Here is a list of Ten of the "Must Play" best golf courses in the Hawaiian Islands. Hawaii is full of fantastic golf courses but here is a list of some of the most famous and renowned golf clubs that everybody should play. Actually the golf courses are so good in Hawaii, that we couldn't get the list down to just ten golf course, so you get a bonus one ! Hawaii Golf clubs are listed in alphabetical order.
Recognized as one of the top golf resorts in the world, Kapalua’s two championship golf courses are nothing short of breathtaking. The Kapalua Plantation built around the natural wonders of the West Maui Mountains, the Plantation Course at Kapalua ranks among the world’s greatest courses. So special, even the PGA tour only allows winners from the previous year to tee it up at its season opening event, the Hyundai Tournament of Champions - The Kapalua Bay Course winds its way through towering palms and flowering hibiscus. All your worries will vanish with the trade winds as your 5th tee shot carries glistening Oneloa Bay. With its uninterrupted views of the Pacific and gentle rolling fairways.
Jack Nicholson designed Kauai Lagoons is a lush, 750-acre resort carefully secluded in the southwest corner of the island of Kauai in Hawaii. Fairways weave through mango and guava tree forests, along imposing ocean cliffs and over promontories high above the harbor, and among some forty acres of fresh water lagoons that wind their way throughout the resort.
Located on the west coast of the island at the Ko Olina resort, the Ted Robinson designed Ko Olina Golf Club is one of the few resort courses located on Oahu. The par-72 layout features generous landing areas, multi-tiered greens, cascading waterfalls and a picturesque ocean location.
Considered by many the toughest golf course on the planet, carved through a mountainside jungle the course is as beautiful as it is difficult, featuring winding ravines, extreme elevation changes, dense jungle, and stunning views of cascading waterfalls. Ko'olau can commonly be found in the top golf course lists created by Golf Magazine and other trusted names in golf.
Created by Robert Trent Jones, Sr., the 18-hole championship course presents dramatic changes in elevation, large undulating greens, and 120 well-placed bunkers. The multi-award winning Golf Course at Mauna Kea has since 1964, led the way in standards of course beauty and design, solidifying its place in Hawaii's history as one of the most scenic and favored golf courses.
Mauna Lani Resort is a luxury ocean front Hawaii golf resort with two championship courses, the Francis H. I'i Brown North and South Courses. The Big Island golf courses at this luxury resort are masterpieces of design, each strikingly different, yet equally challenging. Each course is a world apart geographically, and in playing experience.
Poipu Bay Resort Golf Course was the home of the PGA Grand Slam of Golf from 1994 – 2006. The course has won numerous awards and has been consistently rated among the top golf courses in Hawaii and the U.S. This golf course is breathtaking but don't let your mind wander to the beautiful ocean views and beach vistas or this undulating golf course will eat you alive. This outstanding course is backed by lush emerald mountains and sculpted from a rolling plateau eight stories above the Pacific Ocean.
The 7,223 yard par 72 Princeville Makai Course’s signature holes include the challenging Par 3 Hole 3, the tee is about 100 feet above a protected green below with a lake fronting the green. Other signature holes include 7, 13 and 18. Scenic views of towering mountains, the sight of Bali Hai and Hanalei Bay and looking down at breaking surf below the cliffs will provide an overall experience you’ll never forget.
The spectacular natural setting of The Challenge at Manele guarantees an unforgettable round for every golfer who plays here. Perched atop 200-foot cliffs, the course offers dramatic views of the ocean from all 18 holes. Lush, green fairways are bordered by black lava outcroppings, reminders of the ancient origins of Lana'i.
Home to three great courses - Wailea Gold Golf Course, Wailea Emerald Golf Course and the original golf course, Wailea Old Blue Golf Course. All levels of golfers will love it here. Wailea Gold was honored by both Golf Magazine and Golf Digest as one of the country’s ten best new resort courses when it opened in 1994. Known as a “thinking player’s course,” the Gold offers a true test of a golfers skills. Wailea Emerald, designed as a fun course for every skill level, the 6,825-yard course was one reason Golf for Women Magazine first granted the Wailea Golf Club a Top Fairways Award for the country’s most women-friendly golf clubs, an honor that Wailea has won seven times. Wailea Old Blue golf course offers up a golf experience that is truly classic. As the first course ever built in Wailea, the Old Blue laid claim to the lay of the land that would put Wailea on everyone’s wish list of places to visit.
People in the know, From Golf Digest to the Champions Tour to the LPGA Tour to the Hawaii State Open to Golf Channel’s The Big Break, those who make their living seeking out the world’s best golf destinations have consistently chosen Turtle Bay on Oahu. Acres of breathtaking coastline. Two championship courses. One Turtle Bay. The Turtle Bay Palmer Course, designed by Arnold Palmer, is the more challenging offerings of the Resort and plays to a yardage of just over 7200 yards from the back tees. With the beautiful setting of its location is heavily influenced by nature’s elements. The Turtle Bay Fazio Course, considered the more playable of the two Turtle Bay Courses, was designed by George Fazio and features generous fairways and a length of just over 6700 from the back tees. The greens are not nearly as guarded as it’s sister course, and can be enjoyed by players of all levels.
Carl Murphy
Author