The Hawaiian Islands have long been celebrated for their lush landscapes, pristine beaches, and vibrant culture, but for golfers, they represent something even more extraordinary: a chance to play championship courses carved into volcanic terrain, overlooking turquoise waters, and framed by tropical vegetation found nowhere else on Earth. Golf in Hawaii is not just a sport; it’s an immersion in the islands’ natural beauty, history, and spirit of aloha.
A Diverse Golfing Landscape Across the Islands
Each of Hawaii’s major islands offers a distinct golfing experience. Oahu, often called “The Gathering Place,” is home to some of the most iconic public and private courses in the Pacific. The island has hosted PGA Tour events for decades, most notably the Sony Open at Waialae Country Club in Honolulu, where professionals battle ocean breezes and tight fairways along the Pacific shoreline. Oahu also offers accessible gems like Ko Olina Golf Club, with its water features and resort-friendly layout, making it a favourite among vacationing players.
On Maui, the golfing spotlight shines brightest at Kapalua, a name synonymous with Hawaiian golf. The Plantation Course at Kapalua is not only renowned for its dramatic elevation changes and sweeping views of the Pacific, but also for serving as the annual host of the PGA Tour’s season-opening Sentry Tournament of Champions. Designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, the course is a masterpiece that rewards bold play and creativity, with wide fairways framed by pineapple fields and the island of Moloka’i looming across the channel.
The Big Island of Hawaii boasts perhaps the most diverse collection of golf courses in the state, thanks to its vast size and varied landscapes. Here, golfers encounter layouts built on lava fields, with striking black volcanic rock juxtaposed against emerald fairways and deep blue ocean. The Mauna Kea Golf Course, designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. in 1964, set the standard for Hawaiian golf with its daring par-three 3rd hole that demands a carry over crashing ocean waves. Nearby, resorts like Waikoloa Beach and Hualālai add luxury and variety, with courses sculpted to embrace both rugged lava terrain and serene oceanfront vistas.
Meanwhile, Kauai, the “Garden Isle,” delivers a more secluded and dramatic backdrop. Princeville Makai Golf Club and Poipu Bay Golf Course both blend natural cliffs, crashing surf, and tropical vegetation into a playing experience that feels almost cinematic. Poipu Bay, once the longtime host of the PGA Grand Slam of Golf, challenges players with steady trade winds and oceanfront holes that epitomise Hawaiian golf drama.
Championship Pedigree and Global Recognition
Hawaii’s courses are not just pretty postcard backdrops — they’ve been tested by the best in the world. From the Sony Open at Waialae to the Tournament of Champions at Kapalua, the islands regularly welcome the PGA Tour. The state’s golf pedigree includes legendary moments, from Ernie Els’ wins at Waialae to Tiger Woods’ dramatic appearances at Kapalua. For travelling golfers, this adds a unique dimension: playing on the same fairways where professionals have etched their names into history.
The Hawaiian Golf Experience Beyond the Fairways
What truly sets Hawaii apart is the way golf blends seamlessly with its culture and environment. Many courses incorporate Hawaiian traditions and landscapes into their design and presentation. At some resorts, players are greeted with a lei or treated to cultural performances after their round. Local flora — hibiscus, plumeria, and palms — enhance the sense of place, while lava rock walls, ancient fishponds, and petroglyph sites remind golfers of the islands’ deep history.
Weather also plays its part in shaping the experience. With year-round temperatures averaging between 21°C and 29°C, golf in Hawaii is truly a four-season pursuit. Trade winds add an extra challenge, especially on oceanfront holes, demanding thoughtful shot selection and course management. Morning rounds often reward players with calm conditions and clear skies, while afternoons can bring stronger breezes and the occasional tropical shower, adding both variety and unpredictability to every round.
Planning a Hawaiian Golf Journey
Travellers planning a golf trip to Hawaii often combine play across multiple islands. Flights between islands are frequent and short, making it possible to experience the lush cliffs of Kauai, the lava landscapes of the Big Island, and the championship heritage of Oahu all in one trip. Many resorts also offer luxury accommodations, spas, and beaches just steps from the course, making them ideal for golf vacations that balance sport and relaxation.
Beyond golf, the Hawaiian Islands provide endless opportunities for adventure and cultural enrichment: snorkelling with sea turtles, exploring volcanoes, hiking through rainforests, or attending a traditional lūʻau. For many golfers, this balance between world-class golf and unforgettable natural beauty is what transforms a trip into a once-in-a-lifetime memory.
Why Golf in Hawaii Stands Apart
Few places in the world can rival the Hawaiian Islands as a golfing destination. Nowhere else can you strike a drive over ancient lava flows, putt against the backdrop of a sunset over the Pacific, and finish your round with a barefoot walk along a white-sand beach. The combination of championship-calibre courses, unique natural settings, and warm hospitality ensures that golf in Hawaii is more than a game — it’s an experience woven into the fabric of paradise.
