Every year, millions journey to the Hawaiian Islands in search of adventure, culture, and relaxation. But for the golf-minded traveler, two destinations stand apart: Hawai’i Island—the Big Island—and Maui. Together, they offer not only world-class courses, but also the natural beauty and cultural depth that elevate a golf trip into a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
What sets these islands apart is the opportunity to play where nature itself takes center stage. Few places on earth blend the drama of topography with the artistry of golf quite like the Big Island and Maui. On the Big Island, courses cut through ancient lava flows, framed by the endless Pacific. On Maui, rolling fairways spill down from emerald mountains to golden beaches. Both promise golf that feels inseparable from the land, a rare union of sport and setting that leaves a lasting imprint.
Lush valleys, dramatic coasts, and lava flows make the Big Island unforgettable.
Lush valleys, dramatic coasts, and lava flows make the Big Island unforgettable.
The Big Island: A World of Contrasts
True to its name, the Big Island is vast—larger than all the other Hawaiian Islands combined, spanning more than 4,000 square miles and encompassing 63 percent of the archipelago’s total landmass. It’s also unmatched in diversity. The island contains nearly every climate zone on the planet, from lush tropical valleys and arid deserts to snowy alpine peaks. In a single day, you might hike across the fiery lava fields of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, marvel at waterfalls tumbling down the verdant Hāmākua Coast, and later watch the stars ignite the night sky from the summit of Maunakea. Add in jet-black sand beaches, fertile coffee country in Kona, and the raw drama of rugged lava shorelines, and it becomes clear: the Big Island is less a single destination than a collection of worlds.
That sense of variety extends to golf. Many courses are sculpted directly into the lava rock along the sun-soaked Kohala and Kona coasts, where vibrant fairways contrast against jet-black stone and sparkling blue water. Luxury resorts here pair championship golf with ocean breezes, unforgettable sunsets, and a deep sense of place—proof that on the Big Island, the game is inseparable from the land itself.
Your perfect Hawaiian escape at Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa.
Start Your Big Island Golf Journey at Waikoloa
Just 17 miles from Kona International Airport, the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa welcomes travelers with ocean breezes, soft sands at Anaeho‘omalu Bay, and a setting that embodies the essence of Hawaiian hospitality. The airy lobby opens to sweeping Pacific views, and the soundtrack of slack-key guitar sets the mood immediately.
It’s the perfect place to shed the jet lag. Grab a Mai Tai, sink into one of three lagoon-like pools, or wander the white-sand beach before unpacking your bags. The Mandara Spa offers the quintessential Hawaiian reset with a Lomi Lomi massage—long, flowing strokes that melt away stiffness and restore circulation.
Dining here carries a strong local imprint. Executive Chef Jayson Kanekoa, born and raised on the island, curates menus that showcase fresh, Big Island–sourced ingredients. His award-winning “House Calls” restaurant, a Diners’ Choice favorite on OpenTable, is a culinary standout.
On the golf side, Waikoloa Beach Resort Golf offers a unique 27-hole setup: the Beach, Lakes, and Kings’ Nines. Each nine showcases different facets of the rugged coastline—windswept holes along the lava-strewn shore, inland lakes, and wide fairways perfect for casual rounds with friends or family. The mix-and-match design means no two days are the same.
Resorts on the Big Island of Hawaii offer a variety of amenities and world-class golf.
Where to Stay: Big Island
Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa — Oceanfront retreat on Anaeho‘omalu Bay with Mandara Spa and chef-driven dining by Jayson Kanekoa. Golfers can tee off nearby at Waikoloa Beach and Kings’ Courses, both offering lava-framed fairways and Pacific panoramas. Sunset cocktails at Aka‘ula Lanai set the perfect tone after a day on the greens.
Fairmont Orchid — Romantic hideaway with beachfront dining at Brown’s Beach House and serene Hawaiian gardens. Beyond its calm lagoon and open-air spa, guests enjoy access to the Mauna Lani North and South Courses, where black lava contrasts dramatically with lush greens and cobalt ocean views. It’s a refined yet relaxed escape that embodies Big Island elegance.
Mauna Kea Beach Hotel & The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort — Iconic sister properties on the Kohala Coast, recently refreshed with a $200M renovation, offering classic luxury and world-class golf. The legendary Mauna Kea Golf Course, designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., remains one of Hawaii’s most breathtaking tests of play, while Hapuna’s Arnold Palmer course delivers sweeping ocean views on nearly every hole. Together, they anchor one of Hawaii’s most storied resort destinations, where tradition meets modern sophistication.
Hualālai and Ke‘olu offer two championship experiences on Hawai‘i’s Kona-Kohala coast.
Hualālai: Two Championship Courses, One Legendary Destination
Hualālai is an acclaimed, ultra-luxury residential and resort community on Hawai‘i Island’s Kona-Kohala coast, home to one of the world’s finest Four Seasons resorts and two distinctly different 18-hole golf experiences. For players dreaming of teeing it up where the pros play, the Hualālai Golf Course delivers—offering public access for Four Seasons guests and standing as a longtime PGA TOUR Champions venue.
The Hualālai Golf Course, a Jack Nicklaus Signature design, is open exclusively to guests of the Four Seasons Resort Hualālai and Club members. Since 1997, it has hosted the season-opening Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualālai, a showcase for legends including Hale Irwin, Tom Watson, Bernhard Langer, and Ernie Els.
Stretching more than 7,100 yards, the course begins in a lush oasis before flowing toward the coast across rugged lava terrain. Few layouts contrast black volcanic rock and emerald fairways as vividly. Despite its championship pedigree, it’s designed to be resort-friendly—wide fairways and generous landing areas balance strategic bunkering and subtle greens, making it playable for all skill levels.
Tee off at Hualālai Golf Course, where legends like Bernhard Langer have played.
Among the standout holes, the par-5 7th demands precision as its fairway narrows between jagged lava flows, setting up a blind and intimidating second shot. The closing stretch along the ocean provides an unforgettable finish: the 440-yard par-4 16th doglegs into the coastal breeze, the 164-yard 17th requires a bold carry over lava rock, and the par-4 18th tempts players to cut the corner across stacked bunkers for a final risk-reward flourish.
Just inland from the coast, the private Ke‘olu Golf Course offers a distinctly different experience from its oceanfront counterpart. Reserved exclusively for Hualālai Club members and homeowners, this Tom Weiskopf–designed layout opened in 2002 and spans more than 220 feet of elevation change. The routing descends and climbs through a rugged volcanic landscape, weaving around natural features such as lava blisters, caves, and arches. With its rolling greens, sweeping views, and pristine conditioning, Ke‘olu remains one of Hawai‘i’s most visually striking—and private—golf experiences.
The course anchors the heart of Hualālai Resort, an ultra-luxury residential community on Hawai‘i Island’s Kona-Kohala “Gold Coast.” Here, multi-million-dollar homes and villas are nestled among centuries-old lava flows and tropical flora, creating a tranquil setting that feels authentically Hawaiian yet elegantly modern. Beyond golf, the resort offers homeowners and guests an array of amenities—including fine dining, tennis, watersports, and the AAA Five Diamond Four Seasons Resort Hualālai—making it one of the most sought-after addresses in the Pacific.
The Big Island of Hawaii has an abundance of iconic golf holes.
Signature Holes: Big Island
Hualālai, 16th — A mid-fairway lava boulder makes this par 4 unforgettable.
Mauna Kea, 3rd — A daunting ocean carry of 272 yards from the championship tee.
Mauna Lani South, 15th — Sweeping ocean backdrop with coconut palms framing the green.
Experience the unique blend of Hawaiian culture and dramatic oceanfront golf at Mauna Lani.
Mauna Lani Resort: Tradition Meets Ocean Drama
Mauna Lani, with its North and South courses, blends Hawaiian culture with championship golf. The South Course is famed for its five oceanfront holes and sweeping views, while the North Course weaves through an ancient kiawe forest. Golfweek has recognized both as among America’s best resort courses.
General Manager Ross Birch explains the contrast: “The two courses were built on lava flows made 1,500 years apart. The North course, surrounded by mesquite forest, has fairways dotted with large trees. The South, much flatter, is surrounded by lava formations and coconut palms. It’s defined by its oceanfront holes and dramatic sightlines.”
For families, the Wikiwiki Course—a nine-hole, “quick play” layout—offers a more casual option. After the round, the CanoeHouse restaurant provides a culinary finale with Japanese-inspired seafood and panoramic sunsets over the Pacific.
One of Mauna Lani’s most moving experiences happens off the course: the Sunrise Canoe Paddle. Guests row a traditional double-hull canoe to sacred waters overlooking Mauna Kea, accompanied by chants, stories, and a cultural reminder to greet each new day with gratitude.
The legendary Mauna Kea Golf Course is a classic course reimagined for a new era.
Mauna Kea: A Legendary Rebirth
Just north along the Kohala Coast lies one of Hawaii’s crown jewels. The Mauna Kea Golf Course, originally designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., has recently been reimagined by his son, Robert Trent Jones Jr., as part of a $200 million renovation of the Mauna Kea Resort. The reopening marks the 60th anniversary of a course long considered one of the world’s great resort layouts.
The redesign enhances fairways, updates bunkers, and refreshes amenities, all while preserving Mauna Kea’s iconic shot values. Nowhere is that more apparent than on the par-3 3rd hole, which demands a dramatic carry over crashing surf. Photographs don’t do justice to the adrenaline rush of standing on the 272-yard championship tee box. The par-3 11th, playing steeply downhill with the ocean as backdrop, is equally spectacular.
The setting at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel and its sister property, The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort, adds world-class accommodations—every guestroom faces the ocean, and Hapuna’s beach is the island’s largest. Together, they reinforce Mauna Kea’s place as a must-play pilgrimage for traveling golfers.
Maui is an island of natural wonders, with scenic drives, stunning sunrises, and marine life.
Maui: Nature, Culture, and Championship Glory
Maui, the second-largest Hawaiian island, is known as the “Valley Isle,” named for the broad plain that separates its two volcanic mountains, Haleakalā and the West Maui Mountains. Visitors can drive the famous Road to Hāna, a 64-mile stretch with more than 600 curves and 50 bridges that passes waterfalls, lava tubes, and the black sands of Waiʻānapanapa State Park. At sunrise, the 10,023-foot summit of Haleakalā offers another unforgettable experience, with panoramic views stretching above the clouds.
Luxury resorts in Wailea, Kāʻanapali, and Kapalua provide comfort and world-class amenities that match the island’s natural beauty. After the devastating wildfires of 2023, West Maui has welcomed travelers back with resilience and aloha, restoring not just its hotels and golf courses but also its role as a gathering place. Today, Maui offers both championship golf and the chance to experience an island that continues to balance renewal with timeless appeal.
This resort offers golf with a rich heritage, cultural activities, and scenic coastal views.
Kāʻanapali: Golf with History
At the heart of Kāʻanapali, the OUTRIGGER Kāʻanapali Beach Resort exudes old-Hawaii charm. Voted “Maui’s Most Hawaiian Hotel,” it offers daily cultural programming, hula lessons, nightly entertainment, and even a farewell lei ceremony for departing guests.
The golf here is historic. The Royal Ka‘anapali Course, designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., begins with a sweeping par-5 along the shore and ends with one of Arnold Palmer’s favorite finishing holes—a demanding par-4 guarded by water the entire way. Its sister course, Kāʻanapali Kai, is shorter and more forgiving, winding through hibiscus and plumeria, with a history rooted in former sugarcane plantations.
Neighboring both courses and just a short walk away from Ka‘anapali, the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa pairs championship golf access with resort luxury. Guests can relax in poolside cabanas, enjoy oceanfront views, and indulge at The Spa, where treatments combine Hawaiian traditions with modern wellness. The resort also helps arrange tee times at the Royal Kāʻanapali and Kāʻanapali Kai courses, making it a seamless stay-and-play experience.
Maui offers a variety of accommodations, from cultural resorts to luxury retreats.
Where to Stay: Maui
The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua — Set on 54 lush acres overlooking the Pacific, this five-star retreat offers refined accommodations, six distinctive dining venues, a renowned spa, and immersive cultural programming. Its prime location provides seamless access to the Plantation and Bay Courses, making it an ideal base for golfers seeking championship play paired with world-class luxury. Hosted every January at Kapalua’s Plantation Course, the Sentry Tournament of Champions infuses the resort with PGA TOUR energy and prestige.
OUTRIGGER Kāʻanapali Beach Resort — Often called “Maui’s Most Hawaiian Hotel,” this oceanfront resort blends a welcoming, laid-back atmosphere with deep cultural connections. Guests can take part in daily hula lessons, lei-making, and storytelling sessions that celebrate island traditions. Its location just steps from Royal Kāʻanapali and Kāʻanapali Kai Golf Courses makes it ideal for those who want to balance fairway time with authentic island experiences. Evenings bring live music and torch-lit walks along one of Maui’s most iconic stretches of sand.
Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa — A landmark resort on Kāʻanapali Beach offering sweeping ocean views and luxurious relaxation. Poolside cabanas and oceanfront dining at Japengo are guest favorites, while the on-site wildlife tours and nightly stargazing program add a sense of wonder. Golfers will find easy access to nearby courses, including Royal Kāʻanapali and Kāʻanapali Kai, completing a seamless stay-and-play experience infused with tropical sophistication.
Wailea is defined by its three distinct layouts and panoramic Pacific views.
Wailea Golf Club: Oceanfront Variety
Farther south, Wailea Golf Club offers three distinctive layouts—Gold, Blue, and Emerald—each blessed with panoramic Pacific views. The Emerald is especially scenic, its lush fairways and floral landscaping striking even for Hawaii. Together, they make Wailea one of the premier multi-course golf destinations in the islands.
Kapalua’s Plantation Course is a championship layout known for its wide fairways and ocean views.
Kapalua: Where the Champions Gather
For golf fans, few thrills compare to walking the same fairways as Tiger Woods, Justin Thomas, or Jordan Spieth. Each January, Kapalua’s Plantation Course hosts the Sentry Tournament of Champions, bringing an elite PGA TOUR field to West Maui.
The course itself, a sweeping 7,596-yard par-73 designed by Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore, rolls across the slopes of the West Maui Mountains with some of the widest fairways you’ll ever play. Elevation changes, trade winds, and “speed slots” in the fairways make shot selection crucial. Despite its championship pedigree, it remains surprisingly playable for resort guests.
The adjoining Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua, provides seamless access along with indulgent luxuries—fine dining, a world-class spa, and a luau under the stars featuring chant, hula, aerial performances, and fire-knife dancing.
Maui offers a collection of signature golf holes with spectacular views.
Signature Holes: Maui
- Royal Ka‘anapali 18th— A 449-yard par-4 finishing hole, once named among Arnold Palmer’s favorites.
- Kapalua Plantation 18th— Downhill, over 600 yards, and one of golf’s most iconic closers.
- Kapalua Bay 17th— A breathtaking par-3 played directly over the Pacific.
A wide array of dining experiences awaits on the Big Island and Maui.
Where to Dine Highlights: Big Island & Maui
Big Island
- Brown’s Beach House (Fairmont Orchid) — Oceanfront dining with live Hawaiian music. Try the Coconut Red Curry Lobster Bisque.
- Jackie Rey’s (Kailua-Kona) — A relaxed, open-air neighborhood favorite with fresh local seafood.
- Kona Brewing Co. (Kailua-Kona) — Tour, taste, and enjoy fish tacos with house ales in the outdoor lanai.
- CanoeHouse (Mauna Lani) — Japanese-inspired dishes with sunset views over the Pacific.
Maui
- Mama’s Fish House (Pāʻia) — Iconic beachfront spot with a daily menu highlighting fish caught by local fishermen just hours before service.
- Merriman’s (Kapalua) — Farm-to-table pioneer Peter Merriman’s oceanfront restaurant is known for its fresh island flavors and legendary mai tais.
- Hula Grill (Kāʻanapali) — A toes-in-the-sand dining experience featuring island classics and nightly live music.
- Lahaina Grill (Lahaina) — Award-winning fine dining blending contemporary cuisine with Hawaiian ingredients in an intimate setting.
A golf getaway in Hawaii is unlike any other.
Hawaii’s Golfing Soul
Whether you’re threading a drive through lava rock at Hualālai, launching a tee shot over crashing surf at Mauna Kea, or watching whales breach from Kapalua’s cliffs, golf in Hawaii is unlike anywhere else. It’s not just the iconic golf courses or the resorts—it’s the culture, the pace, the bond with nature that permeates everything.
As Austin Watkins of Mauna Lani put it, “The culture here is a bond with nature. Early to bed and early to rise. A place that requires you to slow down and relax. It truly is a state of mind that extends from the residents to the visitors to enjoy the moment and the scenery around them.”
For golfers, that state of mind is paradise itself.
