Mauna Kea Golf Resort
Of Hawaii’s seven inhabited islands, the island of Hawai‘i is the youngest, the largest, and arguably the 50th state’s most unique. Also known as the “Big Island,” it was built from five different volcanoes and has 11 different climate zones, ranging from arid to rain forest to snow-capped peaks.
The Kona side, famous for its coffee, only has a few inches of rainfall per year, with sunshine just about every day. It’s an ideal spot to build golf courses, which is why the vast majority of the island’s top resorts are located on that side.
With black lava rock contrasting with bright green grass and many of its courses perched on cliffs overlooking the deep blue Pacific Ocean, with its waves crashing on the rocks, it’s no wonder that the island of Hawai‘i has long been a favorite for many golfers. Couple that with a terrain that hasn’t been overdeveloped, and it’s easy to understand why many love Hawai‘i Island as their favorite vacation spot.
Let’s take a look at some of the top golf courses in the island of Hawai‘i:
Mauna Kea Golf Resort
Robert Trent Jones Sr., told then-Mauna Kea Beach Hotel owner Laurance S. Rockefeller that he could build a most beautiful golf course with one of the most spectacular holes in the world at the base of one of the world’s tallest mountains on the lava fields by the sea. He did just that more than 60 years ago, and today after a renovation in 2008 by his son Rees Jones (known as the Open Doctor because of all his work on U.S. Open courses), Mauna Kea Golf Course still stands out as arguably the island’s best and one of the top courses overall in Hawaii.
The special hole is the 270-yard-plus par-3 third, which traverses a piece of the Pacific and the lava rock to a green well-protected by bunkers. Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, and Gary Player were the first to play that hole back in 1964, and of course, they all made par, a score any of us would take there at any time.
The nearly 7,400-yard course is as difficult as it is beautiful, and it’s always enjoyable. The views can be found throughout – mountains, sea, and bright, green grass, right behind the Mauna Kea Beach Resort Hotel.
Mauna Kea also has a nearly equally enjoyable sister course. Hapuna is a Palmer-Ed Seay design that’s more affordable to play, and it, too, sits along the cliffs above the ocean with Pacific views on pretty much every hole. It is, however, closed in 2025 for renovations.
As for the resort, it’s been renovated in recent years and offers the type of seclusion that celebrities seek. With excellent dining, incredible rooms, and service, it’s a special experience all the way around.
Mauna Kea Golf Resort
Four Seasons Resort Hualalai
The most exclusive golf experience for visitors to the island of Hawai‘i is the Jack Nicklaus signature course, Hualalai Golf Club. You have to be a guest of the Four Seasons Resort (or a member) to play it, and rack rates are above $400 for a round. But playing the site of the Mitsubishi Electric Championship on the PGA Tour Champions, played each January, is no doubt a special experience.
The par-72 golf course, which can play nearly 7,200 yards, has four sets of tees with lava fields coming into play on every hole. Fairways are generous, however, and so are the views of this spectacularly conditioned layout. Some of the highlights include the shared green between the fourth and fifth holes, as well as the last two holes. The signature hole is the par-4 17th, which has a bunker that runs along the entire left side of the fairway. The finishing hole is a 400-yard, par 4 that features a natural area of water and vegetation in front of the tee and the edge of the lava flow on the right.
This is also a great spot if you want to get help with your game with a 3,000-square-foot instruction and practice facility that also includes an indoor Topgolf Swing Suite, outdoor hitting bays featuring TrackMan launch monitors, and unique lesson programs and clinics.
Four Seasons Resort Hualalai
Mauna Lani Resort
There are two courses at Mauna Lani Resort, also located on the Kohala Coast on the Kona side of the island. Both are terrific and designed by Homer Flint, Robin Nelson, and Raymond Cain. The first course, though, is the one everyone talks about. Much like Mauna Kea, the Francis H. I’i Brown South Course has an incredible signature hole, the par-3 15th. The Pacific Ocean jets out in front of the tee box, where it’s mostly carry to a green. Play sometimes tends to bog down because visiting golfers can’t stop taking pictures.
The North Course, a parkland layout that winds through a forest of Kawe trees to reveal a few ocean views, might be the better test of the two championship courses. And there’s also the nine-hole Wikiwiki walking course that’s perfect for families.
Mauna Lani Resort
Waikoloa Beach Resort
There are 27 holes now at the Waikoloa Beach Resort (a renovation in 2022 eliminated nine holes), but it’s still a very enjoyable golf experience. The course consists of the Beach Nine, Lakes, and King’s Nine, the last of which is probably the best golf experience.
The Kings’ Nine, designed by Jay Morrish and Tom Weiskopf, is a bit of a links-style experience with native grasses, pot bunkers, and great views of Mauna Kea. The Beach Nine, as expected, provides some Ocean Views, while the Lakes Course has several holes with water on it. With two hotels and numerous condos for rent, this is a great family vacation spot.
Waikoloa Beach Resort
Kona Country Club
Designed by renowned architect William Bell, the Ocean Course at Kona Country Club is a great choice. Located in Keauhou, just a few miles from Kona, the course was once the site of an LPGA event. It has a couple of signature holes, the third and the 12th, which offer great views of the Pacific.
It’s also one of the more affordable green fees on the island, especially later in the afternoon. The course is located near several hotels and rental properties.
Kona Country Club
Makani Golf Club
Another good value on the island of Hawai‘i is completely different than the previous courses on this list. Formerly Big Island Country Club, Makani Golf Club is set at an elevation of 2,000 feet, which means it can actually grow bentgrass greens. This intriguing Perry Dye design has elevation change, beautiful lakes, wildlife, and incredible views of the Mauna Kea and the coastline below.
Water comes into play on this par-72 layout that can play more than 7,100 yards. It has a memorable finishing stretch, including an island green, par-3 17th that pays homage to Perry’s famous father’s TPC Sawgrass Players Stadium Course.
Makani Golf Club
Waikoloa Village Golf Course
Another relatively good value, the Robert Trent Jones Jr.-designed Waikoloa Village Golf Course is the second-oldest golf course on the island. It’s located around 1,000 feet in elevation and affords great views of the five volcanoes as well as some glimpses of the Kohala Coastline.
While the course certainly isn’t a pushover, it’s very player-friendly with wide fairways. But there is water that comes into play on several holes, and the undulating greens are well-bunkered, so it’s challenging for all skill levels.
Waikoloa Village Golf Course
Getting to the island of Hawai‘i
There are two primary options when flying into the island of Hawai‘i, and if you’re playing golf, the preferred airport is probably Kona International, located on the west side of the island near Kailua-Kona. It’s the more popular of the two airports, so airfare does tend to be a bit higher, but it’s more convenient to the golf courses on this list. It also has more direct flights from the mainland.
The other option is Hilo International Airport, and while you’ll have a two- or three-hour drive to the other side of the island, you can get some bargains. Plus, if you’re doing other activities on the island, like hiking Volcanoes National Park 30 miles away, it’s not a bad base, plus Hilo is a charming little town.
Speaking of Volcanoes National Park, there’s a golf course there, too. It lies in the rim and the highlands of the active Kilauea Volcano at 4,000 feet with great views of Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea.
And if you want to play golf after flying into Hilo, the Hilo Municipal Course, an enjoyable 6,300-yard, par-71 test that goes back to 1951, as well as the nine-hole Naniloa Golf Course, are a couple more options. The only thing is that Hilo receives around 130 inches of annual rainfall, so be sure to bring an umbrella.