Hawaii is a globally recognized golf destination, offering a unique blend of challenging play and breathtaking tropical scenery. The islands provide a dramatic backdrop for the sport, featuring courses carved between volcanic rock, lush rainforests, and expansive Pacific Ocean vistas. Golfers are drawn to the state not only for the consistent warm climate but also for the opportunity to play world-class courses designed by legendary architects. The varied topography ensures a diverse golfing experience.
The Total Number of Courses
The state of Hawaii is home to a total of approximately 75 to 90 golf courses that are generally open for public play or resort access. This authoritative count typically includes full 18-hole courses and excludes smaller pitch-and-putt facilities or military courses with extremely restricted access. The number may fluctuate slightly based on whether multi-course resorts are counted as one facility or separate courses. Considering the state’s relatively small landmass, this density of courses is high, reflecting the significant role golf tourism plays in the local economy. These facilities range from municipal courses that serve the local population to high-end resort courses that host professional tour events.
Distribution Across the Major Islands
The total number of courses is distributed unevenly across the four major islands. This distribution reflects population density and tourism development.
Oahu
Oahu, the most populous island and home to Honolulu, hosts the largest share of the state’s golf facilities, with a count of approximately 30 to 40 courses. This concentration provides the most diverse selection, encompassing municipal, military, and resort courses, offering a wide range of price points and accessibility. Courses here include the densely played municipal Ala Wai Golf Course and championship resort layouts like Ko Olina Golf Club.
Maui
Maui, known for its luxury resorts, features around 15 to 17 golf courses, particularly concentrated in the tourist areas of Kapalua and Wailea. The golf experience on Maui is characterized by stunning elevation changes and sweeping ocean views, often set within master-planned resort communities. The island is also home to the Kapalua Plantation Course, which hosts the PGA Tour’s Sentry Tournament of Champions.
Island of Hawaii (Big Island)
The Island of Hawaii, or the Big Island, offers approximately 15 to 22 courses, primarily clustered along the sunny Kohala Coast. Golf on the Big Island is defined by its unique volcanic geology, with many fairways routed through ancient lava fields that provide a dramatic contrast to the meticulously maintained green turf. Championship courses like Mauna Kea Golf Course and the resort facilities at Waikoloa integrate the jet-black a’a and pahoehoe lava into their challenging designs.
Kauai
Kauai, often called the Garden Isle, has the fewest courses of the major islands, with an estimated 7 to 9 facilities. The island’s golf is synonymous with dramatic, lush scenery, where the courses are carved out of tropical rainforests and along rugged ocean cliffs. Facilities like the Princeville Makai Golf Club are celebrated for their breathtaking backdrops of towering mountains and the Pacific Ocean.