Golf in Hawaii

Add to My List Check Off

Year round idyllic weather, player friendly courses, excellent turf quality and incredible scenery all combine to make Hawaii one of the most sought after locations for golf holidays in the world. With more than 80 golf courses spread about the islands ranging from busy no-frills public golf courses with incredibly affordable rates to ultra-plush resort courses that cater to every whim of the traveling golfer chances are you can find just the golfing experience you are looking for in the USA’s 50th State. The PGA Tour, LPGA and Champions Tour all stage annual events at Championship quality courses in the Hawaiian Islands, many of which can also be played by visitors. Leading the charge for the greatest number of offerings while also boasting the largest population, the Island of Oahu presents over 40 courses if you include private clubs and military facilities. Oahu is home to the PGA Tour’s Sony Open, the kick-off event for each year’s tour that includes a full field of contestants. That prestigious tournament is staged at the Waialae Country Club, a Private course that can be experienced with the help of a member. Among the many options for golf on Oahu are the 2 courses at Turtle Bay (a number of professional tournaments have been held there), The Arnold Palmer designed Hawaii Prince Golf Club with its 3 nine hole options, Ko Olina Golf Course, a public facility and home to an LPGA annual event, Koolau Golf Course, carved out of the jungle and one of the most challenging courses on the face of the earth, one of the world’s busiest Municipal Courses, Ala Wai, located at the edge of Waikiki and a host of other friendly facilities that will bring the spirit of Aloha to the visitors game. The Island of Maui presents what may be the most famous collection of Hawaiian golf courses including the 2 public and 1 private offering at Kapalua. The Plantation Course at Kapalua with its prodigious length (over 7,400 yards) and eye-popping scenery is home to the PGA Tour’s Tournament of Champions contested by winners of the previous year’s tournaments. The Bay Course at Kapalua is a gentler cousin but no less scenic or memorable. Kapalua has one of the best practice facilities to be found anywhere. Visiting golfers also flock to the 2 courses at Kaanapali (both have previously hosted professional tournaments). Other resort oriented courses can be found at Wailea, where 3 championship caliber courses await and Makena, a spectacular Robert Trent Jones, Jr. layout that boasts views of the Haleakala Crater and the expansive Pacific Ocean. Among the lesser known courses on Maui The Dunes at Maui Lani and Elleair Maui Golf Club provide daily fee experiences on quality tracks. Waiehu Golf Course, a bargain public offering in Central Maui, is considered one of the top 2 public courses in Hawaii. Prolific Hawaiian course architect, Robin Nelson, offers Kahili Golf Course as another worthy alternative to those hoping to exercise their golfing persona on Maui. Just across the channel from Maui is the private island of Lanai. The Challenge at Manele and the Experience at Koele, affiliated with 2 world class resorts on Lanai, rewards traveling golfers with spectacular scenery, first class facilities and challenging designs. The courses are available to guests of the resorts as well as those making a round trip visit by ferry from the dock on Maui in Lahaina. Lanai is also home to Cavendish Golf Course, a 9 hole course originally built for sugar plantation workers. The Big Island of Hawaii is no poor step-child when it comes to quality golf options for those visiting this largest of the Hawaiian Islands with its more than 20 course menu. One of the newest and most exclusive clubs in the Hawaiian Islands, Hulalai, presents 2 highly regarded courses: The Hulalai Course hosts the annual Championship Tour’s season opening tournament and is available for play by guests of the resort where it is scenically located. The Ke’olu Course at Hulalai is an option for members and their guests only. The course at Mauna Kea Resort, operating since 1965 is the favorite track of many visitors to Hawaii with its oceanfront routing stamped into the lava fields upon which it was built. Literally next door to Mauna Kea is found the Francis I'i Brown Mauna Lani North and South Courses – 36 holes of quintessential island golf. Other fine resort offerings on the Big Island include Hapuna Golf Course, a hillside Arnold Palmer layout and the Waikoloa Beach Course and King’s Course. Other worthwhile rounds that include some real bargains are found at the over 60 year old Hilo Municipal Golf Course, the open to the public Kona Country Club and Hawaii’s highest elevation golf course, the aptly named Volcano Golf and Country Club. The “Garden Isle” of Kauai does itself proud with its selection of golfing playgrounds. On the north shore at the world class Princeville Resort the Prince Course and the Makai Course compete for the attention of visitors. The Prince Course is on many lists as the best of Hawaii’s offerings. The Makai Course is no less scenic and perhaps a little easier on golfers’ egos. Closer to the airport in Lihue are found the highly rated Wailua Public golf course, considered one of Hawaii’s 15 best and a bargain to boot along with the resort offering at Kauai Lagoons known as Kiele with a Championship caliber 18 hole routing accompanied by a friendly and fun 9 hole course. Poipu Bay, the previous home of the Grand Slam of Golf also calls to visiting golfers as does the nearby Puakea and Kiahuna daily fee courses. Your dream trip to the lush, tropical islands of Hawaii can be made especially unforgettable if you include some of the experiences to Play Golf in Hawaii on your list. Figure out whether you want to bring your clubs or rent them while you are on the islands and start polishing up your game for what will be some of the most memorable rounds of your lifetime.

Write a Review

No Ratings Yet

Flag as inappropriate ›