Golf in paradise: The best resorts & courses across Hawaii

Find your next tee time at Hawaii’s most scenic and celebrated golf resorts
Drone shot of a golf course in Maui.
Lahaina Kapalua golf course

Hawaii’s world-class golf courses offer more than a great game—they come with stunning ocean views, serene surroundings, and year-round sunshine. From the lava-lined fairways of the Big Island to the oceanfront gems of Maui and the cliffs of Kauai, you’ll find something for every golfer. Best of all, Vacasa offers vacation rentals near many of Hawaii’s top golf resorts, so your dream golf trip is just around the corner.

A golf course in Maui.

Golfing in Maui

With legendary layouts like the Plantation Course at Kapalua and the Wailea Golf Club’s emerald fairways, Maui delivers some of the best golf in Hawaii for players of all skill levels, near or on some of our favorite resorts.

As a result, the Maui resorts near or on world-class courses have earned their reputation as Hawaii's premier golfing destinations, and it's easy to see why. These coastal masterpieces combine breathtaking natural beauty with world-class course design, creating an experience that's as unforgettable as it is challenging.


Maui's impressive scorecard:

  • Ocean views galore: Nearly every course on Maui features holes with direct ocean views—a rarity even among world-class golf destinations.
  • Year-round play: With average temperatures between 70–85°F, Maui offers the ideal golfing weather 365 days a year.
  • Elevation advantage: Courses like Kapalua’s sit at elevations where the ball can fly up to 10% farther thanks to thinner air.
  • PGA experiences: Maui hosts the PGA Tour’s Sentry Tournament of Champions each year at Kapalua’s Plantation Course.

Where to golf in Maui

The patio overlooking a golf green in Wailea, HI
Wailea Golf Club

Stretching across South Maui’s coastline, Wailea Golf Club features three championship courses—Gold, Emerald, and Blue—offering ocean views and lush fairways.

Lahaina Kapalua golf course
Kapalua Resort - Plantation and Bay Courses

Located in West Maui, Kapalua delivers a luxury golf experience with PGA-level design and Pacific panoramas. Browse nearby rentals in Kapalua and Lahaina for convenient resort access.

View of Kaanapali Golf Course fairway from Kaanapali Royal Resort
Kaanapali Golf Courses - Royal and Kai

Just minutes from the beach, Kaanapali’s Royal and Kai courses combine playability and picturesque mountain-and-ocean views.

A drone shot of a golf course on the BIg Island.

Golfing on the Big Island

The Big Island delivers a golfing experience unlike anywhere else on Earth. Here, dramatic contrasts define every hole: emerald fairways carved from hardened lava, pristine white sand bunkers against jet-black volcanic rock, and the endless turquoise Pacific serving as your backdrop. It's raw, powerful, and absolutely breathtaking.

What's more, the resorts on the Big Island offer plenty of options in terms of tee times.


The Big Island's impressive scorecard:

  • Climate diversity: Play through 8–11 of the world’s 13 climate zones on one island.
  • Elevation extremes: Golf from sea level to over 4,000 feet—expect cooler temps as you climb.
  • Desert conditions: The Kohala Coast gets just inches of rain annually, offering dry play with ocean views.
  • Volcanic timeline: Tee off on terrain formed by lava flows less than 200 years old.

Where to golf on the Big Island

View from the pool at the Waikoloa Beach Resort.
Kings' Lake

Waikoloa Fairway Villas offer spacious, family-friendly accommodations nestled along the resort's championship golf courses. These villas provide convenient access to both the Beach and Kings' courses, where tropical landscaping blends seamlessly with inland lake features for a diverse and scenic golf experience.

Mauna Lani Resort golf course
Mauna Lani Golf - North and South

Nestled along the Kohala Coast, Mauna Lani’s championship courses offer sweeping fairways, lava formations, and stunning seaside holes. Our nearby rentals in Mauna Lani and Puako make it breeze to get to any tee time.

Golf ball on a tee.
Mauna Kea Golf Course

World-renowned for its postcard-worthy 3rd hole over an ocean bay, Mauna Kea’s historic design offers both a challenge and a view.

Drone shot of a golf course in Kauai.

Golfing in Kauai

What sets Kauaʻi's golf resorts apart isn't just their stunning courses—it's the complete immersion into paradise. After your round, you're steps away from saltwater lagoons, world-class spas, and dining experiences that rival any destination on Earth.

Whether you're sipping mai tais with a sunset view, indulging in a traditional lomi lomi massage, or exploring lush trails that wind through tropical landscapes, Kauaʻi offers an experience that will lead you to discover your new favorite golf resort.


Kauaʻi’s impressive scorecard

  • Course collection: Nine golf courses at seven locations on Kauaʻi, with premium resort courses concentrated in Poʻipū and Princeville.
  • PGA pedigree: Poʻipū Bay hosted the PGA Grand Slam of Golf from 1994 to 2006, cementing its status as a championship venue.
  • Designer legacy: PGA legend Jack Nicklaus and Robert Trent Jones, Jr. designed signature courses in the resort areas.
  • Oceanfront acreage: Poʻipū Bay plays over 210 oceanfront acres, maximizing stunning coastal views on every hole.

Where to golf in Kauai

Two chairs overlooking a lush Hawaiian golf course.
Princeville Makai Golf Club

This top-rated North Shore course offers cliffside play with views of Hanalei Bay and surrounding mountains. Vacasa rentals in Princeville put you just minutes from the first tee.

Kiahuna Golf Course
Kiahuna Golf Course

Once home to PGA Grand Slam events, this scenic course runs along Kauai’s southern coastline beside the Grand Hyatt. Choose from beachfront homes or condos nearby in sunny Poipu.

Kiahuna Golf Course
Wailua Golf Course

A hidden gem on Kauai’s east coast, Wailua offers oceanfront holes at public course prices—great for casual golfers. Here, you can find budget-friendly and family-focused rentals in Kapaa and Wailua.

Golfing in Hawaii FAQ

Maui is often considered the best Hawaiian island for golf resorts. It offers renowned courses like Kapalua and Wailea, stunning ocean views, and luxury accommodations. Golf enthusiasts love Maui’s mix of championship design and natural beauty, making it a top destination for both casual and professional players.

It depends. Fortunately, Hawaii offers affordable municipal and local courses where fees are much lower, giving travelers budget-friendly options to enjoy golfing amidst Hawaii’s scenic landscapes.

Yes, you can stay near a golf course in Hawaii without booking a resort. Vacation rentals, condos, and boutique hotels often border or are close to golf communities. These alternatives provide proximity to top courses with more flexibility and often at a lower cost than resort accommodations.

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