Best Golf Courses in Hawaii: Golf in Paradise
Golf in Hawaii requires a recalibration of expectations. The courses are spectacular — ocean views, volcanic terrain, trade winds off the Pacific, and resort infrastructure that has been built specifically for golfers who consider the course as important as the beach. But Hawaiian golf is also expensive, the trade winds affect every shot on coastal holes, and the courses vary significantly in quality beneath the tropical backdrop. Here is where to play on each island.
Maui: The Plantation Course at Kapalua
The Plantation Course at Kapalua is the most acclaimed course in Hawaii and hosts the Sentry Tournament of Champions every January — the PGA Tour's season opener. Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw designed it on the northwest coast of Maui, on a hillside site above the Pacific with sweeping views of the ocean and the island of Molokai visible on clear days. The course's most distinctive characteristic is its size — the fairways are exceptionally wide, the greens are large, and the overall scale of the design is proportional to the dramatic landscape it occupies.
Kapalua also has the Bay Course — a Robert Trent Jones Jr. design that is more accessible and less dramatic but still offers the ocean views and resort quality that make Maui golf worth the cost.
Maui: Wailea Golf Club
The Wailea Golf Club in south Maui has three courses — Gold, Emerald, and Blue — that offer different experiences on the same resort property. The Gold Course is the most challenging; the Emerald is the most visually dramatic with ocean views from most holes; the Blue is the most forgiving and appropriate for mid-handicap visitors. All three benefit from Maui's leeward climate, which makes them drier and less windy than the north and west coast courses.
Big Island: Four Seasons Hualalai
The Four Seasons at Hualalai on the Kohala Coast of the Big Island is the most exclusive resort golf experience in Hawaii. Jack Nicklaus designed the course on lava field terrain, routing holes through the black lava flows that define the Kohala Coast's visual character. The course is restricted to resort guests — which means the Four Seasons rate — but the experience, including the course's lava rock hazards and ocean-facing holes, is unique in American golf.
Oahu: Ko Olina Golf Club
Ko Olina Golf Club on Oahu's west coast is the strongest option on the most visited Hawaiian island. Ted Robinson designed it on a site that uses the rugged terrain effectively, with several holes featuring waterfalls and ocean views. It is accessible to the public and consistently well-maintained. The wind off the Ko Olina coast requires careful club selection on approach shots.
Planning a Hawaiian Golf Trip
The Kohala Coast of the Big Island and south Maui are the optimal golf destinations in Hawaii — both offer multiple quality courses within driving distance and the weather patterns are more consistent than the wetter north shore locations. April through October is the primary season, though Hawaii's golf is essentially year-round. Budget for green fees of $200-$400 per round at the marquee courses.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best golf course in Hawaii?
The Plantation Course at Kapalua in Maui is the most acclaimed course in Hawaii, hosting the PGA Tour's season opener annually. The Four Seasons Hualalai on the Big Island offers the most exclusive experience. For accessible quality, Wailea Gold Course in Maui is the strongest public-access option.
What PGA Tour event is played in Hawaii?
The Sentry Tournament of Champions is played at the Plantation Course at Kapalua, Maui, every January. It features the previous season's PGA Tour winners and serves as the tour's official season opener.