Nina Caldwell
Hawaii is a golfer's paradise, with over 70 golf courses spread across its islands. The state's diverse natural scenery, tropical climate, and world-class golf courses make it a popular destination for golfers of all skill levels from around the world. Hawaii offers a unique golfing experience, with courses ranging from lush, cliffside fairways that wind through prehistoric lava fields to seaside water hazards and exclusive resort courses. The islands' near-perfect weather conditions all year round also contribute to their popularity among golfers.
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What You'll Learn
Hawaii's most popular golf courses
Hawaii attracts golfers of every level from around the world with its breathtaking scenery, one-of-a-kind signature holes, and championship-caliber course designs. The Aloha State of Hawaii has hundreds of volcanic islands in the Pacific Ocean, offering diverse natural scenery and a tropical climate. With more than 70 golf courses, it won't be difficult to find the perfect course for you.
Oʻahu, also known as the "Golf Capital of Hawai‘i," boasts more golf courses than any other island, with 40 public and private courses ranging from casual municipal links to elegant resort courses. Some of the notable courses on Oʻahu include the Turtle Bay Resort, the Kō Olina Golf Club, and the Royal Hawaiian Golf Club.
Maui, known for its beauty, is home to the Kapalua Resort, which features the Plantation Course, host of the PGA Tour's Tournament of Champions, and the Bay Course, which has hosted PGA Tour events. Maui also boasts the Kāʻanapali Beach Resort, offering 36 holes, and the Wailea Golf Club on its southern shore.
The island of Hawaiʻi, the state's most populous, is home to many of the state's top-ranked and historic courses. The Kohala Coast resorts of Waikoloa, Mauna Lani, and Mauna Kea feature world-renowned courses. The Mauna Kea Golf Course is particularly notable for its iconic par-3 third hole, which offers constant views of the ocean and is considered one of the most photographed golf holes in the world.
Lānaʻi, an intimate island, is home to one of the best-ranked golf courses in the world, the 18-hole Mānele Golf Course at the Four Seasons Resort Lānaʻi. Designed by Jack Nicklaus, this course features holes built into seaside cliffs, providing dazzling views of the Pacific Ocean.
Other notable golf courses in Hawaii include the Ironwood Hills Golf Course on Molokaʻi, the Poʻipū Bay Golf Course on Kauaʻi, where Phil Mickelson holds the course record, and the exclusive Nanea Golf Club, designed by David McLay Kidd.
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Golf in Hawaii: a history
Golf in Hawaii has a long and rich history, dating back to the late 19th century. The game was first introduced to the islands by British and Scottish businessmen, who established the first golf course in 1898, just a year after the Newlands Resolution provided for the annexation of Hawaii.
The semi-private Moanalua Golf Club, Hawaii's first golf course, was built in 1898 by Samuell Mills Damon and sparked a golf rivalry between British players from Theo. Davies & Co. and Scots from the bank Bishop & Co. (First Hawaiian Bank). The course was built on the island of Oʻahu, which today boasts over 40 public and private courses, earning it the nickname "Golf Capital of Hawai'i".
In the years following the establishment of Moanalua Golf Club, golf in Hawaii continued to grow in popularity, with new courses popping up across the islands. In 1964, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Gary Player played an exhibition round at Mauna Kea, just two months before the course opened to the public. The following year, in 1965, the Hawaiian Open was held at the Waialae Country Club, marking the first time the PGA took over the event.
Today, Hawaii is home to over 70 golf courses, ranging from casual municipal links to luxurious resort courses. The islands attract golfers of all skill levels from around the world with their breathtaking scenery, one-of-a-kind signature holes, and championship-caliber course designs. Among the most notable courses in Hawaii are the Mauna Kea Golf Course, with its famous third hole that combines the blue Pacific Ocean with black lava rock; the Mānele Golf Course at Four Seasons Resort Lānaʻi, designed by Jack Nicklaus with three holes built into seaside cliffs; and the Kō Olina Golf Club, located on the Leeward Coast of Oʻahu.
Hawaii's diverse natural scenery, tropical climate, and abundance of golf courses have made it a popular destination for golfers and tourists alike, solidifying the sport's important place in the state's history and culture.
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Golf in Hawaii for beginners
Hawaii is a popular destination for golfers of all skill levels, with its diverse natural scenery, tropical climate, and more than 70 golf courses. Oʻahu, known as the "Golf Capital of Hawaiʻi", boasts the most golf courses of any island, with 40 public and private courses.
If you're a beginner golfer travelling to Hawaii, you'll be spoilt for choice. The island of Hawaiʻi, also known as the "Big Island", is home to many of the state's top-ranked and historic courses. Hawaiʻi's first golf course, the semi-private Moanalua Golf Club, was built in 1898 and is located in Honolulu, Oʻahu. The island also offers a superb array of resort and public courses with lush, cliffside fairways that slope through prehistoric lava fields, providing a uniquely challenging and visually stunning experience.
Maui, known for its natural beauty, is another excellent destination for beginner golfers. West Maui, centred around the historic whaling village of Lāhainā, offers 36 holes at the Kāʻanapali Beach Resort and Kapalua Resort. The Plantation course at the Kapalua Resort is famous for hosting the annual Tournament of Champions. South Maui is home to the Wailea Golf Club and four other courses between Wailuku and Pukalani.
Kauaʻi is another golfer's paradise, with a mix of daily fee and resort courses. The Princeville Makai Golf Club on the North Shore offers majestic views, while the Ocean Course at Hōkūala in Līhuʻe boasts the most oceanfront holes of any course in Hawaiʻi. The Poʻipū Bay Golf Course on the South Shore is where Phil Mickelson set the course record of 59.
For a more relaxed golfing experience, head to Molokaʻi, where the lovely Ironwood Hills Golf Course offers a laid-back atmosphere with no golf pros or clubhouse. You can simply show up for a tee time and enjoy 3,088 yards of upcountry pasture with splendid views.
When it comes to golf lessons, Honolulu is home to some excellent options, including Golf Academy Hawaii, Ko’olina Golf Academy, and GolfTek, recognised as the best places for golf lessons in 2020 by Honolulu's largest circulation newspaper.
With its abundance of world-class golf courses and stunning natural scenery, Hawaii is the perfect destination for beginner golfers to improve their game and enjoy a unique tropical golfing experience.
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Golf in Hawaii: the best views
Golf in Hawaii offers breathtaking views and a delightful mix of daily fee and resort courses. With over 70 golf courses, Hawaii attracts golfers of every skill level from around the world. Here are some of the best courses in Hawaii with stunning views:
Ocean Course at Hōkūala in Līhuʻe, Kauaʻi
This course boasts more oceanfront holes than any other course in Hawaii. It is built on a former sugar cane plantation, offering wide fairways and massive white-sand bunkers. The Pacific Ocean is visible from almost every hole, providing a spectacular backdrop for your game.
Poʻipū Bay Golf Course, Kauaʻi
This Robert Trent Jones Jr.-designed course is situated on the south shore of Kauai and offers a unique blend of challenging golf and historical significance. It hosted the PGA Grand Slam of Golf from 1994 to 2006 and features wide fairways and large greens. The course is also home to several ancient Hawaiian heiau (places of worship) and centuries-old handmade stone walls.
Manele Golf Course, Lānaʻi
The 18-hole Manele Golf Course at the Four Seasons Resort Lānaʻi is a Jack Nicklaus masterpiece. With holes built into seaside cliffs, this course offers dazzling views of the Pacific Ocean from atop natural lava outcroppings. It is considered one of the best-ranked golf courses in the world.
Kapalua Resort, Maui
The Plantation course at Kapalua Resort is an annual host to the PGA Tour's Tournament of Champions. It is built on the north shore of Maui, with holes offering views of the towering shield volcano of Haleakala. The course is known for its challenging design, with a blind drive on the fourth hole and cut-the-corner drives on the fifth and sixth holes.
Turtle Bay Resort, Oahu
Turtle Bay Resort on Oahu's famed North Shore offers two distinct golf experiences: the Palmer course and the Fazio course. The Palmer course provides stunning views of the Pacific Ocean from the 17th hole, while the Fazio course is known for its challenging layout and scenic beauty.
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Golf in Hawaii: the most exclusive courses
Hawaii is a popular destination for golfers, with its idyllic landscape blending volcanic mountains, beautiful ocean views, and incredible wildlife. The state boasts more than 70 golf courses, ranging from casual municipal links to elegant resort courses.
One of the most exclusive golf clubs in Hawaii is the Nanea Golf Club, which is so exclusive that it shuns publicity. The course was designed by David McLay Kidd and is laid out on a thick lava mantle with the heart of British seaside links at its roots.
Another highly exclusive course is the Manele Golf Course, formerly known as The Challenge at Manele. Designed by Jack Nicklaus, the course features fairways spread out along the southern cliffs of Lanai Island, with three ocean-cove holes, including the par-3 12th and dogleg-right par-4 17th.
The Kuki'o Golf & Beach Club, designed by Tom Fazio, is another exclusive course set on the coast with a dramatic elevation change of more than 400 feet from its lowest to highest points.
For those seeking a more relaxed golfing experience, the Ironwood Hills Golf Course on Molokaʻi offers a laid-back atmosphere with no golf pros or clubhouse. Instead, golfers can enjoy 3,088 yards of upcountry pasture with splendid views of the surrounding landscape.
Hawaii's golf courses offer a unique blend of breathtaking scenery, one-of-a-kind signature holes, and championship-caliber course designs, attracting golfers of all levels from around the world.
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