Hawaii Golf

The Big Island or Volcano Island, is home to the Kohala Coast, also known as the "Golf Capital of the World." Carved out of ancient lava flows and surrounded by historical Hawaiian landmarks, most of the Hawaii golf courses found on the Big Island are situated on the sun baked Kohala and Kona coastlines.

The Big Island offers several top designer name, world-class courses. The resorts of the Kohala, Gold Coast are world-class and the striking contrasts of green fairways, white sand bunkers, jet-black lava flows and turquoise Pacific waters can't be beat. You'll also find the most unique of Hawaii golf courses on the Volcano Island.

Here's a sampling of the golf courses that make the Big Island a choice Hawaii golf vacation destination.

Mauna Kea Resort  – The following golf courses have been dubbed by Conde’ Nast Traveler “two of the best golf courses in the world.”  

• Mauna Kea Resort Course - Nicknamed "The World's Most Challenging Golf Course", this golf course offers dramatic elevation changes, as well as panoramic views of the Kohala Coast from nearly every golf hole.

• Hapuna Course – A unique environmentally sensitive links-style Hawaii golf course, the Arnold Palmer/Ed Seay Golf Course at Hapuna offers 18 challenging holes plus the beauty of the breathtaking Kohala Coast views. 

Waikoloa Resort  – The Waikoloa’s two championship golf courses offer unsurpassed opportunities for golfers of all levels and presents Hawaii golfing at its best. 

• King's Golf Course - Known for its wide undulating fairways, multiple tee placements, and challenging pot bunkers, this par-72 golf course consists of a double green. You won't find another course on the Kohala Coast that tests your skills in the manner British Open champions Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish designed this Scottish links course to do.

• Waikoloa Beach Golf Course - Swaying palms and an ocean breeze compliment this challenging Robert Trent Jones Jr. classic carved from the lava flow along scenic Anaeho’omalu Bay. Numerous white sand bunkers, water features, and a 502-yard par 5 twelfth— known throughout the islands as the most spectacular oceanfront par-five in Hawaii – are a few of our favorite things about this Hawaii golf course.  

Kona Country Club  -  Rated four and a half stars by Golf Digest, these two innovatively designed Big Island golf courses can be enjoyed by beginners and advanced golfers alike.   

• The Ocean Course - Designed by William Bell, this golf course plays out along the Kona Coast. The turquoise ocean and black lava rocks provide its natural hazards, while also allowing you to enjoy the splash at Hole 13, where you will see the blow hole known as “Puka” in Hawaiian). Host to LPGA Takefuji Classic (2000 and 2001), this 18-hole championship course offers wide, lush fairways and numerous white sand bunkers. The Ocean Golf Course was selected as one of the top 100 courses by Golf Digest and Golf for Women. ESPN and Zagat Guide dubbed the golf course one of the United State's top golf facilities.

• Ali'i Mountain Course - Designed by William Bell and Nelson and Robin Wright, the golf course includes an uphill challenge and offers fantastic views of the Kona coastline, trails of ancient lava flows and a setting rich in Hawaiian culture and wild life. Hole 14 is incredibly picturesque with a waterfall surrounded by red bougainvillea and black lava rock, a scenic lake and a panoramic ocean view.

 Francis H. I`i Brown Golf Courses at the Mauna Lani – A Golf Magazine's Gold Medal Award winner, the Francis H. I'i Brown North and South golf courses are the result of one, fantastic course being transformed into two even better courses. The setting is stunning with fields of ink black lava endlessly stretching beyond and contrasting with the blue and turquoise ocean. The offerings include a play/practice green, driving range, restaurants -- and solar-powered carts. The designers preserved numerous archeological sites throughout the courses, the ancient trails, fishponds, and petroglyphs of the early Hawaiians. 

• North Course  This golf course has become one of the most popular tournament venues on the Island. Built on a lava bed much older and smoother than the Kaniku flow on which the South Course lies, this golf course's features include rolling terrain appointed with Kiawe (mesquite) forests and lays claim to one of the Mauna Lani Golf Resort's signature holes, Number 17, a par three tucked into a natural lava amphitheater. A 230-acre protected archaeological district rests on the northern boundary of this Mauna Lani golf course.

• South Course World renowned as former host to the annual Senior Skins Game (1990 – 2000), this golf course meanders through the black, rugged prehistoric Kaniku lava flow. The challenging South course offers the golfer a sweeping view of mountains and ocean. This golf course is also home to No. 15, one of the most photographed over-the-water golf course holes in the world.

Volcano Golf Course & Country Club - Perhaps the world's most unusual golf course, the Volcano Golf Course is situated in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the most active volcano in the world, Kilauea. This 18-hole, par 72 Hawaii course sits at a cool 4,000-foot elevation and is appointed with old growth Ohia trees. Wildlife abounds here, including rare songbirds, wild turkey and occasionally wild peacocks.

A restaurant and bar are located in the Country Club and nearby you will also find the Volcano Winery, fine dining establishments, the historic Volcano Lodge and beautiful bed and breakfasts. The golf course offers amazing view of sunsets over Mauna Loa, and in the distance, Mauna Kea, snow capped in winter. The course is a scenic 30-minute drive from Hilo.

Visiting any of the other Hawaiian Islands? Check out the world class Hawaii golf course offerings on these islands: 

• Kauai Golf Courses – The number one golf course in the state of Hawaii, world-class golf courses and unsurpassed natural beauty are all part of golf on Kauai. 

• Oahu Golf Courses – Host to over 30 Hawaii golf courses, the most visited of Hawaiian Islands is also home to several of the pro golf championships. Oahu also has so many things to do; you'll never here an "I'm bored," from non-golfing family members.

• Maui Golf Courses - This island is consistently ranked the best island in Hawaii and even the world, while several of the Hawaii golf courses on Maui at or near the top worldwide in many categories.

• Molokai Golf Courses – You'll find no traffic lights, neon signs or buildings higher then coconut trees on this laid back island, but you will find a challenging, par-72 golf course with fantastic views.

•  Lanai Golf Courses – This scenic and smallest of the Hawaiian Islands hosts a Golf Digest "Top 10" golf course. 

Book your Hawaii golf vacation today!