Imagine sinking a perfect putt surrounded by the turquoise waves of the Pacific or teeing off under a canopy of swaying palms with volcanic peaks as your backdrop. Hawaii is a golfer’s dream come true. In this listicle, we explore 10 spectacular public and resort courses across the islands where stunning landscapes meet challenging fairways.
1) Kapalua Plantation Course – Maui
Home of the PGA Tour’s The Sentry, this course is famous for its massive scale and dramatic downhill finishing holes.
Designed by Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore, the Plantation Course is built on a grand scale. It features expansive fairways and incredible elevation changes that offer panoramic views of neighboring Molokai. The wind is a major factor here, but the wide landing areas allow you to “let it rip” on some of the longest holes in Hawaii.
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Signature Finish: The 18th hole is a 663-yard par-5 that plays drastically downhill, allowing for some of the longest drives of your life.
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Volcanic Backdrop: Played along the slopes of the West Maui Mountains.
2) Princeville Makai Golf Club – Kauai
A Robert Trent Jones Jr. masterpiece on Kauai’s North Shore, featuring six oceanfront holes.
Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Hanalei Bay and “Mount Bali Hai,” this course blends tropical jungle with rugged cliffs. The course was recently renovated to include stunning white sand bunkers and Seashore Paspalum turf that stays vibrant green year-round.
| Feature | Highlight |
| Signature Hole | 7th Hole (Par 3 over a surging ocean chasm) |
| Amenities | “Sunset Golf Cart Tours” for non-golfers |
| Vibe | Lush, tropical, and dramatic |
3) Wailea Gold Course – Maui
The “thinking player's course,” known for its strategic layout and historic lava rock walls.
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The Gold Course is the most challenging of Wailea's three tracks. It features narrow fairways lined with ancient “papohaku” (lava rock walls) and demands precision over power. Every hole offers a view of the ocean or the Molokini crater.
4) Mauna Kea Golf Course – Big Island
An iconic Robert Trent Jones Sr. design that set the standard for island golf.
This is the course that put Hawaii on the global golf map. Its 3rd hole is perhaps the most photographed par-3 in the world, requiring a long carry over a surging blue bay to a green perched on black volcanic rock.
5) Turtle Bay (Palmer Course) – Oahu
A North Shore gem that winds through a bird sanctuary and ends on the ocean's edge.
While the Fazio course at Turtle Bay is great, the Arnold Palmer Course is the heavy hitter. It starts in a dense forest and wetlands before emerging at the 17th hole, which sits on a plateau overlooking the breaking waves of the North Shore.
| Feature | Details |
| Designer | Arnold Palmer |
| Signature Hole | 17th (Oceanfront Par 4) |
| Environment | Ironwood forest and coastal dunes |
6) Mauna Lani (North Course) – Big Island
A unique journey through twisted Kiawe forests and rugged brown lava flows.
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The North Course at Mauna Lani provides a distinct experience compared to its “South” sibling. It plays through a more forested environment but features a spectacular signature 17th hole built into a natural lava amphitheater.
7) Poipu Bay Golf Course – Kauai
Former home of the PGA Grand Slam of Golf, featuring massive seaside cliffs.
Poipu Bay is where you go for drama. The final four holes play directly along the top of 150-foot cliffs. If you look down while putting on the 16th green, you might spot humpback whales or Hawaiian monk seals in the water below.
8) Ko Olina Golf Club – Oahu
A manicured tropical oasis featuring tiered greens and “hidden” waterfalls.
Ko Olina is famous for its pristine conditions and its signature “Ladybug” tee markers. The course features a lot of water—including a drive-through waterfall—and is designed to be a resort-friendly but challenging experience for all levels.
| Hole | Par | Signature Challenge |
| 12 | 3 | An island-like green surrounded by waterfalls and rock features |
| 18 | 4 | A beautiful finishing hole with water all along the left side |
9) Kapolei Golf Club – Oahu
A former LPGA and PGA Tour Champions host site known for its many lakes.
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Located in the “Second City” of Oahu, Kapolei is a beautifully landscaped course that feels like a botanical garden. With 80 bunkers and five lakes, it requires thoughtful club selection, but the wide fairways keep it enjoyable for the average vacationer.
10) Kaanapali (Royal Course) – Maui
One of only two courses in Hawaii designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr.
The Royal Course begins at sea level and climbs into the foothills, providing views of the islands of Lanai and Molokai. The stretch of holes along the Kaanapali beachwalk is iconic, offering a true “resort golf” vibe where you’re just steps away from the sand.
The Way Forward
Whether you’re a seasoned golfer chasing the perfect swing or a traveler seeking unparalleled views, Hawaii’s island fairways offer an unforgettable blend of challenge and natural beauty. Paradise isn’t just a destination—it’s where your golf journey begins.
