sits, because Keauhou offers a quieter coastal feel than the busier stretches closer to central Kona.
The location details that matter most
- Keauhou address: The club is on Alii Drive in the Keauhou area south of town.
- Oceanfront routing: Several holes play directly alongside the Pacific.
- Easy approach: The drive from downtown Kona follows Alii Drive straight to the entrance.
That combination gives the club a true resort-coastal identity with a strong residential backdrop.
The Course Layout Is Public, Championship-Caliber, and Scenic
Kona Country Club operates as an 18-hole championship course, and the official course details emphasize wide fairways, Bermuda greens, and numerous bunkers.
The design points worth knowing
- Public access: Tee times can be booked online up to 30 days in advance.
- Course pedigree: The club says the course was built in 1966 and designed by William Bell.
- Championship profile: The official site describes it as an 18-hole championship course.
Those details explain why the club continues to hold such a strong place in the Keauhou lifestyle conversation, especially for people who want golf to feel woven into everyday life.
The Signature Holes Are What People Remember
This course is especially known for a handful of oceanfront holes that turn the shoreline into part of the round.
The standout on-course moments
- Hole 3: The course tour calls it a signature par 3 with water along the right side.
- Hole 12: The official tour describes this as a signature oceanfront par 3.
- Hole 13: The blowhole, or “puka,” can send ocean spray upward on days with higher surf.
These holes exemplify the course's strong sense of place, with the landscape doing as much of the storytelling as the architecture of the holes themselves.
Amenities and Player Experience Add to the Appeal
The club experience goes beyond the fairways, and that matters in a destination where a golf day often stretches into lunch, practice time, or a slower afternoon in Keauhou.
The practical amenities to keep in mind
- Golf shop: The club operates a full-service golf shop on site.
- Dining: The View Bar & Grill serves food and drinks at the property.
- Rental clubs: Club rentals are available for 18-hole and 9-hole rounds, subject to availability.
That fuller experience gives the club a more polished rhythm than a simple tee-time-only facility.
The Real Estate Context Around the Course Is Part of the Story
The golf club sits in one of the most established resort-residential pockets of Kailua-Kona, and that location matters as much as the layout itself.
The neighborhood connections I watch most
- Keauhou setting: The club is anchored in a mature coastal area with a long-established resort feel.
- Condo proximity: The course is close to multiple condo communities in Keauhou.
- Bay access: Keauhou Bay and its boating activity strengthen the area’s lifestyle appeal.
I like to connect the course to the surrounding community because the value here comes from how golf, coastline, condos, and nearby services all sit close together.
FAQs
Is Kona Country Club a public course?
Yes, the club offers public golf and online tee-time booking. The official site also notes that reservations can be made up to 30 days in advance.
How far is the course from downtown Kailua-Kona?
The club states that it is about 6 miles from downtown Kona. The route follows Alii Drive south into Keauhou.
What makes the course so well known?
The oceanfront holes, the blowhole view on 13, and the broader Keauhou setting give it a very memorable identity. The club also notes that it hosted the LPGA Takefuji Classic in 2000 and 2001.
Contact Kris Hazard Today
Keauhou has a very distinctive feel within Kailua-Kona, with oceanfront condo communities, bay access, lava-lined shoreline, and a golf course that gives the whole district a strong recreational anchor. I pay close attention to the neighborhood details that make this area special, like the relationship between the golf course, the condo communities, the bay, and the south Kona coastline.
Contact me, Kris Hazard, and I will help you find a home near the Kona Country Club golf course that feels aligned with the scenery, pace, and lifestyle that make Keauhou so compelling.
