The more demanding of the two Wailea RTJ Jr. courses, the Gold plays through natural lava outcroppings with ocean views from every hole on the slopes of Haleakala.
The two courses at Wailea occupy the western slope of Haleakala in South Maui, and the Gold Course is the more demanding of the pair. Robert Trent Jones Jr. designed both layouts in 1994, giving them shared DNA but distinct personalities. The Gold routes through natural lava outcroppings and retains more of the volcanic character of the site, while its companion Emerald Course opts for a more manicured, resort-friendly presentation. Golfers choosing between the two should understand the distinction: the Gold is the better test, the Emerald is the more relaxing round.
At 7,078 yards from the back tees with a slope of 139, the Gold Course plays longer and tighter than most Hawaiian resort courses. The lava formations that punctuate the layout serve as both visual features and legitimate hazards, creating forced carries and directional challenges that reward golfers who shape the ball intentionally. The fairways are narrower than the Emerald, the rough is more consequential, and the green complexes feature more pronounced internal contours.
The ocean views are the unifying element across all 18 holes. The course's position on the Haleakala slope means that every hole offers some perspective on the Pacific, with the islands of Molokini, Kahoolawe, and Lanai visible on clear days. The visual setting is genuinely spectacular, and the consistent ocean backdrop is one of the few features that the Gold and Emerald courses share equally.
The conditioning reflects the Wailea standard: Bermuda grass fairways, consistent bunker sand, and greens that roll true at speeds appropriate for resort play. The trade winds that cross the slope of Haleakala are a factor on exposed holes, and afternoon rounds tend to see stronger winds than morning play.
Green fees of $199 to $285 make the Gold Course one of the better values in the Hawaii market, particularly for golfers seeking a challenging layout at a price point below the Kapalua courses. The proximity to the Wailea Beach Resort and the broader South Maui accommodation corridor makes the Gold Course a logical choice for golfers based in the Wailea or Kihei areas. Playing the Gold and Emerald on consecutive days provides a complete picture of Jones Jr.'s work at Wailea, and the contrasting personalities of the two courses make the pairing more interesting than playing either course twice.
Arnold Palmer's 1975 design features the iconic 17th hole playing over the ocean, with whale-watching opportunities from the fairways in winter.
Home of the PGA Tour's The Sentry, this Coore & Crenshaw renovation plays across volcanic ridgelines above the Pacific with elevation changes that reward strategic positioning over brute force.
Robert Trent Jones Sr.'s 1964 design pioneered destination golf in Hawaii and remains a formidable test across rugged lava terrain with panoramic ocean and mountain views.
Six oceanfront holes through ancient lava fields along the Kohala Coast make this one of the most visually dramatic resort courses in the United States.
The more forgiving companion to the Gold, the Emerald features wider fairways and dramatic tropical landscaping with ocean views from every hole in South Maui.