Golf courses & clubs of Hawaii

Play golf in Hawaii are words which represent a dream for each avid golfer. The courses listed here are not just the best Hawaiian golf courses but also are a few of the best world-class golf courses. The golf course experts may debate over which courses should start the list every year, but everyone agrees that each golf course listed here is one of the best on the planet.

Some of the best courses

There are many clubs with magnificent golf courses in Hawaii and more are developed every year. These courses are carved out from ancient lava flows, nestled among historical Hawaiian landmarks, and front some of the most beautiful coastline of the Pacific. The striking contrasts of lush green fairways, pure white bunkers, jet-black lava flows, and blue Pacific waters offer scenic views unique in the world. The best 10 golf courses for your vacation in Hawaii are:

Poipu Bay Golf Course, Kauai
Poipu Bay is like no other golf course in the world. A unique and unforgettable golf experience awaits you on this course. The challenging Poipu Bay Golf Course offers some exceptional amenities like an in-cart satellite navigation system that indicates your exact distance to the hole and pin placement - and a few other amenities like an on-course beverage cart and refreshing cold towels. If you are looking to tune up your game while on your vacation on Kauai, Poipu Bay's golf offers video instruction in addition to hosting group tournaments and a variety of youth programs. Poipu Bay Golf Course is 18 holes, Par 72 at 7,034 yards.

Wailea Golf Club, Maui
Home of the Wendy's Champions Skins Game, the Wailea Gold Course is the most challenging of Wailea's trio (Gold, Emerald, and Blue). The Gold Course was ranked as the country's best new courses by Golf Magazine and Golf Digest. The Gold course is flavored with elements of classic design and has a natural look. The Gold's 200-foot elevation change from top to bottom enhances the numerous ocean and mountain views available from every hole. The course has been labeled a "thinking player's" course because it demands strategy to be played well.

Ka'anapali Tournament Course, Maui
The Ka'anapali Golf Courses, formerly Royal Lahaina Golf Club, lie at the heart of the Kaanapali Beach Resort. The Tournament North Course is one of only two golf courses in all of Hawaii designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. and the only one on Maui (the other is Mauna Kea Golf Course on the Big Island of Hawaii). The North Course, Par 71 and 6,136 yards, is a typical Trent Jones style, with large, contoured greens that emphasize putting skill. At 6,067 yards, the par 71 Resort South Course is a bit shorter, with smaller, subtle greens. The Kaanapali Golf College has employees available for lessons and there are two putting greens and a driving range. Players can also enjoy use of the comprehensive clubhouse facilities and the clubhouse restaurant, Reilley's Steak and Seafood.

Ko'olau Golf Course, Oahu
Ko'olau Golf Course, rated in Golf Magazine's in "Top 100 Courses to Play" and named the "#1 Golf Course on Oahu" by Golf Digest, is on the top of U.S. golf courses. Nicknamed "The World's Most Challenging Golf Course", the 200-acre course was carved out of 1,500 acres of jungle in 1991 as a private country club. Located just at 20-minute drive over the Pali Highway from downtown Honolulu, it has breathtaking mountain views, spectacular fairways surrounded by rainforest, and spectacular sights of the Pacific Ocean. Ko'olau is a Par 72 course at 7,310 yards.

Kona Country Club, Big Island
Established in 1966, the 36-hole layout features the Ocean Golf Course and Royal Mountain Golf Course. The expert players recommend to play the Mountain Course in the morning and the Ocean Course in the afternoon. The Ocean Course is Par 72 at 6,806 yards while the Mountain Course is Par 72 at 6,673 yards. Each course has 18 holes.

Mauna Kea Golf Course, Big Island
The incomparable Mauna Kea Golf Course on the South Kohala Coast offers to golf players the perfect challenge to match their level of play. The 18-hole championship course presents dramatic changes in elevation, large undulating greens, and 120 well-placed bunkers. Mauna Kea was the first resort course on the Big Island. There are incredible panoramic sights of the sea and land, featuring snow-capped Mauna Kea, rugged lava beds, and the magnificent Pacific Ocean. One of the most spectacular features is the famous 3rd hole - where surging inlet water races to meet the rocky shoreline, affording one of the most breathtaking views in golf today. The Mauna Kea Golf Course is 18 holes, Par 72 at 6,737 yards.

Waikele Golf Club, Oahu
Waikele is just a 30-minute drive west of Waikiki, in a region of exceptional natural beauty. The course overlooks Pearl Harbor and the Pacific Ocean. Waikele Golf Club provides challenges and enjoyment to players of all skill levels from beginner to professional through the use of water features and special topography. Surrounding the course are spectacular views of Diamond Head, Pearl Harbor, and of the Ko'olau and Waianae mountains. Beautiful water features, rolling fairways, undulating greens, and strategically placed bunkers round out Waikele's unique design features. Waikele Golf Club is 18 holes, Par 72 at 6,261 yards.

Coral Creek Golf Course, Oahu
Coral Creek Golf Course is located on a unique and beautiful expanse of land, carved between the Navy's Barbers Point Golf Course and the residential neighborhoods. With a world-class golf course layout, Coral Creek is one of the most beautiful and challenging golf experiences in the world. Nestled along the Ewa Plain, the Par 72, 6,818-yard golf course provides a challenging test for golfers of all skill levels. The golf course was designed to expose natural coral rock formations in cliff-like structures, part of the natural beauty of the island terrain.

Makaha Resort and Golf Club, Oahu
The golf course known as "Makaha West", remains one of the top golf courses on Oahu. Acclaimed for its beauty, Makaha West has been listed on the "Places to Play" for 2002 by Golf Digest, and named Oahu's number one golf course by Honolulu Magazine. The 18 hole, par 72, championship golf course stretches 7,077 yards from the "tips", and holds a U.S.G.A. rating of 73.2, challenging both professionals and amateurs alike. Unlike some Oahu courses, the club allows cart access to all fairways, so guests can enjoy the beauty of the Makaha area. They offer a driving range, group and private lessons from a P.G.A. professional staff. The shop offers golf club and shoe rentals, as well as golf apparel and other accessories. With amenities such as a shop, a swimming pool, meeting rooms, banquet facilities, restaurants, a lounge with entertainment, this championship golf course it's truly "Hawaii's Hidden Secret".

Pearl Country Club, Oahu
One of the finest golf courses on Oahu, Pearl Country Club has been in operation since 1967. This course challenges all golfers with its varied terrain. Located on the gentle slopes of the Ko'olau mountain range, Pearl Country Club overlooks Pearl Harbor, the Arizona Memorial, the USS Missouri, and the Waianae Mountain Range to the west. Open year round to the public, Pearl Country Club is a short drive from Waikiki. Their rates are comparable to other public golf courses on the island, but their superior course conditions are equivalent to any private course. Pearl Country Club, home for the "Hawaii Pearl Open", is 18 holes, par 72 at 6,230 yards.