Hawaii is one of the most spectacular golf destinations on earth. With dramatic volcanic landscapes, ocean cliffs, lush tropical valleys, and year-round perfect weather, the Hawaiian Islands offer a golf experience that simply cannot be replicated anywhere else. Whether you’re planning a dedicated golf trip or simply want to squeeze in a round or two during a family vacation, this guide covers the best golf courses in Hawaii across all four major islands — with honest assessments to help you choose the right course for your game and your budget.
Why Hawaii Is a Golfer’s Paradise
Hawaii boasts over 80 golf courses spread across Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island (Hawaii Island). The combination of consistent trade winds, volcanic terrain, immaculate turf conditions, and jaw-dropping backdrops makes Hawaiian golf genuinely unlike any other. Tee times can be arranged year-round — there is no off-season — and green fees range from accessible public courses to exclusive private clubs hosting PGA Tour events.
A few logistical notes before booking: club rentals are widely available at most courses, so you don’t need to travel with a full set. Tee times on popular resort courses book out weeks in advance, especially during peak tourist season (December–March and June–August). Arrive early, as many courses have spectacular practice facilities worth exploring.
Best Golf Courses on Maui
Kapalua Plantation Course — Kapalua, Maui
Home of the Sentry Tournament of Champions (the PGA Tour’s season opener), the Plantation Course at Kapalua is one of the most famous golf courses in the world. Designed by Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore, it plays to 7,411 yards from the tips across dramatic hillside terrain with sweeping views of Molokai and Lanai in the distance. The combination of elevation changes and persistent trade winds makes club selection genuinely challenging. The 18th hole — a 663-yard par 5 that plays dramatically downhill — is one of the most unforgettable closing holes in golf.
Green fees: ~$400–500 for resort guests; cart included. Book well in advance.
Wailea Gold Course — Wailea, Maui
The Wailea resort complex offers three courses, but the Gold Course is the most celebrated. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., it weaves through ancient lava fields, kiawe forests, and three-tier greens with panoramic views of the Pacific and Haleakala volcano. At 7,078 yards from the championship tees, it demands accuracy off the tee — errant shots into the lava rock are genuinely penalizing. The Emerald Course at Wailea is a solid alternative for more casual players, with a slightly friendlier layout.
Green fees: ~$250–320 depending on season and residency. Twilight rates available.
Dunes at Maui Lani — Kahului, Maui
For golfers on a tighter budget, the Dunes at Maui Lani offers an excellent Robin Nelson–designed course at a fraction of resort pricing. The course plays through natural sand dunes — unusual for Hawaii — and offers a links-style experience quite different from the lush resort courses. Green fees under $100 make it the best value round on Maui.
Best Golf Courses on the Big Island (Hawaii Island)
Mauna Kea Golf Course — Kohala Coast, Big Island
The Mauna Kea Golf Course holds a special place in golf history. Opened in 1964 and designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., it was the first major resort course built in Hawaii and remains among the finest. The third hole — a 243-yard par 3 over a Pacific Ocean inlet — is one of the most photographed golf holes in the world. The course was completely renovated and reopened in 2022, with the original Jones design restored and the turf dramatically improved. A must-play for any serious golfer visiting the Big Island.
Green fees: ~$350–450 for resort guests. Spectacularly worth it.
Four Seasons Hualalai Golf Course — Kailua-Kona, Big Island
Designed by Jack Nicklaus, the Hualalai Golf Course at the Four Seasons resort is routinely ranked among the top courses in America. It plays across black lava fields with sea views from nearly every hole, and its immaculate conditioning reflects the Four Seasons’ standards. The course is technically private — access is limited to resort guests and property owners — but if you can arrange a stay, it ranks among the most memorable rounds you’ll play anywhere.
Waikoloa Beach Resort Golf Course — Waikoloa, Big Island
A more accessible and wallet-friendly option on the Kohala Coast, the Waikoloa Beach Course (Robert Trent Jones Jr.) offers a legitimate resort experience at lower green fees than the flagship courses nearby. Ancient Hawaiian petroglyph fields are visible from several holes — a remarkable historical dimension found nowhere else on any golf course in the world. The Kings Course nearby offers a slightly more demanding challenge.
Green fees: ~$130–180. Excellent value for the Kohala Coast.
Best Golf Courses on Kauai
Princeville Makai Golf Club — Princeville, Kauai
Set on the dramatic North Shore of Kauai — the backdrop for Jurassic Park — the Makai Course at Princeville has been extensively renovated and is now considered one of the finest courses in the state. Designer Robert Trent Jones Jr. created a layout that combines ocean cliffs, Na Pali Coast mountain views, and impeccable turf into an experience of extraordinary visual drama. The par 3 seventh hole, playing directly toward a Pacific Ocean cliff edge, is a candidate for the most beautiful golf hole in America.
Green fees: ~$250–350. Twilight rates from $130 offer the best value.
Poipu Bay Golf Course — Koloa, Kauai
Formerly the home of the PGA Grand Slam of Golf, Poipu Bay on the sunny South Shore is a Robert Trent Jones Jr. design offering ocean views, occasional monk seal sightings on the beach, and a more accessible layout than the dramatic North Shore courses. The weather on the South Shore is more consistently sunny than in Princeville, making it the more reliable rain-free choice.
Best Golf Courses on Oahu
Ko Olina Golf Club — Kapolei, Oahu
The finest resort course on Oahu, Ko Olina was designed by Ted Robinson and weaves through swaying palms, tiered waterfalls, and lakes against a mountain backdrop. It hosted the LPGA Tour’s Lotte Championship for several years. The course is immaculately maintained and offers a genuine resort experience — though green fees reflect its premium positioning.
Green fees: ~$175–220 for visitors. Popular with corporate events — book tee times well in advance.
Hawaii Kai Golf Course — Honolulu, Oahu
For golfers on a budget who are based in Honolulu, Hawaii Kai offers a public course with ocean views at green fees under $80. The Championship Course is challenging enough to satisfy serious golfers; the Executive Course is a useful warm-up option. The location — facing the Pacific in east Honolulu — is spectacular for the price point.
Practical Tips for Golfing in Hawaii
- Book tee times early: Premium resort courses, particularly Kapalua Plantation, Mauna Kea, and Princeville Makai, fill up weeks in advance during peak season. Use the resort’s direct booking system or GolfNow for availability.
- Play twilight: Many courses offer significantly reduced twilight rates starting at 1–2pm. If you don’t mind an afternoon round, savings of 30–50% are common.
- Rent clubs locally: Quality rental sets (often Titleist or Callaway) are available at most resort courses for $50–80. Traveling without clubs eliminates airline fees and baggage hassle.
- Dress for trade winds: Hawaii’s famous trade winds can make club selection challenging. A wind vest is useful on higher elevation courses. Courses generally enforce a collared shirt policy.
- Stay hydrated: The combination of tropical sun and physical exertion on a five-hour round demands serious hydration. Most courses sell beverages at on-course stands, but carrying extra water is wise.
- Factor in green fee costs: Premium Hawaiian courses are among the most expensive rounds of golf you’ll play anywhere. Budget $300–500 per round at flagship courses. Public courses offer good value at $50–120.
Making the Most of Your Hawaii Golf Trip
Before your trip, it’s worth working on a few aspects of your game that matter most in Hawaii. Trade winds reward accurate ball strikers — those who can work the ball both directions and control trajectory will enjoy the courses most. If your iron play needs work, our guide to hitting irons consistently covers the fundamentals before you go. And since many Hawaii courses feature undulating greens and multiple break directions, brushing up on your putting strategy will pay dividends. Hawaii golf is bucket-list golf. Plan well, book early, and enjoy every moment of it.
The Bottom Line
Hawaii offers some of the most spectacular and memorable golf in the world. From the volcanic coastlines of the Big Island to the dramatic sea cliffs of Kauai’s North Shore, the islands deliver a golf experience that combines natural wonder with genuinely excellent course design. Whether your budget runs to the Kapalua Plantation or the Dunes at Maui Lani, there is a Hawaiian course worth playing at every price point. Start planning early, book tee times well in advance, and pack your sunscreen.
