What to Know About Golf in Hawaii
Millions of U.S. residents play golf, making it one of the most popular sports in the country. Every state has golf courses to support golfers’ passion for the game, but Hawaii stands out as a premier golf destination.
Hawaii’s tropical climate brings year-round sun and ideal golf weather. Many of its courses are surrounded by ocean panoramas, mountains, and forests, making it one of the most beautiful places in the world to play. Hawaii is a popular destination on the PGA Tour, bringing in the biggest names in golf to enjoy its perfectly manicured courses across the state, including those on the Big Island, Oahu, and Maui.
In 2015, Golf.com ranked Hawaii as 13th in “golfiness” among U.S. states, with the only thing holding it back being that bigger states have more options. But quality over quantity counts for something, and Hawaii has some of the most impressive courses in the country. Their resorts and clubs offer picturesque settings, incredible challenges, and unique experiences for golfers of all skill levels.
Hawaii’s Best Golf Courses
Hawaii’s golf options are spread across several of the state’s islands and include public and private courses. Let’s look at some of the most renowned that should be circled on any golfer’s bucket list.
Kapalua Golf, Plantation Course: The Plantation Course at Kapalua Golf on Maui might be Hawaii’s most famous. It is known for presenting extreme challenges with dramatic elevation changes and steep slopes. With Pacific Ocean views, this course’s unique setting adds to the fun. It annually hosts the PGA Tour’s Sentry Tournament of Champions, which brings out many of the best golfers on the planet. It is a public course that can be played for a fixed rate.
Nanea Golf Club: The exclusive Nanea Golf Club is a members-only course, making it impossible to get a tee time for those not connected. However, it remains one of Hawaii’s premier golf destinations due to its incredible setting on the slopes of Mount Hualalai on the Big Island. This fine links course, which was designed to imitate the Scottish course style, has been rated among the 100 best in the country and offers spectacular mountain views of the Big Island.
The King Kamehameha Golf Club: The King Kamehameha Golf Club on Maui typifies what makes golf in Hawaii special. With elaborate courses, a Frank Lloyd Wright-designed clubhouse, and stunning surrounding scenery, this is a golf experience to remember forever. Named for Hawaii’s most famous monarch, this 18-hole course has waterfall and mountain views, a challenging course design, and a beautifully-maintained property.
Kukuiula Golf Course: The private Kukuiula Golf Course on Kauai Island is located along the crashing Pacific waters, creating a dramatic setting. This 18-hole course boasts a notoriously challenging 14th hole. The facilities include a practice course, a pro shop, and a gorgeous clubhouse with a pool at The Lodge at Kukuiula.
Waialae Country Club: The Waialae Country Club is an iconic private club founded in Honolulu almost 100 years ago. It includes the Gold Course, a par 72 championship course consistently rated among the best in the country. This club is the setting for the Sony Open, another PGA Tour event that makes an annual stop in Hawaii and hosts 144 of the world’s top golfers.
Manele Golf Course: The Manele Golf Course is a public course on the island of Lanai, situated at the Four Seasons Resort Lanai. This course was designed by golf icon Jack Nicklaus and features 18 holes that offer spectacular vistas and immaculately designed challenges. The Pacific Ocean is a water hazard on some of these holes, and the course is known for its perfectly-maintained conditions.
