
Arnold Palmer Course
Turtle Bay Resort
About this course
Arnold Palmer Course at Turtle Bay, carved from the rugged North Shore of Oahu, is a testament to Palmer's design philosophy of playability balanced with challenge. Opened in 1972 and later refined by Palmer himself, the course traverses a diverse landscape, weaving through ironwood forests, over undulating terrain, and skirting the dramatic coastline. It offers generous fairways that encourage aggressive play, while strategically placed bunkers and subtle elevation changes demand thoughtful club selection and an acute awareness of the prevailing trade winds. Beyond the demanding layout, Arnold Palmer Course is a living stage to the PGA Tour. From 2001-2006 it played host to the now-defunct PGA Tour's Sony Open in Hawaii. A championship where legends like Ernie Els and Jerry Kelly etched their names into the lore of the course. The Arnold Palmer Course still serves as a reminder that the island's gentle beauty masks a true test of skill for even the world’s best players. While not among the most nationally heralded layouts, its enduring appeal lies in its accessibility and the sheer enjoyment it offers to golfers of all abilities. Many return to Turtle Bay year after year, drawn not just to the course itself, but to the vibrant, welcoming atmosphere that permeates the property. The Arnold Palmer course at Turtle Bay remains a beloved and revered test to locals and visiting golfers, offering a memorable and distinctly Hawaiian golf experience.
Rankings
Ranked by CV ratings from golfers who've played this course. Positions are shown worldwide, by country, and by state; the Public column compares courses anyone can play.
Best in World
Best in USA
Best in HI
Quick facts
- Location
- Kahuku, HI, USA
- Access
- Public
- Year built
- 1992
- Holes
- 18
- Designer
- Arnold Palmer
- Par
- 72
- Length
- 7,218 yards
- Difficulty
- 75/141
- Course Vaults score
- 7.9
Getting there
Most visitors to Turtle Bay Resort arrive through Honolulu's Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, then embark on a striking hour-long drive north along Oahu's windward coast. The route traces the island's eastern shore on Highway 83, where the Pacific crashes against black lava rock and the Ko'olau Range rises steeply inland, before the landscape opens into the rural calm of the North Shore. As you round Kahuku Point, the resort's low-rise silhouette appears against a sweep of white sand and turquoise water - a secluded enclave at the island's northernmost tip, where the energy of Waikiki feels worlds away.

FAQ
Common questions about Arnold Palmer at Turtle Bay Resort
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Arnold Palmer at Turtle Bay Resort has a Course Vaults score of 7.9 out of 10 based on 45 logged golfers.
Arnold Palmer was designed by Arnold Palmer.
Yes. Arnold Palmer at Turtle Bay Resort is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at Arnold Palmer is 72.
Arnold Palmer plays 7,218 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Arnold Palmer is 141.




