Nanea Golf Club

Overview: Nanea Golf Club occupies an exposed volcanic plateau above Kailua-Kona, where native grasses, black lava outcrops and broad Pacific views define the setting. The course is built around the natural highland landscape rather than a conventional resort-golf template, and its wind exposure is a central part of the experience.

History: David McLay Kidd designed Nanea in the early 2000s, creating a private course on the Kona side of Hawai‘i. The routing uses the island’s volcanic ground and open topography, with the course identity closely tied to the landscape beneath Hualālai.

Did You Know? Golf Digest notes that much of the natural volcanic rock was retained in place instead of being ground up for construction. The result is a course where the dark lava, pale sand and native vegetation remain visible throughout the round.