Our 10 Best Golf Courses in Hawaii

When you think about Hawaii what comes to mind? Surfing? Luaus? Beautiful beaches?  Of course. But, did you know the islands of Hawaii are also known for being home to some of the most beautiful golf courses in the world?

With picturesque views of the old Hawaiian Mountains stretched over the crystal blue Pacific Ocean, Hawaii’s lush green golf courses are just begging to be played. So next time you’re traveling to the islands, make sure you check out a few of our 10 best golf courses in Hawaii, and if they’re not on your bucket list already, they will be after seeing a few of these photos.

As a matter of note, we’re limiting our list to only public Hawaiian courses, after all what’s worse than getting all the way there and not being able to play!

10.) Kauai Lagoons Golf Club – Kiele Course (Lihue, HI)

This gorgeous championship Jack Nicklaus design (Kiele Course) sits atop lush mountains with sprawling ocean views. The course resides on the southwest corner of the Kauai island and is conveniently located just five minutes from the Lihue Airport.  The fairways bend through mango and guava tree forests alongside coastline cliffs high above the harbor offering beautiful views of passing boats on the Pacific. Nicklaus designed this course in the late 80’s and subsequently returned for its redesign in 2011. In 2013, Kiele was ranked #84 on Golfweek’s America’s Best Resort Courses list and #7 on the 2012 Golf.com list of the Best Public Courses in Hawaii.  If you’re staying there as a Marriot guest, you’ll pay $150 for a morning round and $115 after 12pm, non-guests should be prepared to pay $205 for a pre-noon round.

Photo by Marriott.com

9.) Makai GC (Princeville, HI)

The famous Makai Golf Club at The St. Regis Princeville Resort opened its doors for play in 1971 and was recently (2009) renovated with a beautiful course-wide upgrade. Surrounded by views of Bali Hai and Hanalei Bay, this par 72 offers 7,200 yards of golf from the long tees and challenges all golfers who dare to play from the tips. The signature 7th hole forces players to hit a perfect tee shot over cliffs onto a green completely surrounded by white sand bunkers. Makai has earned numerous accolades such as Top 5 Public Courses in Hawaii (Golf Magazine) and Top 100 Golf Resorts (Travel & Leisure). Your standard morning round will run you about $239, but you can save $50 bucks if you’re willing to tee off after 12pm.

The signature 7th hole at Makai Golf Club. Photo by MakaiGolf.com

8.) Ko’olau GC (Kaneohe, HI)

Ranked 7th on Golflink’s “Top 100 US Golf Courses” for five straight years (2008-2012), this course was designed by Dick Nugent and is definitely a can’t-miss if you find yourself on the island of O’ahu. Ko’olau measures in at 7,310 yards from the longest tees and plays to any skill level. If you’re planning your trip visiting the outer islands, be sure to swing by Ko’olau and challenge these daunting ravines! As an added bonus, the greens fees here are on the lighter side, running visitors only about $145 any day of the week. Trust us, that’s a steal on a Hawaiian course of this caliber.

Photo by KoolauGolfClub.com

7.) The Experience at Koele (Lanai City, HI)

This course sits high above sea level on the grounds of Four Seasons Resort Lana’i. In contrast to its sister course (The Challenge at Manele), The Experience offers a cooler climate (being 2000 feet above sea level), with wooded slopes and plenty of sand and water hazards. Their signature 17th hole plays from a 250-foot elevated tee box to a narrow fairway lined with a lake on one side and heavy brush on the other. You’ll definitely brag about your round at Koele when you’re done, but be sure to bring a light weight jacket as it could get a bit chilly up there.

The Experience at Koele – Island of Lanai Golf

Designed by golf legend Greg Norman and architect Ted Robinson, this championship course offers stunning views of mountains and lush greens, with the ocean in the distance. It offers dramatic contrast to The Challenge at Manele, with a cooler climate, wooded slopes, manicured bunkers and terraced water hazards.

6.) Wailea Gold (Wailea, Maui, HI)

This beautiful course played home to the Champions Skins Game from 2001 to 2007. The 7,078 yard Wailea Gold features perfectly manicured grass lined with tall standing palm trees. Every hole provides guests with anywhere from four to six tee boxes, making the course ideal for players of all skill levels. Wailea Gold was designed by famous course architect Robert Trent Jones II and was honored by both Golf Magazine and Golf Digest as one of the country’s 10 Best New Resort Courses when it opened its doors in 1994. Nicknamed the “thinking player’s course”, this layout offers the perfect combination of beauty and challenge at every turn. Resort guests can expect to pay close to $200 per round during the winter and a little less during summer and fall.

Photo by golfdealshawaii.com

5.) The Challenge at Manele (Lanai City, HI)

It’s worth noting that if you’re fearful of heights, The Challenge at Manele may just have you running scared. But if you can keep your wits about you among the beautiful steep cliffs, then Manele is definitely a must play. The Challenge at Manele is the tougher of the courses on the grounds at the Four Season Resort Lana’i. Holes 11, 12 and 17 all hug a rugged coastline with 200 foot cliffs, offering competitive challenges and amazing views. This Four Seasons property golf course was designed by Jack Nicklaus and first opened its doors back in 1993. You’ll enjoy navigating through the cliffs on this once lava-singed mountain. The course is open from 6:30am – 4:30pm daily and tee times will run you about $225 for 18 holes of beautiful weekend golf.

Photo by FourSeasons.com

4.) Poipu Bay GC (Koloa, HI)

With the Pacific Ocean serving as its backdrop, Poipu Bay Golf Course provides stunning views of green rolling mountains and a daunting challenge to all players visiting its luscious fairways. Home of the Grand Slam of Golf from 1994 – 2006, Poipu Bay paints a picture of beautiful emerald mountains reaching as much as eight stories high. Not only will the landscape take your breath away, you’ll also have plenty of company out on the course as the native wildlife surrounds you on every hole. Keep an eye and a camera ready for sightings of Nene geese, rare Hawaiian monk seals, green sea turtles, and humpback whales as you navigate through your round. The standard rate for a round here is $240 but resort guests will get in 18 holes for $170 during the peak of the day and $150 after 12pm.

3.) Kapalua Golf Resort (Maui, HI)

Recognized by Travel + Leisure as the Best Golf Resort in Hawaii, Kapalua also plays host to the PGA TOUR’s Hyundai Tournament of Champions every January. Whether you’re playing the Bay Course or the Plantation Course (where the pros play), you’re all but guaranteed to have a once in a lifetime experience. While the Bay Course runs shorter (6,600 yards) and is traditionally less challenging than it’s counterpart, if given the opportunity we still suggest attacking the Plantation Course (7,411 yards) to walk the fairways of the PGA TOUR Champs. If you’re a true PGA nut, plan your trip right around the New Year holiday and you’ll most likely be rubbing elbows with the best in the game during your stay!

Kapalua Plantation Course photographed by @shaunpederson.

2.) The Prince GC (Princeville, HI)

Recognized as one of the most beautiful golf courses in the entire world, The Prince Golf Course at Princeville is definitely a bucket list course for any serious golfer. The course was ranked as Golf Digest’s # 1 Golf Course in Hawaii and is constantly acknowledged as one of America’s Top 100. Considered to be one of the top five hardest golf courses in the US, the tight fairways, harsh winds, and small greens will provide any player, regardless of their handicap, a true PGA TOUR style challenge. With the challenge also comes a hefty $200 round price tag during peak play, but prices drop significantly if you’re willing to choose a later tee time.

Photo by Princeville.com

1.) Mauna Kea (Prince Resorts – Kohala Coast, Hawaii)

Lying amidst the breathtaking serenity that surrounds the Big Island, Mauna Kea is the premier destination for any golfer visiting the beautiful Hawaiian Islands. With a slope of 136 and a course rating of 77.2, Mauna Kea is home to “the most beautiful hole in the world” (the third) as stated by Robert Trent Jones when he designed it in 1964. Start saving your money now because hotel guests will pay upwards of $230 for a round ($180 during the 11am-1:30pm twilight and $160 after 1:30pm) but we can assure you that the day will be worth every penny. The course has been renovated many times since its inception and still ranks as one of the top golf spots in the world.

(Cover Photo Credit)