Top Hawaii Courses worth a shaka
By Kyle Moss
Spanning across the breathtaking Hawaiian island chain, a golfer’s paradise awaits. Imagine teeing off at the first course of your Hawaiian golf adventure, where ancient lava flows contrast with lush green fairways. Strategically placed bunkers demand precision, while the intoxicating aroma of tropical landscapes fills the air. Beyond the game itself, superb food and beverage options await at the clubhouse, where you’ll be treated to golden sunsets dipping below the Pacific horizon.
That is golf in Hawaii. And while golf courses like Wailea Golf Club and Kamehameha Golf Club are often talked about, America’s 50th state has dozens of beauty-rich tracks spanning north, south, inland, and beyond, from the Big Island to Oahu and on down the line. The state is home to numerous resort courses, public courses, and championship tracks that have hosted numerous PGA Tour and PGA Tour Champions events.
Of course, getting a tee time on some of Hawaii’s most famous courses is about as hard as winning a PGA grand slam. But luckily, this list of the best courses in Hawaii is all about the ones you can actually find a tee time at, so you can experience them for yourself.
And if those Hawaiian vibes are still flowing through you after the round — or if you can’t make it the islands anytime soon — our friends at Fandango at Home are offering a fun Lilo & Stitch bundle, featuring the new live-action remake of the classic Hawaiian-set animated film for digital purchase, and an exclusive Lilo & Stitch pin. However, hurry, as it’s only available for a limited time and while supplies last.
1. Mauna Lani Resort North Course
- 68-1050 Makaiwa Pl, Kohala Coast, Hawaii, 96743
- Green fee: From $295
- Winds through a forest of Kiawe Trees with oceanfront views at times.
2. Princeville Makai Golf Club
- 4080 Lei O Papa Road, Princeville, Hawaii, 96722
- Green fee: From $271
- Discover a scenic course designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr.
3. Poipu Bay Golf Course
- 2250 Ainako St, Koloa, Hawaii, 96756-9411
- Green fee: From $279
- Scenic views from tee to green, and challenging play for golfers at every skill level.
4. The Ocean Course at Hokuala
- 3351 Hoolaulea Way, Lihue, Hawaii, 96766
- Green fee: From $299
- Hit an array of shots on this course designed by Jack Nicklaus and Michael Riley.
5. Mauna Lani Resort South Course
- 68-1050 Makaiwa Pl, Kohala Coast, Hawaii, 96743
- Green fee: From $295
- Situated by ancient lava fields with stunning views of the ocean in the background.
6. Turtle Bay Resort Arnold Palmer Course
- 57-091 Kamehameha Highway, Kahuku, Hawaii, 96731
- Green fee: From $195
- Turtle Bay Resort has a distinctive 18-hole championship course designed by Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay.
7. Kapalua Golf
- 2000 Plantation Club Dr., Lahaina, Hawaii, 96761
- Green fee: From $259
- Features the Bay course and the Plantation course, which hosts the PGA Tour’s Tournament of Champions.
8. Maui Nui Golf Club
- 470 Lipoa Parkway, Kihei, Hawaii, 96753
- Green fee: From $59
- A fun test and the best bang for your buck on Maui.
9. Ocean Course at Hokuala
- 3351 Hoolaulea Way, Lihue, Hawaii, 96766
- Green fee: From $299
- Jack Nicklaus designed it with mango and guava forests on the outward nine holes and a links-style layout on the inward nine holes.
10. Royal Hawaiian Golf Club
- 770 Auola Rd, Kailua, Hawaii, 96734
- Green fee: From $143
- Rambles dramatically amidst jungle vegetation and the soaring green folds of the Ko’olau Mountains.
11. Mililani Golf Club
- 95-176 Kuahelani Avenue, Mililani, Hawaii, 96789
- Green fee: From $120
- Nestled on a plateau, with the Waianae Mountains and the Ko’olau Mountains stretching away in the distance.
12. Ko Olina Golf Club
- 92-1220 Aliinui Drive, Kapolei, Hawaii, 96707
- Green fee: From $140
- Well-groomed fairways and greens keep the course difficult yet friendly.
13. The Village Course at Waikoloa Golf Club
- 68 – 1792 Melia St., Waikoloa, Hawaii, 96738
- Green fee: From $105
- Overlooking the Kohala Coast and always in good condition.
14. Puakea Golf Course
- 4150 Nuhou St., Lihue, Hawaii, 96766
- Green fee: $139
- Puakea Golf Course embraces everything magical that is Kauai, with its natural beauty, casual charm and friendly people.
15. Kona Country Club
- 78-7000 Ali’i Drive , Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, 96740
- Green fee: From $110
- Historic William Bell design dates back to 1966.
16. The Dunes at Maui Lani
- 1333 Maui Lani Parkway, Kahului, Hawaii, 96732
- Green fee: From $84
- Great value and a links-style experience unlike anything else on Maui.
17. Kapolei Golf Club
- 91-701 Farrington Hwy, Kapolei, Hawaii, 96707
- Green fee: From $155
- Regarded for its magnificent beauty, floral gardens and strategic layout.
18. Pukalani Country Club
- 360 Pukalani St, Makawao, Hawaii, 96768-8434
- Green fee: From $35
- Nestled at the 1,100 foot elevation level of the world famous Mount Haleakala.
19. Kaanapali Kai Golf Course
- 2290 Kaanapali Parkway, Lahaina, Hawaii, 96753
- Green fee: From $75
- Views of the Pacific Ocean and the West Maui Mountains.
20. Ewa Beach Country Club
- 91-050 Fort Weaver Road, Ewa Beach, Hawaii, 96706
- Green fee: From $87
- Always kept in premium shape with the best greens and fairways on the island of Oʻahu.
21. Makani Golf Club
- 71-1420 Mamalahoa Hwy, Kailua Kona, Hawaii, 96740
- Green fee: From $65
- A Perry Dye course located at 2500 feet elevation in the cool mountain air above Kona.
22. Kiahuna Golf Club
- 2545 Kiahuna Plantation Dr, Koloa, Hawaii, 96756
- Green fee: From $80
- Challenging resort golf within a fascinating area of ancient Polynesian archeology.
Hawaii Prince Golf Club
- 91-1200 Fort Weaver Rd, Ewa Beach, Hawaii, 96706
- Green fee: From $74
- Designers Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay turned rare flat terrain into the only 27-hole golf facility in the state of Hawaii.
Royal Kaanapali Golf Course
- 2290 Kaanapali Parkway, Lahaina, Hawaii, 96761
- Green fee: From $126
- This Robert Trent Jones, Sr. design features rolling landscape with gently sloping fairways and large contoured greens.
Waikele Country Club
- 94-200 Paioa Pl, Waipahu,, Hawaii, 96797-5011
- Green fee: From $80
- The course overlooks Pearl Harbor and the blue Pacific.