For a Hawaii golf vacation, Maui is the best all-round island, with Kapalua’s Plantation Course and Wailea. The Big Island’s Kohala Coast is best for luxury resort golf, Kauai for quiet, dramatic courses, and Oahu for value and variety. Resort green fees run roughly $185 to $475 in 2026, highest from December to March.
Golf in Hawaii is a different sport from golf on the mainland. The trade winds blow most afternoons, the grass grain on the greens pulls putts toward the ocean, and lava fields frame the fairways on the Big Island. The courses are also expensive, especially in winter, and many are built for resort guests who might play two rounds in a week between the beach and a luau. Very few people fly to Hawaii only for golf. Plenty fly to Hawaii and wish they’d planned the golf better.
That’s what this page is for. It covers which island to choose, the courses worth playing on each, what golf really costs (including the big gap between visitor and resident rates), when to go, and whether to bring clubs across the Pacific or rent them. It’s the hub for all our Hawaii golf guides, so each section points to a deeper page.
Green fees below were checked in September 2026. Most Hawaii resort courses don’t publish full rate cards and change prices by season and time of day, so we give ranges from published guides and booking systems, and say where figures are secondhand. Confirm when you book.
At a glance
- Best island for golf overall: Maui, for Kapalua’s Plantation Course, Wailea and Ka’anapali.
- Best for luxury resort golf: the Big Island’s Kohala Coast, with Mauna Kea, Mauna Lani, Hualalai and Waikoloa.
- Best for scenery and quiet: Kauai, with Poipu Bay, Princeville Makai and Hokuala.
- Best value and variety: Oahu, with more courses and easy flights.
- Most exclusive: Lanai, with Manele’s cliff-top holes.
- 2026 green fees: roughly $185–$295 at Mauna Kea, $225–$260 at Poipu Bay, $285–$330 at Wailea Gold, about $375 at Princeville Makai, and $375–$475 at Kapalua’s Plantation Course. Twilight is cheaper.
- Best time: April to May and September to November for value and good weather; December to March for peak season, whales and the highest prices.
- Getting there: about 5 to 6 hours from the West Coast; 10 hours or more from the East Coast.
- Clubs: a golf bag counts as a checked bag on the major airlines; renting is common for trips with only one or two rounds.
Which Hawaiian island is best for golf?
Maui is the best island for most golfers, with the Plantation Course at Kapalua and the Wailea courses. The Big Island is best for luxury resort golf on the Kohala Coast, Kauai for dramatic scenery and quiet, and Oahu for value, variety and easy flights. Lanai suits a splurge.
Here’s how the islands compare for a golf vacation.
| Island | Signature courses | Typical 2026 visitor green fee | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maui | Kapalua Plantation, Wailea Gold and Emerald, Ka’anapali | About $285–$475 | The best all-round golf and beach vacation | The highest fees; Kapalua’s Bay Course is closed |
| Big Island (Hawaii Island) | Mauna Kea, Mauna Lani South and North, Hapuna, Waikoloa, Hualalai (guests only) | About $185–$350 | Luxury resorts, lava-field golf, dry sunny weather | Long drives between towns; volcanic air (vog) some days |
| Kauai | Poipu Bay, Princeville Makai, Hokuala Ocean Course | About $225–$375 | Scenery, quiet, honeymoons | More rain, especially on the north shore in winter |
| Oahu | Ko Olina, Turtle Bay, Kapolei, Pearl at Kalauao, municipal courses | Wide range, from municipal to about $250+ | Value, variety, Waikiki, easy flights | Traffic and crowded municipal tee sheets |
| Lanai | Manele (Four Seasons Resort) | High | A luxury splurge | Limited flights and very expensive lodging |
If you want the classic Hawaii golf trip, go to Maui and stay in Wailea or Kapalua. If you want the best weather and a high-end resort, go to the Big Island. If you want scenery and fewer people, go to Kauai. If you’re on a budget or combining golf with city life, go to Oahu.
For two-island trips, Maui plus the Big Island is the strongest golf combination. Inter-island flights take less than an hour.
Is a Hawaii golf vacation worth it?
For most golfers, yes, as long as golf is part of the vacation rather than the whole point. Hawaii’s best courses are spectacular and the weather is reliable all year, but green fees are high and the islands are far from the mainland. If you only want golf, Scottsdale or Florida are cheaper and closer.
What makes Hawaii worth the money:
- Settings you won’t find anywhere else. Lava fields, ocean cliffs, mountains, whales offshore in winter.
- Year-round golf weather, with January highs around 81°F in Honolulu.
- Everything else. Beaches, snorkeling, hiking and food make Hawaii the best golf destination in the US for mixed groups and couples.
What doesn’t:
- Green fees. $300 to $475 for the famous resort courses, and more in peak season.
- Distance. Five to six hours from the West Coast and 10 or more from the East, plus jet lag.
- Variety per island. Each island has a handful of top courses, not dozens. A golf-heavy week gets repetitive unless you island-hop.
- Wind. Beautiful courses can play very hard in the afternoon trade winds.
Our view: plan a Hawaii trip with three or four great rounds on one or two islands, and spend the rest of the time doing what Hawaii does best. Golfers who want a round every day are better served elsewhere in winter. Our guide to winter golf destinations compares Hawaii with Arizona, Florida and the rest.
Maui golf
Maui has the most famous golf in Hawaii and the widest choice of resort courses, all on the dry, sunny west and south shores.
Kapalua: the Plantation Course. Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw’s big, rolling course on the hills above Maui’s northwest coast, with huge elevation changes, wide fairways, massive greens and wind that changes everything. For decades it hosted the PGA Tour’s season-opening event, and its downhill par-5 18th, with the ocean beyond, is one of the most famous finishing holes in golf. (The Sentry is scheduled at Torrey Pines in San Diego in January 2027.) Published 2026 figures put visitor rates at about $375 to $475, with afternoon rates lower. When we checked in September 2026, Kapalua said the Plantation Course was open and in great condition, but the Bay Course remained closed. See the Kapalua Plantation Course.
Wailea. On the sunny south shore, Wailea Golf Club’s Gold and Emerald courses are the heart of Maui’s resort golf, surrounded by the big Wailea hotels. The Gold is the tougher, more championship-style course, at about $285 to $330 in 2026 reports. The Emerald is more forgiving and very pretty.
Ka’anapali. Two courses in the Ka’anapali resort area near Lahaina on the west shore, including the Royal Ka’anapali, which is a Robert Trent Jones Sr. design. Generally a bit less expensive than Kapalua and Wailea, and convenient if you’re staying at the Ka’anapali hotels.
Other Maui options. The Dunes at Maui Lani, near Kahului, is a links-style course that’s usually cheaper, and Maui has municipal golf at the Waiehu course. Makena, south of Wailea, is now a private club.
Maui is the island most visitors pick for a golf vacation, and it’s the best choice for couples where one person doesn’t play: beaches, snorkeling at Molokini, the Road to Hana, Haleakalā at sunrise and whale watching from December to April.
See Maui golf courses for the full guide.
Big Island golf: the Kohala Coast
The Big Island’s Kohala Coast, north of Kona, is one of the most dramatic places in the world to play golf: green fairways cut through black lava fields, running down to the ocean, with snow sometimes visible on Mauna Kea in winter. It’s also the driest, sunniest part of Hawaii.
Mauna Kea Golf Course. Robert Trent Jones Sr.’s 1964 course, built for Laurance Rockefeller’s Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, is the grand old course of Hawaii golf. Its par-3 3rd hole plays across an ocean inlet and is one of the most photographed holes in the state. Mauna Kea doesn’t publish a rate card, but its booking system quoted about $345 for a morning round and $270 from noon in 2026, with nine holes at $225, and published ranges run from about $185 to $295.
Mauna Lani. Two courses, the South and the North, carved through lava fields. The South Course’s ocean par 3s are famous. GolfPass readers ranked Mauna Lani South among the five best public courses in Hawaii in 2026, with rates of about $225 to $325 in their guide.
Hapuna and Waikoloa. Hapuna, next to Mauna Kea, is a more rugged course. The Waikoloa Beach and Kings’ courses are generally more affordable resort options.
Hualalai. Jack Nicklaus’s course at the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai is for resort guests only, at about $350 according to published guides, and hosts a PGA Tour Champions event.
Kona. Kona Country Club and other courses around Kailua-Kona offer cheaper rounds. At the other end of the scale, the Big Island’s 19 courses include municipal and local courses with fees under $20, according to one island guide.
The Big Island is big: Hilo to Kona is a two-hour drive, and Volcanoes National Park is a long day trip from the Kohala resorts. Base yourself on the Kohala Coast for golf. See Big Island golf courses.
Kauai golf
Kauai, the Garden Isle, is greener, quieter and wetter than Maui or the Big Island, and its golf courses have some of the best scenery in Hawaii.
Poipu Bay. On the sunny south shore, next to the Grand Hyatt Kauai, Poipu Bay hosted the PGA Grand Slam of Golf from 1994 to 2006. Its closing holes along the cliffs above the ocean are spectacular. GolfPass readers ranked it the best public course in Hawaii in 2026, and published 2026 rates run about $225 to $260 (GolfPass’s range is $140 to $295 across seasons and times).
Princeville Makai. On the north shore, with views of the mountains made famous by South Pacific and holes along the cliffs above Hanalei Bay. Robert Trent Jones Jr. designed it, and it was renovated in recent years. About $375 in 2026, according to published guides. The north shore is much wetter in winter.
Hokuala Ocean Course. Near Lihue, Jack Nicklaus’s course has one of the longest stretches of oceanfront holes in Hawaii. GolfPass readers ranked it in the state’s top five in 2026.
Wailua Golf Course. A municipal course near the ocean on the east side, long considered one of the best-value public courses in the state. Visitors pay more than residents but still far less than at the resorts.
Kauai is ideal for honeymoons and quieter trips. Stay in Poipu on the south shore for the best weather, or Princeville for the views. See Kauai golf courses.
Oahu golf
Oahu is the most practical island for golf: the most flights, the most courses and the widest range of prices. It’s also the busiest.
- Ko Olina. A resort course on the west side, near the Disney Aulani and Four Seasons Oahu resorts. GolfPass readers ranked it in Hawaii’s top five public courses in 2026.
- Turtle Bay. On the North Shore, with two courses including the Arnold Palmer Course. A good choice if you’re staying away from Waikiki.
- Pearl at Kalauao. Above Pearl Harbor, with views over the harbor and, according to GolfPass readers, one of the best public courses in Hawaii.
- Kapolei and the west side. Several good resort and daily-fee courses near Ko Olina.
- Municipal courses. Honolulu has some of the busiest municipal golf in the country, including Ala Wai near Waikiki. Visitors can play, but tee times are competitive.
Waialae Country Club, which hosts the PGA Tour’s Sony Open every January, is private.
Oahu works well for golfers who want to combine a few rounds with Waikiki, Pearl Harbor and Honolulu’s restaurants, or for a trip with a stopover before heading to another island. Traffic is the main thing to plan around. Getting from Waikiki to Ko Olina or Turtle Bay can take an hour or more at rush hour, so either stay near the course you most want to play or book mid-morning tee times that avoid the commute. Oahu also has the widest choice of flights from the mainland and the easiest connections to the other islands, which makes it a sensible first or last stop on a two-island trip. If you’re staying in Waikiki without a car, some courses and tour companies offer golf transfers, and the cost can be lower than two days of hotel parking. See Oahu golf courses open to the public.
Lanai: Manele
Lanai is a small, quiet island with a population of a few thousand and one luxury resort, the Four Seasons Resort Lanai. Its golf course, Manele, designed by Jack Nicklaus, has several holes along cliffs high above the ocean, including a par 3 over a rocky inlet. It’s one of the most spectacular settings in Hawaii and one of the most expensive trips. Getting there involves a short flight or a passenger ferry from Maui. Check current access and rates with the resort before planning around it.
How golf in Hawaii plays differently
Mainland golfers are often surprised by how different Hawaii courses play. A few things to expect:
Wind. The northeast trade winds blow most days, usually picking up after late morning. On exposed courses like Kapalua’s Plantation Course, a hole can be a driver and wedge in the morning and a driver and long iron in the afternoon. Take more club into the wind and less downwind than you think, and keep the ball low.
Grain. Hawaii’s Bermuda and paspalum grasses grow in the direction of sunlight and water flow, which usually means toward the ocean or away from the mountains. Putts running with the grain are faster and break more; putts against it are slower. Look at the edge of the hole: the ragged side shows the direction of the grain.
Lava. On the Big Island in particular, anything off the fairway may end up in black lava rock. Balls rarely come back, and trying to retrieve them is a good way to damage shoes, hands and clubs. Bring extra balls and take the drop.
Elevation. Courses like Kapalua and some on the Big Island have big elevation changes, so check yardages carefully and allow for shots playing longer uphill and shorter downhill.
Heat and sun. Temperatures are mild, but the sun is strong at Hawaii’s latitude. Use sunscreen, a hat and plenty of water.
Carts. Almost all Hawaii resort courses are cart golf, often with GPS. Walking is rare.
Respect for the land. Many courses are built around culturally significant sites, including ancient Hawaiian sites and protected wildlife areas. Stay out of marked areas and follow the course’s guidance.
Hawaii golf packages: what to look for
Hawaii golf packages usually bundle a resort room with rounds at the resort’s course, sometimes with breakfast, rental cars or airport transfers. They can save money, but read the details.
- Which course and when. Some packages include only afternoon tee times, or rounds on a resort’s less famous course.
- Resort fees. Most Hawaii resorts charge daily resort fees on top of room rates, and packages don’t always include them.
- Minimum stays. Peak-season packages often require several nights.
- Rental clubs. Some packages include rentals, which can make leaving your clubs at home easy.
- Airline packages. Airlines and online travel sites sell flight-and-hotel packages to Hawaii that are often cheaper than booking separately, and you can add golf directly with the course.
- Cancellation terms. Especially for winter trips booked far in advance.
The best-value package is often a stay at a resort with guest rates at its own course, plus rounds booked separately at the famous courses you want to play once. See Hawaii golf packages.
How much does a Hawaii golf vacation cost?
Green fees at Hawaii’s resort courses run roughly $185 to $475 per round in 2026, highest in winter. A week-long Hawaii golf vacation with three or four rounds, flights and a mid-range hotel typically costs $3,500 to $6,500 per golfer, sharing a room. Luxury resorts and Kapalua push it much higher.
Here’s a rough budget for one golfer sharing a room on a seven-night Maui trip in spring, playing four rounds.
| Line item | Budget | Mid-range | What moves it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flights from the mainland | $500–$800 | $700–$1,200 | West Coast vs East Coast; season |
| Lodging, 7 nights (shared room or condo) | $1,000–$1,800 | $2,000–$3,500 | Condo vs resort hotel; Wailea and Kapalua cost more |
| Green fees, 4 rounds | $900–$1,200 (twilight, cheaper courses) | $1,300–$1,700 (Kapalua, Wailea, Ka’anapali) | Time of day, course, season |
| Rental clubs or bag fees | $100–$300 | $100–$300 | Rent for four rounds vs fly with clubs |
| Rental car | $250–$400 | $350–$600 | Car size, season |
| Food and drink | $600–$900 | $900–$1,400 | Resort restaurants are expensive |
| Total | About $3,350–$5,400 | About $5,350–$8,700 |
A few ways to spend less:
- Play twilight. Afternoon and twilight rates are much cheaper than morning rates at most Hawaii courses. The afternoon wind is stronger, but the price is better.
- Travel in shoulder season. April, May, September and October rates are lower than in December to March.
- Mix in cheaper courses. Play Kapalua once and fill the week with less famous courses and municipal golf.
- Stay in a condo rather than a resort hotel, and ask about guest rates at the courses nearby.
- Watch for stay-and-play packages at the resorts, which can include discounted rounds.
Kama’aina rates. Hawaii residents pay “kama’aina” rates at many courses, often far below visitor rates. As a visitor you can’t get them, but it’s worth knowing why the local golfer in your group paid half what you did.
See how much golf costs in Hawaii and Hawaii golf packages.
When is the best time for a Hawaii golf vacation?
Hawaii is warm enough for golf all year, but April to May and September to November offer the best mix of weather, prices and availability. December to March is peak season, with humpback whales, the highest rates and more rain on some islands. Summer is hot, sunny and busy with families.
Honolulu’s average January high is about 81°F, with a low of 67°F, so golf is comfortable year-round. The bigger variables are wind, rain and price.
- December to March. Peak season. Rates are highest, hotels are full around the holidays, and humpback whales can be seen offshore, especially from Maui. Winter storms bring more rain to north and east shores, particularly on Kauai. The west and south shores of Maui and the Big Island’s Kohala Coast stay drier.
- April and May. Shoulder season. Good weather, lower rates and fewer crowds.
- June to August. Summer. Hot, sunny and dry on the leeward sides, with families on vacation. Rates are moderate.
- September to November. Another good shoulder season: warm water, lower rates and fewer visitors. Hurricane season runs through November, but direct hits are rare.
Wind. The northeast trade winds blow most of the year, usually strongest in the afternoon. Kapalua’s Plantation Course is famous for playing completely differently morning and afternoon.
Grain. Hawaii’s Bermuda and paspalum greens often have strong grain, which tends to pull putts toward the ocean or down the mountain. A caddie or a local playing partner will tell you which way.
See the best time to golf in Hawaii.
Flying to Hawaii with golf clubs, or renting
On the big US airlines, a golf bag counts as a regular checked bag, with the oversize fee waived and a 50 lb weight limit. For a Hawaii trip that usually means paying a checked-bag fee each way, and possibly again for inter-island flights.
When to bring your clubs. If you’re playing four or more rounds, if the golf bag is your only checked bag, or if you have elite status or an airline credit card that covers checked bags.
When to rent. If you’re only playing one or two rounds, if you’re island-hopping with multiple flights, or if you’d rather travel light. Most Hawaii resort courses rent current-model clubs, and rental delivery services operate on Maui and Oahu in particular. Premium resort rental sets aren’t cheap, but they save a lot of hassle.
Shipping. Golf shipping services do deliver to Hawaii, but it costs more and takes longer than mainland shipping. Plan well ahead.
See Hawaii golf club rentals.
Getting to Hawaii and between the islands
Flights. Honolulu (HNL) on Oahu has the most flights. Maui (Kahului, OGG), Kona (KOA) and Lihue (LIH) on Kauai all have nonstop flights from the West Coast, and some from other US hubs. Flying time is about 5 to 6 hours from Los Angeles, San Francisco or Seattle, and 10 hours or more from the East Coast.
Inter-island. Short flights between islands take 30 to 50 minutes. If you’re visiting two islands, it’s often easiest to fly into one and out of the other.
Getting around. You’ll need a rental car on every island except perhaps Oahu, if you stay in Waikiki. Book early: Hawaii rental cars sell out in peak season.
Sample Hawaii golf itineraries
Two ways to structure a trip, one on each of the best golf islands. Both keep golf to about one round every other day.
A 7-day Maui golf itinerary
Here’s how a relaxed seven-day Maui golf vacation with four rounds might look for a couple where both play.
- Day 1. Fly into Kahului, drive to Wailea, check in and watch the sunset.
- Day 2. Morning round on the Wailea Emerald course, then the beach.
- Day 3. Snorkeling trip to Molokini in the morning; afternoon off.
- Day 4. Drive to Kapalua and play the Plantation Course, the round of the trip. Dinner in Lahaina or Ka’anapali, depending on what’s open.
- Day 5. Rest day, or the Road to Hana.
- Day 6. Twilight round on the Wailea Gold course.
- Day 7. Sunrise at Haleakalā, then a final round at Ka’anapali or The Dunes at Maui Lani on the way to the airport.
Four rounds in seven days leaves plenty of time for everything else Hawaii offers, which is the point.
A 5-day Big Island golf itinerary
For a shorter trip focused on the Kohala Coast:
- Day 1. Fly into Kona, drive 30–40 minutes north to a Kohala Coast resort. Sunset on the beach.
- Day 2. Morning round at Mauna Kea, with the famous ocean par-3 3rd. Afternoon at Kauna’oa Beach.
- Day 3. Snorkeling or a manta ray night dive, and a free afternoon.
- Day 4. Morning round at Mauna Lani South. Dinner at one of the Kohala resorts.
- Day 5. An early round at Hapuna or one of the Waikoloa courses, then lunch and an afternoon flight home from Kona.
Add two days for a trip to Volcanoes National Park on the other side of the island, or pair the Big Island with three or four days on Maui for a two-island golf vacation.
Hawaii golf for couples, honeymoons and families
Hawaii is one of the best golf destinations in the world for trips where not everyone plays, or where golf is one of several things on the list.
Couples and honeymoons. Maui’s Wailea and Kapalua, the Big Island’s Kohala Coast, and Kauai’s Poipu and Princeville areas all combine beautiful golf with beaches, spas and great restaurants. Plan two or three rounds in a week, ideally early in the morning, and keep the afternoons for everything else. Our guide to golf getaways covers couples trips and honeymoons elsewhere, too.
Families. Resorts on every island have pools, beaches and kids’ programs, and several golf courses offer junior rates or family tee times in the afternoon. Oahu’s Ko Olina area, with its lagoons and family resorts, and Maui’s Ka’anapali and Wailea are especially easy with children.
Mixed groups. Golfers can play in the morning while non-golfers snorkel, hike or lie by the pool, then everyone meets for lunch. Hawaii makes that easy in a way most golf destinations don’t.
Luxury. For a high-end trip, the Four Seasons resorts at Hualalai and Lanai, Mauna Kea and the Kapalua and Wailea resorts are among the best golf resorts in the country. We compare them with mainland resorts in the best golf resorts in the US.
Hawaii golf vacation tips
- Book tee times early for winter. December to March tee times at the famous courses fill up.
- Play early if you want calm conditions, or play late for lower rates.
- Pack for sun, not heat. Temperatures are pleasant, but the sun is strong. Bring sunscreen, a hat and a light rain jacket.
- Allow extra balls for lava. On the Big Island, a ball in the lava is gone.
- Respect the land. Many courses include cultural sites and protected areas, including ancient Hawaiian sites. Stay out of marked areas.
- Check the course status. Hawaii courses close for renovation and, occasionally, for water restrictions. Kapalua’s Bay Course was closed when we checked.
- Don’t overbook golf. A Hawaii trip with a round every day misses what makes the islands special.
Every guide to Hawaii golf vacations
This page is the hub. Each guide below goes deeper on one part of a Hawaii golf trip.
Island guides
- Maui golf courses
- The Kapalua Plantation Course
- Kauai golf courses
- Big Island golf courses
- Oahu golf courses open to the public
Planning
- How much golf costs in Hawaii
- Hawaii golf packages
- The best time to golf in Hawaii
- Hawaii golf club rentals
Frequently asked questions
What is the best island in Hawaii for golf?
Maui is the best all-round island for golf, with Kapalua’s Plantation Course, Wailea and Ka’anapali. The Big Island’s Kohala Coast is best for luxury resort golf in dry, sunny weather. Kauai has the most dramatic scenery and Oahu the best value.
How much does a round of golf cost in Hawaii?
At resort courses, roughly $185 to $475 per round in 2026, depending on the course, island, season and time of day. Kapalua’s Plantation Course is at the top, about $375 to $475. Twilight rates are cheaper, and municipal courses cost much less.
Is Kapalua’s Plantation Course open?
Yes. When we checked in September 2026, Kapalua said the Plantation Course was open and in great condition. Kapalua’s Bay Course remained closed. The PGA Tour’s January event, long played at Kapalua, is scheduled at Torrey Pines in 2027.
When is the best time to play golf in Hawaii?
April to May and September to November combine good weather, lower rates and fewer crowds. December to March is peak season, with whale watching and the highest prices. Summer is hot, sunny and busy.
Should I bring golf clubs to Hawaii or rent?
Bring clubs if you’re playing four or more rounds or your bag flies free with status or an airline card. Rent if you’re playing one or two rounds or island-hopping. Most resort courses rent current-model sets, and rental delivery services operate on the bigger islands.
What are the best golf courses in Hawaii?
Kapalua’s Plantation Course, Mauna Kea, Poipu Bay, Mauna Lani South, Princeville Makai, Wailea Gold and the Hokuala Ocean Course are among the best public courses. GolfPass readers ranked Poipu Bay first in Hawaii in 2026. Manele on Lanai is one of the most spectacular.
Do Hawaii residents pay less for golf?
Yes. Many Hawaii courses offer kama’aina rates to residents, often well below visitor rates. Visitors pay the full resort or visitor rate, though twilight times and stay-and-play packages can reduce the cost.
How many rounds of golf should you plan in Hawaii?
For a week, three or four rounds is right for most golfers, ideally in the mornings before the trade winds pick up. Green fees are high and there’s a lot else to do, so a round every day is rarely the best use of a Hawaii trip. Twilight rounds are a cheap way to add more golf.
Can you play two islands on one Hawaii golf trip?
Yes. Inter-island flights take 30 to 50 minutes, so combining Maui and the Big Island, or Maui and Kauai, is easy. Plan at least three or four nights on each island, and fly into one island and home from the other to avoid backtracking.
Is Hawaii good for a golf vacation with non-golfers?
It’s one of the best. Beaches, snorkeling, hiking, whale watching, volcanoes and excellent restaurants mean non-golfers have plenty to do, and most Hawaii golf trips include only a few rounds anyway. Maui and the Big Island are especially good for mixed groups.
Sources
Primary sources and official pages, checked September 2026 unless noted.
- Kapalua Golf, course status: golfatkapalua.com
- Mauna Kea Resort: maunakearesort.com
- Hawaii Tourism Authority, visitor information: gohawaii.com
- Also consulted: GolfPass Golfers’ Choice 2026 ranking of Hawaii’s public courses; NOAA NCEI 1991–2020 climate normals for Honolulu via Current Results; GolfForKings on Hawaii green fees (2026); Mauna Kea booking system quotes as reported in search results (September 2026); Love Big Island’s guide to Big Island courses; Hawaii-Guide on the history of Poipu Bay and the PGA Grand Slam of Golf; PGA Tour 2027 schedule (The Sentry at Torrey Pines).
Image credits
| Image | Credit and license |
|---|---|
| Starr 060406-9192 aerial photograph of Lanai (featured) | Photo by Forest & Kim Starr, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. |
| Wailea Gold Golf Course | Photo by Ndavies2 at en.wikipedia, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. |
| Kohala Mountains, State Route 19, near Kawaihae, Hawaii | Photo by Ken Lund from Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. |
| Poipu Bay Golf Course (9959531563) | Photo by tdlucas5000 from Lakewood Ca., United States, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. |
| Lanai-Puupehe-from-ManeleBay-golf-clubhouse | Photo by Joel Bradshaw, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. |
| Golf course Princeville Kauai Hawaii (46277137941) | Photo by dronepicr, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. |