Hawaii’s 87 golf courses offer resort golf in one of the world’s most spectacular settings — volcanic coastlines, lava fields, tropical valleys, and views of the Pacific that no other American golf destination can replicate. Hawaii is the only US state where every major island has nationally recognized golf, and the combination of warm weather, consistent trade winds, and dramatic natural landscape creates a playing experience that has made Hawaiian golf a cornerstone of the luxury resort market for decades.
Golf in Hawaii operates as a premium tourism product. Green fees at resort courses run $150–$325 per round, reflecting the land costs and maintenance standards of Hawaii’s resort economy. The state’s best courses are attached to the major resort hotels — Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton, and Marriott properties all operate signature golf facilities as core amenities. Public and municipal options exist on each island at lower prices, but Hawaii golf is primarily a resort experience.
Hawaii Golf by Region
Big Island (Hawaii Island)
The Big Island has the state’s highest concentration of nationally ranked resort courses, clustered along the Kohala Coast on the island’s sunny west side. Mauna Kea Golf Course (Robert Trent Jones Sr. design, 1964) pioneered resort golf in Hawaii and remains one of the state’s most celebrated layouts — the 3rd hole, playing over a Pacific Ocean cove, is one of the most photographed golf holes in the world. Hualalai Golf Club at the Four Seasons Hualalai is a Jack Nicklaus private design reserved for resort guests. Waikoloa Beach Resort operates two 18-hole courses (Kings’ Course by Tom Weiskopf/Jay Morrish and Beach Course by Robert Trent Jones Jr.).
Maui
Maui is home to the PGA Tour’s season opener: Kapalua Plantation Course (Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore design) hosts the Sentry Tournament of Champions every January — one of the most scenic settings in professional golf, with ocean views and the town of Kapalua below. The adjacent Kapalua Bay Course (Arnold Palmer) completes the resort complex. Wailea Golf Club (three courses: Gold, Emerald, and Blue) serves the south Maui resort corridor. Makena Golf Course’s Big Blue course is an 18-hole resort layout on dramatic lava terrain.
Oahu / Kauai
Oahu’s Ko Olina Golf Club (Ted Robinson design) is the island’s most visited resort course, located near the Ko Olina marina development. Turtle Bay Resort on Oahu’s North Shore runs two 18-hole courses — the Arnold Palmer-designed Fazio North Course and the George Fazio-designed course — with surf breaks visible from parts of the layout. On Kauai, the Prince Course at Princeville (Robert Trent Jones Jr., renovated 2020) is consistently cited as the most challenging course in Hawaii; Poipu Bay Golf Course (on Kauai’s south shore) previously hosted the PGA Tour’s Grand Slam of Golf.
Top Courses in Hawaii
- Mauna Kea Golf Course (Kohala Coast, Big Island) — Robert Trent Jones Sr. design (1964); the course that established Hawaii resort golf; 3rd hole ocean-cove tee shot is iconic. Resort; green fees ~$200–$295.
- Kapalua Plantation Course (Kapalua, Maui) — Coore & Crenshaw design; annual PGA Tour host (Sentry Tournament of Champions); sweeping ocean and mountain views. Resort; green fees ~$165–$275.
- Hualalai Golf Club (Kona, Big Island) — Jack Nicklaus Signature design; Four Seasons Hualalai private resort; among Hawaii’s highest-ranked courses. Resort guests only.
- Wailea Golf Club — Gold Course (Wailea, Maui) — Arthur Jack Snyder design; lava-rock terrain with ocean views from upper holes; south Maui resort standard. Green fees ~$150–$265.
- Prince Course — Princeville (Princeville, Kauai) — Robert Trent Jones Jr. design; Hawaii’s most challenging course; restored 2020. Green fees ~$150–$250.
- Ko Olina Golf Club (Ko Olina, Oahu) — Ted Robinson design; Oahu’s most popular resort course; Disney Aulani and Four Seasons Ko Olina resort corridor. Green fees ~$150–$225.
- Turtle Bay — Palmer Course (Kahuku, Oahu) — Arnold Palmer design on Oahu’s North Shore with ocean views and surf break backdrops. Resort; green fees ~$80–$175.
- Nanea Golf Club (Kohala Coast, Big Island) — Tom Fazio design; private resort club; one of Hawaii’s most exclusive and scenically dramatic courses. Private.
When to Play Golf in Hawaii
Hawaii golf is year-round, but the best conditions are during the dry season from April through October. The wet season (November–March) brings trade wind rains to the windward (east) sides of each island but leaves leeward (west) resort areas mostly unaffected — the Kohala Coast, Ko Olina, Kaanapali, and Poipu are on leeward sides that see sunshine even during the wet season. July–September can bring occasional tropical moisture, but rarely severe weather. Peak resort pricing runs December–April (winter escape season); value rates apply May–September. Golf on Hawaii is never cold — year-round temperatures run 75–85°F at sea level with steady trade winds keeping courses comfortable.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many golf courses are in Hawaii?
Hawaii has 87 golf courses in our database across all major islands. The Big Island has the highest concentration of nationally ranked resort courses; Maui and Oahu each have strong resort golf markets; Kauai has fewer but highly regarded courses. Molokai and Lanai have minimal public golf.
What is the best golf course in Hawaii?
Mauna Kea Golf Course on the Big Island and Kapalua Plantation Course on Maui are Hawaii’s most nationally celebrated public-access resort layouts. For private/exclusive golf, Nanea Golf Club (Big Island) and Hualalai Golf Club (Four Seasons, Big Island) are among Hawaii’s finest. Princeville Prince Course on Kauai is the most challenging in the state.
When is the best time to golf in Hawaii?
April through October for the most reliable sunshine and lower rates. The leeward resort coasts (Kohala, Ko Olina, Kaanapali, Poipu) have excellent conditions virtually year-round. January–March is the premium price season — trade wind rains occur but don’t typically derail resort golf.
How much does golf cost in Hawaii?
Hawaii resort golf runs $150–$325 for top-tier courses. Municipal and county-run courses (Ala Wai on Oahu, Hilo Municipal on the Big Island) run $30–$55. Mid-range resort tracks run $80–$150. Hawaii is one of the country’s most expensive golf markets — budget accordingly for multi-course resort itineraries.
All Golf Courses in Hawaii
Browse all 87 Hawaii golf courses in our database below, including green fees, location, and course details.